The CENTIPEDE Comic Is Here!

[whisperingloon]

I just got back from my friendly neighborhood comic shop and have CENTIPEDE issue 1 in my grubby little hands...

 

I'm about to read it. Unlike SWORDQUEST I have no idea what to expect at all.

 

I got the Atari box art variant cover, though, and that warmed my heart. I'll be back soon with my thoughts. Is anyone else getting this comic? What do you think of it?

[whisperingloon]

Now I've read it and I'm going to try keeping my comments about it spoiler free.

 

First: Dynamite, in these two comics (SWORDQUEST and CENTIPEDE) is definitely going out of its way to create comics that are ABOUT the video game referenced in the title, but that don't tell the story OF the video game in the title. In this case, CENTIPEDE is not about a little guy protecting a garden from centipedes and spiders and whatnot. Not even close. However, if look at the game's components, it's all there.

 

Second: I know I would like the story if it was not related to the Atari branding, but I don't know if I would buy it if it were not related to the Atari branding.

 

Third: So you can know what you're getting into... This is a post-apocalyptic, "last man on earth" type of story with a meta-textual narration. At first, especially with the dialogue/narration I wasn't sure I was going to like it. And there were some moments where the writing did not connect with me. But over all, the main character was likable enough and the story interesting enough for me to come back for the next issue.

 

Anyway, that's my two cents. I AM very curious what other people, especially other people in the target audience (people with nostalgic connection to Atari) think about it.

[doctorclu]

To me these comics they are putting out are a missed opportunity. They could write about the game material. They could have released the first three Swordquest comics and given us the final comic we've long waited for and been a part of Atari history.

 

But instead, as you said, they go around the game material to bring us comics ABOUT the games. Or people influenced by the games or some crap. Meh.

[+Atari_Warlord]

I'll be picking it up, probably next week. If these didn't have an Atari tie in, I definitely wouldn't have even looked into them as I don't really buy many comics.

[StanJr]

Thanks for the review. I'm probably going to pass on this one after being so unmoved by the Swordquest comic, so it's nice to hear what's going on. Keep us in the loop as to how it progresses!

[Torr]

I must say, I think I actually prefer to hear that the comics are a great deviation from the actual games.

Those comic books have already been written and drawn, it's nice to see these Atari properties being inspiration for something "new".

 

Unfortunately, I have ZERO interest in them, and I seriously doubt there will be enough demand for these from other people for them to really "hit big".

It'll be another niche item for Atari collectors, and in this case, comic collectors too.

 

Maybe time will prove me wrong though.

[MrBeefy]

I collect comics and I got swordquest number 1. I was thinking it might be a sword and sorcery comic. I was surprised that it wasn't but in the same way I liked that it wasn't or how it deviated.

 

I however have much more that I read and wasn't interested enough to keep going. Had no interest in centipede.

 

Honestly you could make an interesting sword and sorcery story from swordquest. I do not think the same about centipede so it's probably good they don't do a straight comic adaption.

[MrBeefy]

I must say, I think I actually prefer to hear that the comics are a great deviation from the actual games.

Those comic books have already been written and drawn, it's nice to see these Atari properties being inspiration for something "new".

 

Unfortunately, I have ZERO interest in them, and I seriously doubt there will be enough demand for these from other people for them to really "hit big".

It'll be another niche item for Atari collectors, and in this case, comic collectors too.

 

Maybe time will prove me wrong though.

I don't think it will prove you wrong. I'm probably the only guy or one of two who got the first swordquest at my shop.

[doctorclu]

I will say I thought the premise of Swordquest in the tradition of Earthworld, Waterworld, Fireworld, this one is entitled "Realworld".

 

A nice twist. I'm just pouting because we didn't get "Airworld" which is what I really want.

[MrMaddog]

Now I've read it and I'm going to try keeping my comments about it spoiler free.

 

First: Dynamite, in these two comics (SWORDQUEST and CENTIPEDE) is definitely going out of its way to create comics that are ABOUT the video game referenced in the title, but that don't tell the story OF the video game in the title. In this case, CENTIPEDE is not about a little guy protecting a garden from centipedes and spiders and whatnot. Not even close. However, if look at the game's components, it's all there.

