I had a non-color 'pamphlet' of this same scene given to me at GenCon this year from WotC. Looks alright, as long as it's not expensive and some reviews are decent I'll take a look. I mean, it can't possibly be worse than the 'books'...
Let us never speak of any supposed "books" on the subject again.
Yes. It was pretty clear from the beginning that was going to be the case, I think. Well, "clear" is a bit too much, I guess, but you could tell from the marketing. But I guess there might still be smaller cameos as they go along. Hoe many issues are they going for anyway?
@Lisaralin I agree. I mean, I like Minsc, but I'd like to see Xan or Coran again, or even some smaller cameos along the way. There are plenty of elves, half-elves and dwarves that may still be alive, or some others with a bit of clever writing (think of spells like Sequester that create temporal stasis, for example; yes, I'm saying I want Xzar frozen in carbonite, or resurrected a hundred years after his death). Either way, I'm going to take a leap of faith and try it.
But seriously @Lisaralin Minsc (and Boo, but as Irenicus found out the very, very hard way one does not simply seperate Minsc from Boo!) is the charismatic megafauna of the Baldur's Gate IP, so he's the natural choice.
Yes, I like Minsc, I like him very much, and I agree he's the natural choice. But... why do they have to choose only one character from the game? I would like to see as many of thems as possible
Let us never speak of any supposed "books" on the subject again.
Taken from one of the dream sequences in BG1:
Tonight we dream of books. Not of books on a shelf or the books in our hands, but a novel that runs as a torrent through the Realms. A book that pours across the fields and forests. An ocean that floats you to your mind's edge, and threatens to cascade off into the void. The story seems a frightening thing; a massive force that sweeps away all resistance. As a whole it is a monster and it cannot be stopped. Were it to be viewed from on high, it would seem to cover the entire world in its brown-white embrace.
We, however, do not have such a lofty perch. From within the deluge we can see it does not move as one, but is filled with terrible dialogue, shoddy story telling, and horrible writing. Pockets of calm afford breathing space, whilst violent characters threaten to rend limb from limb. Ultimately it seems undirected, and lacks a driving will, a quality we have in abundance. You may be caught within, but sufficient determination can shape what you need to survive. There are still options open: still choices to be made.
As the tide presses forward we read on if we wish, atop a chair called Recliner and under candles made of wax. A sudden and deliberate stroke puts an end to our reading, and to the horror. It would seem that the book does have some will, and took offence to our disgust of the ride.
@LordRumfish: As far as I know, all Greycloaks died in 1372 DR. Given that the story probably takes place post 1484 DR, Xan wouldn't be around anymore. And I hardly doubt they will use timetravel for him as well.
Realistically speaking, the cameo with the highest possibility would be Coran, given that he is also featured in Murder in Baldur's Gate.
Also, I got an idea for how exactly Minsc got there:
The elven girl mentiones in the preview, that her brother was captured. Since she is some sort of spellcaster (my guess would be sorceress or wild mage), she probably used her magic to bring Minsc to the future to help her in her rescue her brother. I am going to assume, that the girl is still rather young, even for an elf, so she probably grew up with stories about Minsc's heroic escapades.
History probably portrayed him far more sane than he actually was and he became the girl's and maybe her brother's idol. She manages to summon Minsc and Boo and the adventure sets off.
@Buttercheese Well, two points here: first, I like Xan so he should be around, dangit. Second, you're thinking like a historian and not a writer. If comics prove anything, it's that exceptions always exist. Bring in a world that allows for magic, and you've got a recipe for characters being resurrected hundreds of years later, or (for instance) Xan's soul being retrieved at the moment of the moonblade's destruction. Trust me, a completely canon reason can be invented, and sadly, many extreme stretches that ignore the canon are completely possible depending on who is writing the story.
That doesn't mean it will happen, or even that it is a good idea. I'm just saying, as soon as you throw out a phrase like "all of X were killed" a comic author (or TV show writer, or screenplay writer, or...) will bring in the last one of their kind from a forgotten time using some reasoning which ranges from brilliant to sketchy. Anyway... I'm done playing devil's advocate now. We have room to include new characters and move away from the originals.
Personally I think bringing back too many characters would have risked making the comic very tacky and cheapened the whole premise. Not that I don't know that the comic isn't tacky and cheap anyway, I haven't read it, but they need to stretch things enough to move Minsc there.
The writer, Jim Zub, has given an interview recently: "Legends of Baldur's Gate" is a "Dungeons & Dragons" adventure story set in one of the most well known fictional cities of all time. I wanted to create a bombastic action-packed tale that harkens back to the kind of classic sword & sorcery excitement I remembered in the "Conan" or "Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser" series.
