Comix Zone

at March 09, 2023

 

Comix Zone (コミックスゾーン|Komikkusu Zōn) is a 2D action game released in 1995. The game's most remarkable feature is that it is set within the "panels" of a comic book. Each level consists of two "pages" and secrets are discovered by shredding the "paper" and revealing items. The dialogue is rendered within talk bubbles with the typical comic font. Sprites and backgrounds possess the bright colors and dynamic drawing style favored by superhero comics.

Comix Zone was widely criticized for being released too late and for being too hard and short, but it was positively received, and praised for its great game-play, graphics, and soundtrack. It became a great success due to its game-play, and is released on many collections and consoles since. It is also one of the rarer Japanese Mega Drive games. The music was composed by Howard Drossin, a known video game and film composer.

Joe_Pencil_(Comix_Zone)_-_MD_Gen_-_STI_early_concept_demo

Joe Pencil (Comix Zone) - MD Gen - STI early concept demo

Concept demo of Sega Technical Institute's "Joe Pencil trapped in the Comix Zone" project, provided by Peter Morawiec.

The game was originally from a concept video animated by Peter Morawiec titled "Joe Pencil Trapped In The Comix Zone". The video was made in 1992, displaying the animation of how the gameplay and the comic book elements would blend in.