Mass Effect: Redemption review

Mass Effect: Redemption

Writer: John Jackson Miller

Art: Omar Francia

Collected edition, volumes 1-4

Dark Horse Comics 2010

Paperback, 96 pages

This review contains spoilers, so if your planning on playing Mass Effect 1, continue reading at your own peril!

The story takes place between the first and second Mass Effect game. Shepard is presumed dead, and his remains has become a much sought after commodity. The mysterious alien species called «The Collectors» and the pro human group «Cerberus» are both competing for the price, both for reasons unknown.

In the midst of this, the story’s protagonist Liara T’soni, a close friend and team mate of Shepard, is desperately trying to stop the Collectors from getting Shepards body.

Her quest starts at Omega in the Terminus System, where she’ll meet allies and enemies both.

If this is your first taste of the Mass Effect universe, you will probably be a tad confused as to what’s going on. It follows the lore from the game pretty accurately, and throws in bits and pieces of information that you won't pick up on unless you finished the first game.

The story is well written, it is well paced, exciting and at times funny. Meeting the disillusioned Elcor who wants to become a dancer is a funny throwback to the hilarious encounters with the race back on the Citadel.

But everything isn't well in the ME universe. A major problem i had with the book, was that they changed the personal traits of Liara in a pretty drastic way. The meek scientist you got to know in the game, has now been turned into a proper super hero. She wears a silly tight outfit and acts in a rash, almost suicidal behaviour. She throws herself head on into battles she can’t win, and if it weren't for her Drall companion Farron, she  probably would be dead…This change is not for the better. I did not see the need for her to become more violent and sexualized , It’s bordering on juvenile and doesn't add a single interesting element to her character, rather quite the opposite.

 

Overall the artwork is pretty good, but i don’t like the portrayal of Liara and some of the more important characters. They are constantly strangely posed, and their bodies are way to exaggerated. Pushing for the sex appeal?

But you'll get plenty of well drawn and exciting battles, space stations and aliens.

If you like Mass Effect, there is a pretty good chance of you liking this book too. The story is neither to long or too short and reaches it’s conclusion in a natural way. It fits neatly into the lore of the game series, and complements the plot in a good way. If you manage to overlook some of the silly character artwork, you'll be in for some good sci fi entertainment.

Score: 7 out of 10.