Cody of Keeping it Geekly welcomes Josh Viola, co-founder of Bit Bot Media into the Yeti Cave today to chat about The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - The Dead Shall Rise, which is going live on Kickstarter soon! It’s time to grab our Reaver and dive right in!
COMIC BOOK YETI: Welcome to the Yeti Cave, Josh. We appreciate you taking the time to stop in to chat about The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - The Dead Shall Rise, the first official new Soul Reaver story in two decades. Feel free to grab a chair and tell us about yourself!
JOSH VIOLA: Thanks for having me! I'm a bit of a boring guy, but I keep pretty busy. I've been working in various forms of entertainment for a long time—as a writer and artist—in areas like video games, comics, and prose, always with a multimedia approach. I love creating unique story experiences that come to life through expansive merchandise like soundtracks, masks, and other collectibles that deepen the universe we're exploring. Recently, I’ve been venturing into film. My company, Bit Bot Media—which I co-own with Klayton (Celldweller)—has partnered with Raven Banner Entertainment to produce films like Deathstalker (in collaboration with Slash) and Deathgasm II, among others.
CBY: I remember playing The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver game back in ‘99 and how much of a chokehold it had on me. How does it feel to be adapting this series and continuing the story?
JV: I’m still pinching myself—it’s truly a dream come true. This is one of my all-time favorite franchises, and the experience has been pretty surreal. I’m excited to better process it all once the dust settles.
CBY: Were there any challenges with continuing the story in graphic novel format? Did Crystal Dynamics have a strict production bible or guidelines for you to follow story-wise, or could you follow your vision as you saw fit?
JV: Crystal Dynamics provided plenty of reference documentation, and while there are definitely guidelines, they were pretty pleased with our overall pitch. It aligned well with their expectations, and they’ve given us creative freedom where it fits. We're committed to respecting the established lore—this is a true addition to the existing story, not a reboot. So, while there are certainly limitations, it’s been a wonderful collaborative experience.
CBY: What kind of research goes into creating a graphic novel from a video game series? Were you able to connect with the original creators for support with your story?
JV: I was already pretty familiar with it. However, I still learned a lot throughout this process. The world is incredibly complex, and there was plenty of content I needed to revisit. I replayed the games, watched numerous videos, studied wikis, and thoroughly reviewed the documentation Crystal Dynamics provided. And, of course, there were lots and lots of meetings. Daniel Cabuco has been a part of the process too, offering feedback and contributing concept art for new characters and our map.
CBY: Without spoiling anything, what can our readers expect from The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - The Dead Shall Rise? Where in the continuity of the timeline does it fall?
JV: This story is set between the events of Blood Omen and the beginning of the first Soul Reaver. It focuses on Raziel’s journey, delving into his history as both a human and a vampire, and reveals the origins of his wings. We introduce new characters and explore how Kain is intertwined with these events.
CBY: What are some of your favorite rewards we can look forward to when you guys go live with the campaign? I noticed a Reaver Replica Sword that I need to get my hands on immediately!
JV: We have a wide range of rewards—around 45 individual items, I think. Many of which are limited. My personal favorites are the latex masks of Raziel and Kain, the Reaver replica, and the soundtrack. But there’s so much variety to choose from. I’m confident fans will be thrilled with the options.
CBY: Are you working on any other titles this year? What social media platforms can our readers find you to stay up-to-date with?
JV: Yes, quite a few. Besides the movies that have been announced (Deathstalker and Deathgasm II), I can't really say much. Be sure to keep an eye out this fall!
CBY: Before we let you go can you tell us about Bit Bot Media and what you guys do? Video games, films, and comics? I’m in!
JV: Bit Bot is dedicated to multimedia entertainment, both for licensed and original IP. We’re involved in film production (in partnership with Raven Banner Entertainment), game development (with FreakZone Games), and comic creation. We also produce a wide range of merchandise and collectibles, including latex masks, apparel, soundtracks, toys, and more.
CBY: Thank you so much for dropping by and giving us the scope, we can’t wait to get a chance to read this title and dive back into the world of Nosgoth!!
JV: Thanks for having me! I really appreciate the questions. I hope you dig The Dead Shall Rise!
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