by Tony Rhea, Reporter
With the hyperfocus in the last few years of bringing video games to the movies, it’s nice to see them when they are brought to comics, too. I was really excited when I stumbled across Skybound’s Arcade Kings #1 by Dylan Burnett! Was my excitement about this new title warranted? You bet!
Official Description:
MINISERIES PREMIERE ROUND ONE: FIGHT! Writer and artist DYLAN BURNETT (Ant-Man, Cosmic Ghost Rider) unveils a new prestige comics series sensation, perfect for fans of INVINCIBLE and MURDER FALCON. Joe, a mysterious new face in Infinity City, has suddenly become the hottest new player at the Round House Arcade. Anyone can challenge him, but no one can win. But Joe’s secret past is about to catch up to him when his most formidable challenge yet rolls into town, forcing Joe to combo his powers with a joystick, his fists…and his fighting family legacy!
Creative Team:
Writer/Artist: Dylan Burnett
Colorists: Walter Baiamonte & Sara Antonellini
Our story revolves around Joe, a tomato(dragonfruit)-headed protagonist, currently living out of an arcade after helping Kikio (who’s aunt owns the arcade) out of a tight spot. While Joe would be content to beat all challengers in a fighting game, he’ll have to face a true fight (and some of his mysterious past) before the issue is finished.
As a big fan and life-long player of video games, the inspiration they provide Arcade Kings is certainly not lost on me. Transitional text is done in a classic 8-bit style. A map of Infinity City looks a lot like maps of classic video games. The fighting game Joe plays is clearly influenced by games like Street Fighter. Some of the action plays out much like some of the classic beat’em-ups we all played as kids. Burnett pays a loving homage to these games that made us, and it’s the little nods to its inspirations that add to its heart. A really neat styling and large cartoonish sound effect blurbs add to the charm. The world is bright and colorful. Joe and his tomato (DRAGONFRUIT!) head are wrapped in mystery, and the teased backstory is compelling. Readers with small children should be made aware that there is a *small* amount of blood present in the issue the combat is very stylized, and leans into its influences in a way that makes the scenes fun and exciting.
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives Arcade Kings #1 – 5 out of 5 tomatoes (DRAGONFRUITS!!!)!
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