Book Review: Bloodborne, Vol. 1 - The Death of Sleep

Bloodborne is probably one of my all time favourite video games. Everything about it from it's Gothic/Lovecraftian world design to its impressive enemy encounters helps make it such a definitive experience. What happens though when you take that rich world along with all it's nuanced storytelling beats and try to translate it into a new medium? Does it successfully transition to a new medium or does the beauty of the Nightmare get lost to the void?

The first volume in the Bloodborne comics published by Titan Comics serves as a collaborative piece. Titled The Death of Sleep, this entry was written by Aleš Kot, illustrated by Piotr Kowalski, colourised by Brad Simpson and Kevin Enhart and lettered by Aditya Bidikar. It serves as the first in four complete volumes of work Titan Comics produced in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment and FromSoftware.

Taking place sometime before the events of the actual game. The Death of Sleep follows an unnamed hunter as they are in the process of ridding the streets of Old Yharnam of it's infected beasts. After a chance encounter with Old Yharnam's resident hunter Djura, the hunter is entrusted with protecting a young child who is said to hold the legendary Paleblood within their veins. Growing weary of their many demises and the constant torment of the Nightmare they are forever destined to return to; the hunter takes the child on a journey to the Fishing Hamlet far across the wastes in order to keep him safe from harm and in hopes they may find some means of using their Paleblood to end the Nightmare for good. This will be no simple journey however as all manner of foul creatures stand in the hunter and child's way, one such including a very familiar creature who resides in the heart of Old Yharnam in the video game.

I think the narrative element is where the comic book is sadly let down. I appreciate the intent to keep the tone and style of story-telling similar in vain to that of the game but the format doesn't quite suit it in my opinion. It's clear the writers want to keep details vague and allow the fans to speculate and draw their own conclusions but without any prior understanding of the game's extensive lore I think a lot of the finer points of this story will be lost on you. It worked in the video game's case because you got to control your influence on the world of Yharnam and the details you learned from it. It doesn't work as much here because the writers are picking and choosing what elements to use and it doesn't feel nearly as smooth to do so. It's core premise is endearing though, I like the concept of this story for how it portrays a different kind of hunter, one who is a protector more than anything. I just wish the comic was more interested in telling THAT story rather than constantly tease elements we pretty much already know from the game.

From a illustrated point, the comic does a wonderful job translating the world of Bloodborne into a comic book format. It's use of visual design feels ripped right out of the concept art and the consistent balance of colour helps keep the dark tone of this world relevant all throughout. There's a lot of detail and expressionism in this work too. I like how much depth they can go into with monster designs and characters specifically as well. It's a beautifully realised vision of the world of Bloodborne which manages to capture the true horror of that world while utilising it as a key backdrop for the storytelling element.

As first entries go, I didn't mind The Death of Sleep despite it's storytelling faults. It's a bold attempt to further explore the world of Bloodborne in an interesting way. It's artwork is clearly it's most attractive element here but I don't think the story is without some sense of quality if you can forgive it's other shortcomings. If you are Bloodborne fan then I know currently you're likely starved for some new content from this franchise so you have nothing to lose with picking up this comic to scratch that itch.