Dragon Age: Knight Errant

Dragon Age: Knight Errant #1-5

by Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, Fernando Heinz Furukawa (Illustrator)

BioWare's bestselling fantasy franchise, Dragon Age, lives on in these canonical comics from Dark Horse!Vaea, an elven squire, and her knight, the drunken Ser Aaron Hawthorne, arrive in Kirkwall just in time for Varric Tethras' appointment as Viscount. A talented thief, Vaea skips the party to take on an easy job recovering a hidden lock box . . . but when she chooses to change the terms of the deal mid-heist, she is entangled in a dangerous mission that is surely above her pay grade.Collects the comic series Dragon Knight Errant, Issues #1-5

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Video Games, Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2018

About the author

Nunzio DeFilippis is married to Christina Weir; together they have written a large number of graphic novels. They have written superhero comics but also created original comics and graphic novels of many genres, from YA fantasy to sports to horror to crime drama.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

An aging knight and his elven squire travel from town to town telling stories of the knight's heroics. His squire is actually a thief, stealing from the rich of each town and giving to the poor. I liked the main characters, they had a lot of heart. I also liked the conflict of the competing thieves. The art was a little too anime looking for my tastes.

Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.

[Tatra Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars for the story and art.
5/5 stars for Sebastian Vael.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Actual rating is a 3.5*

Around the halfway point, Dragon Age: Knight Errant transitioned from being good to great. It took a little bit for the story to find its footing, particularly as there are some flashbacks thrown in that aren't signaled well -- I would find myself confused and think I'd skipped a page, realized I hadn't, and then figure out that it was a flashback, which wasn't an experience I enjoyed.

Vaea seems neat from this first installment though I wish there was more character development. Ser Aaron Hawthorne felt more relatable and nuanced to me. As always, it was great to see an old favorite from the video game series make an appearance. I also love how the writers avoided portraying characters, like the Hero of Ferelden, that players would have different experiences with.

I really liked the ending and I'm looking forward to the next issue.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I adore Vaea and Hawthrone now, and it's always good to see Varric again. I love these little side stories of the small players, some known and others new, and how it ties into the larger story.
I'm really looking forward to seeing more from these two.

[Václav · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4 of 5 for another pretty good DA tale)
I'm pleasantly surprised that without Rucka the quality of entertainment didn't plummet down. On the contrary, it holds the bar and provides a pretty decent sword and sorcery fun. In this case more like sword, thievery and sorcery. We have two new characters, likeable and relatable thanks to authoring who shape them along the way to give them more depth, giving more viewpoints on them and it's guiding the reader to "make" his own opinion (which reader is actually led to, but the illusion of "own judgement/discovery" it is pretty important for creating "lifelike" character). The author also cleverly uses the known character, both old ones from games and new ones from the previous series. That also creates a feeling of "real lively world". The art changes a little bit on the cartoonish/anime side, but in a very subtle manner that I didn't notice that most of the time. And it is still a very nice art, fitting the story.

[✿ Mika ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of the art but the story was the one that really kept me going through this entire issue. I finished it in a very short amount of time and loved every part of it-- the plot, the character development, the overall flow of the story, etc. As a DA fan, this was a really fun read for me.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great volume of the Dragon Age series!

Unlike "Magekiller", which I really liked because it jumped right in the middle of "Dragon Age: Inquisition", this one was not a part of the game stories, despite having characters who were in the games or were related to the games.

It was, nevertheless, interesting and sweet.

I loved Vaea and Ser Aaron and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that they will at least make an appearance in DA4. Also, it's always a pleasure to have Varric in any of the graphic novels, he's one of the best.

I'm also dying to hear what happened at Ostagar.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to see characters on the outskirts of the Inquisition. Or people getting into it even after the big fight.

[Katie Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable tale (or slice of it) with a compelling set of characters. I think Vaea is my favourite protagonist from the Dragon Age comics (so far!) that hasn't appeared in the games. I'm a sucker for a cool elf with a trouble past but a good heart.

Also, great to see so many returning faces! Charter is great, Tessa and Marius were a welcome surprise (though they've seen better days), Sebastian was complex as ever, and Varric was an absolute delight as always!

I really can't wait to see how the story continues in the Dragon Age: Deception issues!

