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Life is Strange Comics #1
Life Is Strange Vol. 1: Dust
The story fans never thought they’d see, continuing the acclaimed story of Life is Strange, one of the hit game’s two shocking endings.
One year after the storm destroyed Arcadia Bay, fan-favourite characters Max and Chloe have a new life together… but timelines are starting to tangle.
Collects Life is Strange #1-4
One year after the storm destroyed Arcadia Bay, fan-favourite characters Max and Chloe have a new life together… but timelines are starting to tangle.
Collects Life is Strange #1-4
112 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2019
181 people are currently reading
3171 people want to read
About the author
Emma Vieceli
171 books319 followersEmma Vieceli (born June 13, 1979, in Essex) is a professional British comics artist of Italian-English heritage. She is currently a resident of a small village in Cambridgeshire, England.
From self-publishing to some of the biggest book publishers in the world, Emma loves telling stories with pictures and believes that comics should be 'For everyone, About anything, By anyone' (<--FAB!).
The writer for Life is Strange (Titan comics), she is happy to cross the streams and works as both writer and artist depending on the project. Her recent work as an artist includes: The Modern Frankenstein (Magma Comix), Olivia Twist (Dark Horse), Alex Rider (Walker books), The Adventures of Supergirl (DC comics), Doctor Who (Titan comics), Jem & the holograms (IDW) the New York Times-bestselling Vampire Academy graphic novel series (PenguinRandomHouse), Back to the Future (IDW) and Avalon Chronicles (Oni Press)
She co-creates the critically acclaimed independent web series, BREAKS with Malin Ryden (collected editions published through SoaringPenguin), with Vieceli co-writing and 'comicking' (art/tone/letters).
Alongside comics, she worked on the A&E television series, Bates Motel, providing the sketchbook found by Norman Bates, as an artist with tinyrebel on their Doctor Who Infinity games, and recently joined the writing team for Vile Monarch's life sim video game, Growing Up.
From self-publishing to some of the biggest book publishers in the world, Emma loves telling stories with pictures and believes that comics should be 'For everyone, About anything, By anyone' (<--FAB!).
The writer for Life is Strange (Titan comics), she is happy to cross the streams and works as both writer and artist depending on the project. Her recent work as an artist includes: The Modern Frankenstein (Magma Comix), Olivia Twist (Dark Horse), Alex Rider (Walker books), The Adventures of Supergirl (DC comics), Doctor Who (Titan comics), Jem & the holograms (IDW) the New York Times-bestselling Vampire Academy graphic novel series (PenguinRandomHouse), Back to the Future (IDW) and Avalon Chronicles (Oni Press)
She co-creates the critically acclaimed independent web series, BREAKS with Malin Ryden (collected editions published through SoaringPenguin), with Vieceli co-writing and 'comicking' (art/tone/letters).
Alongside comics, she worked on the A&E television series, Bates Motel, providing the sketchbook found by Norman Bates, as an artist with tinyrebel on their Doctor Who Infinity games, and recently joined the writing team for Vile Monarch's life sim video game, Growing Up.
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January 30, 2026
Fuck with you the long way, the long way / You're more than a homie / I won't steer the wrong way / What's it gon' be? (Bae – Jonn Hart).
This was hella good! Now, I don’t know if it’s something in the water or what, but everything I’ve read this month has been absolutely killer! Gay too. Gay and killer! Maybe I've been on that water whack job conservatives are always saying turns people gay or whatever, but... you know, as a good thing. Yeah, it would seem that I’m going back to my roots as the guy who rates literally everything he reads super high, and you know what? I'm good here, this is where I'm comfortable. As fun as it is to hate read, I'd much rather read good stuff! For those who might be unaware, until last December, I was only a tertiary fan of the Life is Strange franchise, as the only game I’ve played at that point was True Colors (and it’s still my favorite), but now that I’ve played through the first game and most of its prequel, I’m ready to do one thing and one thing only… share my opinion. Gasp… dun dun dunnn !! I know right? Here comes Mr. Know-it-All acting like he knows it all about a series that’s been around for a decade now, but hey, I’m here and I’ve got things to say. There’s a very good word of advice that I saw on Tumblr that said if you’re a big fan of a game or a movie or a show, then whatever you do, do not go on its respective subreddit. Nobody hates something more than a fan of said something, right? Which makes me thing of a second piece of advice, outside of really niche computer advice by the way of scrolling through fifteen year-old threads, just don't go on Reddit, period. It's solid! Because damn, I am not exaggerating when I tell you that there is a lot of drama going on in the Life is Strange fandom! "New management doesn't understand the game" or "They should have never brought back Chloe and Max, the games should have stayed a anthology of loosely connected characters!" and "All the extraneous material like the comics or the books are way worse than the games!" and whatever else they're going on about. And look, I totally get the criticisms, in fact, I even halfway agree with some of them, but saying that these side stories like Steph's Story and Heatwaves are bad because they get characterizations wrong clearly haven't read the Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed comics. Now those are tra~ash! I was going to say that I was surprised that a game series that emphasizes ideals like diversity and togetherness could amass such an angry and bitter fandom, but who am I kidding, it’s not that surprising. Likely, even. I mean, just look at Animal Crossing! If you can somehow make the most chill game on the planet into a wretched hive of scum and villainy, then you can corrupt anything. You had people creating parasocial relationships with a cartoon cat named Raymond! It’s like how the Twilight Realm starts corrupting Hyrule and zapping it of its life and color in The Twilight Princess.
Anyway, I don’t know how much overlap there is with people who play video games and people who read (I picture nothing but blank looks at all times), but just in case there are other people whose main hobbies are reading and playing video games, this is where I tell you that I’m totally going to spoil the first Life is Strange game. Like, it’s going to be hella spoiled by the time I’m done talking about it. And that's just the thing, Dust is so heavily reliant on someone having played through the first game that I can’t really talk about it at length without discussing major choices made in Episode 5: Polarized! Side note, that was my least favorite episode, but only because my game glitched out so there wasn't any music during the ending cut scene, just a bunch of longing looks in complete silence. That sucked... okay, let’s get to it. After moving back to her home town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon (it’s fictional, but picture something like Astoria), wallflower Max Caulfield learns that she has the power to turn back time after saving her estranged bestie and future girlfriend Chloe Price from a fatal encounter. With their little reacquaintance settled, Max gets caught up in Chloe's mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of Rachel Amber, the most popular girl at Blackwell Academy and Chloe’s first girlfriend. First girlfriend, second love. Want to guess who was her first? But yeah, what they don’t realize is that constant use of Max’s time manipulation powers isn't just fun and games, but actually manifests itself in a big ass hurricane quite literally threatening to destroy Arcadia Bay and all of the folks who live in it. And this is the spoiler bit, but because they learn this crucial information a bit too late (I feel like they could have put two and two together, but it's fine), it’s up to Max to decide whether or not she will sacrifice either the entire town of Arcadia Bay for Chloe… or go back in time one last time to stop herself from saving Chloe in the first place in order to make it so she never ended up “abusing” her powers. Thus, creating the never-ending “Bay vs. Bae” debate among fans and fueling discussion boards for years to come. How fun. Now, I don’t know if it’s obvious or not by now based on literally anything about me, but I chose the “Bae” ending where Max decides to just say “fuck it” to the town so that her and Chloe can drive off into the distance together. “I fucks with bae, bae, bae, bae, bae, bae, bae” and all that.
