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[nightscrawl]

OP updated with Issue #2.

[Heimdall]

Read it

Spoiler

Well, that stint in Tevinter was a lot more short lived than I thought it would be, and with a Calpernia cameo to boot. Now their in the Frostbacks just as Inquisition starts? That's much closer to the game's events than I expected they would ever get.

Better than the first issue, but I'm a bit disappointed that it's moving so quickly. I would have preferred them to stay in Tevinter and explore a new side of the conflict. I hope this isn't the last we've seen of Radonis.

[nightscrawl]

^ In the interview I posted in the OP it does say, "... with the end of issue #2 corresponding to the destruction of the Conclave, the inciting event of the game. The first arc of the series will encompass the full plot of Inquisition, however, and after that it'll be striking out into new territory for the franchise."

 

I think there are only four issues of this arc. Since our two heroes aren't actually involved with the Inquisition, it doesn't surprise me overmuch that they're going to gloss over the events in this way. I mean, there is already an entire game covering that, and the Inquisitor themselves is the actual one who takes care of (most of) the Venatori and deals with Calpernia.

 

I also wouldn't be surprised if we move back into Tevinter at some point. We know from things said in the game, and in Trespasser, that the Venatori are still around and still have supporters. So there is still a danger there. Also -- I've never played it -- I understand that we do not actually see Calpernia die at the culmination of that quest, so this comic series (in arc 2), may very well answer the question of her survival in the post-DAI world.

 

But overall I've gotten the impression that this first arc is more-or-less an introductory arc, with the real plot and story getting going after the events of DAI. What I'm really curious to know is just how long those post-DAI events will cover. Will we get the full two years leading up to Trespasser? Will we go past that? Will we get to see Dorian back in Tevinter (I find this unlikely) and Halward assassinated? Will we see the increased push by the Qunari?

[greenbrownblue]

Same.

So far I'm not impressed by the comic.

Spoiler

  The duo is meh , the silent one who's efficient and got a dark and secret past+ the cheery female sidekick is nothing impressive.Not much imagination in their design , both good looking , guys has scars.

The OMG the baddies are going to kill children we have to go to Tevinter , also not impressed.

Then the Oh noes it was a trap , and the archon who has the same outfit designed for the archon thousand of years ago (World of Thedas 2) , I could buy in the past the archons were dressed in some over the top egypsian fashion but that's not a design we've seen in current Tevinter so far so it felt like the guy has a bad case of cosplay going on.

And then well it ends there.

 

So yeah.At least it was cheap.

Yup, same here. I sincerely hope they will not be our companions in DA4. I am looking forward for the #3 issue. If I remember well, Lelliana was on the cover, was not she?

[greenbrownblue]

.

Buy and read online on Dark Horse Digital. Issue 1. Issue 2.
 
If you need a reason to read it: from Polygon...

[edit]

-----
 
Personal view of issue 1...
 
Tessa is great, and I quite like her. It was just getting going when it ended! Can't wait for the next one!

I love it how it costs only 2$ in US, but 4$ in EU. Not to mention that the currency I am paying in lost 25% of its value (no, it's not the rubel) in 2015. Oh, and no - we do not make more money here. Italy is in deep crisis and my second country has a weak currency and 1/2 of US' average wage. Fighting piracy? Bioware, you are doing it wrong.

[Heimdall]

@nightscrawl

I meant closer to the game events geographically

I kinda thought this whole arc would be in Tevinter

[nightscrawl]

I love it how it costs only 2$ in US, but 4$ in EU. Not to mention that the currency I am paying in lost 25% of its value (no, it's not the rubel) in 2015. Oh, and no - we do not make more money here. Italy is in deep crisis and my second country has a weak currency and 1/2 of US' average wage. Fighting piracy? Bioware, you are doing it wrong.

 

Um, I paid $3.99 in the US.

[Heimdall]

Um, I paid $3.99 in the US.

Me too...

[Reznore57]

Still don't know what to make of this comic.

 

Spoiler

I thought it was slightly better than the first one .Probably because it was set in Tevinter , and it shows some of its decadence , some stuff we may never see in game like half naked slaves being sold in the some random market place.

But comic plots tends to be meh at best ...

Part of the plot stand on the fact the Archon can't murder people openly ...since when is this the case?The Black Divine murders people at parties and no one bats an eye , magisters killing each other is a fact of life.But the archon has to be very hush hush about the whole deal.Ok.

Then the Archon goes out of his way to recruit someone who despise him , why?

Assassins are also a thing in Tevinter , at least Dorian says so , if assassins weren't able to kill mages over there they'd all be out of jobs .So our archon would have been way better off paying someone who would want the money and would be willing to be discreet.

