Originally a book series by George R. R. Martin, then turned into an HBO television series by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, A Game of Thrones is widely popular and praised in its various forms. Despite its controversial ending, the show still has a huge fanbase as they recorded about 17 million people tuning in for the first episode of the final season.
What many fans may not know is that the series also has comic book adaptations: Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel Book Series from Dynamite Entertainment. This series currently has six installments that cover the plot of the first two novels in the series.
10 More Comics On The Way: unlike the show, fans still have many graphic novels to look forward to
With six volumes and twenty-four issues, the Game of Thrones graphic novels span the first two books, A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings. They were initially released about five months after the first episode of the television show. Despite the show ending, there will be more television series, novels from George R. R. Martin and comics to go along with them.
It can be assumed that the comics will cover the remaining novels: A Storm of Swords, A Feast of Crows, A Dance with Dragons and future releases. So one key difference is that unlike the show, fans still have many graphic novels to look forward to.
9 Accessibility Makes It A Good Alternative To Novels
Not only did the television series end, but it ended in such a way that left many fans wanting more due to the creative choices made. There are still the remaining novels and spinoff books such as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and A World of Ice and Fire. However, these books could be a bit dense and/or too big of a time commitment for many fans of the series.
Those seeking an alternative can turn to these comic books which condense the novels into bite-sized chunks in the form of these graphic novels. A Game of Thrones, an almost 700-page book, is condensed into four volumes of these comics. It is just another, potentially more accessible way for fans to immerse themselves in the universe.
8 Illustrations Are Vibrant & Beautiful
Where the books can be seen as dense at times, the comics are much shorter in length and have wonderful illustrations by some very talented comic book artists to go along with them. In addition to there being less text, the visuals in the comics, like other comics and manga, help break up the story and make it easier to digest while getting to enjoy beautiful art.
The landscapes and settings of the Game of Thrones universe come to life in a very different way and medium than the HBO series. Certain aspects of the novels are even more prominent in the comics: the white walkers more menacing and the direwolves more ferocious.
7 It is Not An Adaptation Of The TV Show
While many comics are based on various television shows, prospective readers should know that the comics are not a direct adaptation of the television show. The show itself did not always strictly adhere to George R. R. Martin's original novels. From characters to events and plot points, the show branches off from the books more and more as it goes on.
Whereas the show branches off and differs in key areas, the graphic novels are more direct adaptations of the books than the show. In the beginning, just as the television show resembles the books more, so too do the graphic novels although there are still differences. In general, the first volume coincides very closely to the show and book.
6 Depiction Of Characters Vary From The TV Show
With the fact that the comics are not an adaptation of the show in mind, there are certain noticeable differences in terms of how characters are portrayed. Many fans may be used to seeing characters one way through the dialogue and actors/actresses featured in the show, but this does not always line up with the graphic novels.
Characters like Eddard Stark and Jon Snow are some examples of those who are fairly similar in appearances to the show whereas others like Robb Stark and Tyrion Lannister are not. Additionally, Catelyn Stark appears to be much younger in the comics and Prince Joffrey Baratheon looks to be older.
5 Most Character Appearances Closer To The Book
While some of the characters' appearances differ from the show, the character design is very close to the descriptions given within George R. R. Martin's original novels. Aside from Arya Stark and Jon Snow, the Stark children bear the resemblances of a Tully and Sansa Stark looks just like Catelyn. Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen have the eye/eyebrow colors typical of a Targaryen.
Some other characters are close to the books: Syrio Forel, Arya's instructor, is bald; Tyrion has mismatched eyes and Tywin Lannister is spot on. There are some minor discrepancies such as characters looking younger or older than they should as previously mentioned. Another instance is that Jamie Lannister is not wearing his white cloak in the flashback scene where he killed Aerys Targaryen.
4 Dialogue Straight From The Novels
Just as the looks of the characters match more closely to those of the books, so too does the dialogue in the comics. Like other comic book adaptations, these graphic novels are condensed and so cannot include all the dialogue, but the dialogue they do have is identical to the books.
There are, however, various places where key lines from the original novels are not included in the graphic novels. This could be for any number of reasons, one being that the lines from the book may not always work as well in comics such as these.
3 Exaggerated Gender Stereotypes
One key difference between both the HBO series and the original novels are the very obvious gender stereotypes found within. This is the case both for the men and women of the series, oftentimes showing a lack of balance between the two.
It all makes for a non-realistic representation of the women which can be seen in their lips, oftentimes flawless skin, and flat stomachs. Some examples include Catelyn with makeup and a lack of wrinkles after she loses her family, Cersei with her grimace and skin-tight dresses, Arya with pink lips and curved eyebrows. Conversely, the males are very muscular and masculine which makes them all look very similar to one another. Game of Thrones is, at its core, a series that prides itself on breaking these stereotypes showing men gaining power through words and scheming and woman leading armies and whole nations at times.
2 Contain Flashback Sequences
With the shows and books, it can be difficult to keep up with all the main and subplots going on. While the television series does give a recap reminding the fans of important plot points to know for the episode, the books do not.
One way in which the graphic novels stand out from both the show and original novels is that they include flashback scenes during the course of the story. They can show anything from past events, dreams, tales, and more. These scenes are even drawn differently to set them apart from the rest of the comics.
1 More Black & White
As mentioned there is a real imbalance between the male and female characters in terms of appearances that are not seen in the other mediums. Another example of something not seen in the other mediums is that the comics present the story in a very black and white way.
The television series and original novels portray the characters, their actions, and motives in a way that leaves a lot up for interpretation and opinion by those watching or reading. The graphic novels portray the story in what seems like a more masculine or feminine/right or wrong way without as much of the complexity.