Borderlands: Origins #3

Borderlands: Origins #3 was published by IDW Publishing in 2012 as part of a four-issue limited series designed to expand the lore of Gearbox Software’s hit video game franchise. Released in anticipation of the second game in the series, the comic aimed to bridge the gap between titles by providing canonical backstories for the original four playable characters. This specific issue focuses on the character Mordecai, exploring his history as an assassin and his initial arrival on the planet Pandora, set against the gritty, hyper-violent aesthetic established by the game’s art direction.

The series was written by Mikey Neumann, who served as the chief creative writer for the Borderlands games, ensuring the tone and character voices remained consistent with the source material. Illustrated by Agustín Padilla, the artwork translates the game’s signature 'cel-shaded' visual style into a traditional comic book format. The series was generally well-received by the existing fan base for its commitment to the established canon, serving as both a marketing tool for the sequel and a deeper narrative dive for dedicated players of the franchise.