The Dead Shall Rise: The Legacy of Kain returns in 2024

The Legacy of Kain franchise, a beloved series in the action-adventure genre, is making a significant comeback in 2024 with the release of the graphic novel “Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise”. This graphic novel promises to delve into the rich lore of the series, serving as a prequel that uncovers the untold backstory between Kain and Raziel, particularly focussing on Raziel’s transformation into an undead warrior.

The history of the Legacy of Kain franchise

The Legacy of Kain series began in 1996 with “Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain”, developed by Silicon Knights and published by Crystal Dynamics. The game introduced players to the dark, gothic world of Nosgoth, where Kain, a slain nobleman resurrected as a vampire, embarks on a quest for vengeance that leads him to a much larger, morally complex battle for control over the world and his own destiny.

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The success of “Blood Omen” led to the development of a sequel, “Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver”, in 1999. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, this game shifted the series’ focus from Kain to Raziel, one of his vampire lieutenants who is betrayed and cast into the Abyss.

Raziel’s transformation into a wraith who consumes souls and his quest for revenge against Kain added new layers of depth to the series, both narratively and mechanically, with its groundbreaking environmental puzzle design and a more open-ended exploration approach.

Over the years, the franchise expanded with several more titles, including “Soul Reaver 2” (2001), “Blood Omen 2” (2002), and “Legacy of Kain: Defiance” (2003). Each installment deepened the intricate narrative and further developed the unique gameplay mechanics that combined action, puzzle-solving, and platforming in a gothic fantasy setting. However, after “Defiance”, the series fell into dormancy, despite a dedicated fanbase and occasional hints at a potential revival.

The return of Legacy of Kain with ‘The Dead Shall Rise’

After more than two decades, the announcement of “Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise” marks a significant revival of the franchise. This graphic novel, a collaboration between Crystal Dynamics and Bit Bot Media, aims to expand the franchise’s lore and rekindle interest in its narrative universe.

Written by Joshua Viola (known for works like “True Believers” and “It Came From the Multiplex”) and Angie Hodapp (“Unioverse”, “Shadow Atlas”), with interior art by Juan Samu (“Star Wars”, “Godzilla”) and letters by Jeremiah Lambert (“Masters of the Universe”, “Transformers”), the novel brings together a team of seasoned artists and writers to breathe new life into the series.

The book also boasts impressive cover art by Dave Rapoza (“Destiny”, “Magic: The Gathering”) and Aaron Lovett (“Monster Train”, “Inkbound”), along with additional art contributions from Jonny Bush (“Rob Zombie”, “Ghost”) and Ninja Jo (“Star Wars”, “Stranger Things”).

With Brent Friedman (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, “Call of Duty”) providing narrative guidance and Crystal Dynamics lending creative direction based on unreleased elements of the Soul Reaver lore, this project promises to deliver a richly crafted addition to the Legacy of Kain canon.

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Crowdfunding and community engagement

The excitement surrounding “Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise” has been significantly amplified by a highly successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. This campaign, which initially set a modest goal of $25,000, astonishingly raised over $1,107,450, demonstrating the enduring passion of the franchise’s fanbase and their eagerness for new content.

The campaign not only provided an opportunity for fans to see the first trailer of the graphic novel but also offered a range of exclusive rewards that deepened fan engagement and allowed them to feel personally invested in the revival.

The graphic novel is available in three distinct hardcover editions, each catering to different levels of collectors and fans:

Standard Hardcover Edition: A 140-page graphic novel featuring the main cover art by Dave Rapoza, providing fans with a classic and straightforward version of the novel.
Limited Edition (500 copies): This edition features a variant cover by Matthew Therrien, offering an added layer of exclusivity for collectors.
Deluxe Signed Edition with Slipcase: This premium edition goes beyond the standard content with over 150 pages, including additional concept art, maps, a limited print, and a foreword/afterword. It features an exclusive variant cover by Aaron Lovett and comes in a protective slipcase. Moreover, supporters who purchase this edition will have their names included in the book’s thank-you section, making it a highly personalised collectible.

In addition to the graphic novel, the campaign offers a variety of unique collectibles that appeal to both casual fans and dedicated enthusiasts. One standout item is the Replica Reaver crafted by Oktober Studios.

This impressive, 3-foot-long replica is made from durable EVA foam over an aluminum frame, ensuring both realism and durability. It’s available in various formats, including an unlimited traditional version and limited colour variants like Sapphire, Crimson, and Gold, catering to fans who desire a one-of-a-kind piece for cosplay or display.

Another intriguing offering is the collection of masks, also by Oktober Studios, designed for both display and cosplay. The Raziel Mask is hand-sculpted and painted with striking detail, featuring a black, breathable fabric to mimic Raziel’s missing jaw, while the Kain Mask captures the essence of Kain’s evolution between “Blood Omen 2” and “Soul Reaver” with meticulous design elements.

For audiophiles and music lovers, the campaign includes an official soundtrack vinyl album by Celldweller. This album not only features an all-new cover of Raziel’s Theme, “Ozar Midrashim”, but also includes original tracks, a new song featuring Matthew Kiichi Heafy of Trivium, and remastered scores from the original games.

Collectors can choose from several vinyl versions, including a limited Celldweller-signed picture disc vinyl, Crimson and Sapphire editions, and an audiophile black vinyl, all of which come with a digital download of the album.

Beyond these offerings, the campaign provides exclusive print sets that showcase the rich visual history and new interpretations of the Legacy of Kain universe. These include the Crystal Dynamics Collection, featuring 10 official concept art prints from the franchise’s archive, a limited edition of this collection with 15 prints and a Certificate of Authenticity, and the Bit Bot Collection with 15 prints commissioned specifically for “The Dead Shall Rise”.

Additionally, a comprehensive apparel bundle is available for fans who want to showcase their enthusiasm in everyday life. This bundle includes 15 exclusive T-shirt designs, two zip-up hoodies, and two custom hats, all inspired by the project.

The diverse range of rewards offered in the crowdfunding campaign not only caters to various tastes and budgets but also ensures that fans can engage with the franchise in multiple ways, whether through reading, collecting, or wearing their favourite designs. This extensive engagement strategy has clearly resonated with the community, helping to revive interest in the Legacy of Kain series and setting a strong foundation for its future.

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Looking forward

As the Legacy of Kain franchise steps back into the spotlight with “The Dead Shall Rise”, both long-time fans and newcomers have a reason to celebrate. This prequel promises to fill gaps in the story, adding new dimensions to the characters and the rich world of Nosgoth, setting the stage for what could be a full-fledged revival of the franchise.

The involvement of the original developer, Crystal Dynamics, and a talented team of writers and artists suggests a bright future for the series, potentially leading to new games or adaptations that explore the vast, untapped lore of Nosgoth. The legacy of Kain and Raziel is far from over; it is being reborn.

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