If you’re a fan of the very popular Assassin’s Creed franchise and you would like to know more about the background framing the story of the actual games here is something that may be of interested to you. The trio of graphic novels, published by Titan Books, attempts to capture the essence of the Assassin’s Creed mythos and transform it into an enjoyable graphic novel experience.
The three volume introduction to the Assassin’s Creed saga uses the first game as a springboard but leaves enough creative space to establish its own identity. The two men working behind the comics are writer Eric Corbeyran and artist Djillali Defali both of whom do an great job delivering a deeper look into to the Assassin’s Creed mythology.
The three books are:
- 1 | Desmond
- 2 | Aquilus
- 3 | Accipiter
Assassin’s Creed 1 | Desmond (Corbeyran, Defali)
The 48 page long book feels sturdy in your hands and you don’t have to worry about fragility, where reading is actually going to hurt it. If you’re like me the quality of the product, be it either book or graphic novel, does matter because I want my bookshelf to look good for years to come even as I age and deteriorate.
In short: the books tell you the story of Desmond Miles’s abduction by the mysterious Abstergo group. Abstergo are after the information hidden in the genetic memories of Desmond’s ancestors.
The first volume also explains a little about where Desmond Miles came from and the fact that he actually was not the first descendent to enter the animus, a projector which renders genetic memories in three dimensions.
The gripping colors and intriquite detail make the setting come to life.
After opening the book, the first thing you’ll notice is the excellent artwork of Djillali Defali. The gripping colors and intriquite detail make the setting come to life.
The actual story and characterization has been made really well making it easy to really enjoy the dialogue in the comic. Corbeyran does a great job delivering an intriguing story and Defali’s work with the great artwork only compliments a great story being told. It is easy to be absorbed into Assassin’s world.
There is intrigue and mystery like an Assassin’s Creed title should have but also a great presentation of the ancient world which is meritorious considering that only a few pages of the book will actually take you back in time along Desmond’s memories.
Reading this graphic novel while listening to music with Middle-Eastern influences provided an excellent pairing.
The ending came quickly (with a nice twist) and left me hungry for more. Volume I | Desmond is Corbeyryan’s first take on Assassin’s Creed franchise and surely convinced me to further unravel the story in the second volume: 2 | Aquilus which continues exactly where Desmond left off.
Assassin’s Creed 2 | Aquilus (Corbeyran, Defali)
In the second book of the Assassin’s Creed graphic novel trilogy, Desmond has joined the ranks of the Assassins and is plunged into a quest for a mysterious artifact with considerable power. In order to find it, Desmond’s memories takes us even further back in the animus, to 259 AD where Aquilus, a Gaulic assassin, is given a mysterious object from his father.
Assassin’s Creed 2 | Aquilus picks up exactly where Desmond left off and shows us something that is refreshing to see in Assassin’s Creed universe: the never-ending power struggle of Templars and Assassins usually relegated to flashbacks now set in a more modern time period.
The first book was about building the atmosphere, the second book is a lot more action and story oriented keeping the reader glued to the page. Corbeyran’s script in the books is a nice take on historical fiction.
Even though I believe that a trilogy of books should always be reviewed as a whole, the fast paced action and great storytelling of the writer makes reading Assassin’s Creed 2 | Aquilus an even better experience than the first.
People who have played the games will notice that there are notable differences between these three graphic novels and the game series and you will either like it or not. I’m always willing to see a refreshing take on a series so I was pleased with how things turned out. That said, even if you’re unfamiliar with the franchise, Assassin’s Creed 2 Aquilus keeps you entertained.
Like the first book, the 2 Aquilus is a quality work.
Assassin’s Creed 3 | Accipiter (Corbeyran, Defali)
In the third and final book of the Assassin’s Creed graphic novel trilogy, the quest for the mysterious artifact continues and we meet more modern day Assassins and learn more about their mission.
The third and final book of the trilogy binds together the Desmond and Aquilus plotlines. Like with the previous books, Accipiter doesn’t hesitate to get back into the action. The story continues on two fronts: one in the modern day era and one in the Desmond’s ancestral memories of history. While the animus storyline will be put to an end, the modern era leaves the reader waiting for more to come.
The Verdict
It’s brevity left me wanting more but the Assassin’s Creed graphic novel trilogy kept me entertained from beginning to end. Eric Corbeyran delivers a good story which is nicely supported by Djillali Defali’s artwork. Together they deliver a quality tale that keeps you entertained.
All in all these hardcover Assassin’s Creed graphic novel books are quality products which will fit the shelves of any gamer nicely making it a great gift for any Assassin’s Creed fans and a fun quick read for people who just enjoy historical fiction.
[Note: A free copies of Assassin’s Creed: Graphic Novel Trilogy books were provided for review by Titan Books]
Marko Kari
Latest posts by Marko Kari (see all)
- Reus Review - May 19
- Skyrim: Legendary Edition Arrives on June 4 - April 25
- Neverwinter Open Beta available April 30th - April 4
- Most Anticipated New Releases of April 2013 - April 1
Loading ...
