8Bit/Digi

Welcome Home, Good Hunter.

Bloodborne was unleashed upon the world in 2015, spreading its infectious plague far and wide, leaving a legacy, while people are still clamoring for a remaster of the popular FromSoftware title. I wasn’t a fan of the genre, yet this new setting, lore, and the game’s mechanics pushed me to give it a shot. I experienced the title’s glory, as did many others who previous Souls games hadn’t pulled in. Sure, I never made it past the third boss. Still, the fact is that I enjoyed the work put into the city, creatures, and atmosphere so much that I watched others play further and found myself wanting more. I wasn’t aware of the Bloodborne comics when they first released in 2018, but this new The Death of Sleep Deluxe Edition has given me the perfect medium to embrace everything I loved about that world, without having to break any controllers.

This graphic novel collects the first four-issue story arc, published by Titan Comics, and contains several extras, totaling 144 pages. It features the work of writer Aleš Kot, Illustrations by Piotr Kowalski, colors from Brad Simpson and Kevin Enhart, as well as lettering by Aditya Bidikar. Why buy something that has already been out a while and is only re-collecting the first arc? This volume is actually quite expansive for fans of the comics and game, shedding some light onto the story and allowing readers to take another trip into the haunted streets of Yharnam. The bonus materials include interviews, concept artwork, and the original script of the first issue, all of which help to add a bit more context to Bloodborne’s world as a whole.

As a game, Bloodborne doesn’t give its players a lot to work with, instead asking that they immerse themselves in the world and pay attention. The lore that we do find is often scattered about and must be unearthed or understood with limited clues, rarely presented in extensive cutscenes. The comics understand this type of storytelling, and though it must change somewhat to fit the new medium, The Death of Sleep works to keep some of the mystique, perhaps even purposefully misleading readers in some ways (like what a Paleblood truly is). The story drops us right into the plagued city, where we see our nameless hunter fighting against the beasts, as he tries to save others and ends up taking on a ward, a special child who may prove to be part of the cure, or just another dead end.

Paleblood, Not Albino.

This adventure is set before the events of the game, sparking an interesting path for the world. The strange child is a new character, a kind of McGuffin that needs to make it through the dangerous parts of the city in the hopes they can make a difference. Kind of like The Last of Us, but more gothic. There are some interesting themes, even though the speech bubbles aren’t always flying, and our character’s thoughts are kept light for the most part. I like that one of the other hunters briefly discusses his philosophy on not killing the townspeople, “They are infected, not monsters,” and it seems no one can afford to be too trusting, even as others strive to show signs of humanity. There is constant talk of being stuck in the nightmare versus the ‘waking world,’ and which one feels more real. Working off of the game’s mechanics, the hunter seems to be aware that they have died and is remembering or reliving certain events

This short tale is an eerie introduction into a world of desperation and nightmares that hints at cosmic horror. There isn’t much presented outside of the foundation and fighting, but it offers a lot to explore and is easy to go along with, craving more. Kot’s writing is perfectly fine, giving us just enough to think about the hunter we play and how a tainted world could also affect their minds. He’s a fan who doesn’t seem to want to give much away in his interviews, while offering those who played the game enough characters, creatures, and other references to leave everyone happy, while not taking away too much focus for those who aren’t aware. The questions we are left with seem important, as these four issues are more like part of a story, but thankfully, there are more comics for those who find themselves entangled in the web of what could be.

There are some who will find a story like this lacking in substance, being a little too cryptic and purposefully vague for those who aren’t willing to do outside research. More lore and explanation may have helped the narrative and brought in new fans, while many will likely lean toward the medium not changing the product too much. I’d also like to know exactly how canon the story is, if it matters more in the grand scheme. All of these factors, however, feel like personal preference, rather than any sort of large flaw.

Does This Nightmare Ever End?

The art may be the book’s strongest trait, with some splash pages feeling like beautiful paintings. Kowalski’s drawings seem perfect for the aesthetics of Bloodborne. The world we see is dark, covered in shadows and death, feeling rough, raw, and tattered beyond repair. Some panels have a near-cinematic appeal, like when a low-budget movie gets it just right. The characters look abused, tired, stiff, and even more so after they’ve been decapitated or had acid spat upon them. It’s all so messy, with a few genuinely creepy images that hint at the greater horror that awaits us. The Gothic spires, large doors, imposing cathedrals, haunting woods, and threatening flames all create amazing backdrops that ooze an atmosphere we can almost taste. Most of these panels feel like they were given room to breathe, full, but muted in their palette, showing off how the colorists have helped paint this tapestry.

The main character is left somewhat androgynous, likely to mimic how the game allows us to customize our protagonist. This also helps us view this figure more like a blank slate we’re meant to imagine ourselves as. Their appearance is even commented on in one scene. This also extends to a couple of other characters as well, like the child and some of the twisted-looking creatures. They are made to look just as strong as they are in the game. The Death of Sleep was an enjoyable romp, even if it didn’t expand on the Bloodborne mythos to the degree I was hoping. It accomplished a simple goal: reminding me how much I was digging being in that environment, almost making me want to return. Instead of doing that via the PlayStation, however, I may just have to hunt down these other comics, and I think more fans will be searching them out also. 

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the graphic novel used for this review.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep Deluxe Edition

7

Good

7.0/10

Pros

• An enjoyable read for fans of Bloodborne..
• Excellent artwork and atmosphere.
• Story understood the source material.

Cons

• Somewhat lacking in substance.
• The story can be confusing and leaves many questions.
• Feels like a fragment of a bigger adventure.