There is the kitchen scene.Ok the archon and friends wants some lowkey place to talk about business.All fine and dandy , it's supposed to be a secret mission.Then why the hell the archon is still in his Halloween costume?

Then there's the Calpernia scene.Our badass mage hunter suddenly looses all his brain , yes his ex girlfriends is in a group of mage supremacist who wants to bring back the good old days when slavery was even worst.Of course instead of having a talk with the lady about conflicting ideologies , he put his tongue down her mouth and run away with the Venatori.

The I hate mages guy and I'm the funny sidekick knows the Archon will get rid of them once all their marks are killed.What do they do , kill their marks ... until the last assassination offers a solution.Lucky for them , because plan B seemed beyond them.

Somehow they end up on the Frostback moutain .

I guess dumb luck is a thing because I can't explain how those two are still alive and in business .

[Dancing_Dolphin]

Spoiler

I was wondering if we would see Calpernia, given her history with Marius, but I didn't think it would be so soon and wrap up so quickly.

It was interesting to get a glimpse of Tevinter. It seems Marius doesn't have any special mage fighting power after all, except cunning. I wonder what that scar is from on his chest then?

[The Baconer]

Yeah, I feel like the pacing has some issues. 

 

Spoiler

What was advertised as the main conflict, or at least as I had understood it, has already been resolved... and within a scant few pages.
 

Speaking of which: What exactly did these "magekillers" do, that wouldn't be simply routine for the Crows?

[Heimdall]

Yeah, I feel like the pacing has some issues.

Spoiler

What was advertised as the main conflict, or at least as I had understood it, has already been resolved... and within a scant few pages.

Speaking of which: What exactly did these "magekillers" do, that wouldn't be simply routine for the Crows?

The pacing does seem to be all over the place. Honestly I was expecting something more along the lines of Game of Thrones in Minrathous.

Spoiler

It feels like this is still setup at this point. The scenario has changed completely, like their setting up backstory for the story proper.

They don't seem to have any unique tricks, they just advertise themselves as assassins that specialize in killing mages (Though that may be enough as I imagine the average assassin is hesitant to take on a Mage targets).

[Heimdall]

Part of the plot stand on the fact the Archon can't murder people openly ...since when is this the case?The Black Divine murders people at parties and no one bats an eye , magisters killing each other is a fact of life.But the archon has to be very hush hush about the whole deal.Ok.

Source for the bit about the Black Divine? That's news to me

Then the Archon goes out of his way to recruit someone who despise him , why?
Assassins are also a thing in Tevinter , at least Dorian says so , if assassins weren't able to kill mages over there they'd all be out of jobs .So our archon would have been way better off paying someone who would want the money and would be willing to be discreet.

As I understand it, he's gone out of his way to hire an assassin that nobody would suspect him of hiring, precisely because he despises him. And apparently they have a reputation for being good at taking powerful mages unawares.

There is the kitchen scene.Ok the archon and friends wants some lowkey place to talk about business.All fine and dandy , it's supposed to be a secret mission.Then why the hell the archon is still in his Halloween costume?

Search me, that bothered me too.

[MisterJB]

Yeah, I feel like the pacing has some issues. 

 

Spoiler

What was advertised as the main conflict, or at least as I had understood it, has already been resolved... and within a scant few pages.
 

Speaking of which: What exactly did these "magekillers" do, that wouldn't be simply routine for the Crows?

Spoiler

As the issue explains, Radonis always meant to kill them so the death of Tevinter noblemen and women couldn't be traced back to him. You could do that because these two are independent.

You can't do that with the crows.

 

Like others have said, I liked the issue but am disappointed they just glossed over so much.

 

Spoiler

I mean, "You're a mage. The contract's off"? Is that it, Marius? You have already shown you despise the Archon and everything he stands for. The Venatori are just as bad or worse and you're not going to question Calpernia a bit about her role in it?

 

Furthermore, I don't remember Calpernia's story all that well. Did she not choose her name after Marius was sold? How would he know to call her "Cal"?

[MisterJB]

Source for the bit about the Black Divine? That's news to me

Banter between Dorian and Vivienne.

Anyway, it doesn't bother since it makes sense.

It could be due to politics, too. If words gets out that the Archon is murdering Tevinter nobles because they want to restore the nation, it could generate sympathy for the Venatori.

If, on the other hand, he kills someone because he tells him he is wearing a really silly hat, no one would care.
 

[Reznore57]

Source for the bit about the Black Divine? That's news to me
 

 

There's some Dorian banters talking about the killing machine the Black Divine is :

Spoiler

  

• Dorian: Do you think they'll actually make you Divine?
• Cassandra: It seems anything is possible these days.
• Dorian: It's so odd. Like waiting for the Chantry fairy to appear."Congratulations! You're the ruler!"
• Cassandra: We do not engage in pitch battle for the position as you do in Tevinter.
• Dorian: The successor must prove he could slaughter his enemies, he doesn't actually do it. We're not savages.
• Cassandra: Indeed. The slaughter occurs after he becomes Divine.
• Dorian: (Chuckles) That's considered housekeeping.