No but really, while both endings are great and valid (I'm bringing out the therapy language for this one), I especially love the "Bae" ending because of its defiance. The entire story gives off the impression that fate is almost trying to tell us that Chloe is supposed to die, and as if to underline this fact, there's a moment in all five episodes where Chloe has to be saved from Final Destination ass freak accidents that clearly would have killed her had Max not stepped in. And while it gets a little silly after a while, there’s a romantic flair in the way Max just rips up the photo that she would have otherwise used to travel back in time as a show to definitively tell Chloe that she’s never leaving her again. I feel like it's more in line with her transformative character arc going from a shy person who can't find the words to someone who will rebel against what everybody is telling her is the "right thing to do." Also, if the story's main theme is claiming that Max's powers are inherently selfish (she never asked for them, by the way) then it's a bit odd that the ultimate solution would be using her time traveling powers "one last time" to undo all the damage done. That's counter to what the narrative's saying, no? Like, all the times she used it were bad... except for now! It just doesn't sit right with me, while the "Bae" ending is grandiose and epic and exists without needing to moralize. Also, I just love an ending that manages to be both poignant and incredibly selfish, and this ending satisfies my need for both! It's like how The Song of Achilles basically telegraphs exactly what's going to happen to the characters, but they still decide to walk into their own destruction despite it all; not because of some noble ideal, but because of Achilles' ego and need for adoration and Patroclus' lack of spine. It's tragic and really dumb, but there's something powerful in grand statements that are full of consequence and devoid of reason. Besides, as we learn throughout the story, despite the idyllic appearance and seemingly kind-hearted people populating the area, the town of Arcadia Bay is one of dark secrets and systemic oppression seeping into the floorboards, so I like the idea of the devastating hurricane "wiping the slate clean" so to speak. It's almost biblical, and with the amount of hatred boiling up from under the surface, it feels like the only release for all the tension was one of deadly proportions. It's just good story telling, and I see the hurricane less as a “it’s all Max’s fault” kind of thing and more a thematic manifestation of queer repression come loose. Maybe it's a reckoning for everybody who stayed silent and did nothing in the face of their suffering children? Also, her powers are already so metaphorical in how their manifestation parallel her gaining confidence in herself, so it makes thematic sense that her powers would also lash out in the form of an environmental disaster. It’s a classic YA book kind of thing, where young people often feel unheard and unseen, so the only way that they can get the attention they need is by acting out in the worst ways. It’s not right, but it's okay.
“You are my number one priority now. I won’t trade you.”
Now, remember all the way up there when I was talking about angry fandoms? Yeah well, this entire review was only written under the pretense that I would be able to rant about the Animal Crossing fandom. Like, why are folks complaining about a free update adding a (free, mind you) hotel feature that lets cute animals who don't live in your town stay on everybody's islands for a few days? It's honestly baffling to me how people are mad over animals that they deem "ugly" are polluting their town and "ruining their aesthetic!" Can you imagine? People using Animal Crossing to create their own little ethnostate!? Gross. I see you Animal Crossing players, you guys have the heart of Saruman, all trying to corrupt The Shire with the evil in your souls! Oh wait, I was supposed to be kidding about exposing the Animal Crossing fandom, I mean, I already said my piece, but I actually do want to talk about the Life is Strange fandom too. My bad, my brain goes down random side paths all the time, which sucks because there's no reason why this review needs to be six paragraphs! Anyway, the reason why I even brought up fandoms in the general sense was because Max and Chloe’s story didn’t just end with the first game, but recently the writers decided to make a sequel continuing Max’s story with a fourth game called Double Exposure, and what people are enraged about is that it starts about ten years after the first game and features a Max who has since been separated from Chloe for years. Look, I get why people were mad about it, I really do, and I haven’t played the game yet, nor did I grow up with these characters the same way a lot of people have, so I probably can’t really speak on this, but... I will. My understanding is that both Chloe and Max have a lot of problems to unpack that gets left unsaid in the ending, and due to their relationship being so intertwined with personal traumatic events, it makes sense (to me) why they would have taken a break. My main complaint for Double Exposure (which I haven't played yet!) lies with the fact that it features yet another person with powers, and I fear that Life is Strange is starting to get a little too MCU for my liking. Like, if there's a game at the end of this series where every character (Max, Safi, and Alex) teams up against a Thanos-esque greater evil, then I think I'm out. Wait, I changed my mind, now that I've spoken it into existence, I would honestly play that game. Just imagine it, the Tumblr Avengers! I just wonder what Alex would do in a fight scenario considering her empath powers pale in comparison to Max's ever growing arsenal of devastating abilities! If Max is Rogue from The X-Men, then Alex would be like that one guy with "heart" powers on the Captain Planet team. What are we going to do with heart powers, my guy? Just stand over there and let the rest of them do the work.
Besides, one of Chloe’s main traits is that she’s selfish and pushes people away before they can do the same to her (it's her whole thing), so it's the most understandable thing in the world to learn that she tried to self-sabotage her relationship with Max, as she’s still dealing with everything from survivor’s guilt to insecurities over Max’s powers. Again, I know why people would get mad at this, as sapphic relationships actually aimed at a female audience in video games (and books, for that matter) are already rare enough as it is without writers constantly trying to find reasons to separate them, but I’m just saying that it kind of makes sense from a narrative stand-point why somebody would see this as a natural evolution to their relationship. And even if we still can't come to terms with all this, the upcoming game, Reunion, is literally all about Max and Chloe repairing their relationship in a Before Sunset kind of way, so it’s safe to say that the writers know that these two are the end game. I mean, I'm super excited for it, and when I went looking to see who else was happy to see more of Max and Chloe... I found that I'm pretty much alone in that regard. It seems like everybody's still pissed off about the writers breaking them both up in the last game? I don't know, maybe it's just because I don't see bringing Chloe back as a course correction in the traditional sense because as I said, their relationship always seemed destined to be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind turbulent. Anyway, the reason why I’m even talking about all of this on a review for this comic, Dust, is because it basically follows the same story beats that the later games I'm talking about emphasize as well. Just like Max and Chloe, it seems like writers can't move past the choices surrounding Arcadia Bay either! This comic picks up a year after the events of Max saving Chloe, and they’re both trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. Things get worse when Max’s power start to change, and instead of time warping, she can now see alternate realities where she had made different, perhaps better choices. With all of this is happening while Chloe is still reeling from the revelations that she lived while so many others had died, they're both basically the living embodiment of guilt at this point. Hey, that was the price! Woah, that's why she's named Chloe Price! I mean, I'll admit that it gets a little tiring how these Max and Chloe centric stories keep rehashing the same story over and over again, especially when Alex and Steph from True Colors get to go on gay road trips and play in their gay ass band around the country, but I do understand that the writers kind of have to address the elephant in the room.
