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The Codex, Vol. I
Join Tansky, Anna, Konrad and Ace as they traverse the wastelands, encountering eldritch beasts, nomadic mercenaries, and marauding warlords on their voyage to unveil the mysteries of the Codex -- a grimoire of evil, forged through the destruction of Darmok, the ancient demon.
This is the first volume of The Codex, the debut graphic novel of Cory Crater and Hayburner Studios, which was successfully Kickstarted in August of 2023. Several years in the making, this post-apocalyptic odyssey was illustrated by Pablo De Bonis with colors by Damián Peñalba and design by Andres Juarez.
This is the first volume of The Codex, the debut graphic novel of Cory Crater and Hayburner Studios, which was successfully Kickstarted in August of 2023. Several years in the making, this post-apocalyptic odyssey was illustrated by Pablo De Bonis with colors by Damián Peñalba and design by Andres Juarez.
- GenresGraphic Novels
196 pages, Paperback
Published August 15, 2023
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 15, 2024
Story is amazing and keeps you locked in, illustrations are a 10/10, highly suggest picking this one up!
April 12, 2025
The Codex Vol. 1 is a gritty, genre-blending graphic novel that drops readers into the brutal, post-apocalyptic world of Veroque—a place teetering on the edge of collapse and myth. Cory Crater builds a world that’s as atmospheric as it is dangerous, following a ragtag crew including a military deserter, a centuries-old mutant, a druid with geokinetic powers, and a cybernetic dog (yes, really) on a high-stakes mission to stop an ancient demon from being resurrected.
What sets The Codex apart is its commitment to immersive storytelling. Crater avoids heavy exposition and lets the world unfold naturally through tense encounters, flashbacks, and tight dialogue. You learn about the characters not because they tell you who they are—but because they show you, in how they fight, survive, and wrestle with their pasts. It’s a slow burn, but one that pays off in emotional depth.
Visually, Pablo De Bonis’ linework and Damián Peñalba’s moody color palette breathe life into the desolation. The style echoes Mike Mignola with shades of Fallout and Shadowrun, blending the supernatural with dystopian tech and rugged fantasy elements. Every panel feels purposeful—drenched in atmosphere and tension.
If there’s a flaw, it’s that some elements could use a bit more clarity—especially early on—but that’s often the price of deep world-building. Stick with it, and the payoff is a layered, visually striking, emotionally grounded adventure.
Verdict: The Codex Vol. 1 is a bold, cinematic start to a series that refuses to spoon-feed you—and that’s a good thing. For fans of dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic survival, and morally gray characters, this is a must-read.
What sets The Codex apart is its commitment to immersive storytelling. Crater avoids heavy exposition and lets the world unfold naturally through tense encounters, flashbacks, and tight dialogue. You learn about the characters not because they tell you who they are—but because they show you, in how they fight, survive, and wrestle with their pasts. It’s a slow burn, but one that pays off in emotional depth.
Visually, Pablo De Bonis’ linework and Damián Peñalba’s moody color palette breathe life into the desolation. The style echoes Mike Mignola with shades of Fallout and Shadowrun, blending the supernatural with dystopian tech and rugged fantasy elements. Every panel feels purposeful—drenched in atmosphere and tension.
If there’s a flaw, it’s that some elements could use a bit more clarity—especially early on—but that’s often the price of deep world-building. Stick with it, and the payoff is a layered, visually striking, emotionally grounded adventure.
Verdict: The Codex Vol. 1 is a bold, cinematic start to a series that refuses to spoon-feed you—and that’s a good thing. For fans of dark fantasy, post-apocalyptic survival, and morally gray characters, this is a must-read.
February 27, 2025
This series got me into graphic novels, the story is thrilling and the world is well thought out and full of depth.
The single biggest complaint I have about The Codex is that Volume 2 isn't already out.
The single biggest complaint I have about The Codex is that Volume 2 isn't already out.
August 15, 2024
What a great find! It was a super fun read and the artwork was insane. I hope to see more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews