The Witcher Omnibus (Vol. 1) - Paul Tobin

⭐3/10

I kinda hated this. This is a graphic novel version of the Witcher with original stories, though it does also adapt some Sapkowski originals (though oddly some of his weakest stuff). I was so entirely convinced that I would love this that I spent my hard earned birthday money on this pretty expensive book. My birthday is in May. It took me 8 months to read this because although I hated it, I spent good money on it and had to see it through. 

The main issue with this is simply the writing. Sapkowski is a good writer, but this book feels like crappy fan fiction, like someone on a Reddit board who likes Sapkowski but doesn't really understand what makes his writing special. He knows that Geralt is funny, but doesn't know what makes him funny, and so in this he tells painful jokes (here's a hint: Geralt doesn't tell jokes). I think the best parts of Sapkowski's writing is what he doesn't say, and this book tries to over-explain lore or motivations or character dynamics. Yeah, just didn't love it. 

The art itself is a little all-over. There are different artists featured, and even though that cover looks terrible, I thought the art was not bad. I think the Witcher lends itself very well to comics because Geralt is pretty much Batman and they share a similar aesthetic. But this was a total miss for me.