Specifically, it's about an elven Wild Mage named Delina who's trekked to Baldur's Gate to find her missing brother. The mystery of his disappearance ties in with larger forces mobilizing throughout the Forgotten Realms and the webs of intrigue that make Baldur's Gate such an interesting and dangerous place."
"Quite a few of the characters in this story are brand new so readers can jump on board without having to know the lore or history of the Forgotten Realms, but we are bringing back Minsc and Boo, cult favorite characters from the original "Baldur's Gate" video game series.
Minsc is a brain-addled ranger obsessed with righting wrongs and protecting his friends and he takes... um, well let's just call it "advice" from his loyal animal companion... a hamster (according to him a "miniature giant space hamster") called "Boo." Minsc and Boo are beloved by many fans of the original Baldur's Gate game series and I'm thrilled to be able to incorporate them into our comic story. They add a maniacal energy to it all that's well in line with most "D&D" game sessions."
The comic series released the first issue, starring Minsc and Boo and Neera Delina
I love how it references the EE's in a funny way. Before the release people like myself and @Buttercheese were wondering if the white-haired elven mage was Neera or not. I mean... she not only has white hair but is actually a wild mage as well. Apparently she is a different character, according to the following two pages
Overall, the comic was decent enough entertainment, but certainly didn't blow me away. The first issue was basically Neera running away from gargoyles (not the cartoon from the 90s) while Minsc (and Boo) came to the rescue. I'm not sure yet how well the writer caught Minsc's "voice", but it was believable enough. The art, however, was pretty decent. I will say, Boo did look rather cute and is clearly the star of the show (plus eye-candy).
Anyone else check this out yet, or plan on doing so?
Just an FYI: while many comics published by the "Big Two" (Marvel and DC Comics) plus one (Image) sell for $2.99 an issue, the $3.99 per issue price tag is pretty much standard for smaller companies, of which LoBG's publisher, IDW, is one. IDW single issues are $3.99 across the board.
From the audience side, whether this or any book is worth it or not is entirely in the eye (and pocketbook) of the beholder. I enjoyed the first issue (got to read a copy for free), but for a variety of personal reasons, I prefer collected editions, so I'll probably wait until there's a trade paperback version and pick that up. I buy nearly all my comics that way, much to the chagrin of several creator friends in the industry. Why to their chagrin, you ask? Read on...
*IF* you like the idea of there being further Baldur's Gate and especially Minsc-related comics, you really need to pick up the individual issues as they are released (ideally you'll have asked your local comic shop to reserve you a copy--that way you aren't taking one off the shelf that someone else might buy). Due to the way the comics industry works, sales numbers for collected editions are rarely factored in to publisher calculations when it comes to keeping a title going past the initial storyline. If the fans aren't there picking up the first five issues, there simply will not be a #6-10. It's a ****ed up situation, but that's the way it tends to work, or not work, as the case may be. Long-term thinking isn't a comics industry habit at the best of times, and these are far from the best of times for the North American comic market.
PS: Please do not buy any comic intending for it to be an "investment". Odds are its monetary value will never increase beyond the cover price and the speculator mentality is one that does long-term damage to the comics industry. The only good reasons to buy a comic are because you think you'll like it or you want to support the people behind it.
Just an FYI: while many comics published by the "Big Two" (Marvel and DC Comics) plus one (Image) sell for $2.99 an issue, the $3.99 per issue price tag is pretty much standard for smaller companies, of which LoBG's publisher, IDW, is one. IDW single issues are $3.99 across the board.
I did not know this. I've never bought a comic book since I've had the pleasure of reading the ones my Dad collected. I just looked up the price cause I was curious. (I take that back, I did buy my Dad the Kingdom Come graphic novel for Christmas years ago)
Due to the way the comics industry works, sales numbers for collected editions are rarely factored in to publisher calculations when it comes to keeping a title going past the initial storyline. If the fans aren't there picking up the first five issues, there simply will not be a #6-10. It's a ****ed up situation, but that's the way it tends to work, or not work, as the case may be. Long-term thinking isn't a comics industry habit at the best of times, and these are far from the best of times for the North American comic market.
This is a terrible business strategy. I understand that you should "get out while the getting is good", but why such a small number of issues? That could be why the comic book business is struggling. Thanks for the info.
Comments
But seriously @Lisaralin Minsc (and Boo, but as Irenicus found out the very, very hard way one does not simply seperate Minsc from Boo!) is the charismatic megafauna of the Baldur's Gate IP, so he's the natural choice.
Tonight we dream of books. Not of books on a shelf or the books in our hands, but a novel that runs as a torrent through the Realms. A book that pours across the fields and forests. An ocean that floats you to your mind's edge, and threatens to cascade off into the void. The story seems a frightening thing; a massive force that sweeps away all resistance. As a whole it is a monster and it cannot be stopped. Were it to be viewed from on high, it would seem to cover the entire world in its brown-white embrace.
We, however, do not have such a lofty perch. From within the deluge we can see it does not move as one, but is filled with terrible dialogue, shoddy story telling, and horrible writing. Pockets of calm afford breathing space, whilst violent characters threaten to rend limb from limb. Ultimately it seems undirected, and lacks a driving will, a quality we have in abundance. You may be caught within, but sufficient determination can shape what you need to survive. There are still options open: still choices to be made.
As the tide presses forward we read on if we wish, atop a chair called Recliner and under candles made of wax. A sudden and deliberate stroke puts an end to our reading, and to the horror. It would seem that the book does have some will, and took offence to our disgust of the ride.
As far as I know, all Greycloaks died in 1372 DR. Given that the story probably takes place post 1484 DR, Xan wouldn't be around anymore. And I hardly doubt they will use timetravel for him as well.
Realistically speaking, the cameo with the highest possibility would be Coran, given that he is also featured in Murder in Baldur's Gate.
Also, I got an idea for how exactly Minsc got there:
History probably portrayed him far more sane than he actually was and he became the girl's and maybe her brother's idol. She manages to summon Minsc and Boo and the adventure sets off.
That doesn't mean it will happen, or even that it is a good idea. I'm just saying, as soon as you throw out a phrase like "all of X were killed" a comic author (or TV show writer, or screenplay writer, or...) will bring in the last one of their kind from a forgotten time using some reasoning which ranges from brilliant to sketchy. Anyway... I'm done playing devil's advocate now. We have room to include new characters and move away from the originals.
Also, according to the image's description, the release date is October 15th.
My shipping senses are tingling!
Also, does that mean the EE characters are canon now???
I highly request that the novels get properly rewritten, it would be really nice to know what is and what isn't now :I
Source: [XXX]
Retail Incentive cover:
Source: [XXX]
Specifically, it's about an elven Wild Mage named Delina who's trekked to Baldur's Gate to find her missing brother. The mystery of his disappearance ties in with larger forces mobilizing throughout the Forgotten Realms and the webs of intrigue that make Baldur's Gate such an interesting and dangerous place."
"Quite a few of the characters in this story are brand new so readers can jump on board without having to know the lore or history of the Forgotten Realms, but we are bringing back Minsc and Boo, cult favorite characters from the original "Baldur's Gate" video game series.
Minsc is a brain-addled ranger obsessed with righting wrongs and protecting his friends and he takes... um, well let's just call it "advice" from his loyal animal companion... a hamster (according to him a "miniature giant space hamster") called "Boo." Minsc and Boo are beloved by many fans of the original Baldur's Gate game series and I'm thrilled to be able to incorporate them into our comic story. They add a maniacal energy to it all that's well in line with most "D&D" game sessions."
For further details check http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=56081
I love how it references the EE's in a funny way. Before the release people like myself and @Buttercheese were wondering if the white-haired elven mage was Neera or not. I mean... she not only has white hair but is actually a wild mage as well. Apparently she is a different character, according to the following two pages
Overall, the comic was decent enough entertainment, but certainly didn't blow me away. The first issue was basically Neera running away from gargoyles (not the cartoon from the 90s) while Minsc (and Boo) came to the rescue. I'm not sure yet how well the writer caught Minsc's "voice", but it was believable enough. The art, however, was pretty decent. I will say, Boo did look rather cute and is clearly the star of the show (plus eye-candy).
Anyone else check this out yet, or plan on doing so?
For those that do have it, is it worth it?
From the audience side, whether this or any book is worth it or not is entirely in the eye (and pocketbook) of the beholder. I enjoyed the first issue (got to read a copy for free), but for a variety of personal reasons, I prefer collected editions, so I'll probably wait until there's a trade paperback version and pick that up. I buy nearly all my comics that way, much to the chagrin of several creator friends in the industry. Why to their chagrin, you ask? Read on...
*IF* you like the idea of there being further Baldur's Gate and especially Minsc-related comics, you really need to pick up the individual issues as they are released (ideally you'll have asked your local comic shop to reserve you a copy--that way you aren't taking one off the shelf that someone else might buy). Due to the way the comics industry works, sales numbers for collected editions are rarely factored in to publisher calculations when it comes to keeping a title going past the initial storyline. If the fans aren't there picking up the first five issues, there simply will not be a #6-10. It's a ****ed up situation, but that's the way it tends to work, or not work, as the case may be. Long-term thinking isn't a comics industry habit at the best of times, and these are far from the best of times for the North American comic market.
PS: Please do not buy any comic intending for it to be an "investment". Odds are its monetary value will never increase beyond the cover price and the speculator mentality is one that does long-term damage to the comics industry. The only good reasons to buy a comic are because you think you'll like it or you want to support the people behind it.