By Ashley Gibbs

Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings #2 is a comic book adaptation of the second book in George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire, A Clash of Kings. This one follows after the first issue where more well-known characters share their story as the red comet trails across the sky. Fans of the television show, like myself, can follow along with the story without having read the books before, it’s a lovely visual interpretation of the story cutting out a lot of fluff but leaving what is important intact. This issue focuses on three of the Stark children; Arya, Bran and Sansa, during the aftermath of their father’s death.

Having the name Stark used to mean something in Westeros, now it’s only a target. Their father only wanted to honor his late friend, King Robert Baratheon, but in doing so he pried into matters that were better left alone. Now that he’s dead his whole family is in danger. This issue covers Arya escaping King’s Landing but having to cut her hair and pretend to be a young boy to do so. We also check in on Bran who is still in the North and having vivid dreams that take his mind to different places. And of course Sansa who is still trapped in King’s Landing and pretty much the toy of the new king, Joffrey.. Aside from Bran who is currently safe, the stories of Arya and Sansa showcase their rather dire situations as children of House Stark. It seems rather hopeless for the girls no matter the brave face they put on.

The artwork is well done here. The characters are drawn to reflect their counterparts in the book, not the TV show, but for the most part everyone looked familiar to me. I did notice that Bran has red hair like Sansa and his mother, which was interesting. Everything looks great and the colors really pop. It’s a harsh world to live in but the artwork doesn’t take the ultra dark or gritty route and I enjoyed that. The panels keep readers focused on what’s important and who is speaking and I enjoyed the closer shorts of facial expressions when things became intense, though the backgrounds are all well done and not to be ignored.

I enjoy reading this because at the moment I don’t have time to read the infamously long book series. Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings #2 focused on three important stories and kept them conscious and to the point. I felt the connection to each character and their plight and liked that it only took this one issue to keep up caught up with them and the world around them. I’ve only read two issues but so far this is a series that I would recommend to fans and even those looking for a way to step into this world for the first time.

Score: 5/5

Game of Thrones: A Clash of Kings #2
Writer: Landry Q. Walker
Artist: Mel Rubi
Colorist: Omi Remalante Jr.
Lettering: Simon Bowland
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment