Getting a property that can transcend and flourish in multiple mediums is a fascinating proposition. Publisher Dark Horse Comics is celebrating the medium hopping property by bringing “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” writer Aleksandra Motyka to plot out the new mini-series with CD Projekt Red employee Travis Currit to the write the issue. Will the story be able to bring the same tone in this new comic book series? Also, will artist Marianna Strychowska be able to illustrate the world of “The Witcher” in a recognizable form?
Written by Aleksandra Motyka
Written by Travis Currit
Illustrated by Marianna Strychowska
Colored by Lauren Affe
Lettered by Steve DutroGeralt is summoned by an old friend to help solve a mystery involving his daughter. Upon arriving to investigate, however, Geralt is surprised by another friend from the past and he soon finds himself transported to regions beyond his original expectations.
* A new series featuring fan-favorite characters, including Geralt and Dandelion!
* The first issue of a new miniseries, the perfect jumping-on point!
“The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame” #1 is a subtle story that adapts the feeling of “The Witcher” exceedingly well. The story features a slow-moving plot that gains more traction as the issue progresses. Similar to games and other stories in the franchise, the script features more stripped back elements of fantasy. When the world surrounding the property intersects with the fantasy elements, the story becomes more intriguing.
The chapter does not have incredibly high stakes and doesn’t carry a lot of baggage. Geralt enters a new village on his horse and stops to see what the commotion is about in the town of Novigrad. The reputation of monster fighting Witchers encourages the locals to try and get Geralt to go on a mission. The story moves really slowly and spends a lot of time fleshing out the dialogue and characters.
Strychowska’s art is a little simplistic and isn’t able to get all of the details of the property I would have liked. While the art is technically proficient, character expressions lack detail and the background linework from some of the characters can come off as stiff. The figures in the issue also can look dull and posed. One of the best aspects of the plot are the supernatural sequences transporting Geralt to another location. Strychowska depicts an unusually tense air scene with great attention to detail and visual tricks that make it the best artistic moment of the comic.
While it is undeniable that “The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame” #1 is an endearing issue, the plot doesn’t establish a strong set of stakes. Geralt is a powerful action hero so a physical threat does not come off as imposing. Currit and Motyka introduce a few familiar faces in the story that does allow for the issue to come off as more personal by the end of the story. This is still a solid opening for a new story with the property, but not an overly exciting one. Hopefully, future installments will bring more stakes and old friends to imbue the narrative with the intrigue it needs.
While “The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame” #1 isn’t the greatest story starring Geralt of Rivia, the issue comes across as pleasant and endearing at all times. The writing has a stilted tone from the dialogue matching the video games that suit the medium of comics nicely as well. Geralt starry carries a small portion of wit that he uses to break the tension in nail-biting situations. Even at times where cliches in narratives are introduced to the story, Currit and Motyka make the situations just charming enough to make it not matter. Geralt’s shopping sequence in the market shows him bringing a crooked salesman to task and the next scene even ends in a tried-and-true bar fight.
While the debut chapter of “The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame” #1 is an enjoyable first step into a new story, this tale doesn’t feel personal enough for Geralt. The ironic aspect of the story is it almost reads like a video game narrative where the protagonist is given a quest to go on. Thankfully, the issue’s plot smoothes out once readers are past the initial sequence and the fantasy elements are better integrated into the issue. It is also disappointing to see a more minimalistic approach to the art that doesn’t capture all of the interesting parts of “The Witcher” Universe.
Those heavily invested in the franchise, hungry for new adventures with Geralt are still going to find a solid debut here. This comic isn’t the kind of story to integrate new readers into the franchise. The issue doesn’t establish the world or rules of the Universe. Given that this isn’t the first “The Witcher” mini-series at Dark Horse, the publisher likely is assuming readers have some familiarity with the source material. If readers are interested in seeing Geralt of Rivia before the upcoming Netflix series or next entry into the franchise, this is a solid start to a “The Witcher” series.
Final Verdict: 5.9 – “The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame” #1 is a pleasant return to The Witcher Universe marred by an average script and interior artwork.
