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The Witcher: Killing Monsters
The plot is set before the events shown in the Killing Monsters cinematic trailer. In the comics, Vesemir and Geralt are looking for Yennefer. In the small town of Vorune, occupied by troops of Nilfgaard, they are looking for work and take a contract for 40 Florens to kill a man-eating monster. A Fiend called Drugan no less. But the giant beast is not the only murderer in this region...
56 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2015
8 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Paul Tobin
917 books408 followersPaul Tobin is the Eisner-award winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Bandette, Colder, and many other comic books and graphic series.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
Bandette, drawn by Colleen Coover, was awarded the Eisner Award for Best Digital Series in 2013, 2016, and 2017; and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Graphic Literature in 2016. His original graphic novel I Was the Cat was nominated for an Eisner in 2015.
The Genius Factor: How to Capture an Invisible Cat , first in his five-book series of middle-grade books, came out in 2016 from Bloomsbury Kids. It was followed in 2017 by How To Outsmart A billion Robot Bees , and How To Tame A Human Tornado in March 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 7, 2020
It seems every Witcher comic from Dark Horse is going to include a scheduled doggy-style soft-porn sex scene at some point... besides that, this was another solid tale and Bertolini's artworks were far better than ones in previously released mini-series.
And now I just have to watch its cinematic sequel on youtube: https://youtu.be/c0i88t0Kacs
'Nuff said.
May 5, 2020
It was like a quest in the beginning of the game... loved how it's connected with the cinematic trailer.
April 17, 2020
Going through the omnibus this is definitely the worst story line so far. Still enjoyable but the art is confusing (Geralt and Vesemir are basically indistinguishable) and the story itself just feels like an underbaked imitation of any stock story from the games or books (games in particular)
December 1, 2021
The monster in this one is cooooool! My only gripes were with the notion that Witchers can’t/don’t/shouldn’t kill people. Literally the very first scene in The Last Wish is Geralt slicing down three guys for being assholes. When Geralt is up against more rotten people, Vesemir suddenly has a big problem with his methods.
Either way, the bad guys get what’s coming to them and Vesemir gets his way (sort of). All in all, not a bad story 😊
Either way, the bad guys get what’s coming to them and Vesemir gets his way (sort of). All in all, not a bad story 😊
October 11, 2025
This honestly surprised me so much since I never read comic books
These are one of the prettiest, detailed illustrations I’ve seen and the dialogue was good
The out of nowhere nudity was a little unexpected, but it’s the Witcher so eh
These are one of the prettiest, detailed illustrations I’ve seen and the dialogue was good
The out of nowhere nudity was a little unexpected, but it’s the Witcher so eh
May 5, 2020
I liked Geralt with the kid in this one, buuuut that’s about it. The plot definitely reminded me of the game, but the game would’ve made it more enjoyable. Geralt and Vesemir were also difficult to differentiate most of the time, and that Yennefer scene was just...a lot. Most of the scenes with women in them see very male gaze-y which is frustrating.
November 11, 2020
“Sometimes it takes a monster to kill a monster.”
May 15, 2020
Killing Monsters is the third graphic novel in The Witcher Omnibus.
*This will be a spoiler-free review.*
I read this short-story graphic novel in about 30 minutes, and it is fairly different (for a few reasons) from the first two stories in the collection.
The events of this story take place just before the start of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game, and it is the immediate set up for the game's cinematic trailer, which also happens to be called 'Killing Monsters'.
Link to that here, if you're interested:
https://youtu.be/c0i88t0Kacs
Geralt and Vesemir pick up a monster contract from a small, war-torn town called Vorune, whilst looking for Yennefer. The information they are given about the contract from various folks around town isn't consistent, and they soon realise that the monster they are being paid to hunt isn't the only one on the loose.
I enjoyed the story, and tying it up to beginning of such a fantastic and iconic trailer was a great move - giving some context to the situation and conversation that they are having therein. It was very well done.
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the art featured here quite so much. Or, at least, as much as I did in the previous two novels collected in the omnibus. I thought it leant a little too heavily on shadow and darkness, despite most of the story taking place during the day.
Also, our primary characters Geralt and Vesemir weren't made all that distinct from each other, and it's only because the were given different coloured cloaks that I could separate them most of the time.