I mean, it does somewhat feel like a happy-ish ending override of ending where it's heavily implied that Chloe is behind Max 100% no matter what decision she made, but I'll just interpret this in the same light of how The Graduate ends with the characters slowly coming down, and now have to contend with the fact that they've basically blown up their entire lives. This is one of the issues with continuing a story that already has a perfectly ambiguous ending, because if we’re going to follow these character again, then you’ve got to answer some questions, and people may not like the answer. This is how I feel about The Last of Us: Part 2 versus the first one, which had the perfect ending. In my opinion, even though it's not the most interesting narrative to have Chloe and Max travel back to all the old haunts of Arcadia Bay, it had to be done, I'm afraid. And as for their constant relationship woes? It would be a disservice to their story to portray them as being perfectly happy and free of drama when that’s literally never been their M.O.! They’ve got to work through these things, and what I enjoy about the Life is Strange games is that they’re able to depict a love story that feels larger than life without needing to wax poetic about soul mates. Last things last, as for the art style though? I loved it! It’s clean and gives you the classic Life is Strange vibe even without the Duke’s Chowder House playlist blaring in the background! Besides, I think the translation from a video game to a comic book page also works so well because Max and Chloe already have such distinctive character designs where you couldn't t mistake them if you wanted to. What with Max's bangin’ bangs or Chloe with the blue hair when blue hair was indicative of rebelliousness rather than “Millennial Karen” core. That’s one of the issues I have with Spider-Man nowadays, because he always looks so drastically different in whichever of the five billion mediums he exists in, and it feels like there’s no real continuity in Peter Parker’s look, you know? Like, have you seen him in that Spider-Man game on the PlayStation 5? Mans looks like the mid Animorphs transformation where one end is a sheet of paper and the other a jar of mayonnaise. Um... I really liked Dust, and I think this comic is a natural continuation of Max's story without feeling like too much of a departure from the characters we see in the video game. It’s rough at points, sure, but when you have such an explosive ending like the one seen in Life is Strange, it only makes sense that you would need to face it head on… even if doing so is hella hard.
I'm cold, but baby you colder / We a team we got 6 rings over / Drunk in love, even when I'm sober / We mobbin' this thing out til it's over.
This was hella good! Now, I don’t know if it’s something in the water or what, but everything I’ve read this month has been absolutely killer! Gay too. Gay and killer! Maybe I've been on that water whack job conservatives are always saying turns people gay or whatever, but... you know, as a good thing. Yeah, it would seem that I’m going back to my roots as the guy who rates literally everything he reads super high, and you know what? I'm good here, this is where I'm comfortable. As fun as it is to hate read, I'd much rather read good stuff! For those who might be unaware, until last December, I was only a tertiary fan of the Life is Strange franchise, as the only game I’ve played at that point was True Colors (and it’s still my favorite), but now that I’ve played through the first game and most of its prequel, I’m ready to do one thing and one thing only… share my opinion. Gasp… dun dun dunnn !! I know right? Here comes Mr. Know-it-All acting like he knows it all about a series that’s been around for a decade now, but hey, I’m here and I’ve got things to say. There’s a very good word of advice that I saw on Tumblr that said if you’re a big fan of a game or a movie or a show, then whatever you do, do not go on its respective subreddit. Nobody hates something more than a fan of said something, right? Which makes me thing of a second piece of advice, outside of really niche computer advice by the way of scrolling through fifteen year-old threads, just don't go on Reddit, period. It's solid! Because damn, I am not exaggerating when I tell you that there is a lot of drama going on in the Life is Strange fandom! "New management doesn't understand the game" or "They should have never brought back Chloe and Max, the games should have stayed a anthology of loosely connected characters!" and "All the extraneous material like the comics or the books are way worse than the games!" and whatever else they're going on about. And look, I totally get the criticisms, in fact, I even halfway agree with some of them, but saying that these side stories like Steph's Story and Heatwaves are bad because they get characterizations wrong clearly haven't read the Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed comics. Now those are tra~ash! I was going to say that I was surprised that a game series that emphasizes ideals like diversity and togetherness could amass such an angry and bitter fandom, but who am I kidding, it’s not that surprising. Likely, even. I mean, just look at Animal Crossing! If you can somehow make the most chill game on the planet into a wretched hive of scum and villainy, then you can corrupt anything. You had people creating parasocial relationships with a cartoon cat named Raymond! It’s like how the Twilight Realm starts corrupting Hyrule and zapping it of its life and color in The Twilight Princess.
Anyway, I don’t know how much overlap there is with people who play video games and people who read (I picture nothing but blank looks at all times), but just in case there are other people whose main hobbies are reading and playing video games, this is where I tell you that I’m totally going to spoil the first Life is Strange game. Like, it’s going to be hella spoiled by the time I’m done talking about it. And that's just the thing, Dust is so heavily reliant on someone having played through the first game that I can’t really talk about it at length without discussing major choices made in Episode 5: Polarized! Side note, that was my least favorite episode, but only because my game glitched out so there wasn't any music during the ending cut scene, just a bunch of longing looks in complete silence. That sucked... okay, let’s get to it. After moving back to her home town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon (it’s fictional, but picture something like Astoria), wallflower Max Caulfield learns that she has the power to turn back time after saving her estranged bestie and future girlfriend Chloe Price from a fatal encounter. With their little reacquaintance settled, Max gets caught up in Chloe's mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of Rachel Amber, the most popular girl at Blackwell Academy and Chloe’s first girlfriend. First girlfriend, second love. Want to guess who was her first? But yeah, what they don’t realize is that constant use of Max’s time manipulation powers isn't just fun and games, but actually manifests itself in a big ass hurricane quite literally threatening to destroy Arcadia Bay and all of the folks who live in it. And this is the spoiler bit, but because they learn this crucial information a bit too late (I feel like they could have put two and two together, but it's fine), it’s up to Max to decide whether or not she will sacrifice either the entire town of Arcadia Bay for Chloe… or go back in time one last time to stop herself from saving Chloe in the first place in order to make it so she never ended up “abusing” her powers. Thus, creating the never-ending “Bay vs. Bae” debate among fans and fueling discussion boards for years to come. How fun. Now, I don’t know if it’s obvious or not by now based on literally anything about me, but I chose the “Bae” ending where Max decides to just say “fuck it” to the town so that her and Chloe can drive off into the distance together. “I fucks with bae, bae, bae, bae, bae, bae, bae” and all that.
No but really, while both endings are great and valid (I'm bringing out the therapy language for this one), I especially love the "Bae" ending because of its defiance. The entire story gives off the impression that fate is almost trying to tell us that Chloe is supposed to die, and as if to underline this fact, there's a moment in all five episodes where Chloe has to be saved from Final Destination ass freak accidents that clearly would have killed her had Max not stepped in. And while it gets a little silly after a while, there’s a romantic flair in the way Max just rips up the photo that she would have otherwise used to travel back in time as a show to definitively tell Chloe that she’s never leaving her again. I feel like it's more in line with her transformative character arc going from a shy person who can't find the words to someone who will rebel against what everybody is telling her is the "right thing to do." Also, if the story's main theme is claiming that Max's powers are inherently selfish (she never asked for them, by the way) then it's a bit odd that the ultimate solution would be using her time traveling powers "one last time" to undo all the damage done. That's counter to what the narrative's saying, no? Like, all the times she used it were bad... except for now! It just doesn't sit right with me, while the "Bae" ending is grandiose and epic and exists without needing to moralize. Also, I just love an ending that manages to be both poignant and incredibly selfish, and this ending satisfies my need for both! It's like how The Song of Achilles basically telegraphs exactly what's going to happen to the characters, but they still decide to walk into their own destruction despite it all; not because of some noble ideal, but because of Achilles' ego and need for adoration and Patroclus' lack of spine. It's tragic and really dumb, but there's something powerful in grand statements that are full of consequence and devoid of reason. Besides, as we learn throughout the story, despite the idyllic appearance and seemingly kind-hearted people populating the area, the town of Arcadia Bay is one of dark secrets and systemic oppression seeping into the floorboards, so I like the idea of the devastating hurricane "wiping the slate clean" so to speak. It's almost biblical, and with the amount of hatred boiling up from under the surface, it feels like the only release for all the tension was one of deadly proportions. It's just good story telling, and I see the hurricane less as a “it’s all Max’s fault” kind of thing and more a thematic manifestation of queer repression come loose. Maybe it's a reckoning for everybody who stayed silent and did nothing in the face of their suffering children? Also, her powers are already so metaphorical in how their manifestation parallel her gaining confidence in herself, so it makes thematic sense that her powers would also lash out in the form of an environmental disaster. It’s a classic YA book kind of thing, where young people often feel unheard and unseen, so the only way that they can get the attention they need is by acting out in the worst ways. It’s not right, but it's okay.
