Image Comicsrocked the comic book industrywhen it formed in the early ‘90s. In an era defined by corporate control, it was radical for creators to legally own their work. Before Image, artists and writers had little say in the fates of their creations, which were often dictated by moneymen bringing in, well, money. That all changed when comic legends Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee, and other industry titans launched their own publisher.
Image had two simple rules: it wouldn’t own anything except its name and logo, and creators were free to do whatever the hell they wanted. And that they did. Creators were free to run amok. Which, of course, included video games.
With more colons on display than a gastro ward,Kiss: Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Childis a baffling relic from the early 2000s. At first glance, most would assume it’s a game based on thetongue-wagging ’70s rock band Kiss. But they’d be wrong — it’s actually based on theKiss: Psycho Circuscomic from Image. But yes, that comic is based on a fictional version of the band.
The game itself is a dark, moody first-person shooter that borrows heavily fromDoom, though it received mixed reviews upon release. Still, where else can players don the iconic makeup and become a superpowered Kiss tribute band?
Scud: The Disposable Assassincomes from the crazed mind of cartoonist Rob Schrab. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s also prolific outside of comics. Namely directing episodes ofThe Sarah Silverman Program(which he co-created),Community,Parks and Recreation, andWorkaholicsto name a few.
In 1997, Schrab turned his sights to theSega Saturnwith a game adaptation of his cult-favorite comic. The result? A slickly rendered action title with a surprisingly great soundtrack. Players could opt for a standard controller or the infamous Saturn Stunner light gun — which, in true ’90s fashion, they could even dual-wield.
It could be argued that Todd McFarlane, the current president of Image Comics, kept the publisher afloat with Spawn. The character has been a mainstay throughout Image’s 30+ year journey, boasting hundreds of comic issues, an HBO animated series, and even a big-budget blockbuster. On top of that, Spawn has receivedsix video game adaptations(not counting his cameos in Soulcalibur, Mortal Kombat, and Call of Duty).
The standout among these is Capcom’sSpawn: In the Demon’s Hand. Originally a 3D arcade action game, it later jumped to the Dreamcast. Despite its awkward camera and clunky AI, it holds a certain charm for fans. With 37 playable characters from the beloved universe, it stands as a respectable tribute to the hell-raising antihero.
Christian Gossett may be best known as the visionary who forever changedStar Warswith the invention of the double-bladed lightsaber. He was also the leading force behindThe Red Star, a groundbreaking Image Comic series from the 2000s.
As one of the first comic series to utilize CG with its use of 3D models, it came as no surprise when it made the jump to the PlayStation 2 a few years later. The result was a surprisingly polished PS2 title set in an alternate future where the Soviet Union thrives—and wields magic. Blending beat-‘em-up, RPG, and bullet hell elements, it pulls off this ambitious mix far better than anyone expected for alate PS2-erarelease.
With the success of theAmazon Prime adaptation,Invinciblefinally got its own video game. But instead of focusing on Mark Grayson, it shines the spotlight (or should we say microscope) on fan-favorite Atom Eve.
The result is a surprisingly engaging visual novel with unique turn-based RPG combat. It’s a relatively short experience that can be completed in one sitting, but is pack full of all the gripping storytelling the comic is famous for—plus it has a surprisingly solid soundtrack. While prior knowledge ofInvincibleisn’t required, it certainly makes the experience even better.
The Darknessis a standout classic from the seventh generation of consoles, showing story-driven FPS fans exactly what the genre was missing—adorably twisted little Darklings they could control. But besides that, the game excels with its rich storytelling and inventive gameplay.
Players step into the shoes of Jackie Estacado, a mob hitman on a vengeful rampage, armed with his wits, guns, and, oh yeah—a cosmic embodiment of chaos. Its inventivedarkness-based mechanics, which rewarded players for lurking in shadows, were groundbreaking for their time. Slick, moody, and endlessly fun, it left an unforgettable mark on gaming.
For a multi-million dollar franchise, most ofThe Walking Dead’svideo game adaptationshave been pretty lifeless. However, there is one that stood out tall among the rest, and that was the series made by the tragically fated Telltale. These games, among many other things, brought the point-and-click genre back from the dead (wink wink) and gave us some of the best storytelling we’ve ever seen in the medium.
Its journey, however, was turbulent. Telltale’s sudden closure in 2018 left Clementine’s story in limbo, devastating fans. Fortunately, Robert Kirkman, the mastermind behind the comic series, swooped in with Skybound Entertainment to save the day. Players rejoiced as the final chapters were released, giving Clementine—and the game—a proper and satisfying conclusion.
