Everyone needs stories.
Too often stories can be taken for granted, bundled away as frivolous entertainment, but it only takes glancing at a newspaper, opening a book (nonfiction included), or having a conversation to see that storytelling is an inexorable part of communication, which in turn is an inexorable part of the human experience.
Stories are everywhere, yet our thirst for them remains unquenchable. We even consume products masquerading as stories in nearly immeasurable quantities if they are convenient, as our need is so present and demanding. This fact informs my work every day. I strive to contribute to books that give people the stories they need, with truthful characters who navigate authentic emotional experiences in an intricately realized world, as opposed to merely growing the heaps of false stories, with motorized characters clicking through their roles in a mechanical plot, designed to lure people in and produce a predictable result (usually additional purchases).
When a story gives people what they need it becomes a part of them, integrating into their attitudes and ideas, and expressing itself in infinite ways, some of which the comics community knows well, like cosplay, collections, and conventions. After working with BioWare the past few years on Mass Effect and Dragon Age books, I feel very fortunate to be a part of the rich stories they have created and the deep artistry that goes into them. That is why I am exceptionally excited for the release of Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1 this April.
Never before have I worked on a book that brings readers so far inside the complex and astonishing heart that beats within one of the greatest stories gaming has ever seen. Meticulously crafted by the writers and artists of the Dragon Age games, this oversized hardcover encyclopedia features hundreds of pages and hundreds of pieces of art, inviting its audience into the most intimate aspects of this dark fantasy universe. Designed to be accessible and easy to understand, it is comprehensive without being overwhelming. Both the Dragon Age newcomer and the dedicated fan will find an abundance to enjoy in these pages, and it is a true testament to the vitality of the Dragon Age stories that BioWare is telling. And, of course, for anyone looking forward to Dragon Age III: Inquisition, this is the place to start.
While you’re waiting for Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1, make sure to check out Dragon Age: Until We Sleep #1, coming in March. A perfect jumping-on point for new readers, this story features everything you love about fantasy, from charismatic and compelling characters, to imaginative, otherworldly settings, to magic of immeasurable power and the evil men who seek to harness it for their own gain. In this story, beloved Dragon Age heroes Isabela, Varric, Alistair, and Sten assault a fortress deep inside enemy territory in search of Alistair’s father, only to find themselves plunged into the realm of nightmares—the Fade!
Not merely a love of stories, but also a shared appreciation for the essential role they play in all of our lives, brought BioWare and Dark Horse together. I believe that passion for storytelling shines through in these upcoming Dragon Age books, and will continue to define all of the projects we hope to bring you in the future.