“You are my number one priority now. I won’t trade you.”
Now, remember all the way up there when I was talking about angry fandoms? Yeah well, this entire review was only written under the pretense that I would be able to rant about the Animal Crossing fandom. Like, why are folks complaining about a free update adding a (free, mind you) hotel feature that lets cute animals who don't live in your town stay on everybody's islands for a few days? It's honestly baffling to me how people are mad over animals that they deem "ugly" are polluting their town and "ruining their aesthetic!" Can you imagine? People using Animal Crossing to create their own little ethnostate!? Gross. I see you Animal Crossing players, you guys have the heart of Saruman, all trying to corrupt The Shire with the evil in your souls! Oh wait, I was supposed to be kidding about exposing the Animal Crossing fandom, I mean, I already said my piece, but I actually do want to talk about the Life is Strange fandom too. My bad, my brain goes down random side paths all the time, which sucks because there's no reason why this review needs to be six paragraphs! Anyway, the reason why I even brought up fandoms in the general sense was because Max and Chloe’s story didn’t just end with the first game, but recently the writers decided to make a sequel continuing Max’s story with a fourth game called Double Exposure, and what people are enraged about is that it starts about ten years after the first game and features a Max who has since been separated from Chloe for years. Look, I get why people were mad about it, I really do, and I haven’t played the game yet, nor did I grow up with these characters the same way a lot of people have, so I probably can’t really speak on this, but... I will. My understanding is that both Chloe and Max have a lot of problems to unpack that gets left unsaid in the ending, and due to their relationship being so intertwined with personal traumatic events, it makes sense (to me) why they would have taken a break. My main complaint for Double Exposure (which I haven't played yet!) lies with the fact that it features yet another person with powers, and I fear that Life is Strange is starting to get a little too MCU for my liking. Like, if there's a game at the end of this series where every character (Max, Safi, and Alex) teams up against a Thanos-esque greater evil, then I think I'm out. Wait, I changed my mind, now that I've spoken it into existence, I would honestly play that game. Just imagine it, the Tumblr Avengers! I just wonder what Alex would do in a fight scenario considering her empath powers pale in comparison to Max's ever growing arsenal of devastating abilities! If Max is Rogue from The X-Men, then Alex would be like that one guy with "heart" powers on the Captain Planet team. What are we going to do with heart powers, my guy? Just stand over there and let the rest of them do the work.
Besides, one of Chloe’s main traits is that she’s selfish and pushes people away before they can do the same to her (it's her whole thing), so it's the most understandable thing in the world to learn that she tried to self-sabotage her relationship with Max, as she’s still dealing with everything from survivor’s guilt to insecurities over Max’s powers. Again, I know why people would get mad at this, as sapphic relationships actually aimed at a female audience in video games (and books, for that matter) are already rare enough as it is without writers constantly trying to find reasons to separate them, but I’m just saying that it kind of makes sense from a narrative stand-point why somebody would see this as a natural evolution to their relationship. And even if we still can't come to terms with all this, the upcoming game, Reunion, is literally all about Max and Chloe repairing their relationship in a Before Sunset kind of way, so it’s safe to say that the writers know that these two are the end game. I mean, I'm super excited for it, and when I went looking to see who else was happy to see more of Max and Chloe... I found that I'm pretty much alone in that regard. It seems like everybody's still pissed off about the writers breaking them both up in the last game? I don't know, maybe it's just because I don't see bringing Chloe back as a course correction in the traditional sense because as I said, their relationship always seemed destined to be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind turbulent. Anyway, the reason why I’m even talking about all of this on a review for this comic, Dust, is because it basically follows the same story beats that the later games I'm talking about emphasize as well. Just like Max and Chloe, it seems like writers can't move past the choices surrounding Arcadia Bay either! This comic picks up a year after the events of Max saving Chloe, and they’re both trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. Things get worse when Max’s power start to change, and instead of time warping, she can now see alternate realities where she had made different, perhaps better choices. With all of this is happening while Chloe is still reeling from the revelations that she lived while so many others had died, they're both basically the living embodiment of guilt at this point. Hey, that was the price! Woah, that's why she's named Chloe Price! I mean, I'll admit that it gets a little tiring how these Max and Chloe centric stories keep rehashing the same story over and over again, especially when Alex and Steph from True Colors get to go on gay road trips and play in their gay ass band around the country, but I do understand that the writers kind of have to address the elephant in the room.
I mean, it does somewhat feel like a happy-ish ending override of ending where it's heavily implied that Chloe is behind Max 100% no matter what decision she made, but I'll just interpret this in the same light of how The Graduate ends with the characters slowly coming down, and now have to contend with the fact that they've basically blown up their entire lives. This is one of the issues with continuing a story that already has a perfectly ambiguous ending, because if we’re going to follow these character again, then you’ve got to answer some questions, and people may not like the answer. This is how I feel about The Last of Us: Part 2 versus the first one, which had the perfect ending. In my opinion, even though it's not the most interesting narrative to have Chloe and Max travel back to all the old haunts of Arcadia Bay, it had to be done, I'm afraid. And as for their constant relationship woes? It would be a disservice to their story to portray them as being perfectly happy and free of drama when that’s literally never been their M.O.! They’ve got to work through these things, and what I enjoy about the Life is Strange games is that they’re able to depict a love story that feels larger than life without needing to wax poetic about soul mates. Last things last, as for the art style though? I loved it! It’s clean and gives you the classic Life is Strange vibe even without the Duke’s Chowder House playlist blaring in the background! Besides, I think the translation from a video game to a comic book page also works so well because Max and Chloe already have such distinctive character designs where you couldn't t mistake them if you wanted to. What with Max's bangin’ bangs or Chloe with the blue hair when blue hair was indicative of rebelliousness rather than “Millennial Karen” core. That’s one of the issues I have with Spider-Man nowadays, because he always looks so drastically different in whichever of the five billion mediums he exists in, and it feels like there’s no real continuity in Peter Parker’s look, you know? Like, have you seen him in that Spider-Man game on the PlayStation 5? Mans looks like the mid Animorphs transformation where one end is a sheet of paper and the other a jar of mayonnaise. Um... I really liked Dust, and I think this comic is a natural continuation of Max's story without feeling like too much of a departure from the characters we see in the video game. It’s rough at points, sure, but when you have such an explosive ending like the one seen in Life is Strange, it only makes sense that you would need to face it head on… even if doing so is hella hard.
