REVIEW: DARK SOULS: LEGENDS OF THE FLAME #2

In a realm where hollowed champions rise and fall with the ages, where brave knights quest for absolution and bonfires blaze against the everdark, myth and legend will forever prevail…

From the desolate worlds of Namco-Bandai’s critically-lauded video game series comes this unsettling collection of all-new Dark Souls tales, written and drawn by some of the comic industry’s finest. Building upon the extensive lore of the franchise, this action-packed anthology is essential for all fans of the game.

I am not much of a gamer, although I have heard of the Dark Souls video game. Â The idea of adaptingÂ this into an anthology intrigued me. Â With the afore-mentioned disclaimer, I cannot comment on the stories connectivity or lack thereof to the video game. Â The shorts contained in this issue were art strong. Â In saying this I await a backlash from writers, however, this is not a condemnation of the scripts, only a statement of this issues art far overshadowing the writing, not only in quality but quantity. Â I just didn’t have enough script to ground me into the stories.

THE DEVOTED
Story by: Dan Watters
Art by: Caspar Wijngaard

An interesting short in which a knight sets out to win the favor of his beloved and is then killed by his love. . .I think?

THAT WHICH HOLDS US HUMAN
Story by: Cassandra Khaw
Art by: Daniele Serra

A short touching on the arrogance and struggle of humanity’s existence, or perhaps humanity’sÂ perseverance in the face of death . . . I think?

ACTION REPLAY
Story by: George Mann
Art by: Nick Percival

Ok, this one I have on the money! Â A gladiatorial battle in which the hero fights and dies repeatedly. Â Ahhhh frack . . . I THINK!

Gamers may latch onto this title and I honestly recommend they check it out. Â I rather enjoyed the art and the mind twisting as I tried to determine in only a few pages and sparse script what each story was threading into. Â Perhaps some of these shorts are not intended to tie into a greater arc, perhaps they are spot on with the lauded game’s universe. Â Perhaps . . .

ART: Â 3.5
STORY: Â 2
OVERALL: Â 2.8

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