Pilot: Mass Effect: Redemption

[Stephanie]

Welcome to another installment of Pilot! As comic book readers ourselves, we at Impulse know how important it is to get a quality bang for money spent on a single issue. Comic prices add up, after all! So every so often we’ll take an in-depth look at a new title or mini-series. We’ll give you the heads up on whether it's is worth getting into or passing up. If it's good, then you'll know. If it's not so good ... well, we read it so you don't have to.

Another video game series enters the comic book world this month with Mass Effect: Redemption #1 (of 4), penned by the lead writer of the upcoming Mass Effect 2, Mac Walters. Published by Dark Horse, the mini-series agrees to test its weight against the demands of an audience who favors a printed, visual medium. The transition between mediums—and in this case, from the screen to the page—usually requires a certain toll, and many times the cost proves high. Either the nature of the source gives way to convolution or the end product doesn't try to function as a new work. I might not be a Mass Effect familiar, but the comic feeds more than just the interests of the original fans: By stepping foot into comic book waters, readers with little or zero Mass Effect education are going to flip through the pages. In fact, the point of the transfer lies with reaching new audiences and inviting them to dip into the video game experience, as well.

Mass Effect: Redemption doesn't completely pass with flying space colors, but unlike many others of its kind it strikes a worthy achievement. Situated between the first game and its sequel looming overhead, the comic therefore runs straight into a major obstacle. While the art largely pleases the eye—despite more than a few awkward and static poses—the story suffers the most casualties. The high number of featured characters, species and their respective cultures, and references to that massive bulk of history lurking in the corner can be intimidating to unsuspecting readers who wish to explore the Mass Effect phenomenon. The writing does make a generous attempt to assimilate those who aren't standing on a hefty foundation of Mass Effect knowledge and trivia, but ultimately the effort feels minimal. A more substantial textual introduction at the beginning or a character dossier stashed in the back section, for example, would easily bridge audience gaps.

For what it's worth, the comic accomplishes its goal of earning fresh attention and expanding the game's universe into new directions, but its success also generates a certain level of disappointment. The comic doesn't miss its mark, but there are no champion kills to be found, either. For newbies yearning for a more considerate taste of Mass Effect through the unique power of comics, Redemption will leave you a bit hungry.

You can find the first issue of Mass Effect: Redemption in the Impulse Creations shop. Looking for the continuation of our Pilot Season feature courtesy of Top Cow's annual event? Stay tuned for coverage in our Pull-O-Rama column later this month.