MASS EFFECT INVASION REVIEW

Mass Effect Invasion Review

by Darryll YTC Carter

Story

 Mac Walters

Script

 John Jackson Miller

Art

 Omar Francia

Colors

 Michael Atiyeh

Lettering

Michael Heisler

Covers

 Massimo Carnivale

Publisher

 Dark Horse

Hey there Clashers, YTC is back. I have the privilege of delivering to you another MASS EFFECT review. I present to you, Mass Effect Invasion.

          MASS EFFECT Invasion follows Aria T’Loak, self proclaimed and self enforced queen of the Omega mining station. The story follows her fight against the Reapers and the hostile takeover of her citadel by Cerberus, a pro-human paramilitary group. Without giving too much of the plot away, Aria finds herself put in a place where she doesn’t want to be, (for those of us who played MASS EFFECT 3 we know where that place is) and she isn’t happy about it one lick.

        Invasion’s story is compelling and was a much easier and more compelling read than MASS EFFECT Evolution. Invasion has more action, less politics and uses Aria’s abrasively forceful personality as the vehicle behind the plot. Speaking of Aria’s personality, the captured it to the letter. I could hear Carrie Anne Moss swearing or yelling at those who had crossed her. Invasion does a great job of fleshing out and adding to her character, even if there isn’t more to it than fans of the game have already seen. The book explores some of her… more redeeming qualities.  General Oleg Petrovsky is an interesting supporting character. He plays the role of a tactical extraordinaire, the stalwart noble solider, who doesn’t care for needless bloodshed. Aria gets quickly irritated by his need to recite human literature and quotes, but it brings a certain level of personality to the character. He comes off somewhat like a warrior poet. I found myself hoping that he and Aria wouldn’t have to kill each other. And playing the game I knew Aria wasn’t going to six feet under.

        This time I have to take my hat off to Massimo Carnivale. The cover art work and colors for this limited series is spectacular. He captured Aria’s face with grace and accuracy. I would love to have every cover as a full length wall poster. Once again the creative team has captured every visual detail that is part of the MASS EFFECT universe; from the architectural illustration of Omega to the disgustingly grotesque visage of the Batarians.

        MASS EFFECT Invasion is a companion to MASS EFFECT 3 and a must have for MASS EFFECT fans. The story is solid, strong and stimulating. The art work is superb and they work together in a harmonious cohesion. While, the story was superb and hints at possible downloadable content for MASS EFFECT 3, it was the art work that made this book for me. I may as well have been reading a cut scene from the television transposed to page. 

       MASS EFFECT Invasion is Terra Forcing ahead with 4 stars out of 5.