Forgotten Realms: The Legend of Drizzt Vol.1 The Dark Elf Trilogy Omnibus

Created over 20 years ago by R.A. Salvatore, Drizzt Do'Urden, the Drow Ranger, has grown into an immensely popular character in modern fantasy. Springing from the pages of the Dungeons & Dragons novels in the setting of the Forgotten Realms Drizzt hacked and slashed his way into the hearts of many teenage owners of twelve sided die.

I can remember first seeing his books in a classmates hand during freshman history in high school. Sure, I thought Drizzt looked pretty cool. But swords and sorcery? The few times I had played dungeons and dragons I was overwhelmed with boredom and quickly distanced myself from the game and anything that might be associated with it. Plus I was really into Star Wars so it had that to compete with and it lost resoundingly.

Alas, over ten years since high school ended and with a strong nod to J.R.R. Tolkien, I read fantasy books. Not a whole lot mind you, but certainly more than I used to. So what made me pick up Drizzt books? R.A. Salvatore wrote two Star Wars novels. I liked his writing and decided to pick up more of it. Oh the circle of life strikes again!

So fast forward - I've read the first 6 Drizzt novels. Devils Due aquires the rights to adapt the Drizzt stories to the comic format. I'm intriged, but the cover price scares me off. So I wait. And eventually I'm rewarded with the omnibus for the illustrated version of The Dark Elf Trilogy. Collected in the edition are the adaptations of 'Homeland' 'Exile' and 'Sojourn'.

I have to say, it's pretty good.

As with any adaptation some things are cut, somethings are condensed and somethings are just done right. For the most part this series is done right. Having read the novels I'm familiar with what was cut and condensed and I understand why. Scripter Andrew Dabb is clearly a fan of Salvatores novels and makes sure to keep all that is important in place. Tim Seeley does a fantastic job of illustrating a world I'd never seen anywhere but in my imagination. For the most part, my imagination seems to have nailed it. Except Tim draws Drow women way sexier that I ever gave them credit for.

I still think if you are fan of fantasy you'll do yourself a disservice by not reading the novels first. However, Dabb & Seeley do strong work in faithfully adapting the story and cramming as much of it as possible in the pages alloted without making the reader feel as if things they are being rushed through the developing stages of Drizzt's life.

I'm looking forward to picking up the next adaptation by Devils Due whenever it hits the stands.