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good follow up to Magekiller but honestly I didn’t enjoy it as much. I was expecting to love it since I love the elves in the Dragon Age universe but it just fell flat. I love the beardy and wholesome Ser Aaron and his relationship to Vaea. He really surprised me even more so than Vaea in this story. I was sure what was up with the elves having goat pupils...? And the pages where Ser Aaron and Vaea were placed in the middle, the binding didn’t sit quite right so Vaea looked like a cyclops and Ser Aaron just didn’t...look right? Anyways, I didn’t dislike it but I didn’t love it.

[Eldin Stråth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I don't think they're eager for a Fereldan knight's tales of glory, ser."
"... but they're exceptional tales :("

Jag gillade den här mycket mer än den första i den här serien, främst för att det kändes som att historien hade en röd tråd nu och inte lika mycket "this happened, then this, but wait back to this"

[Dakota★Magic in Every Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the characters and the story (I especially loved Ser Aaron and Vaea's friendship) but I'm not a super big fan of the art. Sometimes the expressions seems all wrong or the eyes are really weird.

[Elfo-oscuro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiene un trazo bonito y una bonita historia de trasfondo, pero que vaya pegando saltos temporales no me va, leer la siguiente parte porque la primera me gustó mucho y el mundo de Dragon Age tambien me gusta

[Clare Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

This might be my favorite of these little Dragon Age graphic novels but like....these are just average. I’m glad I read them but ya’ll just play the games lol

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

vaea and ser aaron are the coolest new characters in any of the comics ngl

[cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

- I don't think they're eager for a fereldan knight's tales of glory, ser.
- But they're exceptional tales!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one

[Escape to Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me of the Alienage route of Origins and I really liked it.

[megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was cute. again, it was kinda pointless and didn't add anything to canon really but the two main characters had a sweet (platonic) relationship

[Alex E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good tale about an older, but distinguished traveling knight and his faithful squire.... but she does more than just squire as we learn from this volume.

Vaea is a squire yes, but she also has a penchant for theft. She manages to do her best impression of Robin Hood by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. And since her traveling knight, Ser Aaron Hawthorne, goes from city to city drinking and regaling royalty and townsfolk with stories of his adventures, it allows Vaea the opportunity to accomplish her tasks and make a clean getaway. But after a member of the Inquisition shows up to enlist her services to break out two prisoners, a suspecting party starts to put the pieces together to realize what is going on.

This was a fun tale and almost doesn't even mater that its in the Dragon Age universe. I mean, besides the mention of the Inquisition, this could have been any other fantasy setting and it would work the same way. I think that's what makes it good. It deals with universal concepts and doesn't try to crowbar the ties to the game all that much.

The art did look good for the most part. However there are some moments where the art looks a bit rushed, but this doesn't take a way from the book. Really good coloring as well gives this book a well polished look. Great job by the art team.

If you're a fan of fantasy settings set in a medieval backdrop, check this out.

[Chocolategoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! In a very short amount of time, DeFilippis really made me care about Vaea and her knight. This is the first of the Dragon Age comics that I haven't primarily enjoyed because of its setting. I was really just digging the story and the characters.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The elves are all drawn with goat eyes and it's unreasonably distracting. The story doesn't do much for worldbuilding or question-answering and really only serves to show some Viscount-Varric antics.

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Ripping "Dragon Age" Tale That Works As A Stand-alone

As I understand it, "Dragon Age" is a wildly successful high fantasy role-playing video game series created by BioWare. The first game came out in 2009, and there have been multiple sequels and all sorts of spinoffs, novels, comics, and the like.

This TP collects the first 5 issues of "Dragon Age: Knight Errant", which is set in the Dragon Age world, fits into the Dragon Age history, and references Dragon Age characters, places, and events, but otherwise seems to work well as a stand-alone action/adventure story.

The set up is that our hero, a landless knight, has a glorious history, a drunken present and not much of a future. He spends his time wandering the world, living off his celebrity, and telling tales of heroic adventure to amuse his hosts. He has a female, elven, squire, which is unheard of but generally accepted. As you no doubt suspect, our knight is a man of more substance and nobility than he pretends and his squire is clever, quick-witted, and really more of an adventuring partner. The two have various adventures as they travel from kingdom to kingdom and feel like a cross between Robin Hood and Secret Medieval Agents, with lots of drinking and a touch of Monty Python's Grail knights added.

