New A Song of Ice and Fire calendar will focus on Dunk and Egg and include some surprises

As a seasoned fan who has followed the epic saga of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire since its humble beginnings, I can confidently say that the anticipation for each new calendar release is akin to the excitement of a child on Christmas morning. Each year brings fresh perspectives and interpretations from talented artists, offering us glimpses into the rich tapestry of Westeros and Essos.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement for the annual “A Song of Ice and Fire” calendar release! This year, we’re treated to the extraordinary artwork of Eddie Mendoza. The calendar unfolds, revealing captivating images that breathe life into George R.R. Martin’s imaginative world from his renowned book series. The 2025 edition is now available, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of events spanning the vast expanse of Martin’s mythology.

The fansite Westeros.org has obtained details about the 2026 calendar, featuring artwork by Tom Kidd, who previously illustrated Martin’s book “Dying of the Light.” This calendar will be dedicated to Dunk and Egg, protagonists from George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas. HBO is developing a new “Game of Thrones” prequel series based on these stories, titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’d say the “Tales of Dunk and Egg” series takes me on an exciting journey alongside a valiant knight named Ser Duncan the Tall and his quick-witted squire, Egg. Traveling across the Seven Kingdoms, they embark on thrilling adventures that Martin has penned in three novellas: “The Hedge Knight,” which forms the foundation for the first season of the HBO series; “The Sworn Sword” and “The Mystery Knight.” What caught me off guard was the revelation that these stories, all set within Westeros, will apparently feature Dunk and Egg on the Essos continent according to the calendar. Here’s the official synopsis for more details:

Journey across Westeros and Essos with artist Tom Kidd, as we follow the adventures of hedge knight, Dunk, and his squire, Egg, inspired by their tale in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Featuring the pre-history of the bestselling series, as well as youthful glimpses of some of the older players in A Game of Thrones, here is the width and breadth of the Seven Kingdoms and Essos as you have never seen it before, full of majesty and sweeping vistas.

It appears that none of the published “Dunk & Egg” novellas feature the duo traveling to Essos. George R.R. Martin has expressed his intention to write more stories in this series, with a potential title for the fourth one being “The She-Wolves of Winterfell.” Fans believe that another story is planned, where Dunk and Egg may journey to the Disputed Lands on Essos and ally with the Golden Company, a mercenary group we were briefly introduced to in “Game of Thrones.

On July 22, 2025, we’ll learn more when the 2026 edition of “A Song of Ice and Fire” is out. This aligns perfectly with the second half release of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”, which will air on HBO and Max in the year to come.

Will Dunk and Egg ever travel to Essos in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

Discussing the potential Dunk & Egg series set in Essos brings up an intriguing point: Given that HBO desires this show to continue for some time, yet they only have three novellas as source material, one might wonder what could possibly come after adapting those three.

From my perspective as a devoted fan, there’s a chance they could stop crafting more tales for Dunk and Egg based on what George R.R. Martin has already written, or they might continue weaving fresh adventures. The thought of venturing beyond the existing source material, given that the show seemed to stray from its original path when it ran out of books to adapt, is a prospect that undeniably stirs unease among Game of Thrones enthusiasts. After all, Martin is still diligently working on concluding his Song of Ice and Fire series.

My take is that the success or failure of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” upon its release will determine its future. If showrunner Ira Parker and his team excel in adapting the first three novellas, they might demonstrate their ability to stand on their own. However, if the adaptations are subpar, it could be wiser to discontinue the series while they’re still ahead. We’ll get a clearer picture of this situation by next year.

2024-12-11 21:41