I love comics and graphic novels! Especially like this one, where you can just sit down and devour the whole thing in like an hour. It is so much fun!

This volume contains the first four issues of the Cult of the Lamb (yes, there is a game for the Nintendo Switch with the same story and yes, I am now considering getting/playing it).

This story follows a lamb who is considered a heretic and is then chosen to start a cult. And, of course, things get chaotic because cults...that's what makes then a cult...

This had major Gravity Falls vibes to me. Between the illustration style (which was so cute and I adored) and the general tone and topic of this story...definitely would HIGHLY recommend for fans of Gravity Falls.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

If you want to read this book you should definitely have in mind that it's originally a game and not a graphic novel. Therefore the lamb has they/them pronouns, (since the player could be both female and male), choices are individually in game but chosen in a certain way for this graphic novel and of course it might just feels like being in a game while reading, though I think it was good implemented. The graphic novel isn't that different from the original game, appearances stayed the same and most part of the story line. But we will get moments that didn't happen in the game, making the graphic novels unique in its own ways.

I personally really liked the drawing style and how the little lamb could look innocent and scared, but at the same time mighty and fearless. That's also the personality for the lamb. For the beginning it was scared, but when it got its own cult and power it learned to fear nothing, but in the end we get a heart touching moment (which didn't happen in the game), which made me really sad, but also made me able to see how vulnerable the lamb still can be. Even though we never got a real name or any pronouns (that indicates gender) for our protagonist, the lamb still feels real by having its own personality. While you have the freedom to make your own decisions in the game, the graphic novel makes them themselves, but in a satisfying and justified way. The lamb might appear evil, but it still has a pure heart and the typical hero personality, trying to save everyone who it can. That makes the graphic novel a lot enjoyable, as the lamb gets its own personality and sometimes even small moments that didn't appear in the game.

I can't say a lot to the graphic novel yet as I didn't read a lot so far, the pacing is great regarding the length of each volume, but I wished the volumes might be a big longer. Nevertheless, the four volumes I was able to read in just an hour were really great and I'm looking forward to be reading more of it.

Recommended to anyone who likes action based storylines and video games. More specifically; Anyone who likes Animal Crossing should have at least tried to read this one. Even though Animal Crossing is expecting less from the player, the animal aspects and designing/managing your town (in this case cult) is the same.

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for the advanced reader copy of Cult of the Lambs Vol. 1 by Alex Paknadel and Troy Little.



Started the book: 04. October 2024
Finished the book: 04. October 2024
Wrote the review: 04. October 2024

As a graphic novelization of the popular video game Cult of the Lamb, this is everything I was hoping for. We follow our adorable protagonist as they are offered the chance to avenge their death and create a cult of their own. The graphics were just like the video game, and the storyline was closely followed. The artwork in here, especially between chapters, was gorgeous. There is quite a lot going on on each page between the graphics and text, but I found that to be a positive, as there is so much detail to look at and appreciate.

I'd recommend this for fans of the video game or fans of cutesy-but-dark graphic novels. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who is sensitive to religion/cults or violence.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t played a lot of the game, but the The First Verse feels like a very faithful adaptation. There’s only a couple places game mechanics come up in passing, purely because they’d leave a weird gap if not addressed.

Otherwise we get to see our innocent sacrifice become an avenger and, ultimately, a corrupted idealist. There’s some great bits of character here, as well as wonderful interactions with Ratou and Nana, the first cultist Lamb rescues.

Lamb is described with they/them pronouns, presumably because they are the player character, but it adds a nice touch to the overall feel of the book.

Little’s art captures the essence of the game while adding extra details and character expressions to flesh out the story. I particularly like how he handled the shift between Lamb the rescuer and Lamb in destroyer mode - a shadowy silhouette with narrowed red eyes, always captured in movement.

The First Verse ends on a somber note, with a promise of dark arcs to come.

The art in Cult of the Lamb was bright and beautiful, and the imagery was nice and gory, but the story was a little juvenile for my tastes. I wanted the characters and world to be a little more fleshed out.

This may be a failing on my part as I haven't played the game, so for those who have already played the game and enjoy the world my struggles may not be an issue at all.

OMG I loved this!! I NEED MORE! Cult of the Lamb Vol. 1 is a visually striking and darkly whimsical graphic novel that blends elements of horror and satire. Set in a world where a lamb becomes the leader of a cult, the story explores themes of faith, power, and manipulation with both humor and a sinister edge. The artwork is bold and expressive, perfectly complementing the twisted yet engaging narrative. With its unique concept and vivid visuals, Cult of the Lamb offers a fresh and entertaining take on the complexities of belief and control.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing a review copy.

I have played and enjoyed Cult of the Lamb so was keen to read the graphic novel. The art is the same style as the game, making the book feel very familiar. During fight scenes, there is quite a lot going on on the page and it can be hard to make out what is happening. This makes the scenes feel fast paced and confusing, very similar to fighting in the game, although I think the book would have benefitted from a bit more clarity in these scenes.

The story also feels a little rushed. This could have been a great opportunity to flesh out the story of the lamb and the founding of their cult, but unfortunately we don't get to see much interaction between the followers as they build up the cult.

This is still a pretty enjoyable book, especially if you are a fan of the game, and I am looking forward to seeing more of the story.

