Street Fighter Unlimited #1 (Comic Review)

Street Fighter monthly comics are back! Gearing up for the release of Street Fighter V in 2016, UDON launches an all-new monthly comic book series that will pack in more adrenaline, more battles, and more characters than ever before! A new era for the undisputed king of fighting games begins here!

Street Fighter comics are coming back at the end of the year. I must say that issue #1 is a homerun for me. Fans of Ryu are really going to enjoy this issue. If you're looking for fights, blood and drama this issue doesn't have that. What this issue does have is a Ryu as the central focus of the story. Street Fighter Unlimited # 1 follows Ryu as he struggle with the inner demons inside him called The Satusi No Hado. He goes to his fallen master Gouken grave site to let out his fears. That is the overall focus of issue #1 is Ryu struggling with the beast within. I actually like this approach because I felt connected to Ryu. Instead of just giving us an issue where it's fight with no meaning. The writers and the team are building up the characters for us to get a connection. When Ryu does fight it's going to mean something and have emotional and character depth. The Satsui No Hado is Ryu's darkness, that manifest during battle and him trying to quiet that urge and lust of power is a welcome addition to his arc. We see Ryu at a vulnerable state that we rarely see.

While the story doesn't have any other characters but Ryu in here beside a cameo or two. The writing and wonderful artwork that captures the spirit of the anime and game make it a great read. The art style has great use of colors, especially in the background that help me really get into this issue. I would say the highlight of the art is when Ryu's is in Satsui No Hado mode. There is a clear depiction of man who has lost all light and only darkness remains. The way his eyes are colored and drawn makes Ryu a real threat in the Street Fighter realm. If you're a fan of Street Fighter or Ryu is your favorite character pick this comic up in December. 

Final Grade 8.5/10