Calum Petrie reviews Dishonored #1…
The city of Dunwall: whaling capital of Gristol and industrial hub of the Empire of the Isles. Twelve years have passed since Corvo Attano scuppered the Lord Regent’s duplicitous plot against the crown and cleared his name of the Empress Jessamine’s murder. Now a little older and perhaps a little wiser, Corvo sets his sights on the future and securing an apprentice to continue his legacy. But when confronted by an impossible face from his past, the magically-gifted assassin finds himself once again drawn into a supernatural conspiracy, one that threatens to shake the very foundations of his ancient city!
SEE ALSO: Check out a preview of Dishonored #1
For those unfamiliar with the setting of Dishonored, the nation Gristol is industrial hub of the Empire of the Isles. The setting of our story is Dunwall which is the capital of Gristol, a harbour city made up of a series of islands and makes its money through whaling.
The protagonist of the story is Royal Protector and formal outlaw Corvo Attano, father to the empress Emily Kaldwin. The original Dishonored game was based around Corvo being the scapegoat in the assassination of the Empress Jessamine Kaldwin. The game put you in the shoes of Corvo as he routed out the conspirators behind the Empress’ assassination and clears his name. Along the way you gained help from The Outsider, a character of folklore who bestowed unnatural abilities upon Corvo and helped him clear his name.
Issue number 1 of this comic series takes place 12 years after the events of the game, Corvo is now the personal bodyguard to his daughter. The issues starts in the first person perspective as the game is set, a little nod to the players. Then showcases that the 12 years have not slowed Corvo down at all, as he humiliates the City Watch while testing their skills; Corvo is looking for someone to take his place.
The issue is very basic in its story; with the short issue only taking place during the day for the initial set up, then at night a brawl at the docks where new information is uncovered. Corvo is haunted by the face of his past in the issue when a boy gets mixed up at the dockside confrontation. The issue ends with two new figures plotting and luring Corvo into some bigger scheme.
The first issue is a little bit of nostalgia for the fans of the original, also a link to help tie readers over till the release of the upcoming Dishonored 2 in November. The art style of the issue fits the subject material very well with the dank and depressing feel of Dunwall fitting right in with the memory of the game.
I look forward to seeing what conspiracy Corvo is about to get dragged into with the next issue.
Rating 8/10 – for the fans without a doubt, but can be an interesting introduction to newcomers who are looking forward to the anticipated sequel.
Calum Petrie – Follow me on Twitter
. url=”.” . width=”100%” height=”150″ iframe=”true” /]
https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published August 3, 2016. Updated November 14, 2019.
