PROTOTYPE The Graphic Novel

Starting this week GameCore will be bringing you not just info on gaming industry, reviews, previews, editorial, but we'll also include comic reviews. Specially those that could be tied to a video game. This week we're talking PROTOTYPE.

Prototype the videogame developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Activision will be available to the public here in the U.S. on June 9 2009. But for those of you interested in learning more about the games plot, the comic book is already available at your local comic book store. Prototype the comic series publish by Wildstorm/DC is a dark and gritty introduction into the 'Prototype universe'.

Here's a quick synopsis for those who are not familiar with the story.

Prototype, the game, is about a viral outbreak set in New York City and the main characters way of coping with the powers that this virus has given him as he struggles to regain his memory, while avoiding and or confronting the military units that have quarantined the city.

Issues 1 and 2 out of 6 (which should be available by the time you read this) written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, with art by Darick Robertson and Matt Jacobs, bounces back and forth between the late 1960's and 2009 focusing on the story of General Peter Randall. He appears to be the leader of 'Blackwatch' a special branch of the military that has locked down NYC. Randall appears to be the main antagonist in the videogame, and the comic series does a good job of fleshing the character out. Also featured in the comic are 2 New York City detectives that find themselves chasing a murder suspect who may or may not be Alex Mercer, the main character in the game.

Perfectly emulating the dark, graphic tone of what's seen so far in the previews of the game, this comic holds no bars. Dismemberment, profanity, nudity, cannibalism, and tons of violence can be expected if you pick this comic up, certainly earning its "Suggested for Mature readers" warning on the cover.

The art and writing are solid, with great use of color. My only gripe is that at first the narrative seems a bit confusing as it "time jumps" from 1968 and 69 to the present day, but by the end of the 2nd issue the story becomes more cohesive, the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together and with 4 more issues to go I am interested in seeing how things wraps up.

Prototype issue number #1 will retail for approximately $3.99 and is suggested for mature readers only!
Produced by Jeremiah Wallace