Comics and games have always had a fairly close relationship. In general, comics readers play games and gamers read comics, not to mention that a great many games get advertised heavily in comic books. It was only inevitable that the two would cross over each other to produce video-game-based comics.
In early years, the trend tended toward the comic adaptations being sub par or completely inaccurate to the games from which they were ostensibly created. But recently effort has been made to create comics that are very faithful to the source material and, in rare cases, even enhance the in-game story by providing background details not seen in the games.
Notable video game comics include but are not limited to:
[PROTOTYPE] – A 6-issue mini-series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint. The series expands the backstory presented in the released game. Available in print format only.
[PROTOTYPE2] – A 6-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics that details the background of Sgt. James Heller. Single issues available in digital format only, collected print format available in hardcover.
Aliens: Colonial Marines – No Man Left Behind – A 20-page one shot published in partnership between Dark Horse Comics, SEGA and Gearbox Software as a promotional item that was distributed at San Diego Comic Con International in the summer of 2012, and possibly other venues. The story takes place aboard the USS Sephora during the simultaneous attacks by Weyland-Yutani soldiers and xenomorphs.
Army of Two: Across the Border – A 6-issue mini-series published in a partnership between EA and IDW Publishing that bridges the story between the first game and Army of Two: The 40th Day. Available in print format only.
Army of Two: Dirty Money – A 112-page original graphic novel published by Prima Games. Provides background stories for Rios and Salem from their early days and expands on the events leading up to the first game. Available in print format only.
Assassin’s Creed – A 4-volume original graphic novel set published by Titan Books that details Desmond Miles’ abduction by Abstergo to rip his ancestors’ memories from his genetic code, his subsequent rescue by Lucy and his first attempts at using the Animus. These volumes are only available as French editions.
Assassin’s Creed: The Fall – A 3-issue mini-series published by DC Comics that follows the Russian Assassin Nikolai Orelov retrieving a powerful artifact from the Templars. Available in both print and digital formats.
Batman: Arkham City – A 5-issue mini-series published by DC Comics that bridges the story between Arkham City and Arkham Asylum. Available in both print and digital formats.
Bloodrayne – Numerous one shots and mini-series have been produced by Digital Webbing expanding on the game universe.
Borderlands: Origins – A 4-issue mini-series published by IDW Publishing and written by the author of the original game, Mikey Newmann. Each issue gives the back story of one of the original Vault Hunters up until they board the bus with Marcus in Borderlands’ opening video. Available in both print and digital formats.
City of Heroes – A one shot promotional comic was published by Dark Horse Comics and has events that lead up to the game’s story. There is also a 12-issue series published by Blue King Studios and another 20-issue series published by Top Cow, both of which ran concurrently with the developing in-game story. For the life of the comic, subscribing to the game would also automatically include a free subscription to the comic as well. When the game folded, all of the digital versions have been taken offline as well.
Dark Sector – A one-shot prequel comic published by Top Cow. Available in print format only.
Dead Island – A 6-page one-shot produced in partnership between Deep Silver and Marvel Comics. It details events on Banoi and the Royal Palms Resort before the game begins. No longer available.
Dead Rising: the Road to Fortune – A 4-issue mini-series jointly published by IDW Publishing and Capcom. The series details the events that bridge the Willamette Incident and the DLC Dead Rising: Case West. The series is said to be an official canon storyline. Available in print format only.
Dead Space – A 6-issue mini-series published by Image Comics that is a prequel to the Wii game Dead Space: Extraction and to the animated film Dead Space: Downfall. Available in print format only.
Diablo III: The Sword of Justice – A 5-issue mini-series published by DC Comics set in the Diablo III universe. Available in both print and digital formats.
DmC Devil May Cry: The Chronicles of Vergil – A prequel published by Titan Books that details Vergil’s history prior to the game story. Digital version available and print version is forthcoming in Summer 2013.
DOOM – A 16-page one shot was produced jointly by Marvel Comics and id Software as a promotional item to be distributed at video game conventions. No longer available.
Double Dragon – A 6-issue mini-series published by Marvel Comics in license with the Taito Corporation set in the game universe. If you thought that all that Double Dragon needed was expanded backstory, you were wrong. Available in print format only.
Dragon Age: The Silent Grove – A 6-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and co-written by the game’s lead writer, David Gaider. Available in both print and digital formats.
Dragon Age: Those Who Speak – A 3-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and co-written by the game’s lead writer, David Gaider. Available in both print and digital formats.
Dragon Age: Until We Sleep – A 3-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and co-written by the game’s lead writer, David Gaider. Available in both print and digital formats.
End of Nations – A 4-issue mini-series set in the world of the game published by DC Comics. Available in both print and digital formats.
Fallout: New Vegas: All Roads – An original, 47-page graphic novel published by Dark Horse Comics and written by the game’s senior designer Chris Avellone. It is a prequel that ties directly into the game’s story. Originally only available with the Special Edition of the game, can now be obtained in digital format.
Gears of War – An ongoing series (cancelled with issue #24) published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint that expands the Gears of War lore and bridges the story between games. The final 10 issues were written by Gears of War 3 author Karen Traviss as a lead-in to the game.
God of War – A 6-issue mini-series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint. The storyline ties to the events of God of War III. Available in both print and digital formats.
HALO Graphic Novel – A 128-page graphic novel published by Marvel Comics. It is an anthology of short stories set in the HALO universe. Available in print format only.
HALO: Blood Line – A 5-issue mini-series published by Marvel Comics that is set just before Fall of Reach follows a stranded team of SPARTAN-II commandos. Available in print format only.
HALO: Fall of Reach – A 12-issue series published by Marvel Comics that adapts the Fall of Reach novel into comics. The series is comprised of three 4-issue story arcs, Boot Camp, Covenant and Pillar of Autumn. Available in print format only.
HALO: Helljumper – A 5-issue mini-series published by Marvel Comics that centers around the ODST. Available in print format only.
HALO: Uprising – A 4-issue mini-series published by Marvel comics that bridges the stories between HALO 2 & 3. Available in print format only.
Hawken: Genesis – An original 136-page graphic novel published by Archaia Entertainment that is set in the Hawken universe and expands on the game’s mythos. Available in both print and digital formats.
Injustice: Gods Among Us – A prequel series to the fighting game of the same name published by DC Comics. Available in both print and digital formats.
The Last of Us: American Dreams – A 4-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics. It features a prequel story chronicling what happens with Emily prior to in-game events written by the game’s lead writer Neil Druckmann. Available in both print and digital formats.
Mass Effect: Evolution – The second 4-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and co-written by Mass Effect 2 & 3’s lead writer Mac Walters. The story reveals the origin of the Illusive Man. Available in both print and digital formats.
Mass Effect: Homeworlds – The fourth 4-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and co-written by Mass Effect 2 & 3’s lead writer Mac Walters. The stories revolve around James Vega, Tali, Garrus, and Liara and the unbreakable ties they each have to their home planets. Available in both print and digital formats.
Mass Effect: Invasion – The third 4-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and co-written by Mass Effect 2 & 3’s lead writer Mac Walters. The story details the events that lead into Mass Effect 3. Available in both print and digital formats.
Mass Effect: Redemption – The first 4-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and co-written by Mass Effect 2 & 3’s lead writer Mac Walters. The story follows the events in Mass Effect 2 and revolves around the search for the missing Shepard. Available in both print and digital formats.
Max Payne 3 – A 3-issue mini-series produced in a partnership between Rockstar Games and Marvel Comics and written by Dan Houser and Remedy’s Sam Lake. The series focuses on Max’s life during the first 2 games and the events leading up to the third. Available in digital format only.
Mega Man – An ongoing series published by Archie Comics in license with Capcom and stories that focus on the Mega Man universe. Available in both print and digital formats.
Metal Gear Solid – A 12-issue series published by IDW Publishing that adapts the story from the game into comics form. Available in print format only.
Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty – A 12-issue series published by IDW Publishing that adapts the story from the game into comics form. Notable changes include many sequences with Raiden being altered to include Snake instead. Available in print format only.
Metro: Last Light - The Gospel According to Artyom – A digital-only graphic novel published in a partnership of Dark Horse Comics, Deep Silver and 4A Games that will be bundled into some versions of the pre-ordered game, depending on the retailer. The story is written by the author of the original novels, Dmitry Glukhovsky, and will bridge the story between the games Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light.
Mirror’s Edge – A 6-issue mini-series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint and written by the game’s lead writer Rhianna Pratchett. The series expands on the Mirror’s Edge universe and Faith’s back story. Available in both print and digital formats.
Perfect Dark: Janus’ Tears – A 6-issue mini-series published by Prima Games that bridges the stories presented in two Perfect Dark prose novels. Available in print format only.
