Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Landry Q. Walker
Artist: Mel Rubi
Colourist: Ivan Nunes
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

When the author’s name is on the masthead in bigger letters than the actual title of the book itself, you know you are in trouble. Such is the case with Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings #8 which you could be forgiven for thinking was actually called George R. R. Martin. Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings #8 is part of a comic book series that was as inevitable as death and taxes. No matter what you do, you cannot avoid them.

First of all, let me make a confession. I’ve grown bored with all things Game of Thrones. Okay, stop hitting me, I know that’s tantamount to sacrilege, but honestly, is no-one else fed up with the way HBO is stringing out the agony about the final series? And the last couple haven’t been anything to write home about; nothing but treading water and gigantic teasers for the finale which will have to be truly mind-blowing to even come close to all the hype that has gone before.

Given all that, what chance does a humble comic book have?

Well, Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings #8’s opening chapter is all about Tyrion, so that’s a plus. Peter Dinklage’s character is the standout star of the TV series and one of my favourite characters ever in the whole universe, so Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings #8 is off to a flying start.

As with George R. R. Martin’s books, we then move on to the next chapter which focuses on Arya. I could tell you what happens in each chapter, but the chances are that you wouldn’t have picked up Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings #8 unless you were already a fan, which means you know all this stuff off by heart. And if you’re not a fan, would Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings #8 be enough to tempt you to find out what all the fuss was about? Maybe. But with so much other sword and sorcery and fantasy material to choose from this may just be a redundant exercise riding on the coat-tails of the TV series.

Mel Rubi’s artwork is slick without slavish likenesses and Landry Q. Walker has adapted the source material faithfully, but then, to do otherwise would have been to incite the wrath of Game of Thrones fanatics everywhere, but, much as I’d like to say this was a triumph, I’m struggling to see the point of it. Buy the box set of the series so far and wait for the final few episodes, because I don’t think Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings #8 is going to give you the Game of Thrones fix you so desperately crave.

 

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker