Ah, Runescape. The word alone brings back fond memories of adventuring through the classic MMORPG with friends, gaining experience points, cool new weapons and armor, and losing said weapons and armor after dying after accidentally roaming into a higher-levelled area.
Okay, so maybe they weren’t all fond memories.
Even so, my time in the fantastical digital world helped shape the love of fantasy stories I have today just as much as things like Tolkien or Christopher Paolini’s Eragon. So when the opportunity arrived to delve into the once-familiar world once more in comic form, I jumped at the chance. But you didn’t come here to listen to me ramble about my history with Runescape. So without further ado, let’s dive into Runescape: Untold Tales of the God War Vol 1.
*Mild spoilers ahead for Runescape: Untold Tales of the God War Vol. 1*
Written by Ryan O’Sullivan, our story begins in a tavern in an unnamed city in the land of Gielinor, where a mysterious storyteller stands before a roaring fire, his hooded cloak and armored gauntlets completely concealing his true form. The tavern’s patrons are quiet as he begins to speak, his colorful words setting the stage for the story about to be told. A tale of a time long since forgotten to the eons. A time when gods warred endlessly, and four armies battled for possession of the Godsword, a legendary weapon created to kill the god of chaos himself, Zamorak.
As the storyteller’s words carry us back untold millennia to that climactic battle, we find ourselves following the stories of four individuals, one from each army: Sherok, the Zamorakian necromancer; Lea’anna, the Armadylean scout; Viss, captain of the Saradominist army; and Bloodsnout, the Bandosian goblin thief. Four individuals whose stories become joined by not only circumstance and a common goal, but by an unexpected fifth character, whose journey is perhaps the most incredible of them all: Maro, the extraordinary familiar who readers will be able to unlock in-game via an exclusive code included with the book.
Right away, using a mysterious storyteller in a tavern provides an excellent framing device. Beyond establishing a voice for the narration present throughout the story and providing a valid reason for the brief exposition dump at the beginning, it allows readers to feel a bit more immersed in the story. We’re not simply reading a comic; we’re in it. We’re one of the patrons in that unnamed tavern, listening to this storyteller enchant us with a tale of an age long since past. It also allows the story to take on an even greater degree of fantasy, as it leaves it up for interpretation whether what we’re seeing play out across the pages is what truly happened or whether it’s nothing more than an exciting tale of pure fiction. A sentiment that’s echoed by many of those listening to the story, as the beginning of each chapter returns once more to the tavern for at least a couple of pages. This provides some great comic relief, as well as plays into the idea that we’re one of those listening in that tavern, as the storyteller uses these panels to draw us back into the story as if he were merely interrupted for a moment rather than a new issue starting.
As for the story itself, it’s quite the twisting tale. Beginning with the demon army of the Zamorakians as they cut a bloody swath across the land in search of the Godsword. You see, the Godsword requires a hilt to be utilized. Knowing this, Zamorak had his own hilt forged to turn the legendary blade’s power against those who seek to destroy him. Though the three allied armies of the Armadyleans, Saradominists, and Bandosians stand united against the chaos god’s demonic forces, this is by no means a one-sided conflict. The Zamorakians are ruthless and will stop at nothing to gain their master’s prize. In every interaction with them, they feel like a force to be reckoned with. The Zamorakian leader, K’ril Tsutsaroth, is an absolute monster that feels unstoppable no matter what he’s up against. Even when the odds are against him, he never shows a trace of fear or uncertainty, providing the story with an antagonist that truly feels threatening and unbeatable.
The story doesn’t content itself with being yet another straightforward tale of good versus evil, however. Rather, it chooses to be something more. Something different. While some of its twists can be anticipated, others will undoubtedly prove pleasantly surprising (or perhaps unpleasantly shocking). The ending in particular was nothing I would have expected when I began the comic, and though I did foresee one reveal at the end, I was overall very pleased with how O’Sullivan chose to subvert expectations. Not only did the ending feel unique, but it tied in well to the storyteller framework the book chose to utilize.
Sid Kotian’s artwork added a fun, almost whimsical feel to the story, which fit the world quite nicely. Battle scenes are chaotic clashes of color, highlighting the intensity of these fast-paced moments in contrast to the darker, more background detail-focused backdrops of calmer moments. Kotian isn’t afraid to allow characters’ expressions to grow a touch cartoonish to show what they’re feeling, especially in regards to Maro. Who knew a magical floating skull could be so expressive? At the same time, he shows that he can do a great deal with less. Characters such as Lea’anna and Viss largely maintain their hardened expressions throughout their appearances, yet their thoughts and feelings are clearly broadcast in ways that feel genuine rather than exaggerated. The same goes for the mysterious storyteller, whose face remains hidden within the shadow of his hooded cloak, yet his demeanor shines through clearly.
Overall, this story is simply fun, like the world that inspired it. It doesn’t try to take itself too seriously, but neither does it read like a parody of other fantasy stories. Rather, it remains true to the world it’s set in, providing an epic tale of adventure seasoned with a healthy amount of humor and finished off by an unexpected yet deeply satisfying conclusion. It’s a great read whether you’re a fan of the game or simply a lover of fantasy stories, and it certainly makes me want to jump back into the digital fantasy world. Maybe this time I’ll do better at not losing all my hard-won stuff against an unfortunately ill-fated fight.
Runescape: Untold Tales of the God War Vol. 1 will be available April 14, 2026 from Titan Comics.