I shall say however, that I appreciated the variety of the panel layout seen in this story, particularly during the combat scenes. I thought it was very creative.
~
'A wolf among sheep.
Well... Even wolves have their predators.'
~
Overview:
• Story: 4/5 - Very enjoyable. Completely captured the feeling of White Orchard and the start of Wild Hunt.
• Art: 2/5 - Whilst not bad, and not taking away from the story, I thought it lacked some detail and clarity.
• Colour: 2/5 - Too many ill-fitting shadows and black patches and there were quite a few overly simple one tone backdrops.
There is only one more novel left in the omnibus now and I am sure that I'll be reading that very soon.
______________________
Thank you for reading my review!
*This will be a spoiler-free review.*
I read this short-story graphic novel in about 30 minutes, and it is fairly different (for a few reasons) from the first two stories in the collection.
The events of this story take place just before the start of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game, and it is the immediate set up for the game's cinematic trailer, which also happens to be called 'Killing Monsters'.
Link to that here, if you're interested:
https://youtu.be/c0i88t0Kacs
Geralt and Vesemir pick up a monster contract from a small, war-torn town called Vorune, whilst looking for Yennefer. The information they are given about the contract from various folks around town isn't consistent, and they soon realise that the monster they are being paid to hunt isn't the only one on the loose.
I enjoyed the story, and tying it up to beginning of such a fantastic and iconic trailer was a great move - giving some context to the situation and conversation that they are having therein. It was very well done.
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the art featured here quite so much. Or, at least, as much as I did in the previous two novels collected in the omnibus. I thought it leant a little too heavily on shadow and darkness, despite most of the story taking place during the day.
Also, our primary characters Geralt and Vesemir weren't made all that distinct from each other, and it's only because the were given different coloured cloaks that I could separate them most of the time.
I shall say however, that I appreciated the variety of the panel layout seen in this story, particularly during the combat scenes. I thought it was very creative.
~
'A wolf among sheep.
Well... Even wolves have their predators.'
~
Overview:
• Story: 4/5 - Very enjoyable. Completely captured the feeling of White Orchard and the start of Wild Hunt.
• Art: 2/5 - Whilst not bad, and not taking away from the story, I thought it lacked some detail and clarity.
• Colour: 2/5 - Too many ill-fitting shadows and black patches and there were quite a few overly simple one tone backdrops.
There is only one more novel left in the omnibus now and I am sure that I'll be reading that very soon.
______________________
Thank you for reading my review!
February 11, 2024
a nice short read, this felt similar to the other withcer graphic novels that i've read - great art and immersion, similar humour and messages as the original series, but just missing that extra special something that sapkowski writes into the stories. this also felt very on the nose and was not subtle at all when talking about what makes a monster (the usual witcher stuff). i would give it a 2.5/5 if i could
February 3, 2022
It was a really quick but interesting read! I don’t tend to read things in this genre, but I might read more now. I love how accessible graphic novels are.
November 27, 2022
Art 3.5/5
Story 4/5
Total 3.75/5
Story 4/5
Total 3.75/5
May 15, 2022
GOOD
Another cute little quest with fun monsters. A little on the brief side, but made up for lack of depth with brutal killings and no ridiculous sexist lines! Bit of a relief.
Another cute little quest with fun monsters. A little on the brief side, but made up for lack of depth with brutal killings and no ridiculous sexist lines! Bit of a relief.
March 9, 2019
1.5 Stars
Full review to come at some point.
Full review to come at some point.
November 7, 2015
i just wish it wasn't a comic (i'm not a fan of comics) but the story is another good adventure of geralt and i don't have enough of these little adventures.
December 15, 2023
"Killing Monsters", One-Shot, May 2015
"Some're telling their own truths. Some're lying to seem important. Others're keeping things to themselves." - Vesemir
Geralt is seeking the trail of Seems to be a formula that I'm gathering from Paul Tobin's The Witcher, Vol. 1: House of Glass, The Witcher, Vol. 2: Fox Children, and now Killing Monsters: the Witcher The atmosphere kinda makes it seem that Geralt would rather murder humans and let the monsters run free but his Witcher code-of-conduct prevents him. To be fair, there are sinister humans that you would love to see get their Just Desserts, and royal hierarchies of power with elitism tend to act like untouchables who do what they want to the commoners, and at least here, there was a representation of humans, common or military, who are against the mistreatment of their fellow man. Even so, it's my kind of dark and brooding tale, and Max Bertolini with colorist Carlos Badilla bring the story to life well.
