In the near future, cybernetics have become mainstream. The city of Detroit, long a blight on the nation, has been reborn thanks to Sarif Industries, the main US manufacturer of all things robotic and cyber. People with horrible injuries or birth defects have options that make them fully functional members of society…but there have been some problems. Welcome to the world of Deus Ex.
Deus Ex: Children’s Crusade #1 (Titan Comics)
This cover art is stunning, and embedded face sunglasses are always cool.
It’s 2029. Just far enough into the future that global corporations’ influence and abilities are far more invasive and terrifying then they are now. The new prejudice is that of the augmented vs. the not, with both sides feeling a fair bit of tension. Add to this boiling pot the Aug Incident, an event where Augs attacked non-augmented, and you can see the powder keg the world is currently sitting on top of.
This is like Guns N Ammo N Cyberarms Glamour Shots. Also? Subtle Fauxhawk.
We find our hero, Adam Jensen, as part of Task Force 29; as he’s graduated from being part of Sarif Industries’ security force, he’s now using the augmentations he received after a devastating attack for the good of the world via Interpol. If you’ve not played the excellent Deus Ex: Human Revolution, you owe it to yourself to pick it up as the world building that this book takes over from the excellent game is fantastic.
Jensen and his strike force are on a specific mission: rescuing children held hostage by some anti-government augs, while staying out of the sight of the rabidly anti-augment press.
Making vests cool again!
As an aug himself, Jensen is in a bit of a strange middle ground with his new team, and feels the need to prove not only his abilities, but his loyalties as well.
For those of you who have played the game, and gone with the incredibly frustrating but oh so fun non-lethal run, we can see that this Jensen has no such cares about Achievements.
Is It Good?
YES. This is great. I’ve been a fan of this series, world, and setting since the early 2000s when I stumbled upon the original game, and my fandom was only heightened by the excellent Human Revolution in 2011. This book picks up seamlessly from that iteration, with the reluctant hero Jensen, right back into the surly character that became the standout star of the series.
If you’ve played the game, you can’t help but hear his voice grumbling here.
Now, the artwork is nowhere near as stellar as its covers, but for me that’s a minor issue here. The story pulls you along regardless of art, so it’s a minor quibble.
I think the story will certainly stand alone for readers with no series background, but for those of us who played the games, the small details—Jensen’s self monologues, the propaganda posters, the advertisements—are all excellent touches that bring you back into the world.
It’s out now, so I suggest picking this and a used copy of the last game up, and prepare yourself for this August when the new game is released.
Like Jensen, we might not have asked for this, but I’ll certainly take it.
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