whisperingloon

I know there are some who have been disappointed that the SWORDQUEST comic series from Dynamite has not been the Airworld continuation of the SWORDQUEST series from the original game releases. I'm one of them. The SWORD QUEST comic from Dynamite has had three issues released now. A short #0 and then #1 and 2 of the regular series. The story is this: in the modern day,a man who played the SwordQuest games as a kid decides he wants to break into a gaming expo and steal the legendary sword that was to have been the prize in the cancelled contest. And in issue 0 and 1, we get to know Paul and his two friends who used to play with him as he considers this really bad idea. And like Centipede, until this point it's been a story inspired by the video game without BEING the video game. Someone who played the ACTUAL game in his past is getting ready to embark on a SWORD QUEST of his own. So while I was disappointed that it wasn't a continuation of the series, I was okay with the premise and have been buying the issues. So this week issue #2 came out. And now I want to be careful not to spoil. So if you are already planning to read the comic, stop reading here, because I'm about to say something that might convince people disappointed as I described above to go ahead and pick it up. It's light spoilers, the kind of thing I would absolutely mention in a review, but it's also the kind of thing I was very happy to discover without any foreknowledge. I think that when all is said and done with this mini-series, the original SWORDQUEST volume and this new SWORDQUEST collected edition might make for a good read . . . based on potential that I didn't know was there until reading this issue.

Ha! I NEVER thought of it like that! A whole new perspective...and a bit more appreciation.

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.

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?

They are both really, really well done graphic novels. Personally, I wouldn't get buyer's remorse from $10-15 for each. More than that, maybe. But to me, $10-15 is a great price for a brand new GN off the shelf -- so even though it's higher than cover price for those books back then, it's still a decent price for a longer format read today. I enjoyed them.

I may be an E.T. apologist. I had it as a kid. I loved the movie, so it was natural that my parents would have gotten me the video game. And I loved the video game. I would've been eight or nine when we got it, and I I loved a couple different things about it. First, it was E.T. Second, it was a game I could WIN! I loved it! Unlike so many games, where technically speaking you play until you lose. In fact, I didn't know it was horrible until just a few years ago when articles and stuff would pop up on the internet telling me it was the worst game ever or whatever. But I liked what I liked and I certainly liked E.T. Today? I'm curious. I doubt I've played it in 25 years. I'd like to find out how it holds up for me. My guess? Nostalgia will also win the game.

Yeah. That's what I'd put my eye on, but still not able to right now for budgetary reasons. Soon, I hope. Soon.

No. Not yet. For my current situation, a bit pricey. Wonderful, but pricey.

Oh my. That is wonderful!

Yeah. I agree. It definitely ruined the moment, although i think that's the point. It's early in the game, though. I have a feeling that like so many other modern comic series, the first couple of issues are set up before we get into things in earnest, and it will read better once it's all done and can be read as a single story instead of waiting a month for the next chapter.

Got my copy of issue #1 today. It was good. But I'm still trying to decide how much I like it. I've been planning an Atari comic spin off of my podcast, and thinking I might use Swordquest as a reason to launch. Now? Not so sure. May just start at the beginning now. Positive: It's different -- not what I'd expect for a comic based on a fantasy adventure video game that already had a high fantasy comic tie-in Negative: It's different -- not what I'd expect for a comic based on a fantasy adventure video game that already had a high fantasy comic tie-in I am going to ride this one out. I don't hate it.

When I ordered my copy, I was able to choose my cover -- I went with the game box art. It looked so cool! Can you have nostalgia for something you never owned?

I can't speak to gaming conventions, but it's pretty typical for comic book conventions. Basically, unmanned booths can reflect badly on the convention and an unmanned boot can invite theft. There's leeway in the conventions I've been part of (bathroom breaks, meals, stretching your legs to check out the other booths) but it's not unreasonable. That agreement is pretty boiler plate from my experience as I glance over it.

My local comic shop did not have any copies left, so they're trying to backorder a copy for me. Issue 0 got my attention and interest. i hope issue 1 doesn't cause me to lose interest.

So excited about this! The SwordQuest original comics are the only Atari comics I don't have in my possession. The idea of having a collection...well, I'm excited.