Character/Things of Interest Reference:
"Some're telling their own truths. Some're lying to seem important. Others're keeping things to themselves." - Vesemir
Geralt is seeking the trail of Seems to be a formula that I'm gathering from Paul Tobin's The Witcher, Vol. 1: House of Glass, The Witcher, Vol. 2: Fox Children, and now Killing Monsters: the Witcher The atmosphere kinda makes it seem that Geralt would rather murder humans and let the monsters run free but his Witcher code-of-conduct prevents him. To be fair, there are sinister humans that you would love to see get their Just Desserts, and royal hierarchies of power with elitism tend to act like untouchables who do what they want to the commoners, and at least here, there was a representation of humans, common or military, who are against the mistreatment of their fellow man. Even so, it's my kind of dark and brooding tale, and Max Bertolini with colorist Carlos Badilla bring the story to life well.
Character/Things of Interest Reference:
July 31, 2019
Witchers Geralt and Vesemir are looking for clues to find Yennefer. They reach the town of Vorune which was occupied during a war that's going on. The town is on edge, partly because of the war, partly because of a series of gruesome murders attributed to a fiend. The two witchers offer their services to hunt the monster down. Meanwhile Geralt wants to help the oppressed citizens of Vorune, but witchers must remain neutral to the affairs of men.
October 24, 2020
I learned more about Witchers, and Geralt found a loophole for his code to let justice strike.
I give it 4 stars because Geralt and his mentor were hard to tell apart visually at first. It was annoying relying on the dialogue for cues. The perspectives swapped a few times during a conversation, so Geralt was on the left and then on the right. I was still relying on the dialogue to tell them apart. After they drop their hoods, I could tell them apart by hairstyles and then realized that Geralt wore blue while his mentor wore brown. Looking at earlier scenes with these cues, I could tell them apart now.
I give it 4 stars because Geralt and his mentor were hard to tell apart visually at first. It was annoying relying on the dialogue for cues. The perspectives swapped a few times during a conversation, so Geralt was on the left and then on the right. I was still relying on the dialogue to tell them apart. After they drop their hoods, I could tell them apart by hairstyles and then realized that Geralt wore blue while his mentor wore brown. Looking at earlier scenes with these cues, I could tell them apart now.
June 1, 2020
I love how short this one is but also quite effecting (or is it affecting?). It’s a classic Witcher quest. I really like the insight The Witcher has given me into the lives of people during war. I’ve never been much interested in “war” as a topic I find it gross and weird despite the reality of it all. But the comment and the experience of how war tears apart a country and region is really well portrayed. I like the play on different types of ‘monsters’ in the world both externally and internally.
I feel like you can notice the difference in graphic design in this book but you don’t notice it quite so much in the writing and story style which was cool
I feel like you can notice the difference in graphic design in this book but you don’t notice it quite so much in the writing and story style which was cool
January 24, 2024
Solid story. Witcher and Vesemir arrive to town that has been occupied by Nilfgaard. Certain events happen and Witcher decides to kill a human by using a monster. Really loves the story cause it showed the side of Witcher that is normally not shown and his identity crisis (Witchers only kill monster even Vesemir reminds Geralt that Witchers don’t kill humans). However, after Geralt sees a particular character dead he decides to say F this and use a creature to kill a man.
Quick, fun and entertaining story.
Quick, fun and entertaining story.
February 25, 2020
Господя, як же сильно CDPR змінили характер Ґеральта (напевно, я таки напишу якось про "що не так із різними втіленнями Відьмака", але то колись). Весь комікс Весимір намагається (за що йому щира дяка) направити Білого Вовка на шлях тру нейтралітет і таким чином зробити його більш "книжковим", та ж під кінець все знову зливається до героїзму за архетипом західного месника із власним кодексом честі.
І - ніц сюжетного доповнення світу.
