A sneak peek of two comics from Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed video game series. Blood Not long before the exploits of Eivor Wolf-Kissed, Jarl Stensson and his younger brothers, Ulf and BjÖrn, make their way to England at the behest of Halfdan Ragnarsson and Ivarr the Boneless. Filled with excitement, confidence and bloodlust, the three brothers are eager to go to war against Aelfred the Great and his Anglo Saxon army. But they would do well not to underestimate what awaits them on those green shores… In the 14th year of the Tianbao Era (CE 755) An Lushan, a military governor with ties to the Knights Templar, leads his elite corps to rebel against the Tang Dynasty, and the ill-prepared Tang empire falters under the threat. The two capitals Luoyang and Chang’an fall and China falls under the oppression of the cruel An Lushan. As the Tang dynasty starts to crumble, Li E, a shady Assassin trained by the Hidden Ones in the far West, teams up with Tang loyalists to turn the tide and save both the dynasty and the country from this crisis.

This comic book attempts to expand the rich lore of the Assassin’s Creed universe but ultimately falls short. While the concept behind this comic book holds potential, the execution struggles with pacing and depth, leaving a sense of unfulfilled promise.

This comic book is divided into two distinct stories: one set in the Viking era and the other in ancient China. Both narratives aim to explore the classic Assassin’s Creed themes of freedom versus control, but neither fully captures the intrigue and depth that fans have come to expect from the franchise.

In the “Valhalla” segment, the story follows a Viking assassin. Although the setting is visually striking, the narrative lacks the complexity that makes Assassin’s Creed compelling. The plot feels rushed, with little time dedicated to character development or building tension. Key events happen abruptly, which has left me personally with a superficial understanding of the protagonist’s motivations and the stakes involved.

Similarly, the “Dynasty” portion, set in ancient China, introduces a new protagonist with potential for an engaging storyline. However, the rapid pacing and sparse dialogue hinder the development of a meaningful connection with the characters. The cultural and historical richness of the setting is underutilized, resulting in a narrative that feels more like a brief glimpse than a fully realized story.

The storytelling is hampered by a lack of cohesion and depth. The transitions between scenes are abrupt, disrupting the narrative flow and making it difficult for me personally to immerse myself in the world of this comic book. The dialogue often feels perfunctory, lacking the nuance and intrigue that could elevate the storytelling.

The artwork in this comic book, while occasionally capturing the essence of the Assassin’s Creed aesthetic, is inconsistent in quality. Some panels effectively convey the action and atmosphere, while others feel flat and lack detail. The potential for visually stunning depictions of both Viking and Chinese landscapes is only partially realized, leaving readers wanting more in terms of visual immersion.

Despite these shortcomings, there are glimpses of potential. The concept of exploring different historical periods through the lens of the Assassin’s Creed universe remains intriguing. With more focused storytelling and character development, future comic books in this series could delve deeper into the rich narratives that these settings offer.

I Give This Book 2 / 5