Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Carmen Carnero
Editor: Dave Marshall
Release date: 16 December 2015
Price: $3.99

Here’s your chance to get in at ground zero on Greg Rucka’s latest missive from the dark-fantasy world of Dragon Age.

In Dragon Age: Mage Killer #1 meet Marius (dark, brooding and grumpy) and Tessa, (spunky, feisty and cute) Mage Killer’s for hire. If you use blood magic, you do not want to meet these two in a dark alley or even a well-lit one come to that, but, as we are told right at the start, magic cheats so don’t expect this to be all plain sailing and bad Mage slaughtering. Tessa gives us a comprehensive rundown on who’s who and what’s what for most of this issue which means we can dispense with those pesky speech balloons that just take up space which allows the artwork to take centre stage.

Marius seems to be the strong silent type for Dragon Age: Mage Killer #1 anyway, preferring to let his sword do the talking for him, but not even the offer of a fat payday can tempt the morose mercenary to return to his homeland. Not until the wily emissary appeals to his sense of honour at least. You just know the whole thing will end in tears and a welter of blood, but that’s what we expect from dark fantasy of Dragon Age: Mage Killer #1 and this does not disappoint.

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker