Metal Gear Solidis returning to consoles this year thanks to the revampedMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, but I’m pretty sure that most fans don’t kniw that Snake and the otherMetal Gearcharacters have a whole other life on the comic book page. If you’re looking for something to get you pumped for the new game, you could do a lot worse than checking out theMetal Gearcomics from IDW Publishing.
Despite its unique character designs and high-stakes scenarios, theMetal Gear Solidfranchise has only produced two comic series to date: adaptations of the originalMetal Gear Solidand its sequel,Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
With the first series written by Kris Oprisko and the second by Alex Garner, both adaptations faithfully recreate the games they’re based on. Yet what really makes the adaptations stand out, in my opinion, is theartwork by Ashley Wood, who gives both stories their own unique look on the page.
Metal Gear SolidHas a Whole Other Life in Comic Books
Adaptations Faithfully Recreate the Games on the Page
So if they’re only adaptations of the originalMetal Gear Solidgames, why should you read the comics? Well, for one thing, you canget the story experience of a ten-plus-hour game in a single sitting. Obviously, nothing matches the experience of sitting down to play through the games themselves, but if you just want a refresher on the story of both games, both comics allow you the opportunity to run through the story without having to save your progress and respawn a dozen times to beat Metal Gear Rex or lead Emma Emmerich through the flooded section of the Big Shell facility.
Metal Gear Solidcreator Hideo Kojima was so impressed with Ashley Wood’s artwork on the comics, he hired Wood to create the art for the cinematic scenes in the gamesMetal Gear Solid: Portable OpsandMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
Both comics are incredibly faithful to the source material, but in my experience they find interesting ways to deviate from the original games. TheMetal Gear Solid 2adaptation provides some context not present in the game, such asRaiden’s backstory as a child soldier being further fleshed-out. There’s alsoan early effort written by future comics superstar Matt Fraction, a completely original short story taking place between the firstMetal Gear SolidandSons of Liberty, in which Solid Snake infiltrates a speeding train.
Ashley Wood’s Art onMetal Gear SolidIs a True Highlight
Fans of the Game Must Check Out the Comics
Holding both adaptations together is Wood’s incredible artwork, as the sketchy, expressionist work recalls that ofMetal Gear Solid’s character designer Yoji Shinkawa. Wood’s artwork makes every page of theMGScomics a thing of beauty that I’ve pored over again and again. If you’re a fan looking to relive some of your favorite moments from the game in anticipation ofMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, you could do a lot worse with theMetal Gear Solidcomic series.
