How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent amp; 39;s Heir Dean DeBlois
How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir Dean DeBlois
Introduction
If you are a fan of the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, you might be wondering what happens after the third and final movie, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Well, you are in luck, because there is a graphic novel that continues the story of Hiccup, Toothless, and their friends. It is called How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir, and it is written by none other than Dean DeBlois, the director and writer of the movie trilogy.
What is How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir?
How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir is a graphic novel that was published in 2016 by Dark Horse Comics. It is the first in a series of graphic novels that are set after the events of How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. It follows Hiccup and his friends as they explore new lands and face new challenges in a world where dragons and humans are separated.
Who is Dean DeBlois?
Dean DeBlois is a Canadian filmmaker who is best known for directing and writing the How To Train Your Dragon movie trilogy. He also co-directed and co-wrote Lilo & Stitch, and wrote and directed Heima, a documentary about the Icelandic band Sigur Rós. He has been nominated for two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and four Annie Awards for his work on How To Train Your Dragon. He is also a fan of graphic novels and comics, and decided to write How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir as a way to expand the universe of his beloved characters.
Why is this book important for fans of the franchise?
This book is important for fans of the franchise because it offers a glimpse into what happens after the emotional ending of How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. It shows how Hiccup and his friends cope with the loss of their dragon companions, how they adjust to their new roles as leaders of Berk, and how they discover new cultures and creatures in their travels. It also features some familiar faces from the movies, such as Valka, Eret, Grimmel, and Drago. It also introduces some new characters, such as Calder, the prince of Nepenthe, and Melodia, a mysterious girl who can communicate with dragons. Most importantly, it shows how Hiccup and Toothless reunite after a year apart, and how their bond remains strong despite the distance.
Plot Summary
The Setting
The story takes place one year after How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Hiccup and his friends have been busy rebuilding Berk on a new island, where they have welcomed many refugees from other lands who have been displaced by war or dragon hunters. They have also been exploring the world beyond their borders, mapping new territories and making new allies. One of their destinations is Nepenthe, a tropical island that is home to a peaceful tribe of dragon worshippers. However, Nepenthe has a dark secret: it is also home to a giant sea serpent that threatens to destroy everything in its path.
The Characters
The main characters of the story are:
Hiccup: The chief of Berk and the son of Stoick and Valka. He is a brave, smart, and compassionate leader who misses his best friend, Toothless, dearly. He is also the husband of Astrid and the father of Zephyr and Nuffink.
Toothless: The alpha of the dragons and the former companion of Hiccup. He is a Night Fury, a rare and powerful species of dragon that can shoot plasma blasts and fly at supersonic speeds. He lives in the Hidden World with his mate, the Light Fury, and their three offspring.
Astrid: The wife of Hiccup and the mother of Zephyr and Nuffink. She is a fierce, loyal, and skilled warrior who supports Hiccup in his decisions and adventures. She rides a Deadly Nadder named Stormfly.
Fishlegs: The best friend of Hiccup and the dragon expert of Berk. He is a gentle, nerdy, and enthusiastic scholar who loves to study and document dragons. He rides a Gronckle named Meatlug.
Snotlout: The cousin of Hiccup and the self-proclaimed ladies' man of Berk. He is a cocky, arrogant, and competitive prankster who often gets into trouble with his antics. He rides a Monstrous Nightmare named Hookfang.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut: The twin siblings of Berk and the comic relief of the group. They are a pair of crazy, reckless, and eccentric troublemakers who love to cause chaos and have fun. They ride a Hideous Zippleback named Barf and Belch.
Calder: The prince of Nepenthe and the son of King Mikkel. He is a friendly, curious, and adventurous boy who befriends Hiccup and his friends when they visit his island. He has a pet dragon named Fireworm.
Melodia: A mysterious girl who lives on Nepenthe and can communicate with dragons. She has a special connection with the sea serpent that terrorizes the island, and tries to protect it from harm.
The Conflict
The conflict of the story is that Hiccup and his friends have to deal with the threat of the sea serpent that attacks Nepenthe. The sea serpent is a massive dragon that resembles a snake, with scales that change color according to its mood. It is very aggressive and destructive, and has been plaguing Nepenthe for generations. The people of Nepenthe have tried to appease it with offerings of food and treasure, but it is never satisfied. They also have a prophecy that says that one day, a dragon rider will come to save them from the beast.
Hiccup and his friends arrive on Nepenthe as guests of Calder, who invites them to join the festival of the sea serpent. They are amazed by the beauty and diversity of the island, and by the culture and customs of its people. They also meet Melodia, who claims to be able to talk to dragons, but is shunned by most of the villagers for being different. Hiccup is intrigued by her abilities, and tries to learn more about her.
However, things take a turn for the worse when the sea serpent attacks during the festival, causing panic and destruction. Hiccup and his friends try to fight it off, but they are no match for its size and strength. They also discover that Melodia has a bond with the sea serpent, and that she is trying to stop it from hurting anyone. She reveals that the sea serpent is actually her mother, who was cursed by an evil witch long ago to become a monster. She also says that there is a way to break the curse, but she needs Hiccup's help.
