Comic books continue to inspire not just blockbuster movies but video games as well. These efforts unfortunately do not always fare well but there are a few upcoming video game titles that just may prove worthy of your time and money.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

I had a chance to preview this game at X'08 in Toronto this summer. From what I saw and played of the game I was thoroughly impressed. The game seemed to capture the essence of the comic book hero like no other video game before it both in visual style and gameplay. You have the ability to play as Spider-Man fighting on land, on the sides of buildings and in the air, all while performing acrobatic moves with the dexterity you'd expect from the popular comic book hero.The game also gives you the option to instantly switch back and forth from traditional red 'n blue suit to the black symbiote one, both giving Spider-Man unique abilities.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows takes place in a huge living city where the decisions you make throughout the game will impact on whether the populous cheers you or jeers you. Additionally you'll find yourself encountering many of the classic Spider-Man villains as well as a few other Marvel super heroes. Your main objective is to defeat the symbiote invasion that is slowly taking over the city, which may find you teaming up with either villains or heroes as the lines between good and evil become blurred when everyone is faced with an even greater threat.

My feeling is this will be THE Spider-Man game fans have been waiting for. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is expected to be released end of October. Want more? Go to the official website here: http://seizecontrol.marvel.com/

Afro Samurai

Both a Manga graphic novel and a popular short animated series starring Samuel Jackson, Afro Samurai is a kinda mash up between Hip Hop culture and the blood spurting Japanese samurai films of old. The game follows the plot of the original series with added material and background for fans and newcomers alike. Visually the game looks much like the animated series and with Hip Hop beats flowing in the background this game looks to be the coolest hack 'n slash video game coming out this year. Here's the ComicCon trailer: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/37507.html

Mirror's Edge

Not comic book inspired but with an animated trailer promoting the game I'm willing to bet you'll see a comic book made of the video game's main wall jumping protagonist soon. In Mirror's Edge you play a "runner" named Faith who runs messages for the criminal underworld as all unmonitored communication is considered illegal in this futuristic "Big Brother" society. Faith main struggle is to free her sister from the corrupt government to which she eventually becomes embroiled in exposing as the evil totalitarian system it is.

The gameplay emphasizes continual movement across a visually stunning environment. Played in first person mode the game hopes to convey a quick paced, immersive experience as you leap across the city and lay the odd smackdown on governmental enforcers. In many ways the game takes a big risk in being something unique and original in the face of a horde of first and third person shooters that tend to dominate video game consoles and PCs alike. I had a brief hands-on with the game at X'08 and it was enough to convince me to lay down the cash for a pre-order. I hope the game is a success as it may inspire other game developers to take risks and put out something other than another post-apocalyptic shooter. Keep your eyes out for a Mirror's Edge comic which I'm sure is to follow shortly after the game's release this November. Check out the official website to get a taste of what makes this game so awesome: http://www.mirrorsedge.com/

Champions Online

I'm not a big MMO fan but this game I'm actually looking forward to. From the developers of City of Heroes/Villains comes another comic book inspired MMO that looks to be everything a comic book fan could want in a multiplayer video game. For starters you have extensive customization of your character including how your character moves and how their super powers appear. You can also choose what your super hero or villain's weakness is whether it be fire, cold or Ally McBeal reruns, as well as the chance to create an arch-nemeses. The game will allow more freedom for solo campaigns in addition to co-operative play and PvP. Finally the game will sport a cell-shaded look to give it that comic book like feel. For more info and a chance to play the Beta go to the official site here: http://www.champions-online.com/

DC Universe Online

Much in the same vein as City of Heroes and the upcoming Champions Online, DC Universe Online is aiming at presenting you with an MMO centered around comic book inspired heroes and villains. What separates DC Universe from the rest of the pack is of course the backing of the popular DC comic universe. Though you wont be able to play any of your favorite DC characters you will be able to fight alongside them as your own personally created super hero. On the flipside I assume you will also have the opportunity to play as a super villain alongside well known DC comic villains.

