Atari/Dynamite Entertainment 2017
Written by Chad Bowers & Chris Sims
Illustrated by Ghostwriter X
Colour Flats by Karl Fan
Lettered by Josh Krach
In 1984, Peter Case was on his way to being crowned champion of SwordQuest, set to win the last of four contests and lay claim to a golden sword worth over $50,000! But when the game was discontinued, Peter found himself without a game to finish. Now, over thirty years later, Peter's stuck in a different kind of game entirely -- the game of life, and he's losing fast. But when he learns that all the prizes meant for the SwordQuest contest of his youth are on display in the World Arcade Museum, he finds an unknown determination that sees him put together a team of like-minded losers for the ultimate heist job -- a real-life sword quest!
Alright so I may have grown up in the Atari age myself but I never knew of Swordquest. That the boys have actually gone and done either their research or revived their love for a game franchise that was never finished and have been able to incorporate that into a work of fiction is pretty genius. I mean I love that we’ve got Peter, who last issue was diagnosed with a terminal disease then watched his apartment building burn to the ground forcing him to move back in with his mother. This of course led him to re-discover Swordquest. It’s a series of events that if looked at seem random and unconnected but I don’t think that’s the case. More so after the way this issue ends.
Also can I say kudos to the boys here for bringing the past to life and helping shape Peter’s future. It was the 80’s and being gay was not something you wanted known, though to be honest ask anyone I kind of owned it. So that Peter tried making a move on Alvin whom he’d grown up with and had that love of video games, movies and such with and then got massively rejected in a way that stung. Yeah it’s some very powerful writing and something that is very first hand experience if I may say so.
The characterisation for this book is really outstanding. From seeing Amy, then leaving her, being honest about his idea with her and yes Alvin whom she brought with her, it all just has this pacing and development that stands out. It transcends what this should have or could have been and made something else entirely. Throw in the mysterious Player Two who enters the game and well intrigue is too weak a word to describe how it feels to want to know what’s in store next.
The interior artwork here is so solid. I love the style that Ghostwriter X brings to the table. From the look, feel and tone of the museum, from the outside in, to the way he brings the characters to life here it’s all so extremely well done. There’s a presence, a realism and even a throwback to what we see that makes this seem so damn special. While that manbun is something i’ll never accept as fashionable regardless if it’s on a naked man the rest really is stunning. The utilisation of the page layouts, how angles, perspective and backgrounds are used all of it is that perfect blend of the past with the present.
Who knew Atari could come back in way that takes real life history and infuses it with fiction in a way to make it new, fresh and interesting again? Oh yeah and thankfully without having to reference Atari Force!