The Resolution
The resolution of the story is that Hiccup and his friends manage to break the curse on the sea serpent, with the help of Toothless and his family. Hiccup decides to call Toothless using his old dragon whistle, hoping that he will hear him and come to his aid. To his surprise and joy, Toothless does hear him, and brings along his mate, the Light Fury, and their three offspring. They fly across the ocean to reach Nepenthe, where they join Hiccup and his friends in battling the sea serpent.
Hiccup agrees to help Melodia, and they set off to find the witch's cave, along with Toothless and his family. They leave the others behind to distract the sea serpent and protect the villagers. Along the way, they encounter many dangers and obstacles, such as traps, guards, and wild dragons. They also learn more about each other, and develop a friendship based on their mutual love for dragons.
They finally reach the witch's cave, where they find the Serpent's Eye guarded by a fierce dragon called the Whispering Death. They manage to sneak past the dragon and grab the Serpent's Eye, but they are confronted by the witch herself. She is an old and ugly woman who hates dragons and humans alike. She reveals that she cursed Melodia's mother because she was jealous of her beauty and happiness. She also says that she plans to use the Serpent's Eye to unleash a horde of dragons on Nepenthe, and destroy everything in her path.
Hiccup and Melodia try to fight the witch, but she proves to be too powerful for them. She uses the Serpent's Eye to control Toothless and his family, and orders them to attack Hiccup and Melodia. Hiccup is shocked and heartbroken to see his best friend turn against him, and tries to reason with him. He tells Toothless that he loves him, and that he will always be his friend. He also tells him that he is proud of him for finding his own family, and that he hopes to see him again someday.
Toothless is moved by Hiccup's words, and manages to break free from the witch's control. He snatches the Serpent's Eye from her hand, and gives it to Hiccup. Hiccup then uses it to free Melodia's mother from the curse, turning her back into a beautiful woman who resembles a dragon. Melodia is overjoyed to see her mother restored, and hugs her tightly. The witch is furious and tries to attack them again, but Toothless blasts her with a plasma bolt, knocking her out.
Hiccup and Melodia then return to the village with Toothless and his family, where they are greeted by their friends and the villagers. They announce that they have defeated the witch and broken the curse on the sea serpent, who is now a friendly and gentle dragon. The people of Nepenthe are grateful and celebrate their victory. They also welcome Melodia and her mother as part of their tribe, and thank Hiccup and his friends for their help.
Analysis
The Themes
The main themes of the story are friendship, family, and freedom. The story explores how Hiccup and Toothless cope with being apart from each other, but still maintain their bond as friends. It also shows how they both find their own families in different ways: Hiccup with Astrid and their children, and Toothless with the Light Fury and their offspring. It also shows how they both value freedom for themselves and for others: Hiccup by respecting Toothless's choice to live in the Hidden World, and Toothless by helping Melodia free her mother from the curse.
The Art Style
The art style of the story is colorful, vibrant, and expressive. The illustrations capture the beauty and diversity of Nepenthe, with its lush vegetation, exotic animals, and colorful people. The drawings also convey the emotions and personalities of the characters, especially their facial expressions and body language. The action scenes are dynamic and exciting, with fluid movements and dramatic angles. The art style also matches the tone and mood of the story, from humorous to suspenseful to emotional.
The Continuity
the graphic novel series, such as Hiccup and Toothless's reunion, Zephyr and Nuffink's relationship with dragons, the fate of the witch, etc.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir is a graphic novel that continues the story of Hiccup and Toothless after the third movie. It is written by Dean DeBlois, the director and writer of the movie trilogy. It follows Hiccup and his friends as they visit Nepenthe, a tropical island that is threatened by a giant sea serpent. They meet Melodia, a girl who can communicate with dragons, and who has a bond with the sea serpent. They also reunite with Toothless and his family, who help them break the curse on the sea serpent. The story explores the themes of friendship, family, and freedom, and expands the lore of the franchise.
Recommendation for readers
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, or who enjoys fantasy and adventure stories. It is a fun, exciting, and emotional read that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer. It is also a great way to see more of Hiccup and Toothless's adventures in a different medium. The book is suitable for readers of all ages, as it has a simple and engaging language, and a positive and inspiring message.
FAQs
Q: Where can I buy How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir?
A: You can buy it online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other bookstores. You can also find it in your local library or comic book store.
Q: How many pages does How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir have?
A: The book has 80 pages, with full-color illustrations.
Q: Are there more graphic novels in the series?
A: Yes, there are four more graphic novels in the series: How To Train Your Dragon: Dragonvine, How To Train Your Dragon: The Fire Tides, How To Train Your Dragon: Burning Midnight, and How To Train Your Dragon: The Endless Night. They are all written by Dean DeBlois and illustrated by various artists.
Q: Is How To Train Your Dragon: The Serpent's Heir canon?
A: Yes, according to Dean DeBlois, the graphic novels are canon and part of the official continuity of the franchise. They are meant to fill in the gaps between the movies and show what happens to the characters after How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
Q: Will there be a fourth movie in the franchise?
A: No, according to Dean DeBlois, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is the final movie in the franchise. He said that he wanted to end the story on a high note and give a satisfying conclusion to Hiccup and Toothless's journey. However, he also said that he is open to exploring other stories in the same universe, such as spin-offs or prequels.