I'm cold, but baby you colder / We a team we got 6 rings over / Drunk in love, even when I'm sober / We mobbin' this thing out til it's over.
May 26, 2019
Well hell! I didn’t know this was a video game! I mean I live under the rock down the lane on the left!
That was awesome, makes me want to play some crazy video games. Fantastic graphics too!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
That was awesome, makes me want to play some crazy video games. Fantastic graphics too!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
March 2, 2019
My favourite video game ever is being turned into a comic book and I am HELLA excited about it !!!
UPDATE 3/2/2019 I am s o b b i n g, my gay little heart can't handle this but I NEED MORE
UPDATE 3/2/2019 I am s o b b i n g, my gay little heart can't handle this but I NEED MORE
April 19, 2019
When your favourite game gets to become a comic book series.
I loved every moment of it, brilliant writing and illustrations.
I was really hard to read and not wanna cry.
I loved every moment of it, brilliant writing and illustrations.
I was really hard to read and not wanna cry.
June 5, 2019
If you cried at the end of the first game and the Farewell DLC, prepare to cry again! So the story picks up 1 year after the "Sacrifice Arcadia Bay" ending, where Cloe survived and the town was destroyed! Max and Cloe are living together in Seattle and are trying to make a life together. However after Max starts losing control of her powers and starts to have strange visions, the two decide to go back to Arcadia Bay to solve this mystery.
To give background, I have played the original game and Before The Storm, the first game came during a very difficult time in my life and it helped me get through a lot of it as I fell in love with the story and the characters like Max and Cloe! So I was very excited to get my hands on this comic series when it was announced, did it live up to it? The answer is yes!
Emma Vieceli has done a fantastic job continuing these characters story, capturing the writing and atmosphere of the games very well! The story is very emotional and captures just that right amount of interest from the reader. They also play around with Max's powers and expand on what they can do and how powerful she really is; while also playing with time travel! I feel like most time travel stories these days are done and dusted, they have done almost everything they could possibly do, but Life is Strange has always found interesting ways to play with it and this comic series definitely continues that! The artwork by Claudia Leonardi and Andrea Izzo is done to perfection, with great colouring and the style suits the world of Life Is Strange very well! It's always very hard to adapt a series from one medium to another and I think they accomplished this here very well in both visuals and story!
Overall I really enjoyed this volume and can't wait for the next one, since this series is now ongoing! Bottom line, If you enjoyed the Life Is Strange games, you will probably really enjoy this one! Highly recommend it!
To give background, I have played the original game and Before The Storm, the first game came during a very difficult time in my life and it helped me get through a lot of it as I fell in love with the story and the characters like Max and Cloe! So I was very excited to get my hands on this comic series when it was announced, did it live up to it? The answer is yes!
Emma Vieceli has done a fantastic job continuing these characters story, capturing the writing and atmosphere of the games very well! The story is very emotional and captures just that right amount of interest from the reader. They also play around with Max's powers and expand on what they can do and how powerful she really is; while also playing with time travel! I feel like most time travel stories these days are done and dusted, they have done almost everything they could possibly do, but Life is Strange has always found interesting ways to play with it and this comic series definitely continues that! The artwork by Claudia Leonardi and Andrea Izzo is done to perfection, with great colouring and the style suits the world of Life Is Strange very well! It's always very hard to adapt a series from one medium to another and I think they accomplished this here very well in both visuals and story!
Overall I really enjoyed this volume and can't wait for the next one, since this series is now ongoing! Bottom line, If you enjoyed the Life Is Strange games, you will probably really enjoy this one! Highly recommend it!
October 20, 2019
Photographer Max Cauldfield is grappling with whether she is a particle of dust whirling in a hurricane that destroyed Arcadia Bay or was she the hurricane in this vividly drawn comic. One year later, she and best friend, Chloe Price, return to the town for a memorial. Max starts seamlessly traveling between parallel worlds startling her. Being pulled through multiple universes and reality strings confuse Max as to what and whom are real. She needs to discover the truth.
March 30, 2021
Ich liebe diese Reihe, ob als Videospiel, Comic oder was die sich sonst noch einfallen lassen.. ❤️
May 29, 2019
The first collected volume of the Life is Strange comic book series reads weirdly like fan-service written with me, personally, in mind. LiS is one of my favourite games, but I had some issues with the way both endings to the first season played out, both in terms of the human drama and the sci-fi elements to the story - literally all of which are dealt with in the first four issues of the ongoing comic series. Below the spoiler cut is a list of all the things I wanted to see at the end of Life is Strange that finally get a payoff in the Dust comics arc:
I didn't realise until I got to the end of the book that this wasn't a single-run comic; in fact Issue #5, the start of the next arc, was coincidentally published the day I finished reading this collection. Even though I thought the ending given in this arc would have been a very satisfying final send-off for Max and Chloe, I will definitely be checking out the next lot once the trade paperback is released - mainly because I'm a fangirl and can't help myself, but also because the strength of this story in continuing on from the game makes me want to know where the writers plan on taking these characters next.
I didn't realise until I got to the end of the book that this wasn't a single-run comic; in fact Issue #5, the start of the next arc, was coincidentally published the day I finished reading this collection. Even though I thought the ending given in this arc would have been a very satisfying final send-off for Max and Chloe, I will definitely be checking out the next lot once the trade paperback is released - mainly because I'm a fangirl and can't help myself, but also because the strength of this story in continuing on from the game makes me want to know where the writers plan on taking these characters next.
August 30, 2019
I honestly struggled with how to rate this. I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with it, but as a continuation of Life is Strange it just didn’t really work for me. Basically, I thought the first issue was weak, the second and third worth reading, and the fourth was obviously heavily modified to allow for the change from a four issue miniseries to an ongoing book, much to the detriment of the story. The dimension hopping aspect of the story didn’t really do it for me, and didn’t seem in the spirit of the games. Max’s power was to rewind time — how does that translate into hopping between dimensions unwillingly? Especially since the fourth issue heavily implies that the Max we’re seeing isn’t the Max from the game (though somehow, it does seem to be the Chloe from the game). The story that comes from all this is one that’s not bad or uninteresting, but it’s hard to care about it when A) the main character doesn’t really have any agency (and I hesitate to say that she’s even just reacting to the events happening around her, because the number of dimensional shifts mean she’s barely got time to react to an event before the next random thing is happening to her), and B) it’s not even a version of the character we cared about in the first place. I dunno. I’m willing to give the next story arc a shot, but at this point it would take a lot for me to be on board with this, and the previews we have aren’t making me optimistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2019
I can't even joke "I'm not crying you're crying" BECAUSE I'M CRYING.
Why does everything surrounding Life is Strange do things to my emotional stability??
Why does everything surrounding Life is Strange do things to my emotional stability??
