Bloodborne is a game that requires little introduction to the gaming community, especially those with an appreciation for the
Dark Souls line of video games and an appreciation for difficult gameplay and horror elements. What many gamers may not be aware of, however, is the
Bloodborne comic book series.
Titan Comics is a publisher who handles adapting numerous big Intellectual Properties to the comic book medium such as
Doctor Who, Sherlock, Tank Girl, and also the highly-appreciated video game
Bloodborne. Their series is written by Ales Kot and illustrated by Piotr Kowalski and for fans who love the horror elements of the game it should be a welcome addition to their
Bloodborne collection.
This series may just be what is needed for anyone looking for additional adventures through Yarnham and to scratch their insatiable
Bloodborne itch. Thanks to the good folks over at Titan Comics, we were able to pick Ales Kot's brain a bit about his process and love for the franchise. Check out out interview below!
Joe: As a comic book scribe who has contributed their skills to the likes of Marvel, DC, Image, Dynamite, Valiant, Dark Horse, and Vertigo, how do you feel things have been different for you since working on Bloodborne for Titan Comics?
Ales: I don't really tend to compare working with different publishers much nowadays, you know? Working with Titan and From Software on Bloodborne is a wonderful work-for-hire experience because as long as I do my job in the prep, nobody bothers me except when they see there's a way to help make the work better. There's trust in the team and in what we're building, there's real love and respect for Bloodborne, there's real excitement about storytelling and the comics art form. It's a pretty ideal work-for-hire experience.
Joe: I assume you played the game prior to writing for the comics. How long did you have to play to immerse yourself in Yarnham enough to be able to contribute your own chapters to the tale?
Ales: I played the game for maybe 200-300 hours well before I found out Titan had the rights, so it was the other way around — at some point I went "I'd like to write a Bloodborne comic, I wonder if someone snatched the rights," I asked around, a friend aimed me in the right direction, and that was that.
Joe: There is a strong community of Bloodborne fans that praise it as one of the best video games on the Playstation 4. What would you say to them to convince them that your story is an essential part of their Bloodborne experience?
Ales: I'm really not interested in convincing people or marking the Bloodborne comics as "essential" because I don't think we need that kind of marketing to connect with people, as is thankfully proven by the many translations and general healthy response to the comics. If anything, I want people to know I love and respect Bloodborne, love horror and weird fiction, and love telling stories. That there's an incredible art team on board. And that we treat the entire venture with the spirit it deserves. It's not up to me to say if it's essential or not. I'll let each reader decide for themselves.
Joe: If you could work on a comic book adaptation of any other video game franchise, which would you choose and why?
Ales: Oh, I'm absolutely not telling you. And if you asked me in 2015, I probably wouldn't have told you about Bloodborne, you know? Sometimes it's good to keep things close. But also, honestly, I'm much more interested in other means of adaptation right now... and some gears might be turning.
Joe: You have worked with Piotr Kowalski on this series for all four volumes of Titan's Bloodborne series. Does he help you to contribute to the story as well or is he strictly in control of the artwork while you handle the script?
Ales: It's an organic split — we listen to each other and allow change to enter the equation as it needs to. Whatever is best for the story. My scripts are pretty tight and sometimes structurally pushing into very complex places, and I tend to have specific ideas on everything from the drawings and colors to the lettering, but one of the most important part of working as a team is also empowering people to have a great time and play with their art. It's all about communication; rigidity is only useful when it's useful.
What did you think of our interview with Ales Kot? Do you think you'll be picking up
Bloodborne Vol 4: The Veil, Torn Asunder? Check out the preview below and let us know what you think in the comments! Also, keep your eyes peeled for our review of the title closer to the release date!
Yarem came to the city a long time ago, a man with a past spent in shackles. He found a new purpose in travel and discovery... but what he will find in Yharnam will test the limits of not just his desire, but also his sanity. As Yharnam falls apart, Yarem realizes his own perception of time and space is becoming radically altered. The price for such sights may be his life... or at the very least his sanity.
Face your fears as you search for answers in the ancient city of Yharnam, now cursed with a strange endemic illness spreading through the streets like wildfire. Danger, death and madness lurk around every corner of this dark and horrific world, and you must discover its darkest secrets in order to survive.
Bloodborne is available exclusively for PS4. Bloodborne Vol 4: The Veil, Torn Asunder goes on sale Wednesday, February 4th for $16.99!