by Emil Favila, Reporter
As a fan of Max Payne, when news of a graphic novel tie-in was announced, I knew I wanted to get my hands on a copy to read. The first game had graphic novel type sequences between game play, which makes Max Payne 3: The Complete Series work well as comic book. The graphic novel based on the first 3 games is available now through Titan Books.
As with all books from Titan, the collected series is printed on a high quality gloss paper and hardcover binding to ensure the pages never rip out. The artwork is beautiful and the story captures the feel of the graphic novel sequences in all three games. Concept artwork can be found at the back of the book.
The story is written by Dan Houser and Sam Lake, with art provided by Fernando Blanco and Matt Wilson. The book focuses on Max’s life, dating from the first video game right before the latest video game of the same title. So if you are only interested in playing Max Payne 3, then this book will catch you right up.
The story begins in the present day, where Max is found at his local pub having a drink. He’s an alcoholic living day to day drinking and popping pills. He’s clearly depressed and is mostly just passing the time till the day he dies. An uproar soon begins, where Max is pulling a gun on the son of the biggest mob boss in Jersey after witnessing him smack a woman around. From here a memory is triggered as early as his childhood where he remembers his mother being abused by his father. This event led him to being a cop and meeting and falling in love with his wife Michelle giving birth to their only child Rose. His family is murdered and he’s also framed for the death of his partner Alex. He also meets Mona Sax during this period, which is the first game. Years later, his name is cleared and he is working with Mona to uncover the truth of the Inner Circle.
It also in this collected book that the fate of Mona Sax and Jim Bravura are revealed after the events of Max Payne 2. This finally brings him back to present day where he’s being recruited by his comrade Raul to work as a professional bodyguard with him in Brazil, right before he shoots the mob boss’ son.
If you are a fan of the Max Payne series and would like a better understanding of the story, Max Payne 3: The Complete Series is a must read. The book fills in all the gaps of Max’s story that were not covered in the previous two games. After reading this book I had a better appreciation and understanding of Max Payne overall. Pick up your copy today!
ComicsOnline give Max Payne 3: The Complete Series 5 out 5 gunshots to the head!
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