So, while the comic observes all of the appropriate conventions, doesn't mock the genre, fits into the canon, and offers a fair share of action, suspense, plot and backstory, it is also cheerful and rollicking in a grand romantic adventure sort of way. I don't know the Dragon Age universe and I still got into the story with ease. The drawing is a bit old school, but the action is clear and the characters are expressive and always well rendered and detailed. The overall effect is sharp with a sly bit of a wink, and that was fine by me. This was an entertaining find.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS AMAZING.

Dragon Age. Heists. Varric. An elven badass. A knight in shining armor with a heart of gold. THEIR FRIENDSHIP. No romance between the two of them. SOLID. FRIENDSHIP. And possibly a link to the next Dragon Age game?

Look, I just really, really want to see Vaea and Ser Aaron Hawthorne in the next game at this point. And if Vaea is a romance option, I might be all up on that bandwagon, lbr.

But anyway, this is a fantastic Dragon Age story about a young elven squire, who is actually a thief on the side, Robin Hooding alongside her knight's journeys through Thedas, regaling the stories of his glory days. After a heist in Kirkwall, during the commemoration of Varric becoming viscount of the city, she's approached by an agent of the Inquisition like, "Hi there, we see you like to steal things. You can try to deny it but we know your entire life story so why don't you go do this thing for us, thanks." Next thing she knows, Vaea and Ser Hawthorne, along with Varric, are headed to Starkhaven for Prince Sebastian's birthday party so that Vaea can pull off this most daring of heists.

The character development for our two leads is outstanding: both of their backstories are heart-wrenching for different reasons, and how they end the comic just makes you fall in love with the pair of them. The heists were thrilling. The plot twists were admittedly predictable but by then I didn't even care anymore. I just loved everything about this.

If you're a Dragon Age fan, you MUST READ THIS. Especially since I do suspect that Vaea, and possibly Hawthorne too, will make an appearance in the next game. I'm even more convinced that Vaea at the very least will be a companion, and man, I hope she's a romanceable one, and romanceable for the ladies. Now I want to go replay Inquisition. And I'm going to be pouting that we still have YEARS (plural) (probably) before the next game comes out.

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

These DA graphic novels are gold. The art is phenomenal; beautiful style, excellent expressions, deep and vibrant colours, and great backdrops.

I really liked Vaea's character. She's a real life elven Robin Hood with guts, smarts, and skill. She's the Rogue I always say I'll be and never have the patience to actually execute and instead running into battle daggers waving killing the first demon I come across without properly looking around.

Our drunk and story-telling travelling Knight Sir Hawthorne didn't grab my heart in the same way, but I really came around at the end. I pretty much melted when he said he'd always known of Vaea's, uh, extracurricular activities and supported her. His speech at the end sealed the deal. Partners!! Aww. His flask being thrown away was great too.

I like that so much of the new stories are carried by new characters but we'll still regularly see a familiar face from the game. We saw a ton of Varric in this one, which is always a win. That smooth-talking novel-writing dwarf won my heart with his loyalty and heart in DA2 and again in DA:I. Oh the other hand, I didn't have the DLC for Sebastien, so I don't "know him personally", so to speak. He definitely sounded like the slightly uptight Chantry loving mage I've heard of. Canon characters from games are treated very well here. Also love seeing characters from the last graphic novel too, and the not so subtle Charter romance callback. Vaea mistaking who her lover was had me rolling. I definitely ship it.

Last thing: these books have really made my enjoyment of playing DA:I even greater because as I'm doing War Table missions or just interacting with NPCs I have a more full vision of this world and things going on behind the scenes across Thedas.

I don't think the next book was received as well, but I'm going into it hoping for the same excellence because so far it's been a pretty fantastic ride.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming right off of Magekiller this series felt Excellent by comparison. The characters are well formed and have their own arcs; the plot is self-contained, has complications and stakes, and is ultimately resolved by the choices happening along the way; deeper touches to the lore of the series actually matter to the characters involved and have influenced a unique outlook; and it made me care about some characters I didn't think I would. Very nice to see all round!

