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When the darkness comes, nothing can save you.
Publisher: UDON Entertainment
Fri, 4 August 2006
by: Australian Ninja
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Darkstalkers Volume #1: The Rise of the Dark ones is another fine adaptation of a Capcom videogame by UDON Entertainment.
Unlike game to movie adaptations - which generally suck ass - game to comic-book adaptations have a much better track record. Sure, there are plenty of dodgy ones. But there is an increasing amount of quality jollity product being put out now on a regular basis.
The Darkstalkers comic is well, anything less than the phrase "fan boy's/girls wet dream" wouldn't do the title justice. Easily as good, if not better than UDON's other Capcom title Street Fighter
.
As a long term fan of the Darkstalkers video game series I can say this comic does the game justice.
It just turns me on baby, YEAH! I mean its fun to read and re-read. We're not talking about Eisner award winning material here, but a great fantasy/horror/action comic that turned out far better than I expected.
 | | Ohh, flashy effects |
The first volume collects issues one to six. This story arc focuses mainly on the succubus Morrigan and vampire Demitri.
Both of these characters come from a somewhat noble family in their own little demon dimension. Morrigan's father is dying, but he's still 'keeping up appearances' for the sake of avoiding another demon war.
Basically in the demon realm, whoever is strongest maintains power until someone else comes along. Nobody would like that ruling power more than Demitri Maximov. Morrigan in this story is similar to what Ryu is to the Street Fighter comics. The one with untapped power, unrealised potential hidden from their own self.
The other characters featured in this story arc include Donovan, Victor, Bishamon, Felicia and Talbain.
While events go on at the same time, Demitri and Morrigan's story basically does not overlap with the other characters - so you won't see them in the same panel.
Each of the other characters is given equal coverage.
Victor is hounded by villages in the typical Frankenstein fashion. Even though this theme has been done a hundred times before, it's still fresh and relevant in this story.
Donovan is on a quest to hunt the 'Darkstalkers', believing them all to be evil monsters. Donovan himself is a half-breed and somewhat a hypocrite.
Donovan fights the definitely evil Bishamon [he slaughters almost a whole village or people] in one issue and the rather placid Victor in the next. Both fights are full of energy, and you really don't know how it's going to turn out.
 | | Live on stage for one night only - The Undead Rock n Roll Jamboree Super Squad |
Felicia meets and befriends John Talbain in another side story. Together they fight off some goons that cause them some hassle. All the while Felicia is more naked than Witchblade. Is this what they can fan service? I don't know, but you'd think Capcom/ Udon could afford to draw her some clothes with all those millions they make.
Those white stripes are definitely not clothing, and they are very conveniently placed if you ask me.
Speaking of which, Morrigan is portrayed as very sultry and sexy in this story. The art in this series is just stunning. The female characters are beautifully sexy,
the backgrounds are lovingly detailed. The atmosphere is rich with more horror themes than you could shake a short pointy stick at.
The pages are full bleed, which means no white around the borders - just vibrant colour all the way to the edge of the page.
I've said this before [in my Street fighter review], but it's still true now. The Darkstalkers comic-book looks like a gorgeous Anime movie with high production values that jumped right off the screen and landed in a comic-book.
I'm just in awe at how beautiful the comic is. Even now as I flick through it again while I write this review I am amazed at the colouring, the light and shadow, the accuracy of how the characters are drawn and it leaves me wanting more. I need more!
Needless to say I can't wait for volume two of Street Fighter and Darkstalkers. Then there's my excitement about the upcoming Rival Schools comic. Wow, I got all the way to the end of the review without saying "this comic rocks!" Whoops.
by: Australian Ninja
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More articles by Australian Ninja
Simply stunning comic in every way. A joy to read with a reasonable story and pants wettingly spectacular art. | |
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