While the first part of Robin Hobb’s The Assassin’s Apprentice has already (deservedly) been adapted into comic book form, we’re excited to exclusively announce that Dark Horse Comics is putting out a second volume of adaptation, The Assassin’s Apprentice II, with the first issue set to come out this December.
“I have really enjoyed working with Dark Horse to bring Fitz’s story to this medium,” Hobb said in a statement announcing the release of the second comic series. “I’ve been very impressed with their integrity and respect for the original material.”
Hobb collaborated with writer Jody Houser (Stranger Things, Critical Role: Vox Machina) on the first volume, and Houser is back to work on the second installment as well. “I’m excited to continue telling Fitz’s story in comics form,” Houser said in the same statement. “An epic fantasy classic and a dream art team… what’s not to love?”
The first series took us through the early days of Fitz learning to become an assassin under the tutelage of the Six Duchies’ chief spy, Chade.
Here’s the official blurb as to what will be covered in the second six-issue series:
Spring comes to the Six Duchies, and with it, the fearsome menace of the Red-Ship Raiders. As the danger creeps ever closer to Buckkeep, Fitz is given his first true mission from Chade, to infiltrate the estate of a nobleman and look for any signs of treason. But an assassin’s job is far from simple, and the fate of the realm may depend on if Fitz can take a life, or spare one instead.
In addition to Houser, the comics team includes interior artist Ryan Kelly (Stranger Things, Star Wars), colorist Jordie Bellaire (Rebels, The Massive) and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (The Witcher: The Ballad of Two Wolves, All Eight Eyes), with cover art provided by Anna Steinbauer, which you can see at the end of this post!
The Assassin’s Apprentice II #1 (of 6) will be in comic shops December 13, 2023 and is available for pre-order now at your local comic shop for $3.99. You can also pre-order a hardcover collection of the first series of the adaptation here, which is set to come out November 8, 2023.
