R.A. Salvatore-Forgotten Realms, Homeland: The Legend of Drizzt: Book I

When most people think of Elves, they think of those adorable little pink-cheeked scamps from the North Pole. You know, Elves that are two feet tall, have little button noses and delight in making toys for children. How delightfully cute! If that adorable and sweet image is what pops into your head when you think of Elves, you may be in for a shock when you read this week's Book of the Week.

The awkwardly titled R.A. Salvatore-Forgotten Realms, Homeland: The Legend of Drizzt: Book I (henceforth known as Homeland #1) will reveal to you the truth about Elves. Not just any Elves, mind you, but Dark Elves. The Dark Elves are a race of viscious warriors who live deep beneath the surface of the planet in the cavernous city of Menzoberranzan. Menzoberranzan is absolutely nowhere near the North Pole, by the way. These Dark Elves are a cold-hearted, back-stabbing bunch, driven solely by ambition and the desire for power. They do not make toys and wear little green booties. What the Dark Elves DO make are plans to destroy one another and all the weapons they could possibly need to make their schemes happen.

The protagonist of Homeland #1 is Drizzt, the son of a powerful clan Matron. Drizzt was fated to die at birth, but circumstances conspire to save his life. It soon becomes apparent that Drizzt is a bit different from the rest of his people. He is not, by nature, nearly as cruel or heartless as others. He actually smiles once in a while and seems to have thoughts beyond pure ambition. As Drizzt is trained in the ways of combat, it becomes clear that he has the skill to be a great warrior. He may not, however, have what it takes to survive in the loveless world of his birth.

Homeland #1 is based on a novel by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore. For fans of high fantasy and adventure, Salvatore is considered one of the greatest, and most prolific, writers in the field. The adaptation of the novel by Andrew Dabb is very well done, he is clearly treating Salvatore's story with the respect it deserves. The art by Tim Seeley is also excellent. Seeley really captures the dark world of Menzoberranzan and its people.

Once again, the Book of the Week is a comic that both entertains and educates! Never again will you suffer from misconceptions about the cuteness of Elves. This book could save your life, or the life of a loved one, by helping you to remember NOT to invite any Elves into your home next holiday season. These Elves won't settle down just because you offer them milk and cookies. Don't take any chances, pick up Homeland #1 now! It's guaranteed!