The environment will be one shared public space with dynamically created content. Aside from your standard missions where you may find yourself lending Superman a hand there will also be the opportunity for players to combat each other in epic good vs evil battles. It should also be mentioned that the game will be available not only for the PC but the PS3 console as well. Get your updates here: http://dcuo.station.sony.com/

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Fusion

I felt the original Marvel Ultimate Alliance game was pretty decent and I greatly enjoyed playing many of my favorite Marvel heroes. Though there isn't much information available yet on the sequel coming out later this year, from what I've seen and herd of Marvel Ultimate Alliance - Fusion so far it looks to be even better than the original game. New to the gameplay this time around is the ability to string combos together from different allies, hence the "Fusion". Check out the game trailer here: http://unleashfusion.marvel.com/


Aliens: Colonial Marines

This upcoming video game seems to me more inspired by the Aliens comic book series than the Aliens movies. In Aliens: Colonial Marines, players are part of a United States Colonial Marine squad and must prepare to face an Aliens assault more intense and horrific than ever before. As you can imagine the gameplay mostly comprises of blowing away Aliens before they send their teeth through your skull or worse impregnate you with their offspring. Aside from the fact that the game looks amazingly realistic compared to previous Aliens inspired video games there is the added bonus of being able to play co-operatively with up to three other players online. I can just imagine the 'beep-beep-beep' of motion sensors as you and your friends await the oncoming horrors heading your way. "We gonna die man! We're gonna f*cking die!" Updates on the game can be found here: http://www2.sega.com/aliens//

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Well if LEGO Batman didn't give you your Batman fix then you can always look forward to Batman: Arkham Asylum. Information about this game is only just beginning to trickle in, the bulk of which are screenshots which you can view here: http://kotaku.com/5037545/batman-arkham-asylum-in-pictures. The game looks awesome but as far as how it will eventually play out well...It's just speculation and high hopes at this point. Let's all hope the game doesn't flop like some previous Batman video games.


Well I may have missed a few titles but I believe this is the bulk of what comic related or inspired video games are expected to come your way in the near future.

- Eliah Holiday

I had a new job all lined up and one hour before I am supposed to leave I get called up and told not to bother showing up, there's a hitch in my paperwork and they can't hire me.

Oh, well. They weren't the only company that gave me a job offer on down the list. Still. Annoying.

Minus One is a great book - and I look forward to seeing the ongoing series - until then, I'll have to be happy with fan art!

My goal is to get fan art done for every comic by the end of the week. I wanted to share this one immediately because it's so topical...

In celebration of the impending Hallowe'en, the Death Star entertainment council has assembled the following distracting production [viewer discretion advised]

Slaughter Inc, Page 16

Here again, back by popular demand, the Stormtrooper Theatrical Regiment 501 presents the ensemble piece

Minus One, Page Nine

...when I joined Z2H in September, the highest blog was Lord Maim at somewhere around +90 or so.

So it's up and it's posted, but this leaves me with a serious question in my head: where now?  There's no outright point in writing a second "issue" just yet until I'm sure this script stands well enough on its own; while I have other characters I could profile, it's starting to feel like I'm just building characters for fun and not to actually be useful; I could expand the world a bit but I don't see why it's necessary.

This past Sunday we took a trip up to Truro to go through a corn maze. Yep - that's the secret word for the week - CORN MAZE. You know what to do every time someone says the secret word... scream real loud!

Lost in the Corn Maze with the kidz


Corn, corn, everywhere and not a drop to drink

Stewiacke is famous - so famous we kept on driving...

I took orienteering in scouts - but I forget all that. I know it's this way because of my experience reading D&D maps...

It was a nice day

Corn Maze!

October is awesome

SO! Finding yourself at this Rip Current page and wondering where everything is? Here's a quick run-down...

First off, the comic (most important) is the top tile on the left.

I've done a couple of mini-chapters on what's happening just after the comic finishes, and those can be found in the blogs (below) or by clicking on the 'Extra Chapters' tile to the left.

Deliciously wonderful fan art is also on the left; click and peruse.

And for your listening pleasure when reading all these goodies, click and start up the Rip Current playlist, a text link further down on the left.

Want to see how this all started? Check out my 'Original Pitch' - that's the script and comment/feedback process that went on way back at the beginning of this process. You can also read waaay back in the blog pages here to read my panic-stricken blogs, my life imitates art revelations and more.

And if you want even MORE... stick around! Hit the Become a Fan button and join in the fun. More mini-chapters will be added over time.

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon!

Is St. Thomas real? I want to go there now. The comic was great. Only one issue? Are there going to be more in the works? I would really like to read some more. I sent my friends the URL for the comic and they dig it as well. Usually we do not read comics online, but if you put out more issues we will read them fow show.

Congrats! Here's a celebratory Klingon!