BATTLE CHASERS #12 (IMAGE COMICS)

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH podcast!

For this entry, we’re checking out the latest installment from the epic return of one of comic’s most legendary fantasy series. Since its’ return after a LONG hiatus, the Image Comics series hasn’t faltered recapturing the magic that made this book popular in the late 1990’s! Two issues back and the fans have been greeted to a phenomenal run leading into this latest installment.

Battle Chasers #12 by Joe Madureira and LUDO LULLABI continues the saga of Garrison, Red Monika, Gully, Calibretto aka Bretto & Knolan as the world of Gaia falls further into chaos! Let’s take a look at how the latest chapter progresses, shall we?

BATTLE CHASERS #12 by by Joe Madureira and LUDO LULLABI (Credit: Image Comics)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Last we saw our favorite characters, things were very grim. Garrison and Red Monika have been getting hunted by Mastreo and the Martial Paladins. Gully, Calibretto and Knolan have been under the watch of King Vaneer!

As readers start this issue, Knolan is pleading with the King about Gully being in possession of her father Aramus’s magical gauntlets. the King is none too pleased with this and gives a stern warning to Knolan about loyalty.

Meanwhile, Garrison has gone thru a transformation while facing certain doom from the Master Paladins. He has re-emerged as a blue-skinned figure, seething with energy. Limbo, one of the Paladins, looks ready to strike but is now not dealing with Garrision, but a figure named Wrenneth.

What happens now with Wrenneth in control? The action is taken up few notches as the darker side of Garrison is released. Does Mastreo know what is unleashed now? And what of Red Monika? There is no shortage of excitement coming from this issue as things shift in a new direction for Gaia’s fiercest warriors.

BATTLE CHASERS #12 by by Joe Madureira and LUDO LULLABI (Credit: Image Comics)

BATTLE CHASERS #12 by by Joe Madureira and LUDO LULLABI (Credit: Image Comics)

Madureira splits up time between Garrision’s and Gully’s stories more equally this go-around than previously. Garrison’s has a more balanced narrative with mystery and action. It’s caped off with big action and showing a possible threat to what the King has been preparing for.

Gully’s is slow-building into more but has many moving parts attached. With her brother arrested and facing a possible end, Gully is still searching for her own path. The supporting cast there gives more support to the story but has some ways to go which I’m assuming will be heavily feature in the next arc. The issue finishes with a solid build for that story whenever issue #13 hits the shelves.

LULLABI firmly establishes the terrifying potential of Wrenneth during the action panels. The pace is fast and holds nothing back as Wrenneth deals with the Paladins. Right down to the evil smile, the art reflects how much evil is flowing thru Garrison at those moments. the action involving Red Monika doesn’t hit any brakes either.

Fans who want big battles have plenty to enjoy. The Gully portion does more foundation building with Sebastian Nefar pulling the strings. Those panels ultimately lead to a definitive close for the return arc with plenty of ideas to where things head to next.

BATTLE CHASERS #12 by by Joe Madureira and LUDO LULLABI (Credit: Image Comics)

FINAL POINT: 8 OUT OF 10

The first arc back for the legendary fantasy series wraps up one story while setting the stage to an ever bigger tale in the near future. Madureira and Lullabi continue their successful formula of strong writing and artwork to leave no doubt to new and old readers alike that Battle Chasers is back and here to stay!

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know your thoughts on Battle Chasers #12. Thanks for reading.

ARCADE KINGS #1 (IMAGE COMICS)

Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast!

For this entry, we’re taking a look at a brand new series from Image Comics that you don’t want to pass up on for New Comic Book Day! With the new Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom being the talk of pop culture fans this week, it is very ironic (and simultaneously poetic) that the world of video games plays a part into this saga shrouded in mystery. Arcade Kings #1 by DYLAN BURNETT (Cosmic Ghost Rider), Walter Baiamonte and Sara Antonellini welcomes readers to Infinity City and an enigmatic figure starting his own heroic quest. Let’s not delay and “press start” to this review already. Ready for the first level?

Arcade Kings #1 by DYLAN BURNETT (Cosmic Ghost Rider), Walter Baiamonte and Sara Antonellini 

Credit: Image Comics - On sale May 17th, 2023

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The story begins in Infinity City. A prize fight is happening in front of a capacity crowd. In one corner, a fighter named “Ziegler”. In the other is world champion Victor McMax! The action is flying in the ring, but looking from the outside are two young boys with very different personalities. One is Joe, who wants to follow in the champ’s footsteps. The other is his younger brother Ken, who seems disinterested in the action in the ring. Once the final bell hits, McMax retains his title via KO.

The story jumps a short time later and McMax announces his retirement under mysterious circumstances.

From here, readers are taken to Valleytown, a suburb of Infinity City. At the Round House Arcade, there is a commotion as someone was just defeated on a game. Sitting at the game is a figure wearing a unique helmet asking for who’s next. The figure is Joe. When a new competitor steps up, readers are taken on a flashback to three weeks prior where Rikio, the nephew of the arcade owner was assaulted by some punks. He’s saved by Joe, who fends them off. An offer is made following that Rikio can’t say no to: Joe stays at the arcade “to lay low” and in return, he will replace the broken joystick Rikio had and be the protector of the arcade. In three weeks, the deal seems to be paying off for both.

That is until a stranger named Molly walks in to challenge Joe. This is no ordinary player as Molly walks in with her own robot. Molly also says something that triggers a flashback to Joe’s past. What gets said to force an impulsive action? How does Joe fare to this unlikely challenge? Readers sit ringside as Joe has his biggest challenge to date. The fallout sets the tale into a new direction with a final act that keeps readers guessing what will happen next as the story levels up.

BREAKDOWN: Burnett is on double duty for this series and its easy to see he’s crafting something special within these pages. From the opening bell, the pace sets a high rhythm, giving readers just enough information about the young boys before jumping ahead to where Joe’s journey takes shape. His initial start is cryptic as not much is tipped off concerning why he’s trying to stay out of the spotlight. This changes dramatically when Molly hits the scene and peels back a layer of his past. The moment is brief but makes a big impact in the story. Joe’s drive for his cause is memorable as he thrusts himself into fighting when needed while running under the radar of his past. The closing moments are bittersweet as things shift gears but like every great mystery, not everything is revealed at the first chance. The closing moments bring up speculation of what has transpired over the years, btu this is nothing but win for the reader.

The artwork is high energy. The coloring of Baiamonte and Antonellini (along with Simona Iurato and Sharon Marino) makes the sights of Infinity City pop off the panels. It reflects the exhilarating pace of the fighting mixed with the overall story. This is illustrated perfectly with the 2 page spread in the beginning of the issue. Readers will feel the excitement in the crowd with the action in the match. This carries through each fight and it delivers without fault. Burnett’s art plays into the emotional rush of the action. There are great non-action sequences to with a final “walk-off” into the sunset balanced out with a strong closing visual to take readers into the next chapter.

FINAL POINT: 9 OUT OF 10

Arcade Kings #1 hits a nice 1-2 combo of action and drama that the readers won’t need to worry about the judges scoring. Burnett and his team drop an emotionally charged tale clouded in secrets and combat with solid writing and dynamic art that doesn’t need a cheat code. Make sure you level up your collection on NCBD with this issue.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Arcade Kings #1. Thanks for reading.