This one was fun - or well, as fun as sacrificial cults can get haha. Anyway, I liked the expansion of the lore and how the Lamb ended up where he was at the start of the game. I think I would've liked it more if they hadn't leaned so hard into the Reluctant Hero/Leader for the Lamb's personality, but otherwise I am so glad they included a panel of a follower pooping on the ground. Made my night.

3.5

The art style is lovely, but I think I prefer this story as a video game where you can do what you want and not as set story. I'll definitely replay the game, but I most likely won't read more of the comics.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy.

As someone who has been addicted to this game since release I was so excited to get an arc of this and I read it all in one day! I loved the art as always and the story was awesome! Can’t wait to be able to get a physical copy of this and see what comes next!

Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

As a big fan of the game, I absolutely loved this graphic novel! This installment follows the general plot of the game but adds a bit more characterization to the followers and The Lamb. I also loved the art style! Very good for fans of creepy monsters and silly lil animals.

I really liked reading this adaptation! I’m a big fan of the game Cult of the Lamb, so being able to get an early look at the graphic novel was amazing!
The great thing about adaptations is that they change the existing media into something a bit more refined and intentional. The graphic novel Cult of the Lamb really diverts from the game Cult of the Lamb in a way that highlights the need for the player of the game to have humanity. Not to say that the Lamb doesn’t have humanity in them, it just comes later. We instead get more bloodthirsty vengeance from the Lamb right of the bat which I feel goes really well with the overall storyline.
As always, the cutesy art-style paired with the gore is so fun to see. I appreciate having slightly more fleshed out cult members with this adaptation! And the fact that all of the characters are basically genderless. This is a violent, sacrificial cult – who needs a gender?

Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read an arc copy of 'Cult of the Lamb' in exchange for an honest review.

I don't usually read too many graphic novels, but after hearing great things about the video game and reading the description I thought this would be right up my ally.
Unfortunately, I can't say I loved this. I thought the pacing was a little off, especially when it came to character development. As someone who has not played the game, the book felt like a tutorial half the time. It reminds me a lot of the same issues I had while reading, 'The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap'.
On the positive side, I thought the artwork was very well done, and still love the concept in general.
Overall, the book was just ok. I think I will check out the game at some point, but I won't be continuing to the next volume.

Thank you Net Galley for the e arc. Cult of the Lamb is an adorable horror graphic novel. We follow Lamb as he ascends from mere existence to becoming a cult leader. The artwork is amazing and vibrant. The character development is also there which is great. I can't wait to see what comes next from the series.

A dark and macabre comic full of vibrant illustrations. In my opinion this is best enjoyed in combination with the video game.

An extremely good comic - even for readers, who don't know the game.
I myself did only know about the game from videos and social media, but I had a blast reading this!
The writing style is witty, the pacing is very pleasant and I absolutely adore the art style. This book manages to capture the border between cute and creepy perfectly and I really enjoyed the visuals.
I would definitely recommend this comic to everyone, who is either a fan of the game or enjoys horror media!

THIS IS TERRIFYINGLY CUTE!

If you want a:

✅ Quick Read
✅ Video game turned into a Book/Graphic Novel
✅ Rougelike Fantasy Adventure
✅ A new book you can easily read and enjoy

THIS IS FOR YOU!!!

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The storyline is kinda unique for me. I have no idea how it goes at this point, since I haven't played the game... so I don't know how to rate the plot yet. But so far with 4 chapters in, it's terrifying goooood. The color scheme and the illustrations are just appealing to the eye. You just want to read more. So I'm gonna rate this a solid 4⭐!!!

“Cult of the Lamb: The First Verse” by Alex Paknadel & Troy Little

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: The Lamb, last of their kind, is sacrificed by the Bishops of the Old Faith. However, the one who waits below, offers the Lamb a deal: from a cult in their name, and defeat the Bishops and in return, unimaginable power will be given.

Thoughts:

This is a graphic novel based on the game, “Cult of the Lamb”. As a massive fan of the game, I absolutely loved this.

The artwork is stunning and really captured the essence of the game. The story was interesting, and does match up with the game, but appears to be forming it's own narrative.

Even if you haven't played the game, I feel people could easily pick this up. It doesn't rely on the reader having played it either; the story starts from the beginning of the game and adds in new things as well.

I'm so happy to have received this ARC so thank you to NetGalley and OniPress! 😘

I’ve not played Cult of the Lamb myself, but I do know enough of the game by watching Let’s Plays to have a fairly good grasp of the story and concept.

The graphic novel overall captures the vibes of the game; the cutesy art style, the gore, the fast and frantic pacing of the game/story.

However, I don’t think Cult of the Lamb is a game that necessarily needs a graphic novel tie in. The comic doesn’t provide any additional lore other than what you would find in the game. The only real addition to the story was giving Lamb a personality.

This graphic novel would be good for folks who love really love the game, but isn’t necessarily something I’d recommend to someone who hasn’t heard of the game itself as the story itself isn’t strong or interesting enough in its own right.

Cult of the Lamb Vol. 1 is based on the game with the same name. It follows a lamb character and their slow rise to power within a cult that they started.

I really enjoyed this as someone who loves the game. I think it had a great amount of humor and horror that fit the vibe I was hoping for very well. The art is absolutely stunning and very detailed. I do think the overall story on this volume was a little muddy at times so it was kind of hard to follow but other than that, a solid start to a graphic novel series! I can’t wait to read what happens next.

In my opinion, I don’t think this will work for people who have not played the game. It’s gory and over the top and it also doesn’t explain everything super well. But if you have played the game, I think this is a really fun way to experience the story in a different medium.