Back in 1999, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver hit the PlayStation and other platforms, and nothing was ever the same. Well, some things were the same — but for fans of the series, the game turned an interest into an obsession. One of those fans? Josh Viola, who is now co-writing an official, in-canon expansion of the series for the first time in decades, in the form of a graphic novel titled Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise.
“It’s still kind of strange to think that I’m writing canon for a series I love so much, but I’ve been so busy working on this that I haven’t had much time to really process it,” Viola told Comic Book Club over email. “I’ve had to step away from the fan perspective in some ways and focus on making sure the story is strong for its own sake. It’s not just about fan service—far from it. It’s about respecting who these characters are.”
To find out more about the project — which you can check out on Kickstarter — read on!
Comic Book Club: Josh, you clearly love Soul Reaver a lot… What is it that appeals to you about this franchise?
Josh Viola: As an artist, what initially drew me in was the art style and character design. I still think Wraith Raziel is one of the best and most brilliantly designed characters from an aesthetic standpoint ever created. I judged the book by its cover, but it didn’t disappoint. The world, characters, story, and gameplay all delivered to the same high standard as the art.
Given you’re so close to it, what was it like adding to the legacy of the characters? And did you have to give yourself any distance to get away from the fan aspect, to focus on the story?
It’s still kind of strange to think that I’m writing canon for a series I love so much, but I’ve been so busy working on this that I haven’t had much time to really process it. I’ve had to step away from the fan perspective in some ways and focus on making sure the story is strong for its own sake. It’s not just about fan service—far from it. It’s about respecting who these characters are. My co-writer, Angie Hodapp, has been instrumental in making sure that happens. She’s a fantastic writer with a lot of experience, though she didn’t play the games. She dove deeply into the lore in preparation for this project, while I, of course, have played the games many times. That balance is a good thing, as it ensures we both bring different perspectives to create the strongest storytelling experience possible.
It’s been 20 years since the last Soul Reaver story, why do you think the fandom has endured?
One big reason it has endured is simple: it’s really good. The story is complex in a meaningful way, with layers that reveal more about the characters and plot every time you play. Personally, I think its lasting appeal comes from its unique style of storytelling, which is rare in today’s commercial market. Modern gaming is overwhelmingly focused on multiplayer and transactional models, while deep, single-player experiences are harder to find. When the Legacy of Kain games came out, they redefined what single-player storytelling could be and set a high bar. Much like classic films, when done well, they age gracefully and remain unmatched. There haven’t been many modern equivalents, so we’re holding onto what made the original games so exceptional.
What can fans of Soul Reaver expect from this prequel?
We’re bringing to light past events that were crucial to the story but only mentioned in exposition, without being fully explored. By delving into these events, we’ve uncovered new, unexpected plot points and character revelations.
Why a crowdfunding campaign for this? And what can fans expect?
Crowdfunding often gets a bad rap, but it’s quite common in established IPs, especially within the graphic novel medium. I like to think of it as a form of pre-ordering: you’re securing your copy in advance and allowing us the time and resources to focus on what fans truly want. It also provides an opportunity for us to interact directly with those who care about the project, creating a more intimate experience than a typical retail purchase. In this way, fans play a direct role in bringing the project to life. Plus, crowdfunding lets us offer more “rewards” beyond just the graphic novel—and we’ve gone BIG. If fans have ever complained about a lack of LOK merch, they can put those concerns to rest when our campaign launches. We’re introducing items that I’m confident fans haven’t even considered but will be thrilled to see. Some of these offerings might even become more exciting to some people than the graphic novel itself. Crowdfunding makes all of this possible.
A little birdie tells me there’s some fun merch that’s coming with the campaign… What can you tell us about that?
Ha, I didn’t see this question before answering the last one. We’ve got some exciting rewards lined up for our campaign. There’s a soundtrack by Celldweller featuring Matt Heafy of Trivium which includes covers, remasters, and new tracks. We’re offering high-end latex masks of Raziel and Kain for cosplay and display, replica Reavers, and a wide range of apparel with various designs, including t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. We’re also featuring clan flags, rare art prints, and lots of limited-edition items like signed collectibles. It’s going to be pretty amazing.
Are there any thoughts to take the story you have here, and turn it back into a game?
I’d love to see what we’re creating implemented into a game. Honestly, like everyone else, I’d be thrilled just to see any new content set in this universe. I’m hoping that day comes—fingers crossed!
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise is now on Kickstarter.
