It is probably not fair that I review Dragon Age: Those Who Speak #2 as I’ve become a Dragon Age fanboy in the last few month. Assuming I was not before. I recently read Dragon Age: Asunder which really left me wanting more stories from the Dragon Age universe. So, going into Dragon Age: Those Who Speak #2 I was already fairly happy just to be back in the Dragon Age universe. This issue picks up shortly after the end of Dragon Age: Those Who Speak #1. Alistair, Varric and Isabela have been captured by the Qunari. While Alistair and Varric are being held in at least respectable accommodations they have been separated from Isabela. The don’t know why or even if she is still alive.
This issue focuses almost entirely on giving back story for Isabela. How she came to be a pirate, what happened in the events leading up to her joining your crew in Dragon Age 2 and even why the Qunari hate her so much. Even though I’m not generally a fan of this type of pause in a comic series to go back and fill in back story (do that with an issue 0 please) I really liked getting to know Isabela better. This issue adds so much more depth to her character than what we got in all of Dragon Age 2. The issue gives a little insight to Alistair quest towards then end and seems to be setting up or an exciting third issue in November.
The art in the Dragon Age comics is always nicely done but I wanted to mention that the portions in this issue that are flash backs of Isabela’s were outstanding. They portray her memories in a way that fits perfectly. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen memories portrayed better actually. They are fragments and torn moments from her past that are colored by her emotions of the event. They are not entire scenes that play out but just quick moments of action. Each one clearly showing quickly but clearly the feeling Isabela has when the recalls that event.
Dragon Age: Those Who Speak #2 ends a little more abruptly than I was expecting and it left me really wanting Dragon Age: Those Who Speak #3 to be out already so I can see what happens next. I guess that is the sign of a good comic, and this one is up there as one of the best I’ve read in a long time.