December 29, 2019
*4,5 ⭐️ Super toller Comic, der dem Spiel total gerecht wird! Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass mich die Geschichte so fesseln und in ihren Bann ziehen wird. Die typische Life is Strange Atmosphäre kommen zu 100% rüber und ich war beeindruckt von den gelungenen und charaktertypischen Dialogen. Ich freue mich jetzt total auf Band 2, welcher im Februar auf Deutsch erscheint. Die Zeichnungen sind auch sehr gelungen, auch wenn Max manchmal etwas seltsam aussah. Das Ende hat mich mit Fragezeichen zurückgelassen, aber vielleicht klärt sich das ja im zweiten Teil 😊
September 10, 2025
No game has ever made me as emotional as Life is Strange, neither before nor since (though there have been some that have come close), and Dust captures that feeling
Which means my heart is hella full, my chest is hella tight, etc etc
Which means my heart is hella full, my chest is hella tight, etc etc
June 14, 2022
kocham lis boze
August 16, 2025
A MUST for any LiS fan.
It's been one year since the Storm that destroyed Arcadia Bay, killing almost everyone in its path. Max and Chloe, two survivors successfully and unsuccessfully trying to move on and continue with their lives; but something is off, seriously off. Chloe seems to be there, but at the same time she may not. The rips in time increasingly harming Max, even if she's not time-jumping anymore. In a desperate attempt to find some way to cope and heal, they travel back to Arcadia, and all the destruction they tried so hard to forget.
I can't even begin to express how much I LOVED Life is Strange, one of my favorites games of all time, if not my very most. I was afraid this comic would be a terrible letdown, but it was not, far from it. This comic, or at least this Volume, really lives up to the game and LiS spirit. Regardless of the choices taken in the game, I think any LiS fan can get in sync with the comic and love where it leads you. This was one sweet and painful roller coaster of increasing emotions, with a sublime, devastatingly beautiful ending. LOVED IT. I could really live with the ending of this volume, but I guess I'll have read the next five and risk seeing where it takes me. So afraid again, but hopeful. This was a fantastic beginning, and Recommendable for any LiS fan.
★★★☆☆ Life is Strange - Dust #1 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #2 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #3 [3.5]
★★★★★ Life is Strange - Dust #4
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE : Non advisable for non players.
Play the game first, then read the comic.
[2019] [112p] [Comic] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ Life is Strange Vol #1 - Dust
???????? Life is Strange Vol #2 - Waves
???????? Life is Strange Vol #3 - Strings
???????? Life is Strange Vol #4 - Partners
???????? Life is Strange Vol #5 - Coming
???????? Life is Strange Vol #6 - Settling
-----------------------------------------------
Un DEBER para cualquier fan de LiS.
Ha pasado un año desde la Tormenta que destruyó la Bahía de Arcadia, matando a casi todos en su paso. Max y Chloe, dos sobrevivientes que intentan, con éxito y sin éxito, seguir adelante y continuar con sus vidas; pero algo anda mal, muy mal. Chloe parece estar ahí, pero al mismo tiempo puede que no. Los desgarros en el tiempo dañando cada vez más a Max, incluso si ya no salta en el tiempo. En un intento desesperado por encontrar alguna manera de afrontar la situación y sanar, viajan de regreso a Arcadia, y a toda la destrucción que tanto intentaron olvidar.
Ni siquiera puedo empezar a expresar lo mucho que AME Life is Strange, uno de mis juegos favoritos de todos los tiempos, si no el que más. Tenía mucho miedo que este cómic fuera una terrible decepción, pero no lo fue, lejos de ahí. Este cómic, o al menos este Volumen, realmente está a la altura del juego y del espíritu de LiS. Independientemente de las decisiones tomadas en el juego, creo que cualquier fan de LiS puede sincronizar con el cómic y amar hacia dónde te lleva. Esta fue una dulce y dolorosa montaña rusa de incrementales emociones, con un final sublime y devastadoramente hermoso. LO AME. Realmente podría vivir con el final de este volúmen, pero supongo que tendré que leer los cinco siquientes y arriesgar a ver adónde me lleva. Así que con miedo otra vez, pero con esperanzas. Este fue un fantástico comienzo y Recomendable para cualquier fan de LiS.
★★★☆☆ Life is Strange - Dust #1 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #2 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #3 [3.5]
★★★★★ Life is Strange - Dust #4
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL : No aconsejable para no jugadores.
Primero el juego, luego el cómic.
[2019] [32p] [Comic] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
It's been one year since the Storm that destroyed Arcadia Bay, killing almost everyone in its path. Max and Chloe, two survivors successfully and unsuccessfully trying to move on and continue with their lives; but something is off, seriously off. Chloe seems to be there, but at the same time she may not. The rips in time increasingly harming Max, even if she's not time-jumping anymore. In a desperate attempt to find some way to cope and heal, they travel back to Arcadia, and all the destruction they tried so hard to forget.
I can't even begin to express how much I LOVED Life is Strange, one of my favorites games of all time, if not my very most. I was afraid this comic would be a terrible letdown, but it was not, far from it. This comic, or at least this Volume, really lives up to the game and LiS spirit. Regardless of the choices taken in the game, I think any LiS fan can get in sync with the comic and love where it leads you. This was one sweet and painful roller coaster of increasing emotions, with a sublime, devastatingly beautiful ending. LOVED IT. I could really live with the ending of this volume, but I guess I'll have read the next five and risk seeing where it takes me. So afraid again, but hopeful. This was a fantastic beginning, and Recommendable for any LiS fan.
★★★☆☆ Life is Strange - Dust #1 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #2 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #3 [3.5]
★★★★★ Life is Strange - Dust #4
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE : Non advisable for non players.
Play the game first, then read the comic.
[2019] [112p] [Comic] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ Life is Strange Vol #1 - Dust
???????? Life is Strange Vol #2 - Waves
???????? Life is Strange Vol #3 - Strings
???????? Life is Strange Vol #4 - Partners
???????? Life is Strange Vol #5 - Coming
???????? Life is Strange Vol #6 - Settling
-----------------------------------------------
Un DEBER para cualquier fan de LiS.
Ha pasado un año desde la Tormenta que destruyó la Bahía de Arcadia, matando a casi todos en su paso. Max y Chloe, dos sobrevivientes que intentan, con éxito y sin éxito, seguir adelante y continuar con sus vidas; pero algo anda mal, muy mal. Chloe parece estar ahí, pero al mismo tiempo puede que no. Los desgarros en el tiempo dañando cada vez más a Max, incluso si ya no salta en el tiempo. En un intento desesperado por encontrar alguna manera de afrontar la situación y sanar, viajan de regreso a Arcadia, y a toda la destrucción que tanto intentaron olvidar.
Ni siquiera puedo empezar a expresar lo mucho que AME Life is Strange, uno de mis juegos favoritos de todos los tiempos, si no el que más. Tenía mucho miedo que este cómic fuera una terrible decepción, pero no lo fue, lejos de ahí. Este cómic, o al menos este Volumen, realmente está a la altura del juego y del espíritu de LiS. Independientemente de las decisiones tomadas en el juego, creo que cualquier fan de LiS puede sincronizar con el cómic y amar hacia dónde te lleva. Esta fue una dulce y dolorosa montaña rusa de incrementales emociones, con un final sublime y devastadoramente hermoso. LO AME. Realmente podría vivir con el final de este volúmen, pero supongo que tendré que leer los cinco siquientes y arriesgar a ver adónde me lleva. Así que con miedo otra vez, pero con esperanzas. Este fue un fantástico comienzo y Recomendable para cualquier fan de LiS.
