Image Comics published a series based on the Tekken video game franchise that was a perfect but short-lived representation of the 2000’s.
Debuting in 1994, Namco’s Tekken is one of the most popular and successful fighting video games of all time. With nearly 20 titles spanning almost three decades, Tekken has introduced a staggering number of characters and plots, many of which carry over from title to title. Not limited merely to video games, Tekken has expanded its story through films and even comics.
2003’s Tekken Forever (by Dave Chi and Paco Diaz) was published by Image Comics and exists as an entry placed between the events of 1996’s Tekken 3 and 2001’s Tekken 4. The issue begins with Kazuya Mishima, leader of the Mishima Zaibatsu and father of Jin Mishima, standing over the defeated bodies of countless other combatants. Jin is kneeling before them, holding the unconscious body of Unknown, a strange woman covered in a black substance. Bruce and Ganryu stand with Mishima and are subsequently defeated by Jin before the young fighter turns to face his father.
Parallel to Jin’s fight is Hong Kong police officer Lei Wulong’s battle against an army of Kazuya’s soldiers. As he and his men fight to enter a nearby temple Lei receives word that a single person has been slaughtering his forces. The officer investigates the temple and finds Bryan Fury, a murderous ex-cop who has history with Wulong. Lei receives unexpected help from Yoshimitsu, a benevolent ninja, and the two square off against Bryan.
The story then returns to Jin as he faces his father. As their confrontation heats up, one of the other defeated fighters, Paul Phoenix, comes to and pounds the villain through the floor. Afterwards, Jin has a strange vision of a demon, and the issue ends with Kazuya emerging from the hole in the floor intent on reclaiming the Devil gene from his son even if he must kill everyone around Jin to do so.
Unfortunately, Tekken Forever was canceled after it’s very first issue. While faithful to its video game source material in terms of its action and multitude of characters, the comic suffered from an overly complex narrative and the decision to not create an original story set outside of that previously established in the games. Had the comic focused on a single character and followed them into The King of Iron Fist Tournament it may have been much better.
This isn’t to say Tekken Forever isn’t without its merits. The art is bright and vibrant with the cast of characters represented well. The action is rousing and references to the character’s signature moves are front and center whenever they fight. But the single greatest part of Tekken Forever is its dialogue. A shining example of this is the opening of the issue in which Bruce sings the chorus from nu-metal band Drowning Pool’s “Bodies.”
Reading Tekken Forever is akin to taking a trip back to an arcade in 1999: the outfits show their age, and the trash talking is at an all-time high. The comic might not be the brightest moment in the history of the series, but Tekken Forever succeeds at giving its readers arcade action and unintentional laughs.
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