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*God of War*
God of War
Publication information
Publisher	Dark Horse Comics
Schedule	Monthly
Format	Limited series
Genre	Action/Adventure
Publication date	November 2018 – February 2019
No. of issues	4
Main character(s)	Kratos
Creative team
Written by	Chris Roberson
Artist(s)	Tony Parker; E.M. Gist (cover art)
Letterer(s)	John Roshell

God of War is a four-issue American comic book limited series set in the Norse mythology era of the God of War universe. The series was written by Chris Roberson, illustrated by Tony Parker, and the cover art for each issue was produced by E.M. Gist. The limited series is published by Dark Horse Comics. Issue #0 was included digitally with the collector's editions of the 2018 video game, God of War, released on April 20. The series formally began publication with issue #1 in November 2018 and will conclude in February 2019.

The limited series follows the story of Kratos, the protagonist of the video game series. It serves as a prequel to 2018's God of War, showing what happened to Kratos between the events of 2010's God of War III and the 2018 game.

Publication history[edit]

In November 2017, it was revealed that Sony's Santa Monica Studio and Dark Horse Comics had partnered to produce an art book and a new comic book series, based on Santa Monica's 2018 video game, God of War, the eighth installment in the God of War franchise.^[1] Shortly thereafter, Santa Monica announced that issue #0 would be included digitally with the collector's editions of the 2018 game, which released on April 20.^[2] Dark Horse's team for this new series consisted of writer Chris Roberson, known for his iZOMBIE comic series, artist Tony Parker, colorist Dan Jackson, and letterer John Roshell. While Parker produced the interior art for each issue, E.M. Gist produced the cover art of each issue.^[1] The comic book series' formal announcement came in August 2018. Dark Horse announced that the four-issue series would officially begin publication with issue #1 on November 14, 2018 and would be published monthly.^[3]^[4]^[5] As the 2018 game did not explain how Kratos ended up in ancient Norway or what he had been doing between 2010's God of War III and the 2018 game, the comic series was aimed to bridge the gap, according to Game Revolution.^[6]

Spencer Cushing, writer of Skyman One-Shot and editor at Dark Horse, was the one to approach Roberson about writing this new comic series. Speaking on this, Roberson said that because he was a huge fan of Norse mythology, the new setting of the 2018 game, it intrigued him, but he was also intimidated because of how big the job would be. In working with Parker, the editorial team at Dark Horse, the game's director Cory Barlog, and the rest of the development team at Santa Monica, Roberson said it "helped bring the story to life." He had the basic outline of the plot after that initial conversation with Cushing, but it took some time to ensure it made sense in the continuity of the game. Santa Monica sent Roberson details of what the game was about, including what characters and creatures from the mythology they had used. In studying the documents, he learned that the antagonist he had originally planned to use for this prequel series was already incorporated into the game, but he also noticed that some of his favorite things from the mythology had not been used. Roberson then began asking questions to Santa Monica to get their thoughts, and they sent him ideas, which helped Roberson to quickly shape the story. During the final stages, he had "productive discussions" with Barlog and Santa Monica, which brought Kratos into full focus and really tied the comic series and the game together.^[5]

Speaking with ComicBook.com, Parker said that Roberson "nailed the feel for the characters, so it was easy for me to draw the characters, right down to having the voices in my head." He said it was a great learning experience. Parker only had two real challenges. Dark Horse wanted Parker to use a looser art style, which he said that in itself was not a challenge, but he had to restrain himself from getting over detailed. Another challenge was getting Atreus' face down, as he had a "mental block", but he said everyone was helpful to ensure that he got it. Roberson said that writing comics is a very collaborative effort and that Parker did "a phenomenal job" bringing his writing to life. Roberson said his only real challenge was finding Kratos' voice. He said he got his personality and motivations, but had issues with what Kratos would say, and sometimes making him say too much. He was able to resolve this after discussions with Barlog and Santa Monica, who also admitted to sometimes struggling with Kratos' voice.^[7]

Synopsis[edit]

Setting[edit]

As the game serves as a prequel to 2018's God of War, the comic book series is set in an alternate version of ancient Norway, populated by the different beings of Norse mythology. The story takes place sometime after the events of God of War III (2010), but shortly before that of the 2018 game.