Why Fallout Deserves a Library: Where Are the Novels and Comics?

Despite being one of the richest post-apocalyptic universes in modern fiction, Fallout has never made the leap into mainstream books or comics the way Star Wars, Halo, or even Mass Effect have. With its gripping morality tales, broken civilizations, and eccentric survivors, Fallout feels tailor-made for a bookshelf. So… why don’t we have Fallout novels?

The short answer: Bethesda seems hesitant to commit to narrative canon outside of its games. In the literary world, continuity matters — and publishing a novel set in the Fallout universe would mean picking a defined protagonist or storyline. That runs counter to the franchise’s core philosophy of player-driven choice.

From a book-lover’s perspective, it’s frustrating. The Fallout games offer storytelling potential on par with Stephen King’s The Stand, Hugh Howey’s Silo, or Glukhovsky’s Metro. Picture a full-length novel about the Brotherhood of Steel’s rise to power in the Midwest, or a horror-driven tale set in an experimental Vault gone wrong. These stories practically write themselves — and the fact that Bethesda hasn’t capitalized on this potential feels like a missed opportunity.

We’ve seen hints of what could be: Fallout: New Vegas – All Roads, a prequel comic to New Vegas written by game developer Chris Avellone, is one of the few narrative supplements available. It was gritty, well-drawn, and filled with character-driven drama — everything fans wanted. But it was a one-off.

The rest? Mostly art books, lore compendiums, and survival guides — all valuable in their own right, but lacking the rich narrative punch that a full-fledged novel could provide.

With the success of Amazon’s Fallout series and renewed cultural interest in the franchise, now is the perfect time for a literary expansion. Tie-in novels could deepen the lore, introduce new characters, and explore events far from the main games — all without interfering with player stories.

So here's the pitch to Bethesda: give us a Fallout novel line. Start with short stories. Let us explore Vault 108’s clone madness or the early years of the Enclave. There’s a whole library waiting to be written. We just need someone to open the door.