Issue: Mass Effect: Redemption #1 of 4
Release Date: January 6, 2010
Story: Mac Walters
Script: John Jackson Miller
Artist: Omar Francia
Cover: Daryl Mandryk
Colors: Michael Atiyeh
Letterer: Michael Heisler
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
“The stars teem with life … and death. In the generation since discovering the mass relay near Pluto, humanity has used the ancient device to make its presence felt in the cosmos. Welcomed into the Citadel Council, the people of Earth have proven adroit and adaptive – to the consternation of some longer-established species. But tragedy struck one of Earth’s greatest heroes just weeks after rescuing the galactic capital, the Citadel, from a devastating strike. Commander Shepard, one of the few elite agents known as Spectres, was lost in a mysterious attack on the Normandy. Now, Shepard’s friends – including the intrepid Asari, Dr. Liara T’Soni – want answers. But Shepard’s enemies are searching for something, too. Something worth killing for …”
Supposedly picking up sometime after the story of the game Mass Effect and before its upcoming sequel Mass Effect 2, Redemption follows Liara T’Soni on her search for Commander Shepard (or his body, at least in this issue). I say “supposedly” because I haven’t finished ME yet. I know, I’m hanging my head in nerd shame right now, but I bring it up because this might be the reason I was left with the following question: Did I just get the end of the game spoiled for me?
Within the first few panels, I gathered that Liara T’Soni must be the famed blue alien I kept hearing about that the game pushes you to have relations with. It was the clever sexual innuendo and sexy poses she’s pulling throughout the issue that gave it away. After that, the character seemed fairly naive in her dealings with the peoples she encountered on Omega (the place her search for Shepard has taken her). I supposed that’s where Feron (the Drell) comes in, to kind of counter this innocent/Lolita vibe Liara has in her look, posture, and most of her dialogue. The rest of the issue has some fighting in it, but is mostly introducing the reader to characters, places, and the situation the miniseries is going to deal with.
Nothing here was “Holy Crap” inducing because it’s a first issue of a miniseries, and like most first issues of a miniseries, it’s just setting stuff up for the next three issues. That’s not bad, it’s just typical. The writing and art work well together, and of course the writing fits in well with the game since Mac Walters is BioWare’s lead writer. This is probably not a great comic to pick up if you’re not familiar with the game, but I think established fans of Mass Effect would definitely want to check this out.
Rating: 3 / 5 Stars