Extra points for having Varric in a central but diplomatic role, and Sebastian, who is mostly focussed on the fact that it's his birthday. Can't really argue with that characterisation! Tessa and Marius being such a small but Important part of the narrative was a very nice way to tie to all together, and their brief dialogue in the prison was perhaps the funniest moment in all the Dragon Age media I've seen so far. I instantly much prefer this version of them.

Also since I've seen so many reviews mention that they don't like the art style I just want to make a point of the fact that I thought it was excellent. Very clear, vibrant, and easy to make sense of the action happening on page. VERY much prefer this to the style of the Alistair comics, where the characters mostly resemble who they are but not really, and womenmustbesexualisedevenifitsnotrelevant. Here the characters look exactly like who they're supposed to be and I had a great time visually the whole way through.

[Ghosty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, I admit I liked this much more than Magekiller.
At first I was only going to give it 3 stars but I've settled on 3.5/4 stars.

Firstly, the art had improved a lot. There were many panels that looked far prettier and smoother. The extras and background characters actually looked unique and not just like bad copies of main characters (as in Magekiller). There were some rough spots; namely when we first saw Varric again, but nothing that took me out of the reading experience.

I really enjoyed Vaea and Hawthorne's dynamic, as well as their individual personalities. I personally found them more interesting than Tessa and Marius...
Vaea's design was sooo nice. Though I didn't really understand why she, and a handful of other elves, had goat pupils...? I can't seem to find an explanation for it anywhere.

The pacing in Knight Errant was also quite the improvement on Magekiller. The flashbacks made sense and there were no hard-to-follow timeskips, which was nice. I found in the short 5 chapters I actually was able to grow attached to the characters. The last chapter made me all sappy too lol <3

I do like how the ending implied we could see Vaea and Hawthorne in da4....

[Simen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly charming and engaging entry in the graphic novel series. Set in post-Inquisition Thedas, it introduces two likeable new leads: Vaea, an elven rogue moonlighting as a thief while serving a noble, and Ser Aaron, a washed-up but good-hearted knight. Their dynamic brings a refreshing mix of humor, heart, and classic fantasy hijinks.

The story is lighter in tone than 'Magekiller', but still manages to touch on deeper themes like elven identity, loyalty, and the power dynamics of the post-war world. There are some fun appearances by familiar faces like Cole and Dorian, and the plot ties nicely into the larger Dragon Age timeline without feeling weighed down by it.

The art is colorful and expressive, and the pacing is strong across all five issues. It’s not essential reading, but it’s a genuinely fun adventure that adds flavor to the world of Thedas - and it sets the stage for even better things in later volumes like 'Deception' and 'Blue Wraith'.

Definitely worth a read if you want something with a bit more wit and charm, while still staying grounded in Dragon Age lore.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent outing for a writer/illustrator team I hope Bioware keeps on board for years to come. Deftly and thoughtfully explores many things within the world of Thedas that I feel other areas of the canon have neglected and/or portrayed in a solely negative light, like the relationship between city and Dalish elves, the mixed feelings of veterans of Ostagar and the psychological impact that battle and its implications had on them, and the imperialism and cultural genocide left in the wake of empire. And it's all done with a dark-skinned female elf as the protagonist whose identity in the context of this universe is never ignored as we witness how she moves through it. On top of this, it's beautifully illustrated, action-packed, and includes cameos of series favorites like Varric and previous comic characters like Tessa and Marius, none of which felt forced. Would love to see any of these characters show up in-game, but I'm very pleased that they seem to be recurring in the comics and very much look forward to seeing more of them.

[Rachael C Marek · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the last two DA related comics, two disappointments, I was wary going in, but I was pleasantly surprised by Knight Errant. This was a much better story with compelling new characters, and a visit with some old ones. I enjoyed the relationship between the aging knight, Aaron and his elven squire, Vaea, and how this tale gave us a little more insight into what is happening in the world of Thedas around the time of the Inquisition.

From Ferelden to the streets of Kirkwall and then to the palace of Starkhaven, we learn of the knight's many adventures, most of which seem exaggerated. While Aaron comes off as a clueless drunk, and Vaea as demure, in truth they each have much more to them. Vaea is an adept thief who makes an impression on the Inquisition, and the drunk, we learn, lives up to his reputation.

I still found the artwork a bit odd at times, I mean, if Sebastian hadn't been in his armor, I wouldn't have known it was him, but overall a much more enjoyable read.