R.A. Salvatore’s, The Legend of Drizzt series is easily the best fantasy series there is.  With lovable characters such as the surly dwarf, Bruenor, the powerful, if naive, barbarian Wulfgar, the loveable archer Cattie-Bri, and of course the noble hero, Drizzt. 

Drizzt is born a dark elf, or drow, in the lightless caverns of the underdark, a system of tunnels underneath the surface world.  There, he is raised in Drow society, a society that has a heart darker than their tunnel home.  Drizzt, of course, as the nobel hero, is horrified by the darkness, and through many a twist and turn, ends up on the surface.

What he could not know is what he would face when he got there.  Drow have a reputation for evil you see, and not just any evil.  They are so evil that even demons, who are the emobiement of evil acknowldge Drow elves as their supperiors.  They rarely see the person past the heritage when they look at Drizzt, and so he is driven across the realms into the most remote wildernesses, the place where the rogue’s rogues go, outcasts even by an outcasts standards.  There Drizzt met Cattie-Bri, adpoted daughter of the dwarf king, Bruenor Battlehammer, and from there began a friendship that would outlast many a hardship.

Many of the Legend of Drizzt books have made it on to the New York Times bestseller’s list, and just recently the 20th anniversary of Drizzt was celebrated.  The story starts with the book Homeland, and the most recent one out in stores is The Ghost King.

Be sure to enjoy them!

By R.A. Salvator (writer), Andrew Dabb (script), Rob Atkins (pencils), Clayton Brown (inks), Wes Dzioba (colors)

Time flies when you’re having fun. Unlike Marvel’s Anita Blake novel adaptatons which have been coming out at a snail’s pace (they haven’t even finished adapting the first book!), Devil’s Due has wasted no time in putting our R.A. Salvatore’s line Drizzt books. Already on their sixth book of the series, nothing reads better than a cast of characters that have an undeniable amount of chemistry and charisma. Every time a new Drizzt series begins, it’s like catching up with old friends.

Drizzt has returned to the Mithral Hall to see Catti-Brie married. As all this happens, his sister conspires again to kill him and bring honor and fortune back to her House. Using Drizzt’s brother, Dinin, and Jarlaxle, she sets out a plot to capture Drizzt by using the dwarves’ own greed to her advantage. Meanwhile, something’s up with Wulfgar. He’s not only jealous of Drizzt, but he’s having control issues with his future wife. Things are getting nasty for our band of heroes!

Firstly, I love Tim Seeley’s art. From the cover he drew, I thought he’d be doing the interiors as well. I was wrong. But it’s okay, because Rob Atkins’ pencils are fantastic. Atkins channels Seeley in a way that everyone looks familiar, but he also adds his own touches as well. His layouts also keep pace with Andrew Dabb’s script, while Clayton Brown backs him up with some gorgeous inks.

Andrew Dabb has these adaptations down to an artform. He always divides each novel into three issues at 48 pages each. He stays true to the books and somehow manages to end each issue at exactly the right spot. R.A. Salvatore’s story is infectious. Drizzt is surrounded by such a colorful cast that you can’t help but love these books. Even his enemies like Artemis and Jarlaxle are incredibly like-able. If you’re a fan of the books, you’ll love this series. If you like fantasy or games like World of WarCraft, pick up the previous trades or novels before starting this series. It’s a treat. (Grade: A-)

- J. Montes