The next part of the comic book adaptation of Robin Hobb’s fantasy novel has an orphan boy who is the forgotten son of Prince Chivalry. He has found companionship with the castle’s dogs and he finds that he can understand their thoughts! The cover by Anna Steinbauer has the boy who will become Taker and dog lashing out with blue, misty energy! It features a script by Jody Houser and art by Ryan Kelly. We are told about Taker who made Buckkeep the First Duchy as an Outislander.
This is taken word for word from the text at the beginning of the novel’s second chapter. He enters that same castle as a young boy on horseback with Burrich loyal to Prince Chivalry. I like the contrast of the historical record and reality. The novel does mention Chivalry’s hawk which is left out of the comic. Burrich tells another boy, Cob, to take Taker to the kitchens for a meal. Fitz is the name Burrich uses for Taker. Cob isn’t identified in the comic, this is what the novel is for and a great read, and we see the thoughts of Nosy, the boy’s puppy. I still love the color and misty texture of the animal thoughts by colorist Jordie Bellaire.
Cob explains about the crowds of people is because of the feast for Prince Verity and Regal. He goes to find some food and tells the boy to stay like a dog. The boy sits against a wall with Nosy, but soon gets the attention of a man carrying a keg. The man has blonde hair here, but he is gray haired in the novel. Also, the impression I got was the boy looked up to see his boots instead of walking out of a crowd. The man’s stubborn curiosity draws a crowd and he asks for his name. We get the thoughts of Nosy about being a defenseless puppy.
The description in the book is the same, but has Hob having Nosy showing his belly and wagging his tail, love the doggy detail. The man leans closer to repeat his question. A closeup as the boy, shouts, “No!” This is stronger to see visually than the novel plus there is the blue wisps that fling outwards! It knocks the man backwards and Cob watches as the boy runs away. Love the panel of young Taker running with the puppy’s fearful expression. Nosy takes him to safety under a wooden outbuilding. In the novel, it was where he was whelped by a vixen. I love seeing the artwork and text bringing the story to life.
They find Burrich at night and he takes them to his room saying that Chivalry’s abdication may also bring him down. Taker the boy sees a plate of food and shares some with Nosy before both start to nod off. The next day, they start to wander into the streets, a puppet show makes a joke of Prince Chivalry “sowing a neighbor’s fields”, it is great to see the puppet show and dialogue which was just described in the book. Also, the laughter of the audience swirls in thick, green mist around Taker and the dog. They leave the crowd behind and also walk from Buckkeep. I like the bridge showing Taker leaving the building and ships to find beggar kids engaged in a fight.
The novel had Taker joining the group to explore the town and the comic has an older girl, Nosebleed in a fist fight with a boy named Dirk. She is faster and the other kids goad them on. Taker walks up, Dirk calls him Newboy, but he is startled by the barking of Nosy, “danger. Protect. protect.” It is great to get into dog thoughts. He is mocked by Nosebleed and the others for being a coward. She has Taker join them. They wander into town and he is impressed at what they have picked up in their wanderings. Nosebleed and Taker are at the sea shore when she is shouted at as Molly by a girl named Kittne. Molly is warned about her drunk father. He appears and strikes her!
Molly’s father is angry that he woke up and found that she didn’t make what he thinks is enough candles for the castle. Taker senses “sweat” and “beer” on him from Nosy. The father takes up a stick of driftwood and is about to hit his daughter. In desperation, Taker sends out his power that throws him down! Molly is concerned about her father, sadly co-dependent, saying that she deserves his punishment. The novel had him grabbing for his chest and twitching. Inducing a heart attack? Still, he recovers and they take him from the beach. The Springfest passes in the novel and Burrich’s attention is on his work and dealing with his wounded leg. In the summer, Taker learns the streets; running messages, stealing, and understanding people.
Taker in the novel was accompanied by Molly and also a boy named Kerry. He attempt to steal some sausages, but unfortunately runs into Burrich! Taker is ordered back home and he complies. It is much later in the night when Burrich enters, a little drunk, to say he is worried about Taker’s “blood of kings” hanging around beggar children. He calls for Fitz and Nosy growls with a cloudy green circle warning of “trouble” around them. Burrich takes up a dog whip which is confusing to Taker until Burrich explains that it is to punish dogs for not following orders. Nosy growls and Burrich is weary since he would never hurt an animal, but realizes that the dog shares Taker’s thoughts. He explains that this is the “old Wit”, “the power of the beast blood”! An interesting corruption of a bond like The Beastmaster (1982)! The power is too cool and I would take it! Assassin’s Apprentice #2 reveals some of the powers of the boy Taker and his destiny!
Five Scents out of Five!
#AssassinsApprentice, #RobinHobb, #JodyHouser, #RyanKelly, #Taker, #Burrich, #Nosy, #Cob, #Molly, #PrinceChivalry, #Buckkeep
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