 

Second: I know I would like the story if it was not related to the Atari branding, but I don't know if I would buy it if it were not related to the Atari branding.

 

Third: So you can know what you're getting into... This is a post-apocalyptic, "last man on earth" type of story with a meta-textual narration. At first, especially with the dialogue/narration I wasn't sure I was going to like it. And there were some moments where the writing did not connect with me. But over all, the main character was likable enough and the story interesting enough for me to come back for the next issue.

 

Anyway, that's my two cents. I AM very curious what other people, especially other people in the target audience (people with nostalgic connection to Atari) think about it.

 

The post-apocalyptic setting makes it sound more closer to Centipede Infestation which was released for the DS. And like someone said, the orignal elf-boy story was already done by DC as a mini-comic for the 2600 version.

[StanJr]

Ok, so I bought it. I wanted to pass on it, but I thumbed through it and based on what whisperingloon said, I thought the least I could do is give it a try.

 

This comic is 100% better than the mess that is Swordquest. Unlike SQ, in this comic things actually happen! The main character does things. Instead of just moping about like a loser, he goes hunting for the giant space centipede that destroyed his world. There is actual action. In fact, except for a pretty unnecessary four page info dump in the middle, this comic is ALL action. The main character is still kind of cut from the "rejected loser" cloth, which tells me that comic book writers writing about video games think that their audience follows a certain basement dwelling mouth-breathing stereotype and that they want to read about characters that resemble that stereotype for some reason. But at least this character gets busy interacting with the world.

 

I'm in for Centipede. The first issue was solid. Not amazing, but for a comic loosely based on a video game, this is the best I've read in a while (looking at you terrible Dragon's Lair, Street Fighter, Double Dragon and other comics from days of yore...)

 

If you're not sure about video game comics, I think this is a good way to test how interested you really are.

[troff]

I have two comic book stores in town and somehow missed getting Centipede. I'm going to keep trying.

[moycon]

I need to go pick up my copy of Centipede. I also pre-ordered the Atari 2600 cover variant. Hope these are a hit and they released more comics based on video games!

[hizzy]

Here's a review!

 

https://www.newsarama.com/35413-best-shots-reviews-defenders-3-centipede-1.html

 

It's written by Max Bemis, who is an up and coming writer.

[King_Salamon]

I came away from Centipede's first issue rather neutral... like it was a dumbed down stereotypical story. I give the writers credit for going the 'I'm crazy so I'll talk to the audience' route as it allows the story to flow and I get the logic. I picked up 2 copies (Cover A - which is the standard cover and Cover D - which is the awesome 2600 box art cover to be framed!) I'll give the story another issue to see where it goes.

 

Now... the Swordquest stuff is great (to me anyway!) I like the gaming 'tips' and other Atari nods. I like the story as I kinda can say...'been there done that' to a degree (never had a notebook for the games! lol) and it seems like it will be a fun journey... I can only imagine the series coming to a close where our 'hero' wins the game so to speak but instead of getting the treasure he's looking for, he finds a copy of Swordquest Airworld and ends with him reading the Airworld comic.

 

Wonder what's next for the Atari comics? C'mon Dynamite... wouldn't mind adding a couple more issues to the pull list!

[+Atari_Warlord]

I had to search a little to find a copy of issue #2 as it appears stores didn't think it was worth ordering. Unfortunately they were probably right, but since I'm a glutton for punishment I'll hang on till the bitter end.

[StanJr]

I'm still with Centipede, it's the tonic to the Swordquest comic's poison. It's pretty much all action with a useless info dump in the middle (seems to be the formula for the storytelling) so as long as you skim the info dump and just enjoy the dude trying to kill the Centipede, it's a lot of fun. (Second time around for Dynamite and awkward homosexual romance as a character point. Maybe they are working out some personal issues...)

[cimerians]

Just picked up the first four issues with the variant cover Atari box on number one. Haven't read these yet, I skipped over the swordquest stuff because everywhere I went the reviews were awful for swordquest