Haggar, Cody, and Man take to the imply streets of Metro Metropolis on this new comedian guide miniseries from UDON!
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Author: Matt Moylan
Illustrator: Matthew Weldon
Colorist: Espen Grundetjern
Writer: UDON | 07.31.24
Spoilers Forward!
UDON is again with one other collection primarily based on a well-liked Capcom IP. This time round it’s Last Combat, a miniseries written by Matt Moylan and illustrated by Matthew Weldon. One of many extra charming features concerning the collection even earlier than it got here to retailers was seeing the homage variant covers primarily based on well-known film posters. Last Combat #1 embraces the collection ’80s roots and begins issues off in 1989 with Mayor Mike Haggar taking workplace for the primary time. As he sits down at his desk he discovers a VHS tape (bear in mind these?) after which will get a mysterious telephone name telling him to observe it. Lo and behold, Haggar’s daughter Jessica has been taken captive by the nefarious Mad Gear Gang. If Haggar agrees to allow them to keep on with their felony dealings, they’ll let Jessica go. Haggar, after all, is having none of that, and calls upon Cody Travers (joined by his good buddy, Man), Jessica’s boyfriend, to assist him rescue her.
Let’s be frank: Last Combat is just not a collection identified for having a wealthy, deep narrative. The identical will be stated right here, because the premise is fundamental and follows the unique recreation’s to a T. And what? I’m glad that it does. I don’t want nor desire a radical reinvention of who these characters are, the world of Metro Metropolis, the Mad Gear Gang—none of it. I would like what I loved from the video games, which is precisely what Moylan provides us. On the identical time, Moylan additionally supplies simply sufficient additional depth to assist begin fleshing these characters out as folks. It’s a carryover from a few of the work accomplished with Cody in Avenue Fighter vs. Last Combat #1 again in Could, the place we received to enter that character’s head for the primary time.
For this situation, Cody and Man don’t get plenty of exploration, however we get a way of how feisty Jessica is early on. She’s no mere damsel in misery, as she delivers a swift driving knee into the intestine of Poison regardless of being tied to a chair. Haggar additionally will get to shine, with Moylan portraying him as a person who takes the struggles of Metro Metropolis very personally. An assault on Metro is an assault on him, and he’ll do what it takes to maintain the town and its folks secure. In an period the place superhero comics can’t work out the fundamentals, Moylan shortly establishes Haggar as a powerful, noble chief, somebody that’s straightforward to root for. Conversely, villain Thrasher Damnd is a formidable enemy. The pair’s brawl is so highly effective that it causes the road to crumble beneath their toes, sending them tumbling down onto and right into a shifting subway practice! The difficulty ends on a cliffhanger, with Thrasher’s thugs prepared handy Haggar his head.
Once more, Moylan’s writing is stable. The characters really feel distinct, their motivations are clear, and the precise sequence of occasions manages to imitate the video games with out feeling braindead. There’s some effort that’s being put into bringing Last Combat the sport to life as a comic book guide. By the top of the problem, I used to be genuinely excited to see what occurs subsequent. Positive, Jessica and the entire good guys will possible stay, however I’m having enjoyable seeing how all of them pull it off.
On the artwork aspect of issues, Matthew Weldon and colorist Espen Grundetjern do a chic job. In a departure from UDON’s normal type, which skews in direction of a extra exaggerated, manga-like look, Weldon’s line work is expressive however not overtly Japanese influenced. There’s nice interaction with skinny strains and bits of shadow all through. Weldon is adept at giving characters distinguishable builds, with Haggar towering over his opponents because the standout. I’d be remiss if I didn’t level out some exceptionally cool composition work, too, together with a shot of Cody and Man that, in a single panel, appears to be like like a easy closeup of the 2, however within the subsequent, it’s revealed to be their reflection in a mirror, which Cody’s prolonged arm is smashing. One other shot of Cody and Man dashing on bikes above the subway practice they’re attempting to catch is equally eye-catching.
Grundtjern’s shade artwork brings the entire package deal collectively. I actually appreciated how the motion appears to be happening through the golden hour, which units a cool temper for the backdrop of the combat. One thing about it helped promote me on pondering of this story happening in ’89 (the 12 months the Oakland A’s swept the SF Giants within the World Sequence, I’d add—however I digress). If I’ve any complaints, it will be that the aforementioned scene of Jessica kneeing Poison took me a second to know. After a second viewing I noticed Jessica’s knee rising up. There’s additionally one occasion the place Thrasher’s title is misspelled, which is just value mentioning as a result of it’s at a pivotal second when Haggar is about to take the baddie on.
Past these small gripes, this can be a excellent introduction of Last Combat into comedian guide kind. I feel that followers of the collection will get essentially the most from it, however Last Combat #1 is only a enjoyable, simple comedian guide with conventional heroes and villains to root for and in opposition to. It’s going to be robust ready a month for the following situation, however in the mean time I strongly recommend hitting up your native comedian guide store for a duplicate for your self.
Verdict: Really helpful
Nintendojo was offered a duplicate of this comedian for evaluation by a 3rd occasion, although that doesn’t have an effect on our advice