Those who have followed The Last of Us' story across games and television alike might think they know everything there is to know about it, but there's a prequel to the first game that some may have overlooked. Co-written by Neil Druckmann, the game's co-director, this four-issue miniseries from Dark Horse Comics fills in the gaps of Ellie's backstory while fleshing out key characters and elements from later installments.

The Last of Us: American Dreams by Neil Druckmann, Faith Erin Hicks, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Christina Strain serves as a prequel to Naughty Dog's The Last of Us video game and, by extension, the ongoing HBO adaptation. Furthermore, it's set before the Left Behind DLC and stars Ellie before she crosses paths with Joel.

The comic's story follows Ellie Williams prior to her exposure to the post-apocalyptic world outside, instead focusing on her early days at a military preparatory school and her first meeting with friend and crush Riley Abel, setting the stage for the groundbreaking events of The Last of Us.

The Last of Us' Comic Prequel Reveals Secrets From Ellie's Past

Before the Games, Ellie Meets Key Characters and Learns About Her Mother

The tone of The Last of Us' haunting universe gets established immediately in the opening pages of American Dream, as Ellie watches a man get threatened by the military when it's determined that he's infected. From there, Ellie gets itted into a prep school with other young survivors of the Marlene, a Firefly who fans of the series will recognize.

One of the most notable developments in the comic is the lore that's explored regarding Anna, Ellie's mother. Marlene explains that she's been keeping an eye on Ellie throughout her life on Anna's behalf, then gives Ellie a switchblade that she says used to be her mother's. That switchblade becomes her weapon of choice in the video games, and this gives it a powerful new meaning.

Ellie also receives her letter from Anna, which explains where she got it from. In general, American Dreams sheds more light on Ellie's belongings and allows fans to understand how deeply she cares about her mother despite not knowing her.

Ellie's Solo Adventure Sets the Stage For One of Her Saddest Moments

Riley Gets More Time on the Page Before Her Untimely Death

In addition to hinting at Ellie's mother, American Dreams also expands upon the blossoming relationship between Ellie and Riley. By depicting the early days of Ellie's friendship with Riley, the later events of the series become even more heartbreaking. Riley helps Ellie envision a future for herself, encouraging her to dream bigger than those in charge want her to. Her impact on Ellie becomes much more profound with this in mind, recontextualizing their scenes later on. The Last of Us' forgotten prequel masterfully lays the groundwork for Ellie's story, and any fan of the series - and of Ellie in particular - should give it a read.

The Last of Us: American Dreams is available now from Dark Horse Comics!