І - ніц сюжетного доповнення світу.
July 30, 2022
1 / 5 for 'The Witcher - Killing Monsters' by Paul Tobin & Max Bertolini
This is the 3rd of Dark Horse's Witcher comics that I've read ( 2 x TPBs and this 56-page special), and this is by far the worst of the bunch.
Paul Tobin is back to writing terrible dialogue, with many sentences that don't make any sense at all. The story adaption feels rushed and it feels like the book is filled with missed opportunities for extra story info (the baddie gang's backstory, more info on Vesemir, more info on the Fiend etc). Storywise this book was very weak indeed.
Artwise it isn't much better. Bertolini's shadowy style suits the story, and his monster work and gore were well done, but there's barely a background to speak of throughout the whole book, just a mish-mash of autumnal colours - no details at all. And for some reason, Geralt and Vesemir have been drawn literally exactly the same...why?! The only thing to tell them apart is the colour of their cloaks, so for scenes that are in the dark, we have no idea who is who. Terrible decision-making and quite lazy art overall.
On the whole, this is a bit of a stinker. Avoid.
1 / 5
This is the 3rd of Dark Horse's Witcher comics that I've read ( 2 x TPBs and this 56-page special), and this is by far the worst of the bunch.
Paul Tobin is back to writing terrible dialogue, with many sentences that don't make any sense at all. The story adaption feels rushed and it feels like the book is filled with missed opportunities for extra story info (the baddie gang's backstory, more info on Vesemir, more info on the Fiend etc). Storywise this book was very weak indeed.
Artwise it isn't much better. Bertolini's shadowy style suits the story, and his monster work and gore were well done, but there's barely a background to speak of throughout the whole book, just a mish-mash of autumnal colours - no details at all. And for some reason, Geralt and Vesemir have been drawn literally exactly the same...why?! The only thing to tell them apart is the colour of their cloaks, so for scenes that are in the dark, we have no idea who is who. Terrible decision-making and quite lazy art overall.
On the whole, this is a bit of a stinker. Avoid.
1 / 5
July 29, 2024
Solid short comic. Very clearly begun with the ending in mind: we know Witcher's have patchy morals, not because they're necessarily complicated, but because the world around them is... how about we create a scenario where the Witchers use a monster to kill a human who deserves it, but who they wouldn't kill outright because it's against their typical code?
Excellent. Also Fiends are top 5 monsters from The Witcher.
Excellent. Also Fiends are top 5 monsters from The Witcher.
August 4, 2023
A nice look at Geralt and Vesimir working together, though I could have done without all of the female characters in here being sex workers/Yennifer turning up in Geralts dreams just to undress and have sex with him.
TW for sex, nudity, violence, blood, death of a child, murder, gore, mentions of war.
TW for sex, nudity, violence, blood, death of a child, murder, gore, mentions of war.
February 25, 2024
5/10
My least favorite Witcher story so far.
August 14, 2019
Cette simple minuscule BD résume parfaitement qui est Gerald de Rive et ce qu’il fait et dans quel monde il évolue. En plus des dessins sombres j’ai été agréablement surpris de l’introduction dans le monde de The Witcher que peut permettre ce petit ouvrage.
November 30, 2020
Again, not a fan of the art style (could not, for the life of me, figure out which one was Geralt and which one Vesemir) and the story is fine. A nice little look at the backstory to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Killing Monsters Cinematic Trailer.
February 7, 2022
3.5 rounded down.
Ehh didn't quite enjoy it as much as I would've liked. The "twist" was a bit obvious and tbh the rather graphic sex caught me a bit off guard, though it did spark some fun discussions with my friends about if Geralt's hands were proportionate.
Ehh didn't quite enjoy it as much as I would've liked. The "twist" was a bit obvious and tbh the rather graphic sex caught me a bit off guard, though it did spark some fun discussions with my friends about if Geralt's hands were proportionate.
April 26, 2024
A ideia/argumento é legal, mas achei muito mal executada, o Vesemir foi escrito como um chato e o desenho também não agradou. Mesmo assim, ainda funciona como um prologo para o jogo Witcher 3, embora esteja longe de ser essencial ou interessante.
December 15, 2017
This is bad, just simply bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews