PixlBit

(Look, new title! :D)

Well till I do a complete the Overview of the Sonic the Hedgehog/Mega Man crossover by Archie Comics and plans for an Injustice: Gods Amoung Us Vol. 1 Review soon I'll take you on a journey which may be the official Origin of Akuma and his descent into the Dark Hado but also his relation ship with his Brother Gouken and Master Goutetsu.

*Disclaimer* As I don't want to spoil anything this may be a little short on actual content

 

I will describe the actual book itself as it is a hardcover, no expense was spared. Like the Super Street Fighter vol. 1 New Generation (which is leading into or is Street Fighter 3) book released earlier this year this is a well putt together piece, as you should expect from Udon. the text is gloss, the cover has a smooth finish and string bound.

The art (if you couldn't tell from the image above) is freakin' fantastic! Joe Ng is an Udon vet and a talented artist, every page is consistent, kenetic, has personality and is full of life. Though his art style may not be to your tastes I reckon he'll one day be considered a master or legend.

But now to what holds this whole thing up, the Story.

Chris Sarracini is a new Udon employee and his early days from Dreamwave, a decent comic line that went under because the guys running the show where embezzling idiots.

I'll start of by saying that this guy seems to have watch quite a few good Martial Arts because it feels very traditional, the unassuming beginning and how quickly the plot (and action) pick up in an almost Shakephearean manor when we come to the climax.

As I have mensioned this story revolves around Akuma's decent into the Raging Demon, we see a young boy who's family is broken apart and seeks strength in his fathers fighting style Ansatsuken. Akuma is actually quite the compelling protagonist but not because we know how he'll end up but rather how straight forward and honest he is, It gives better context as to just why he let the Dark Hado into his fists not so much for selfish reasons but to search for a way to live. He is portrayed in a more relatable light than usual and I think it serves the overall story well... even if he is a bit of a git 

The Supporting cast are few but well developed. Gouken a responsible but racked with guilt and full of heavy burdens ends up progressing slower than Akuma but while both reach the end of the training it is Gouken that is able to let go on his path to enlightenment. Goutetsu the wise master is as you'd expect, full of knowledge cheeky and patient but everything he says is both clear and full of subtext, very Yoda, luckily not in a bad way.

Retsu, a vet from Fighting Street (sorry, I couldn't resist) also plays a supporting role, I wish he had a much bigger one seeing as he's often just used as the caretaker who kicks arse from time to time. A bit of a missed oppotunity in my opinion.

The dialogue can seem stilted but only in that introspective way, the kind you'd get from Ghost in the Shell, so it leads to scene feeling very expository. However it's all relevant and is consistent and feels natural to the characters and the situation.

The overall way the book was written allows for decent showing and telling when appropriate. The narative flows (for me anyway) rather well, though it does "A Bible" and skips the teenage years somewhat leading to a few questions but after that jump we get a glimpse of the world away from the countryside and it fits what will later become the Street Fighter world, if you've watched Ong Bak, you know what to expect.

Not a lot of Inner-monologuing, which is good, It doesn't obscure the action or take it's place. It's often used to contrast to the images rather than explain them and makes a very good parallel on philosophy and violence, it's by no means incredibly deep, just mature.

 

The Street Fighter Fan Theory & Trivia

We all know it, the one that links Goken, Akuma and Ryu. For years Anime and Fan speculation have guessed and interpreted whether or not Ryu is related to the 2 brothers. The anime movie Generations almost outright says it. Here?... I'm not going to tell you. But regardless it will set up the current comic series and games just as well.

Also I'm curious as to know why they Kept his name Akuma instead of what some fans and I think Generations have decided that before he used the Dark Hado he was Gouki, the original Japanese name for Akuma. I know they mean almost the same thing but it would have been a cute inclusion is all.

 

Conclusion

This is a damn good Graphic Novel and a very worthy entry into the franchise as a whole for what I paid for it, it is worth every penny. But then so has every volume of Street Fighter Udon has ever released. This is not only a worth addition but a well written take on the Supreme Master of Fists and a decent humanization of a warrior who became whole in the darkness.

A must read for Street Fighter fans, I haven't read anything of Mr Sarracini's before but shows he is quite the talented Author and has a very good grasp of the franchise. I'm interested to see what he does next.

 

This is V saying "Sure you can!"