Graphic Novels and Comics for games

Games and comics are two different things but together they can help each other. Our project is to create a graphic novel/comic to help promote a game concept. Graphic novels generally get readers into a story, creating a graphic novel of the story of a game could protentally get someone to buy the game that they might not of. Graphic novels also help a game spread across more than one medium so that a progression of story may occur.

Portal 2 was released on the 21st april 2011 but before the release there was a comic that was released to help promote the online fans. The digital comic was realised piece by piece to keep fans awaiting the next piece of the story which would get them ready for the game. What the comic did tho which was a surprise was tell a underlining story from the first game and then carried on from the end creating this brigade between the game and the graphic novel and then links into the second game.

Avaible to read here:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/109064-Official-Portal-2-Comic-Reveals-Truth-About-Cake



The comic 'Lab Rat' Also told the story of a different character both in the present time and his past. I felt that worked better as it was a new story that filled the gaps from the original game and areas that the fans wanted to know about. I liked how they didn't us the main character as when your playing you get immersed into her story and if they were to write about her it would take away from you being the player other than someones else.

The art style was very painted and different from what the game looks like. This broke some connection but the style itself was different and i thought it was interesting. It felt like it was all painted and they tied this into the game as the main character and other images have been painted in hidden places. This refers the game back to the comic and to the character in the comic building him up more. the comic immersive and relative. I also like how they also create the older versions of characters telling some there past and giving you a hint of time different.

It was as good way to persuade comic book readers who haven't played the game to maybe have a look or buy the up coming game. Its also made a lot of coverage over different websites so this would of increased the viewing rate and potentially the amount it advertised to. Valve must have looked and understood the amount of comic readers in its target audience.