★★★☆☆ Life is Strange - Dust #1 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #2 [3.5]
★★★★☆ Life is Strange - Dust #3 [3.5]
★★★★★ Life is Strange - Dust #4
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL : No aconsejable para no jugadores.
Primero el juego, luego el cómic.
[2019] [32p] [Comic] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
December 3, 2021
“following the road back to arcadia bay felt like tracing a vein right back to the heart of the storm we’d escaped a year ago.”
photo credit: 1, 2, 3, 4
this was quite good! lovely to revisit these characters I know and love and get back to a lot of the feelings I felt while playing the video game.
it’s not necessarily how I personally imagine max and chloe’s story progressing, but it’s interesting reading one potential possibility of how their story ends.
I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of this volume, we’re kind of going down a rabbit hole I’m not sure I’m ready to explore, but I am intrigued, the art is quite good, and overall really enjoyed it as a whole. it was also pretty gay which I’m thrilled about!
photo credit: 1, 2, 3, 4
this was quite good! lovely to revisit these characters I know and love and get back to a lot of the feelings I felt while playing the video game.
it’s not necessarily how I personally imagine max and chloe’s story progressing, but it’s interesting reading one potential possibility of how their story ends.
I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of this volume, we’re kind of going down a rabbit hole I’m not sure I’m ready to explore, but I am intrigued, the art is quite good, and overall really enjoyed it as a whole. it was also pretty gay which I’m thrilled about!
September 19, 2019
2.5 I'm a huge fan of the game but unfortunately I didn't like the graphic style or the story (it's the continuity of the game, even if I didn't choose the same end in game^^) which, for me, was not really necessary. So not bad but not so great either.
March 6, 2021
Hated how it started off based of the ending i DIDNT choose in the game but the story is decent although a bit confusing
January 27, 2023
Es ist eine Weile her, dass ich mich mit Max und Chloe beschäftigt habe. Aber sobald ich die erste Seite aufgeschlagen hatte, war ich direkt wieder drin und hab gemerkt, wie gern ich diese Charaktere mag!
Der Zeichenstil der Graphic Novel ist superschön. Die Geschichte hat mir auch gut gefallen, allerdings fand ich sie an einigen Stellen doch ziemlich verwirrend. Liegt wahrscheinlich am ganzen Zeitreise- und Multiversum-Thema, davon raucht mir grundsätzlich immer der Kopf 🤯
Für Fans der Spiele aber eine tolle Erweiterung! Möchte die nachfolgenden Teile auf jeden Fall auch noch lesen 😄
Der Zeichenstil der Graphic Novel ist superschön. Die Geschichte hat mir auch gut gefallen, allerdings fand ich sie an einigen Stellen doch ziemlich verwirrend. Liegt wahrscheinlich am ganzen Zeitreise- und Multiversum-Thema, davon raucht mir grundsätzlich immer der Kopf 🤯
Für Fans der Spiele aber eine tolle Erweiterung! Möchte die nachfolgenden Teile auf jeden Fall auch noch lesen 😄
September 7, 2025
A brilliant series with great stories, great writers and great artists!
For those who don't know, this graphic novel series is based on Square Enix's LGBTQ+ game Life Is Strange about an 18 year old girl who can turn back time for a few minutes.
The graphic novel series follows a similar form with an expanded cast and story.
For those who don't know, this graphic novel series is based on Square Enix's LGBTQ+ game Life Is Strange about an 18 year old girl who can turn back time for a few minutes.
The graphic novel series follows a similar form with an expanded cast and story.
July 25, 2019
I'm fortunate to have watched people on Twitch play the "Life Is Strange" game so I'm only confused by the science and some of the storyline. I know that this explores one of the endings to the game and I know that even in its most sad, terrifying, and confusing it's beautiful.
March 6, 2023
A stellar start to a new comic series that was wonderfully understandable even for people who haven’t played the game like me.
The heightened level of emotions was very well-maintained throughout; keeping its poignancy without becoming repetitive or convoluted.
The time travel string theory concepts were interesting. They didn’t entirely make sense but top marks to the writer for including a concept that most plotters stay away from for fear of complicating linear plots. The time travel wasn’t overwhelming nor overbearing. Much like everything in this comic, it was just right.
The heightened level of emotions was very well-maintained throughout; keeping its poignancy without becoming repetitive or convoluted.
The time travel string theory concepts were interesting. They didn’t entirely make sense but top marks to the writer for including a concept that most plotters stay away from for fear of complicating linear plots. The time travel wasn’t overwhelming nor overbearing. Much like everything in this comic, it was just right.
June 25, 2019
I feel like my rating for this comic sequel is going to completely depend on the ending.
For now, I've given it 5 stars from all the emotions I have gotten from it. It's hard to emphasize enough how important getting to return to Max and Chloe's story was for me. I played Life is Strange as it came out, and I grew extremely attached to Arcadia Bay and its residents, literally having to clean off my keyboard several times from all the tears.
This work captures the spirit and characters of the original game incredibly well, and I thought that it translated smoothly into a very pleasing 2D art style.
I also love the surreal nature of this story; while living in Seattle with Chloe and doing freelance photography for her friends' band, Max is also dealing with slipping into other timelines and universes. Upon the first anniversary of the hurricane hitting Arcadia Bay, Max begins seeing things and entering universes where things are different. Ones where Chloe's mom is still alive, ones where Max moved to Seattle alone, ones where Max never left Arcadia Bay and Chloe has been dead for more than a year.
The way that these slight changes occur are so very surreal and well-done, and I loved that. I felt Max's panic and confusion vividly.
But that also worries me. Because my main complaint of the original game, as dear to my heart as it is, is that both endings really feel like they punish these sapphic girls for just...daring to exist and to love one another. Chloe either dies miserable and alone, or she loses her mother and leaves her hometown with Max. Max loses her childhood best friend who she loves, or she has to deal with the responsibility of the destruction of her hometown and the lives of her friends and neighbors. Rachel Amber dies for senseless, cruel reasons and even time travel can't bring her back.
I'm concerned because often it feels like these girls are being punished for...daring to hope? Daring to live their lives? And with the comic confirming that Max's time powers caused the hurricane for sure, I worry this will continue. Max feels she's being pushed out of her own timeline and universe, losing her new life. Chloe even laments that they are both just getting to heal from their trauma and now she's losing Max.
I don't necessarily mean I need a *happy* ending or even an uplifting one. I don't need everything to work out perfectly. But for pure tragedy and trauma, for these young women--many of whom are queer--being almost punished by the universe... That's not what I'm here for.
So for now, I'm giving it 5 stars because it means a lot to me and it captures the world and characters wonderfully. But, honestly, if it ends in tragedy yet again? I don't know.
For now, I've given it 5 stars from all the emotions I have gotten from it. It's hard to emphasize enough how important getting to return to Max and Chloe's story was for me. I played Life is Strange as it came out, and I grew extremely attached to Arcadia Bay and its residents, literally having to clean off my keyboard several times from all the tears.
This work captures the spirit and characters of the original game incredibly well, and I thought that it translated smoothly into a very pleasing 2D art style.
I also love the surreal nature of this story; while living in Seattle with Chloe and doing freelance photography for her friends' band, Max is also dealing with slipping into other timelines and universes. Upon the first anniversary of the hurricane hitting Arcadia Bay, Max begins seeing things and entering universes where things are different. Ones where Chloe's mom is still alive, ones where Max moved to Seattle alone, ones where Max never left Arcadia Bay and Chloe has been dead for more than a year.
