“Today’s” Comic> Double Dragon #1

Technically, this should be a “Yesterday’s” Comic (as categorized) since it’s years old, but funny story. I had picked up issues #2-6 when they first came out but I could never find #1 for years. During Free Comic Book Day I just happened to see it in the old comics box and immediately put it in my pull folder (since I had already bought that week’s comics–budget, you know) so I’ve been waiting a long time for this one. Since I just got it, it’s a “new” comic for me. 🙂

Someday we'll get a proper translation of our video game. Maybe.

Double Dragon #1

Marvel Comics (July 1991)

In the city of Oligopolis, police woman Marian Steele was working undercover to expose the local kingpin of crime, Nightfall, who uses the usual tricks but also mystical powers and superhuman enforcers. The only thing in his way are Billy and Jimmy Lee, the “Double Dragon” and protectors of the mystical “Dragon Force”. When Marian is found out, she is used as bait for the Dragons while Nightfall takes the statue that houses the Dragon Force.

Before I get into the usual reviews let me say this: as a video game adaptation, this comic fails. Like the cartoon (which was crap) and the movie (which apparently nobody except me enjoys), the martial arts of the game is mixed with sci-fi and mystical elements that I don’t recall in the video game. (Unless you count the rather odd Battletoads team-up.) So I’ll be judging the comic on its own merits, not as a video game adaptation. Someday I DO want a proper translation of this game.

What they got right: McDuffie manages to set up the state and history of the city, introduces the characters, and the important things we need to know about the mini-series (there were six issues, but I’ll review the other five when I get that far into my longbox). Although different from the other aforementioned portrayals (although for some reason Marian is always connected to the police in these “adaptations”), I think I like this version the best.

What they got wrong: I could have done without the brothers feuding over Marian. A love triangle just gets in the way and she’s usually romantically linked with Billy in every version (except apparently the arcade version, but I still don’t like it).

Recommendation: While none of the adaptations match the original game, this is at least the best of all of them, when taking the 6-parter as a whole. As a stand-alone issue it doesn’t have the same impact so getting the other issues first was probably for the best.

Up next: Best Scene of the Week in Sunday’s Weekly Wrap-Up with Jake & Leon