Dark Horse to publish Assassin’s Creed Valhalla original graphic novel The Hidden Codex in April 2024

Dark Horse in partnership with Ubisoft have announced a new original graphic novel in the longstanding Assassin’s Creed franchise releasing in April 2024. A standalone story set in the 9th century Viking age of the 2020 videogame, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Hidden Codex by writer Mathieu Gabella and artist Paolo Traisci will be a hardcover graphic novel releasing in bookstores April 30, 2024 with comic book stores following on May 1, 2024, priced at $19.99.

The press release:

“New secrets arise from the order of Those Unseen in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Hidden Codex HC from Dark Horse Books! Straight from the world of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, this graphic novel, presented in hardcover, follows Viking escapee Edward as he tries to locate his missing brother. This tale of historical adventure is written by Mathieu Gabella and features kinetic art by Paolo Traisci. Discover the mysteries behind the hidden codex!

“After securing his own freedom from a clan of Vikings that kidnapped him, Edward, a scribe and reluctant monk, returns to find his brother missing and strange documents blackened by a language he innately understands. No one knows where these occult-looking symbols came from, but Edward has seen such writings before: in the workshop of an enigmatic wise man among the Vikings who is part of a secret order: Those Unseen. An order that could offer answers to Edward, and guarantee his aspirations of freedom and knowledge. But with that knowledge can he find and rescue his own brother before it’s too late?”

Ubisoft Senior Transmedia Content Manager Etienne Bouvier said,

“We were very lucky to work with Mathieu Gabella and Paolo Traisci, two long-standing fans of the franchise who infused their love and deep knowledge of our lore in this book. Fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this mysterious tale which expands Assassin’s Creed Valhalla across uncharted territories.”

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Hidden Codex was first released in France in January 2023 by publisher Glenat as an 88-page graphic novel. No translator for the Dark Horse edition has been stated in the press release, however. 

Dark Horse Books has built a solid partnership with games companies by producing quality tie-in art books and comics. The Hidden Codex will be Dark Horse’s third comics visitation to the world of the acclaimed 2020 console game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Previous comics have been two 3-issue miniseries drawn and colored by Martin Túnica and Michael Atiyeh: prequel Song of Glory (collected 2021), by writer Cavan Scott; and Forgotten Myths (collected 2022) by writer Alexander M. Freed. Earlier this year Dark Horse published art and reference book The World of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North, written by Rick Barba (July 2023). Last month Dark Horse released an art book celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of the Assassin’s Creed videogame franchise.