The way that these slight changes occur are so very surreal and well-done, and I loved that. I felt Max's panic and confusion vividly.
But that also worries me. Because my main complaint of the original game, as dear to my heart as it is, is that both endings really feel like they punish these sapphic girls for just...daring to exist and to love one another. Chloe either dies miserable and alone, or she loses her mother and leaves her hometown with Max. Max loses her childhood best friend who she loves, or she has to deal with the responsibility of the destruction of her hometown and the lives of her friends and neighbors. Rachel Amber dies for senseless, cruel reasons and even time travel can't bring her back.
I'm concerned because often it feels like these girls are being punished for...daring to hope? Daring to live their lives? And with the comic confirming that Max's time powers caused the hurricane for sure, I worry this will continue. Max feels she's being pushed out of her own timeline and universe, losing her new life. Chloe even laments that they are both just getting to heal from their trauma and now she's losing Max.
I don't necessarily mean I need a *happy* ending or even an uplifting one. I don't need everything to work out perfectly. But for pure tragedy and trauma, for these young women--many of whom are queer--being almost punished by the universe... That's not what I'm here for.
So for now, I'm giving it 5 stars because it means a lot to me and it captures the world and characters wonderfully. But, honestly, if it ends in tragedy yet again? I don't know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2021
This is the spoiler free review of Volumes 1-3 of Life is Strange. If you would like to read the spoiler full review complete with more choices and cliffhangers please visit https://amanjareads.com/2021/01/27/li...
Life is Strange the graphic novel is a true sequel to Life is Strange the video game. I strongly recommend that you play the video game and the prequel Life is Strange: Before the Storm before you read this graphic novel.
I strongly recommend that you play these video games just in general. They're fantastic. You'll follow the stories of Max, Chloe, and Rachel as they navigate small town Arcadia Bay in their final years of high school. The twist is that there are time manipulation powers involved and the consequences of the butterfly effect are in full force.
Without the background knowledge gained through the games I doubt this book will have the same emotional impact. You have to know these young women, who they are, how they relate to each other, and what their place within this society is. The book, unfortunately, does not offer that.
It is strongly assumed that you know what Life is Strange is about before you start reading. This graphic novel is not a companion piece or side story, it picks up exactly where the game leaves off.
For fans of the game, this will be great. You'll enjoy following Max and Chloe and yes even Rachel as they face new challenges and strengthen the bonds of their relationships. The art style stays true to the source material and the heart of it all remains intact.
So far, three full volumes have been published. But the third one ends on a major cliffhanger so I'm going to have to read the rest as they come out. Thankfully, they're still being produced for the time being. Hopefully this doesn't turn into yet another unfinished series.
If you're already a fan of the Life is Strange franchise then I strongly recommend this book. If you're not, this is not the place to start. Do yourself a favor and enjoy the games first. Play the prequel first even though it didn't come out first, trust me on this one.
Life is Strange the graphic novel is a true sequel to Life is Strange the video game. I strongly recommend that you play the video game and the prequel Life is Strange: Before the Storm before you read this graphic novel.
I strongly recommend that you play these video games just in general. They're fantastic. You'll follow the stories of Max, Chloe, and Rachel as they navigate small town Arcadia Bay in their final years of high school. The twist is that there are time manipulation powers involved and the consequences of the butterfly effect are in full force.
Without the background knowledge gained through the games I doubt this book will have the same emotional impact. You have to know these young women, who they are, how they relate to each other, and what their place within this society is. The book, unfortunately, does not offer that.
It is strongly assumed that you know what Life is Strange is about before you start reading. This graphic novel is not a companion piece or side story, it picks up exactly where the game leaves off.
For fans of the game, this will be great. You'll enjoy following Max and Chloe and yes even Rachel as they face new challenges and strengthen the bonds of their relationships. The art style stays true to the source material and the heart of it all remains intact.
So far, three full volumes have been published. But the third one ends on a major cliffhanger so I'm going to have to read the rest as they come out. Thankfully, they're still being produced for the time being. Hopefully this doesn't turn into yet another unfinished series.
If you're already a fan of the Life is Strange franchise then I strongly recommend this book. If you're not, this is not the place to start. Do yourself a favor and enjoy the games first. Play the prequel first even though it didn't come out first, trust me on this one.
January 12, 2024
I'm in love with the life is strange games and finally have the comics I love that it shows the aftermath of the original game
March 22, 2023
this action will have consequences 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
August 31, 2019
Life is Strange is one of my top 3 video games of all time, so I am really confused at myself why it took forever for me to pick this up.
Following the 'Sacrifice Arcadia Bay' ending of the game, Dust is set a year after Arcadia Bay was destroyed. Chloe and Max live in Seattle, with all the emotional trauma the events of the game caused them. But Max starts to flicker, as she seamlessly moves between different timelines. She ultimately has to make another choice...
I am blown away how much the art style and the story recapture the atmosphere of the game. I was able to hear the voices of Chloe and Max in my head while I was reading. In the game I also went with BAE before BAY and so my heart is craving the happy ending those two crazy kids deserve but might not receive. Highly recommended if you loved the game.
Following the 'Sacrifice Arcadia Bay' ending of the game, Dust is set a year after Arcadia Bay was destroyed. Chloe and Max live in Seattle, with all the emotional trauma the events of the game caused them. But Max starts to flicker, as she seamlessly moves between different timelines. She ultimately has to make another choice...
I am blown away how much the art style and the story recapture the atmosphere of the game. I was able to hear the voices of Chloe and Max in my head while I was reading. In the game I also went with BAE before BAY and so my heart is craving the happy ending those two crazy kids deserve but might not receive. Highly recommended if you loved the game.
October 4, 2021
2021 reread -
Finally getting back to the series, and I knew I would need to reread this one before continuing just because the storylines are SO COMPLEX. Still a great story though. And I had forgotten how crazy the ending was!
Original review -
Life is Strange is a great game, and it translates well to a graphic novel. The art was gorgeous and it was nice to see Arcadia Bay again.
Finally getting back to the series, and I knew I would need to reread this one before continuing just because the storylines are SO COMPLEX. Still a great story though. And I had forgotten how crazy the ending was!
Original review -
Life is Strange is a great game, and it translates well to a graphic novel. The art was gorgeous and it was nice to see Arcadia Bay again.
November 7, 2019
Well, I was expecting more...
I really love the game but this book is missing something and I am not sure what is it. It's still a nice ready if you carve for more Max & Chloe but it's not giving me the shivers as the game does.
Anyways, I am still gonna check out another volume even just because of the interesting cliffhanger at the end of the first one. Hopefully, it will get HELLA better.
I really love the game but this book is missing something and I am not sure what is it. It's still a nice ready if you carve for more Max & Chloe but it's not giving me the shivers as the game does.
Anyways, I am still gonna check out another volume even just because of the interesting cliffhanger at the end of the first one. Hopefully, it will get HELLA better.
September 2, 2019
This book continues a very difficult to adapt series, and does so very carefully. It takes a huge risk at the end and I'm totally on board for it, I love these characters and can't wait to see where they go!
May 20, 2020
yo this fucked me up
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