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TAP Reviews | “Dark Souls #1”

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dark souls, dark souls 3, titan comics, cover art, variants, preview, panel art, video game, from software, issue one, issue 1, the action pixel, entertainment on tap

dark souls, dark souls 3, titan comics, cover art, variants, preview, panel art, video game, from software, issue one, issue 1, the action pixel, entertainment on tap

Dark Souls #1 helms the arrival of the new comic series based on the prolific fromSoftware + Bandai Namco video game that has its 3rd instalment deeply stimulating the fear centre of the brain, TAP got a chance to review the comic before its release tomorrow April 20th, and though we’d give you a low down of what to expect from the issue being released on the Titan Comics imprint.
 

SPOILERS AHEAD

 
This issue chronicles the story of Fira, a warrior on a mission to save her homelands even as her faculties and memories dwindle. And with the employ of a seer / scryer, Aldrich, they go in search of a mythical dagger widdled from the Toot of the Dragon Andolus. Which sounds like simple enough mission, but the whereabouts of the dagger is guarded by the fierce Dragon Augerer. Not to mention he resides on a cave labyrinth of crystal walls that act as a mirror, revealing the intruders darkest, most vulnerable moments.
 
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And with a past as ugly and wrought with violence and decay, Fira has a lot of demons that can be turned against her.

One thing must be said about this issue. It is beautifully rendered, every page has a palette that brings unique light and texture to every image, a softness that still manages to convey the dark, grisaille world of Dark Souls. The illustration is pretty good too; with Dark Souls, being the franchise that it is, the romantic, melancholic world along with the violent and gut-wrenching trepidation could have taken new life in comic form if it merged the softness of the colouring and a more impactful bold style of draughtsmanship. One would hope as well that with this much effort put into the art that the letterer would have followed suit with a more organic, artistic incorporation of the word.

Being a Red Sonja and Conan fan, I may have a certain bias with period-esque medieval fantasy-type narratives, and having Fira (a mail-clad redhead sword swinging bad ass femme-fatale) with a slightly shifty looking guide with vast knowledge of the unknown on a mission that is indubitably destined to take them across barren, unforgiving lands.

The eventual meet between Fira and Dragon Augerer is particularly gratifying, as spreads usually are, busy without being confusing.
 
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The writing was great too, although at moments I wished they had a third person description or internal voice to really connect with Fira. And being fantasy narratives of this nature are as colourful and convolute, it would have been nice to see a more colourful use of lexicon to really capture the imagination.

All-in-all, it’s a great read, I’m not sure if it felt short because of the few pages of story or because I was enthralled all the way through, but it has us interest in the follow-up to Fira’s quest.

 

RATING: 3 out of 5 stars

the action pixel. entertainment on tap. @THEACTIONPIXEL

Great art and interesting story to kick off the Dark Souls series. But we all could use a punch up to make things that much more impactful

 

Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment section + via Twitter @TheActionPixel

 

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