Did you play Mass Effect 3? Sure ya’ did because you’re cool and that’s what cool kids do. So cool kid, did you know that that cool game got a cool comic! In ME3 the player was greeted by a new character to the universe. That characters name was James Vega and he was just an okay addition. He had great battle tactics, mediocre back-story and blah dialog if you were a FemShep.  Regardless Mr. James Vega kicks off the new Mass Effect: Home world comic from Dark Horse. The Reaper attack is in full swing but has yet to truly affect the Citadel space station. Lieutenant James Vega waits patiently to hear any news about his family. After he checks in, his mind drifts back to the good old days. As a younger James finishes registering for the Systems Alliance military, he is picked up by his Uncle.  After being dropped off at home his father wastes no time by yelling at him for not responding to any of his messages. James recognizes that pop is in a very irritable mood and after a well placed guilt trip James heads back out to score a package for his father.

Soon James is back on the streets and goes to the pickup stop to secure the “package”. Despite some confusion, James secures the package just in time to run into some local law enforcement.  James runs through the city and cuts through apartment buildings. After hiding in a diner dressed as a bus boy the cops are finally evaded.

Back home James gives his father the package and finds out it was drugs. Pissed that he was used James lashes out at his father. But their fight comes to a quick stop when James learns that his father will black mail him thus threatening his upcoming military career.

Whoa! This was not what I was expecting at all. Not that it was bad it just was kind of boring. It was cool to get a little more on Mr. Vega without listing to Freddie Prinze Jr.’s voice but nothing really happens. The struggle for James to make his own way in the world just doesn’t come off exciting. James really isn’t that interesting of a character and this story really didn’t change that. This was a little disappointing because it was penned by lead Mass Effect writer, Mac Walters.  Eduardo Francisco’s art does its job but it too is a little boring.

If you know me, you know that I’m a huge Mass Effect fan, hell I love BioWare games. But this just didn’t hit the spot for me. If you're a mega massive ME 3 fan then regardless you already have this book. If not, you may just want to play the game instead.

Score: 2/5

Writer: Mac Walters Artist: Eduardo Francisco Colorist: Michael Atiyeh Cover Artist:  Anthony Palumbo Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 4/25/12