Review: Mass Effect Invasion

Mass Effect: Invasion (Mass Effect Graphic Novels #3)
Mac Walters (Author), Omar Francia (Illustrator), John Jackson Miller (Scriptor)

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Graphic Novels, Science Fiction

Publication: 4/24/12, Dark Horse Comics

# of Pages: 112

Source: I received an advanced readers copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  The Omega space station is the center of lawlessness in the galaxy, a den of vice ruled by the deadly asari Aria. It is also a strategic foothold in a galaxy-wide power struggle, and when the station comes under attack from a new threat unleashed by the humanity-first organization Cerberus, Aria is forced to become more ruthless than ever to protect her home—and her dominion!

This canonical chapter in the Mass Effect saga reunites Walters with writer John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knight Errant), artist Omar Francia (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II), and cover artist Massimo Carnevale (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) for a galactic showdown sure to thrill any serious science-fiction reader.

My Review:  It's no surprise that I thought this one was awesome. I love Mass Effect. I love everything to do with Mass Effect. I play it more for the character interaction and amazing story line than anything else. And Aria T'Loak is a character that I enjoyed while playing the game. So when I saw this baby appear on Netgalley I knew I had to have it.

I played Mass Effect 3 prior to reading Invasion, so I knew from conversations with Aria that something had happened to her control of the Omega space station. However, it was never made clear exactly what transpired. This is where Invasion comes in. It fills in the gaps between the end of Mass Effect 2 and the point where you encounter Aria in Mass Effect 3.

I loved seeing a story from Aria's point of view. She is definitely an intriguing character and Invasion gives the reader or gamer a little bit of insight into her character. I don't know much about art, but I'm a comic book and graphic novel fan and the art work in Invasion was incredible, staying true to the characters and alien races I've come to know and love through playing the video game. I also enjoyed seeing Omega. I love Omega by the way. I was poisoned there once by a Batarian. Ah, good times.

Overall, an amazing read and a great tie-in for those who love the Mass Effect games as much as I do.

Goodreads / Amazon