FINAL FIGHT #1, by UDON Entertainment on 7/31/24, begins a rip-roaring battle in the streets of Metro City when the Mad Gear Gang kidnaps Mayor Mike Haggar’s daughter.
Credits:
- Writer: Matt Moylan
- Artist: Matthew Weldon
- Colorist: Espen Grundetjern
- Letterer: Marshall Dillon
- Cover Artist: Matthew Weldon (cover A)
- Publisher: UDON Entertainment
- Release Date: July 31, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 36
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of FINAL FIGHT #1:
First Impressions:
Hollywood could learn a lot from Matt Moylan and UDON Entertainment. In an entertainment industry that constantly fumbles comic book and video game adaptations because the creators think the source material is “silly” or want to make it their own, it’s refreshing to see an adaptation that respects the source material. First Fight fans want to see their game brought to life, and that’s exactly what you get.
Plot Analysis:
Final Fight #1 begins with Mayor Mike Haggar of Metro City settling into his office for the morning. He notices a videotape (This issue takes place in 1989, kids.) on his desk that his secretary says was left by a scruffy-looking courier.
Before he can play the tape, Mayor Haggar’s phone rings. Thrasher, leader of the Mad Gear Gang, tells Mayor Haggar to make sure the police stay out of the Gang’s way or the Mayor’s daughter is in for a rough time. The tape the Mayor holds in his hands is proof. When Mayor Haggar plays the tape, he sees a recording of his daughter Jessica tied up in a secret location. Thrasher hangs up after telling the Mayor he better decide to comply.
Sometimes simple is good. In this case, simple is best. In a few pages, Moylan sets up the scenario beautifully by establishing the world, the protagonist and antagonist, the conflict, the stakes, and the mission. Not a single word balloon or panel is wasted.
Elsewhere, Cody and Guy are training at their local gym. Guy receives the call from Mayor Haggar about the kidnapping, and the two immediately meet with the Mayor to find Jessica. Meanwhile, Roxy, Bred, and the other members of the Mad Gear Gang taunt Jessica, but even while tied up, Jessica proves she’s just as tough as her father.
Moylan introduces new readers to the classic side on both sides of the conflict with effortless efficiency. You get a clear sense of the heroes and villains, their personalities, and their motivations for getting involved in the conflict. In every sense, this is a bad guys versus good guys story.
Thrasher hears a commotion outside the Gang’s hideout. Suddenly, Mayor Haggar, Cody, and Guy explode through the door. What follows is a knockdown, drag-out brawl of epic proportions to take down the Mad Gear Gang and save Jessica.
The issue concludes with more power wrestling moves than a WWE Super Slam, a city street that could use reinforcing, and a rough subway ride for Mayor Haggar.
Overall, this is one of the better video game adaptation comics because it follows what works. Matt Moylan sets up the classic characters and conflict with laser-focused efficiency, and the video game-inspired action is just plain fun.
Artwork and Presentation:
Hats off to Matthew Weldon for capturing the essence of Cody, Guy and Haggar with near precision but rendered beautifully to fit the comics medium. There’s not 8-bit pixelation here as you get characters who moved with personality, fluidity, power, and force. As with the writing, Weldon’s art, amplified by Espen Grundtjern’s exquisite coloring, is everything a video game adaptation should be.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Historical Context:
If it wasn’t obvious by now, Final Fight #1 is an adaptation of a video game of the same name, released in 1989 by video game producer Capcom. The original Final Fight was first released as a game cabinet you could only find in arcades, but the two direct sequels were launched exclusively for the SNES, Nintendo’s home gaming console.
Final Thoughts:
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
FINAL FIGHT #1 is a simple, straightforward, and thoroughly entertaining video game adaptation that respects the source material and is presented with fantastic art. This issue proves that you don’t need to update a classic for modern audiences when the original is just fine the way it is.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.