 

• Vivienne: I'm curious, Dorian: have you ever met the Black Divine?
• Dorian: I saw him once at a ball, but we never met. He had to leave early on account of assassination.
• Vivienne: Someone tried to kill him?
• Dorian: Kill him? No, no, he killed a magister. Could have waited until the dancing was finished.

[MisterJB]

BTW, cover for issue 5 featuring the Orb and some Red Templars.

 

[Andromelek]

There's some Dorian banters talking about the killing machine the Black Divine is :

Spoiler

  

• Dorian: Do you think they'll actually make you Divine?
• Cassandra: It seems anything is possible these days.
• Dorian: It's so odd. Like waiting for the Chantry fairy to appear."Congratulations! You're the ruler!"
• Cassandra: We do not engage in pitch battle for the position as you do in Tevinter.
• Dorian: The successor must prove he could slaughter his enemies, he doesn't actually do it. We're not savages.
• Cassandra: Indeed. The slaughter occurs after he becomes Divine.
• Dorian: (Chuckles) That's considered housekeeping.

 

• Vivienne: I'm curious, Dorian: have you ever met the Black Divine?
• Dorian: I saw him once at a ball, but we never met. He had to leave early on account of assassination.
• Vivienne: Someone tried to kill him?
• Dorian: Kill him? No, no, he killed a magister. Could have waited until the dancing was finished.

I wouldn't be surprised if that guy killed Titus in a world state with drunk/dead Alistair.

[Reznore57]

I wouldn't be surprised if that guy killed Titus in a world state with drunk/dead Alistair.

 

Yeah I was just thinking the Archon should just have asked the Black Divine to deal with it , I mean who's going to say anything if the Black Divine kill cultists who want to bring back the Old Gods.

[MisterJB]

It could still be traced back to him then.

 

Besides, we don't know the relationship between the Archon and the Black Divine.

 

They may be loathe to admit any weakness to the other, the Black Divine may have Venatori sympathies, it may make other families feel threatened if the two most powerful people in the Imperium are suddenly close chums all of a sudden, etc.

[The Baconer]

Spoiler

As the issue explains, Radonis always meant to kill them so the death of Tevinter noblemen and women couldn't be traced back to him. You could do that because these two are independent.

You can't do that with the crows.

 

Fair enough. Still, as far as the work goes, I'm not really seeing the technique that warrants a "magekiller" speciality. 

 

As for the other issue regarding assassination - I would imagine in Tevinter (under the pretense of "might makes right"), that if you have beef, you step to. Hiring plebeians to settle your score would be seen as an "Orlesian" move, a show of weakness. Not that it actually works out that way in practice, but I'm sure that's how the big-bad mages like to spin it.

 

On top of that, there's a multitude of other political issues and dangers... 

Spoiler

What with the Venatori and their resources/support base.

[Heimdall]

On top of that, there's a multitude of other political issues and dangers...

Spoiler

What with the Venatori and their resources/support base.

Spoiler

I'm guessing that if it became public knowledge that the Archon was openly opposed to a cult promoting the restoration of the old empire, regardless of impracticality, would give the Venatori sympathy from the upper class mages and a good number in the Magisterium against him.

Preferable to avoid.

[MisterJB]

I wonder if Corypheus will make an appearance.

 

[Chiramu]

I personally enjoyed this story more than the first one. It gives us some background on Calpernia, who before reading this comic I didn't enjoy the story for because I knew Samson more. I think this will make fighting the Venatori and Calpernia a lot more enjoyable in Inquisition.

 

I think the end page had the worst pacing out of the comic, but aside from that I thought it moved well. Calpernia was more important then the other mages. Just the Breach was rushed out imo.

I wonder if Solas will make an appearance here .

[Lumix19]

Fair enough. Still, as far as the work goes, I'm not really seeing the technique that warrants a "magekiller" speciality.

As for the other issue regarding assassination - I would imagine in Tevinter (under the pretense of "might makes right"), that if you have beef, you step to. Hiring plebeians to settle your score would be seen as an "Orlesian" move, a show of weakness. Not that it actually works out that way in practice, but I'm sure that's how the big-bad mages like to spin it.

On top of that, there's a multitude of other political issues and dangers...

Spoiler

What with the Venatori and their resources/support base.

I always thought Tevinter was more "Anything Goes", so if they have to send demons in the dead of night to kill you and possess your corpse they're going to and be damned what people think.
Rules, honor and duels are more of an Orlesian thing in my mind.