God of War: Fallen God #1

Between God of War III (2010) and God of War (2018) several things have shifted in terms of Kratos demeanor. The “Hello, Old Friend” trophy shows he isn't free of his physical burden and yet he is at peace. Dark Horse's God of War: Fallen God # 1 seems like the beginning of an end. Read Full Review

The illustrations in GOD OF WAR: FALLEN GOD #1 look as if they're taken straight out of a God of War video games; the transition of Kratos into this comic book former is seamless. Read Full Review

Im a big fan of the God of War franchise as a whole, and the pedigree of the creative team is enough to convince me to stick with this one, but Id have liked a little more meat on the bones of this first issue to really get my excitement flowing. Ultimately, this is a solid introductory issue that doesnt quite find its feet before it ends, and Ill definitely be checking out issue two to see how Roberson and Parker build on the story they've started here. Read Full Review

The book had the opportunity to take a beloved video game character and do cool and new things, but choose to Kratos staggering alone without direction or plot. Read Full Review

Overall, despite my stalwart fanhood within the God of War series, God of War: Fallen God #1 left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Kratos' temper and relentlessness are well documented. I wish the author would have pulled more of the stoic, tragic character from the new game. The art is good, and the series still has a strong premise. To all of the God of War fans out there, you might want to wait until this one goes to trade paperback. General fantasy fans have plenty of other places to look while this series finds its footing. Read Full Review

Overall, I am pretty disappointed after reading the first issue of God of War: Fallen God for review. Not enough engaging elements are present to really hook the reader. It takes a lot to make a character like Kratos boring, yet somehow Chris Roberson has managed it here. This is one to skip whether you are a God of War aficionado or not, hopefully the series will pick up a bit as it progresses. Read Full Review

Perhaps the series will pick up as we get closer to uncovering how Kratos go to where he was at the beginning of the 2018 series relaunch, but this opening salvo is an uninspired bore. Read Full Review

C.V.R. The Bard

Mar 13, 2021

It's been years since a Summer Break meant hours of video game entertainment via my Aunt's 90's gaming system and still : Playstation stays shitting on all other gaming platforms with moves like diversifying it's brand with books like this. "Fallen God" is the realest thing to come out of Santa Monica since the bell would ring at that city's University High School and I would go back to South Central via Crenshaw Ave. high, drunk, and depressed. I never played a God of War game, but once upon a time in my early 20's in 2017 , I had a PSP. And I bought a Soul Calibur game for that joint and wore it out playing as Kratos. Familiarity with the character aside, "Fallen God " was written for me and every other person who shakes their fist at the sky & throws their tarot cards or what have you , when the universe has other plans than what you intended. Kratos's swords constantly returning to him serves as the story's perfect metaphor for not only memories that cannot be escaped but also how no matter how much each of us changes on our path on this planet, there still is some silly reason why we are here that (some like myself tend to believe) needs to be fulfilled. And not even our own thoughts of what is best for ourselves gets in the way of this pre-ordained, groupthink mindset. - Audiomack.com/cvrthebard more