WhileMass EffectandThe Last of Usare vastly different games, one clever comic artist has created a crossover between the two universes. In the sketches,Mass Effectcharacters are shown copying poses from iconic pieces ofThe Last of Usart.
The sketches come courtesy of @RonDanChan on Twitter, a skilled comic artist that works for Dark Horse Comics. In each sketch, Ron Chan’s signature style is seen, as the artist’s work onEarth Boyand thePlants vs. Zombiescomics boasts a similar feel. However, rather than focusing onwell-knownMass Effectcompanionsor Commander Shepard, Chan incorporates two NPCs fromMass Effect 3. Showing that inspiration can strike at any time, Chan places the lesser-known characters in the roles of Joel and Ellie.
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Focusing on scenes fromthe firstThe Last of Usgame, the artist’s first piece shows the older Turian instructing the young human on how to use a gun. Calling back to how Joel taught Ellie, the moment sees the old hunting rifle replaced with a futuristic pistol from theMass Effectseries. The second piece recreates the bedroom scene from the first game that happened after Ellie ran away. However, this dialogue is slightly different, focusing on how the Turian lost their wife and daughter due to a war on Palaven.
Giving the Turian a dark backstory like Joel is a nice touch, and the sketch itself is terrific. The stand-in for Ellie looking back at her protector is great, while the grey shading reflects the mood of the moment. Next, Chan shows his fans a splash page of thisMass EffectandThe Last of Uscrossover, and it is truly gorgeous. The page focuses on four different pieces ofThe Last of Usart, combining them into one large image. Each should be instantly recognizable to fans of the firstLast of Us, though all have been given their own spin.
In the top left corner, the cover art for the firstThe Last of Usgame is seen, with the Turian and human looking back. A nice touch sees Ellie’s rifle replaced with a morefuturisticMass Effectdesign, improving the believability of the piece. Below this, the human can be seen watching an injured Turian sleep, a callback to Ellie protecting Joel in the Winter portion of the game. The Turian is seen holding a passed-out human in the top right, a nod to the original game’s ending. Finally, the Joel and Ellie stand-ins are seen fighting a Husk instead of a Clicker.
With smart but meaningful changes in each sketch, Ron Chan brings this unexpected crossover to life with ease. In turn, it is easier to imagine aLast of Us-like game set in the destroyed cities ofthe thirdMass Effect.
Mass Effect: Legendary Editionis available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
