Game of Thrones Prequel Comic May Hold the Key to HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

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Fans of comic books might already be familiar with some aspects of HBO and Max’s upcoming “Game of Thrones” spinoff, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” due to premiere this year. This new series is based on George R.R. Martin’s novella collection titled “The Tales of Dunk and Egg.” These stories serve as a prequel to “A Song of Ice and Fire,” taking place approximately 90 years prior to the events in “Game of Thrones” and around 80 years after those depicted in “House of the Dragon.” As of now, there are three novellas in this series. Each one was initially published as individual issues before being compiled into graphic novels. The first graphic novel consists of six issues, which could potentially hint at how the upcoming TV show’s six episodes will be structured.

I’ve had the pleasure of diving into three captivating novellas by George R.R. Martin, collectively known as the “Tales of Dunk and Egg” series – specifically, “The Hedge Knight,” “The Sworn Sword,” and “The Mystery Knight.” These tales were eventually compiled in a book titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” which serves as the inspiration for the TV show’s title. Excitingly, it has been confirmed that the initial season of the TV series will meticulously adapt “The Hedge Knight” over six episodes. Remarkably, the comic book adaptation of “The Hedge Knight” also consists of six issues, suggesting a potential alignment in structure for the narrative.

If the TV show doesn’t follow the same rhythm as the comic, it could lead to intriguing discussions among fans, as they weigh the pros and cons of two closely related creative decisions. The passionate fanbase of Game of Thrones is no stranger to lively debates about adaptation, and this situation presents a fascinating parallel, given that there’s an existing comic to compare it with.

The Hedge Knight Publication

It’s possible that “The Hedge Knight” comic series encountered some technical or organizational challenges that affected its storytelling rhythm. Initially, Image Comics released the first three installments in 2003, but issues #4 to #6 were published by Devil’s Due Publishing a year later in 2004. It’s uncertain if this transition impacted the comic’s content, as both teams responsible for its creation remained consistent. Afterward, in 2013, Jet City Comics gathered all the issues into a graphic novel, which is now more frequently talked about compared to individual releases.

It’s said that Martin personally chose writer Ben Avery for the comic book adaptation, even though it was Avery’s debut in comics. Later, Avery worked on other comics such as “Lullaby” and “The Imaginaries” for Image, plus he wrote his own fantasy and historical fiction novels. The artwork was by Mike Crowell and Mike S. Miller. Notably, Crowell is credited for all three adaptations of this project and one Dragonlance graphic novel, but nothing else to date.

In the late 1990s, Miller was involved with Marvel Comics, specifically the X-Men series. Later, in the early 2000s, he moved on to DC Comics. Simultaneously, during the period of “The Hedge Knight,” Miller also illustrated the comic book version of Robert Jordan’s prequel novel “New Spring” for adaptation. However, Miller has stirred controversy within the comics industry, as he supports the “Comicsgate” movement and self-publishes works carrying strong political viewpoints.

Six Installment Structure

Some enthusiasts were disheartened upon learning that HBO’s “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” would only consist of six episodes, as they believed that shorter episode counts could negatively impact both later seasons of “Game of Thrones” and Season 2 of “House of the Dragon”. However, “The Hedge Knight”, being a smaller, less intense tale, might actually thrive under this more compact structure. While George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels are renowned for their expansive narratives that traverse the globe from multiple viewpoints, these novellas primarily focus on a single character: Ser Duncan the Tall, also known as Dunk.

In simpler terms, unlike many characters in Westeros, Dunk’s perspective isn’t complex or manipulative. He often views himself as simple-minded and straightforward, which leads him to miss many of the subtle nuances that are common in this story. This straightforwardness makes for an engaging and effective narrative style because readers who know Westeros well might grasp more than Dunk does, while others can follow the tale from his perspective without getting lost in the complexities.

Considering all factors, the comic series successfully demonstrates that it can convey this tale succinctly across six parts, maintaining its integrity without major edits or changes. The initial two issues span 24 pages apiece, while issues #3 through #5 consist of 23 pages each. The concluding part extends to a length of 29 pages. In general, these installments are not so lengthy that they would take an hour to read. Consequently, if anything, a potential TV adaptation would have additional time to tell the same story in greater detail.

In plain terms, this short story can be effectively divided into six segments. The storyline follows a common three-act structure quite clearly, and throughout, it includes several suspenseful moments that serve as excellent endings for episodes or instalments. However, the comic series occasionally takes unusual decisions regarding these points, which I’ll address later, but be aware: there are spoilers coming up!

Predicting Changes

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, the graphic novel’s attempt to demonstrate that six chapters are fitting for its narrative overlooks two thrilling cliffhanger possibilities that the upcoming series might capitalize on instead. A significant missed opportunity arises midway through the tale, where our protagonist, Dunk, inadvertently engages in a brutal brawl with the ruthless Prince Aerion Targaryen, also known as “Aerion Brightflame.” The comic book places this pivotal confrontation at the beginning of issue #4, which seems more suitable as an ending to an installment. The television series could potentially move this scene to the end of Episode 3 for a more dramatic effect.

In the comics, we learn about Dunk’s destiny being determined by a “Trial by Seven” in issue #5. Instead, it would be more dramatic and immersive if this significant decision were saved for the end of Episode 4, allowing plenty of time to establish and explain this ancient form of justice prevalent in Westeros, making the audience anticipate its execution.

Examining the novella versus the comic, it’s apparent that the tempo for a TV series wouldn’t be disrupted by these differences. There are spaces in between these sequences where adjustments can be made – either shortening or expanding them – without affecting crucial elements. However, the final decision lies with showrunner Ira Parker and his crew; nonetheless, envisioning potential ways they could pull it off is not difficult.

In the opening scenes of the upcoming episode, there’s a strong likelihood that the narrative will delve deeply into Dunk’s past, focusing on his burial of Ser Arlan of Pennytree and revealing aspects of his background. The series might also include a visionary sequence involving Prince Daeron Targaryen, who is known as “Daeron the Drunkard.” Since dragons aren’t present at this stage in the timeline, dreams will be used to emphasize the Targaryen legacy. Additionally, the show may dedicate more time to Dunk’s dreams and recollections while he’s imprisoned after the fight, as these memories revolve around Ser Arlan and the wisdom he imparted to his squire.

In all likelihood, it’s reasonable to anticipate that this series might eventually unveil the ties between its characters and those from the world of Game of Thrones and potentially House of the Dragon. The former has already hinted at these connections through prophecies and family lineages, even depicting a dream scenario involving Daenerys and the White Walkers. Similarly, this new series may choose to inform fans who have only watched it that Egg is Dany’s great-grandfather and Jon Snow’s great-great-grandfather.

Regardless of how they intend to approach this story, it’s clear that Martin is content with what he’s experienced from “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” thus far. The show is rumored to debut on HBO and Max around 2025, though an exact date has not been announced yet. In the interim, you can find Martin’s novella in print, digital, and audiobook editions, while the graphic novel is accessible in print and digital versions as well.

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2025-04-06 19:10