Steven Burst's Jhereg (Graphic Novel)

By Steven Burst (original material), Alan Zelenetz (adpatation), & John Pierard (Illustrations) 

Publisher: Epic Comics (1990)

Softcover, 48 pages

          This is an adaptation of the fantasy novel of the same name by Steven Brust. It is published by Marvel’s now defunct Epic imprint, which was their attempt to present more mature content in the marketplace. It published and reprinted a host of great material. The print version of this story was originally published in 1983 and is the first of some twenty two novels by the author in this setting.

Author Steven Burst

          The action surrounds a sorcerer and professional assassin, Vlad Taltos, and his Jhereg familiar, and their attempt to track down a crime lord who has stolen several million gold pieces from the treasury of a powerful organization. The Jhereg is a sentient miniature dragon with a poisonous bite, carnivorous tastes, and the ability to psychically link with another sentient. Complication piles upon complication, until the hero realizes that another, more sinister, motive exists behind the thief’s actions and the protagonist must act to prevent a civil war from breaking out.

If you want to read the series here's where you want to begin. 

          Unfortunately the limitations of space in this graphic novel (48 to adapt 239 pages) meant that a lot of material, necessary background material in my opinion, had to be left out. The results is a standard fantasy story without the embellishments that make this series stand out. Characters are rushed, or mentioned then never seen again, or just thrown into the story. The art was good, but didn’t overcome the limitations of a rushed story.

           For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.