Games and comics go together like steak and potatoes. We’ve recently seen numerous successful serials inspired by gaming franchises, which fill up our bookshelves and empty our bank accounts. Dark Horse recently released another outstanding crossover series based on Ubisoft’s The Division. As expected, the first issue of The Division: Extemis Malis is packed with action and intense moments, but it also brings some cleverness to its pages. The first issue contains a hidden easter egg which refers to Ubisoft’s most recognizable franchise.

On Twitter, Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo posted a panel from the comic’s first issue. Chances are readers will focus on the orange ghost soldiers creeping through the image. However, a closer look reveals a set of familiar robes. The two seated characters are playing Assassin’s Creed. (It looks like Origins based on the locale, but it’s difficult to tell for certain.)

There's a Division 2 prequel comic, Extremis Malis, out today, and if you look very closely, you'll see that in the world of The Division, people play Assassin's Creed pic.twitter.com/ygMbHwNG1r

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) January 9, 2019

So, a comic book based on a video game based on a novel contains characters playing a different video game. That is one seriously meta easter egg, and just the sort of nod to Ubisoft’s flagship franchise we’d expect. It’s a subtle but brilliant move by Dark Horse that should help bring readers into the fold.

Here’s a description of The Division: Extremis Malis from Dark Horse:

“Months after a bioweapon attack devastated New York City, the Division agents are the last hope of a United States struggling to hold itself together. During a mission gone wrong, Division Agent Caleb Dunne’s partner is gruesomely killed, and Dunne vows to track down the mysterious woman responsible. As he gathers clues to her whereabouts, he uncovers a grave threat to a nation already on the brink of total collapse.”

The Division: Extemis Malis is now available for purchase. If you’re looking for more insider scoops on The Division: Extremis Malis, the people over at ComicBook have been covering its release in full detail. They recently published an exclusive interview with writer Christofer Emgård and a preview of the first issue.

As for the video game franchise, The Division 2 releases March 15 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Fans of the game can preorder one of the title’s five deluxe editions nows.

Looking for more comics based on your favorite games? We’ve got you covered! Check out some of these articles:

• Halo Comic Series Lone Wolf Revealed By Dark Horse
• The Witcher: Of Flesh and Flame Comic Series Announced
• Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4 Story Continues In New Spider-Geddon Comic

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