CAPCOM’s legendary action-horror video game series, DARKSTALKERS, in the inimitable UDON comics style! In this zero issue, “The Eye of Belial,” the ultimate fate of Morrigan is foretold in fire and glory — and destruction, including her own!

This comic book aims to bring the vibrant world of Capcom’s Darkstalkers to life but unfortunately misses the mark. This comic book struggles a lot with coherence and depth, which has left me personally unsatisfied.

The narrative in this comic book tries to introduce the diverse cast of Darkstalkers, but the story lacks a clear focus. This comic book feels more like a series of disconnected scenes rather than a cohesive introduction to the series. Important elements and character motivations are glossed over, making it difficult for me personally to engage with the plot or care about the characters.

The characters introduced in this comic book are rushed, offering little insight into their backgrounds or personalities. The potential for exploring the intriguing lore of the Darkstalkers universe is overshadowed by a lack of depth and development. As a result, the characters come across as flat archetypes rather than compelling figures with unique stories.

The dialogues we get in this comic book is another area where this comic book falters in my opinion. Conversations often feel forced and expository, lacking the natural flow needed to draw me personally in. The interactions between characters do little to establish their relationships or add depth to the narrative, further detracting from the overall experience.

The artwork in this comic book is pretty inconsistent. While there are moments where the art captures the distinct style of the Darkstalkers universe, many panels lack the detail and dynamism needed to bring the story to life. The action sequences, which should be a highlight given the source material, are often cluttered and confusing, detracting from their impact.The character designs we get in this comic book, while faithful to the original game, lack the creative flair needed to make them stand out on the page.

Despite these shortcomings, there is a hint of potential in the concept. The Darkstalkers universe is rich with lore and diverse characters that could provide a foundation for compelling storytelling. However, “Darkstalkers #0” fails to capitalize on this potential, delivering an introduction that lacks the excitement and intrigue necessary to capture the audience’s attention.

I Give This Book 1 / 5