- Exordium is the official six-issue Dark Horse comic prequel to Mirror's Edge Catalyst, released in 2016.
- It bridges the gap between Faith's release from juvenile detention and the opening of the game's Prison Break chapter.
- Key characters include Faith Connors, her mentor Noah Kekai, and young runner Cain.
- The comic establishes the Runner cabal, KrugerSec's grip on Glass, and the aftermath of the November Riots.
- It is considered canon backstory written with input from the game's narrative team.
What Is the Exordium Comic?
Exordium is a six-issue comic book miniseries published by Dark Horse Comics in 2016, created as an official prequel to Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Written by Christofer Emgård — a writer on the game's own narrative team at DICE — with art by Robert Sammelin, the series is designed to be read before (or alongside) the game to fill in the years of Faith's life that the campaign only references in passing.
The story picks up shortly after Faith leaves juvenile detention, showing how she drifts back into the underworld of Glass, meets the Runner cabal, and begins training under Noah. It also expands the game's political backdrop: the Conglomerate's consolidation of power, the decline of Black November, and the quiet war between Kruger Security and the city's off-grid couriers.
| Issue | Release (2016) | Story Focus |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | September | Faith leaves juvie, returns to a changed Glass |
| #2 | September | Faith's first contacts with the underground |
| #3 | October | Introduction of Cain and Runner life |
| #4 | October | KrugerSec crackdown, rising tension |
| #5 | November | A dangerous job goes wrong |
| #6 | December | Faith commits to the Runner path, setting up the game |
Read all six issues before starting the game's Chapter 1 (Prison Break). The comic ends right where the opening mission begins, so the transition from page to screen feels seamless.
Key Characters and Where They Fit
The Exordium comic is the richest source for several supporting characters who appear in Catalyst with little introduction. Understanding their comic backstory makes the game's early story beats land much harder.
Faith Connors
- Protagonist, fresh out of juvenile detention
- Angry, reckless, not yet a skilled Runner
- Her arc is learning discipline and purpose
Noah Kekai
- Veteran Runner and Faith's future mentor
- Reluctant to take her on at first
- Knew Faith's parents before the November Riots
Cain
- Young courier tied to the underground economy
- First to show Faith the Runner network exists
- His fate weighs heavily on Faith's choices
| Character | Role in Comic | Role in Game |
|---|---|---|
| Faith Connors | Lead, learning the streets | Playable protagonist |
| Noah Kekai | Reluctant mentor figure | Cabal leader, central to mid-game plot |
| Cain | Guide to the underworld | Referenced in backstory |
| KrugerSec | Escalating antagonist force | Primary enemy faction |
Because Exordium was written by a DICE narrative designer, it aligns with the game's rebooted continuity rather than the 2008 original's timeline.
Lore the Comic Adds to Glass
Exordium expands three pillars of the Mirror's Edge Catalyst setting that the game presents mostly through ambient dialogue and collectible documents.
First, the November Riots aftermath. The comic shows Glass as a city still scarred by the riots that killed Faith's parents. The Conglomerate has reframed the violence in its own favor, and citizens who remember the truth keep quiet. Faith's bitterness toward both Kruger and the passive city population is rooted here.
Second, how the Runner network actually operates. The game tells you Runners are off-grid couriers; the comic shows the mechanics — dead drops, payment through favors, the unwritten rules about never asking what's in a package, and the constant risk that any job could be a KrugerSec trap.
Third, KrugerSec's surveillance net. The comic dramatizes how the city's monitoring grid closes around the underworld, explaining why Runners matter and why the rooftops are the only free paths left in Glass.
| Lore Element | Comic Treatment | Game Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| November Riots | Direct scenes and dialogue | Brief flashbacks, documents |
| Runner network rules | Shown operationally | Implied through missions |
| KrugerSec tactics | Infiltration and stings | Open patrols, combat |
| Faith's family history | Central emotional thread | Revealed late in campaign |
Issues #5 and #6 contain significant reveals about Cain and the cost of Faith's early jobs. If you prefer to go into the game's story blind, read the comic after finishing the campaign instead.
How to Read Exordium: Step-by-Step
Get the Issues or the Trade Collection
The six single issues were collected into a single trade paperback, Mirror's Edge Catalyst: Exordium, available through Dark Horse Comics and major book retailers. Digital editions are also sold via the Dark Horse storefront.
Read Issues 1–3 for Setup
These issues establish Faith's return to Glass, the state of the city, and the underground economy. Treat them as the extended prologue the game never shows.
Read Issues 4–6 Before Chapter 1
The back half delivers the comic's climactic job and Faith's decision to join Noah's cabal — the exact setup for the game's Prison Break opening.
Cross-Reference In-Game Collectibles
After starting the campaign, hunt the hidden Documents in the Anchor district. Several echo people and events from the comic, rewarding attentive readers.
Exordium Reading Goals:
- Read all six issues or the collected trade paperback
- Note how Noah's relationship with Faith begins
- Track KrugerSec tactics before playing Chapter 1
- Connect comic events to in-game Documents
- Finish the comic before the game's opening mission
FAQ
Q: Is the Mirror's Edge Catalyst Exordium comic required to understand the game?
No, the game stands on its own, but Exordium adds valuable context for Faith, Noah, and the Runner cabal. Players who read it first report the early chapters feel more grounded because they already know why Faith trusts Noah.
Q: How many issues does the Exordium comic have?
Six issues, published by Dark Horse Comics between September and December 2016, later collected in a single trade paperback volume.
Q: Is Exordium canon to Mirror's Edge Catalyst?
Yes. It was written by Christofer Emgard, who worked on the game's narrative at DICE, and it is treated as official prequel material for the rebooted continuity, not the 2008 original.
Q: Does the comic feature Faith's parkour and Runner Vision?
The comic emphasizes rooftop chases and courier runs in its action sequences, though Runner Vision is a gameplay mechanic and appears only lightly as a visual motif rather than a plot device.