Perfect Dark Zero: Hong Kong Sunrise – A 16-page one shot comic published by Cold FuZion Studios that was bundled into Collector’s Editions of Perfect Dark Zero. The comic sets up backstory for the events in the game. Available in print format only.
RAGE: After the Impact – A 3-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics that expands the mythos of the in-game world. Available in print format only.
Ratchet & Clank – A 6-issue mini-series published by DC Comics set in the Ratchet & Clank universe. Available in both print and digital formats.
Remember Me - A 20-page one shot produced jointly by Dark Horse Comics, Dontnod Entertainment and Capcom to be distributed by Gamestop/EB Games as a pre-order bonus.
Resident Evil – A 16-page one shot produced jointly by Marvel Comics and Capcom and distributed as a promotional item for the first game. The story is the lead up to the events in the game. No longer available.
Resident Evil (2009) – A 6-issue mini-series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint that is a prequel to the events in Resident Evil 5. Available in both print and digital formats.
Resident Evil: Code Veronica – A 4-issue mini-series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint that is an adaptation of the game’s story in comic form. The issues were originally published in Hong Kong and were translated for Western audiences. Available in both print and digital formats.
Resident Evil: Fire and Ice – A 5-issue mini-series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint that revolves around a G-virus outbreak at a circus. Available in both print and digital formats.
Resident Evil: The Official Comics Magazine – A 6-issue magazine-sized series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint with short stories set in the Resident Evil universe. Available in print format only.
SCUD: The Disposable Assassin – A 24-issue series, the first 20 of which were published by Fireman Press LTD and the last 4 were published by Image Comics. Available in print format only.
Silent Hill – A series of one-shots and mini-series all published by IDW Publishing that are set in the town of Silent Hill. The stories are tangential to the ones occurring in the games.
Sonic the Hedgehog – An ongoing series with over 200 issues published by Archie Comics in license with SEGA that feature numerous characters from the Sonic universe. Several mini-series and spin-offs have also been produced, some featuring secondary characters.
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Blood of the Empire – The second 3-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and written by senior game writer Alexander Freed. Available in both print and digital formats.
Star Wars: The Old Republic: The Lost Suns – The third 5-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and written by senior game writer Alexander Freed. Available in both print and digital formats.
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Threat of Peace – The first 3-issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics and written by game writer Rob Chestney. It is a prequel to the game’s story. Available in both print and digital formats.
Starcraft – An ongoing series (cancelled with issue #7) published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint that expands the game’s lore. A special, digital-only #0 issue was included with the special edition of Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty. The rest of the series is available in both print and digital formats.
Street Fighter – A 15-issue series published by UDON Comics in license with Capcom that contains stories set in the Street fighter universe. Available in print format only.
Street Fighter II – A 7-issue mini-series published by UDON Comics in license with Capcom. The stories lead into the events depicted in the game. Available in print format only.
Street Fighter II: Turbo – A 13-issue series published by UDON Comics in license with Capcom that continues the events of their Street Fighter II comic series. Available in print format only.
Street Fighter IV – A 4-issue mini-series published by UDON Comics in license with Capcom that depicts events that lead into the game. Available in print format only.
Street Fighter Legends - A group of 4-issue mini-series published by UDON Comics in license with Capcom that focus on a particular character. Sakura, Chun-li and Ibuki were the featured characters. Available in print format only.
Super Street Fighter: New Generation – An original graphic novel published by UDON Comics in license with Capcom that continues he storyline from the Street Fighter II: Turbo comic book series. The events of the story apparently take place during the time of Street Fighter III. Available in print format only.
Tomb Raider – A 50-issue series published by Top Cow that contained various stories starring Lara Croft and set in the Tomb Raider universe. There were also various one-shot crossovers including one with The Darkness. Available in print format only.
Uncharted – A 6-issue mini-series published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint. The original storyline does not tie to any of the games in the series. Available in both print and digital formats.
Valve Presents: The Sacrifice and Other Steam-Powered Stories – A 208-page graphic novel published by Dark Horse Comics that collects all of Valve’s game comics originally only available in digital form. Contained within are: “The Sacrifice”, which follows the four characters from Left 4 Dead before, during and after The Sacrifice DLC; “Lab Rat” a story that bridges the events of Portal 1 & 2; and 6 Saxton Hale stories from Team Fortress 2. Available in both print and digital formats.
The Wolf Among Us – Based on the ongoing Fables comic book series published by DC Comics under the Vertigo imprint.
Log in to comment