Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Wild Card

Those familiar with the Dresden Files series will find the story Wild Card takes place chronologically between the time frame of the Small Favor and Turn Coat novels.An uneasy peace has settled over Chicago, where an array of supernatural factions frequently battle for supremacy. Thanks to the city’s only Wizard for Hire, Harry Dresden, a plot targeting magical practitioners was stopped, and the White Court of Vampires’ part in it exposed. “Gentleman” Johnny Marcone, the town’s most powerful and ruthless mob boss, was made a freeloading Baron under the Unseelie Accords, a set of decrees governing the actions of the magical world’s major powers, in return for his help in ending the threat. Soon after, Marcone once again aided Harry and his apprentice, Molly Carpenter, this time helping them take down a mad wizard bent on making Chicago his personal playground. However, the gangster remains a dangerous criminal who, whatever his motivations, is wholly focused on cultivating his own power. The White Court, led by Lara Raith, is the dominant supernatural faction and sees the city’s citizens as nothing more than a source of sustenance and pleasure. Things are calm now, but tension between these rivals boils beneath the surface… Resulting in the villainous faerie Puck coming to town, proving to be much less of a “good fellow” than Shakespeare would have you believe.This is another hardcover book to add to the collection for a Dresden fan looking for new stories before the release of the Peace Talks novel— yes…at the time of this review, I’m still waiting to read the next book. Again…and I’m thinking it must be happening with the publication side— I have noticed that there were a few points (very few) where text in the panels made me do a double take because of grammar. It doesn’t detract from understanding the story, just the oddly detail oriented self that I am notices. The visual representation of Dresden characters I still find myself enjoying during thia story. Carlos Gomez and Sean Izaakse worked on the art for this book and again giving life to Butcher’s image of the story adapted by Mark Powers for this graphic novel. The story took a twist at the end which does have me pondering, a couple ‘what-if’s’ at the end. A fun one to add to the collection.

This tale of Harry Dresden's encounters with a chaos-loving man-child of a god has something for everyone: mystery, suspense, magical combat, and plenty of Butcher's best supporting characters, including Thomas, Murphy, and Harry's increasingly powerful young ward Molly (also Mouse. He can't go wrong with Mouse). This graphic novel, like the best of the print novels, hits the accelerator on Page 1 and never lets up. To stop a reign of murderous destruction, Harry will have to pull together everyone in Chicago - including his blood enemies - and it still may not be enough,I would not give this book to someone as an introduction to the Dresden universe - you have to know the characters for this to make sense - but it's a thoroughly satisfying standalone tale for all of Harry's fans. - Matt Bille, author, The Dolmen (Wolfsinger, 2014)

This was the third Dresden Files book I read, and it might have been better as a novel or short story. I loved the artwork, and the fighting scenes were ok. The characters get some good motivations and don't feel artificial. The opening scene of a couple of terrified girls being stalked by the monster was a bit creepy. The story just doesn't feel right, though. It kind of rushes by, with a villain whose motives aren't that well-developed, a team-up between factions that happens a little too quickly, and not enough time spent watching Harry investigate things. Diehard Dresden Files fans probably won't be disappointed, but this story isn't exactly grand and spectacular.

Every Dresden story pulls you in and keeps you hooked. You feel compelled to stay with the story to the end. Any story would make a great movie!

I like this edition. Its really nice to have some pictures to what you read in the actual novels. However the quality of the books compared with the plot of these books is not the same. The books are IMHO the best urban fantasy novels ever created. and this comics are avarage. This stories are set into Harry's world but dont have the twist and the drama the books have.I know its not the same, a novel vs these comics. I will keep on buying them to add to my collection, however this is not the best way to start into the Dresden Files world.

Another one off with Dresden! It was good and the art was right on. These are easy action reads and the graphic art work pulls you in but they can never compare to the novels from Butcher!

I can’t keep track of cannon here. The duel with Laura was used in Peace Talks. Puck treated Lea like Ethniu treated Mab (initially) in Battle Ground and Marcone’s character should be a good deal more regal. He’s the last man in any room to display any outward aggressive postures in stressful situations. He should also have a look of sardonic boredom on his face in these situations. Thank you

A great new offering in the Butcher comicverse (okay that's not a real thing, I just made it up). But seriously, Jim's work (and I think I've spent enough money and time on Mr. Butcher to call him Jim . . . when he's not around) translates well into graphic novel form and I love that he's writing some new stories rather than only taking old ones and turning them into comics (which is still totally cool; I'll take my fix any way I can get it). I recommend hardback though, as paperback editions of comics tend to get worn down pretty quickly.

Around the same length as a Dresden short story so set your expectations accordingly and this Dresden fix should help tide you other until Brief Cases (Side Jobs 2) is released in Summer 2018, then hopefully book 16 comes out at some point in the next 1-10 years (as we all know Jim Butcher is trying to win a bet against G R.R Martin).A well paced story introducing a new character from a Faye faction mostly unexplored in the past while further developing Dresden tortured hero personality and displaying his inventive problem solving skills in line with the books.

Brill story! Using cards to win with enemy you can't kill? Why not :) Harry's thinking fast I have to say :)

Great book

Great artwork and story. Really builds on the Dresden world and the characters. I think this was the best of the graphic novels to date. I don't understand all the complaints about the ending, I thought it was perfect. It's classic Harry to use an unexpected and clever trick to win the day. Definitely worth the money for any Dresden fans.

Good art and a good thrilling plot with plenty of twists and turns. The ending, however, was a bit weak.