Mass Effect: Evolution TPPublisher: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: October 2011
Price: $16.99
Creator(s): Mac Walters, John Jackson Miller, Omar Francia and others
Format: 112 pgs.; Full-Color; Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-5958-2759-3
Age Rating: N/A
ICv2 Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
It can be difficult to adapt the world of a computer game into a good story, because the needs of the two are very different. In this case, the result is imperfect, but very readable. I think that players of the game will more easily get engrossed, as they will be more familiar with the "world" of the story. For newcomers, it is more difficult, but not impossible.
In the future, mankind discovers something outside the orbit of Pluto. It turns out to be a shortcut to the stars, basically a faster-than-light highway of sorts. The problem is that humans didn't ask permission to use it, and conflict results. High speed action ensues, with lives at stake, and the artwork is a strong point of this adventure story.
The science fiction aspects of the story are very old-school, in that somehow mankind is able to fend off older and more advanced civilizations by author fiat. The story is otherwise good enough that this is a minor flaw.
Because the graphic novel has to skip over large chunks of story, some of it does not read smoothly as a long story, but the individual scenes are exciting adventures that might lead readers to the game, which is probably what the creators were hoping.
The themes and the level of violence suggest that this volume is aimed at teens and adults. This makes sense, as the game itself is rated M for Mature.
--Nick Smith: Librarian Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
