Video Game Comics
From LoveToKnow VideoGames
There is no better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than playing video games, but you may want to consider expanding that experience by reading some video game comics. You don't have to learn about a new cast of characters, because you'll already recognize them from the video games you know and love.
Three Types of Video Game Comics
Some of the greatest stories and characters were first imagined inside the realm of a video game. The never-ending love story between Mario and Princess Peach is one for the ages, as is the war exhibited in the Halo franchise of first-person shooters.
Generally speaking, there are three main categories when it comes to types of video game comics. There are comics that are based on existing games, comics that are later adapted into games, and comics that talk about the experience of industry of gaming.
Comics Based on Games
Some video games, like many popular RPGs, offer incredibly rich stories filled with three-dimensional characters and moral dilemmas. These can create great fodder for an expanded universe where their individual tales can be explored in greater depth. Not surprisingly, several of these kinds of games have been translated into the world of comic books and graphic novels as well.
On the other hand, you have some games that don't offer nearly as much on the surface. The focus is more on the gameplay and while we may be offered some background information, much of it is left up for interpretation. This can also serve as great source material for comic books, because the writers and artists have more room to exercise their creative license.
This is the case with the Udon Comics based on the Street Fighter games. While Street Fighter was also the inspiration for arguably one of the worst movies based on video games, the comics are beautifully detailed and gives us a much better perspective on the relationships between Ken, Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, and the rest of the Street Fighter crew.
Video Games Based on Comic Books
Video game comics that start in the realm of gaming and migrate to the printed form can be fun, but the reverse can also be very engaging. Reading comic books is mostly a passive experience, but many fans want to interact with their favorite comic book characters. That's why there are so many video games based on comic books as well.
From DC Comics, for example, we get games based on Batman, Superman and others. From Marvel, we are treated to video games featuring Spider-Man, Wolverine, and others from the ultimate alliance. Heading across the ocean, Japanese manga and other Asian comics have provided us with some great Naruto, Pokemon, and Dragonball games.
If you enjoy playing these titles, you'll surely enjoy the video game comics that served as their original source material too. How did Wolverine get that adamantium? Who are the other residents of Konoha aside from Naruto? Who are some of the lesser-known characters from the X-Men Universe?
Comics About Gaming
You could almost say that these are meta-video game comics. They may not only approach specific video games as inspiration, but they may also provide some commentary or insight into the industry of gaming itself. They also capitalize on the unique user experiences that we can have with some of our favorite games.
One of the more popular video game comics in this genre is VG Cats. Available for free online, VG Cats follows the antics of video game-playing cats and it is updated on a very regular basis. Good laughs await you!
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