Dragon Age is a six-issue Comic Book mini-series set in the Dragon Age universe but largely unconnected to the major installments of the series (like Dragon Age: Origins). It was written by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston, illustrated by Humberto Ramos and Mark Robinson, and published by IDW Publishing between March and November 2010.
Set in an unspecified period of time, the series follows Gleam, the daughter of a mage born from a forbidden relationship with a Templar. Gleam was raised outside of her parents' world by a blacksmith and develops the same magic powers as her mother.
The series contains examples of following tropes:
- Ambiguous Time Period: Gleam's story is notoriously difficult to place into the overarching timeline of the series, as the comic contains very few references to canonical events and is, in turn, never referenced by any later installments. The only clue seems to be the presence of Knight-Commander Greagoir, who has been in charge of the Circle Tower since about 9:5 Dragon (according to World of Thedas, Vol. 2), meaning that Gleam couldn't have been born before that. However, since Greagoir survives the Broken Circle quest in the BioWare novel/comics canon, it is unclear whether Gleam's adventures (or even her birth) occur before or after the Fifth Blight. The DA fan wiki places the comic between The Calling and Dawn of the Seeker in the chronology, but this appears to be pure conjecture.
- The Blacksmith: Gleam and her adoptive father.
- Canon Discontinuity: While never officially declared as such, the comic is generally considered to be stricken from continuity.
- Contrived Coincidence: The true father of Veness' child happens to be standing right next to the one wizard who happens to be Veness' best friend, privy to her affair with the Templar and hopelessly in love with her. His lies give Veness a short respite to try and save her child.
- Cut Short: It is very likely the comic was supposed to continue after the six published issues, as chapter six contained a preview of Gleam fighting a golem. However, after the DA comic license changed hands from IDW Publishing to Dark Horse Comics, it is unlikely that her story will ever be continued.
- Healing Hands: Gleam, to an absurd degree. Without any real training to boot.
- Playing with Fire: Veness, Gleam.
- Power Nullifier: Templars are capable of preventing Mages from using magic, although this typically requires focus, concentration and being prepared beforehand. One can infer this is why they weren't able to use this trick in Issue #1.
- Spirit Advisor: Veness, in the fade, to Gleam.
- Time Skip: The first issue concerns the circumstances of Gleam's birth, while the rest follow her seventeen year old self's adventures.
- Took a Level in Badass: Mostly hinted at, but Abernath apparently went from a rather meek and not very talented apprentice to an Enchanter who doesn't hesitate to remind Sadatt of his mistakes and is absolutely not impressed by the Templar's show of aggression after he doesn't take kindly to one of Abernath's remarks.
- Ultimate Blacksmith: Issue #2 starts with Gleam using her magic to help her forge a sword. The result is a sword which cuts through pretty much anything.
