Review by Frank Plowright

Cult of the Lamb originated as a successful satirical video game in which the object is to start a cult, hence the other brand names alongside publisher Oni Press on the cover. Alex Paknadel and Troy Little build on the game and its world supplying background details, but it’s welcome that The First Verse stands on its own merits divorced from any connections.

We first see the lamb executed as the last of its kind by four bishops who believe its death will ensure ancient prophecies can never be fulfilled, while existing poor situations will improve. Unfortunately for them the lamb’s death only transports it to a deity well aware of the bishops, not liking their activities, and able to transform the lamb into a vengeful entity charged with forming a cult to restore an ancient faith. The lamb rapidly gains a dogmatic follower sure of the way forward.

Troy Little’s excellent cartooning is busy, detailed and creative in following Paknadel’s inventive path, and the lamb’s visual transformation from sympathetic innocent to monster is well achieved. Little follows the character designs from the original game, which mixes animal species, but sometimes the art can be overwhelming with no clear idea of where the focus of a given panel ought to be. Nick Filardi’s vivid application of colour among the shadows doesn’t help.

The lamb isn’t greatly motivated beyond revenge until discovering that the totems of worship supply one hell of a hit. That supplies the missing diligence. It’s one of several places where Paknadel is satirising human concerns, not least the myth building narrative captions marking progress. However, as an adventure it’s fun in taking a generally predictable route until a test of faith is needed and another disturbing event occurs.

Although aimed at young adults, and intended, partially at least, as comedy, some of their parents might not be happy at the levels of slaughter, nor some dark moments deemed suitable for that audience. As the opening volume of an intended series it’s difficult to see where things can progress without repetition, but that’s why Paknadel’s employed as writer rather than a reviewer.