I’ve never played the board game Rising Sun. Despite my love of board games, I couldn’t tell you what the game is even about. Rising Sun #1 adapts the popular board game from CMON into comics and does a decent job of it all. Written by Ron Marz and David Rodriguez the story focuses on warriors from different clans brought together to take on the monsters ravaging their lands and put a stop to the source. It’s a story we’ve seen before many times. This spin on the familiar plot stands out a bit due to its focus on the characters.

I can’t compare the comic to the game, or how well it adapts it, but the comic itself is an entertaining read. The plot is something we’ve seen but Marz and Rodriguez deliver something a bit more. Through the injury of one of the warriors, we learn about the others. It’d be easy to do flashbacks to reveal who each is but between the initial battle and subsequent events in trying to save their friend, we get a good sense of every character. There’s a lot packed into the issue explaining the world and it all flows easily.

The art by Martin Coccolo helps keep the focus on the characters. With colors by Katrina Mae Hao, each has personality in their design. Looking at each character, you get a sense of their clan and who they are. The body language too helps convey it all. Like the overall plot, the art feels familiar but at the same time stands out. It does a solid job of giving us details on the world and characters without being too obvious and saving the need for clunky dialogue explaining the clans and personalities.

Who knows how well the comic reflects the board game but what’s presented is an entertaining read taking us through a familiar plot but doing so with a lot of personality. The comic also comes with some material to use for those who do play the game adding a nice bonus and reason for gamers to get it. A good start that stands out as more than a cheap cash in on a property.

Story: Ron Marz, David Rodriguez Art: Martin Coccolo
Color: Katrina Mae Hao Letterer: Deron Bennett
Story: 7.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review