Arcade Kings #4: Joe Vs. Ken

In the penultimate issue, readers finally see the first interaction of the main characters, brothers Joe and Ken, since their split when they were kids. Clearly, a lot happened between them that wasn’t revealed to the reader until this issue, and now the unresolved issues, tension, and anger get slugged out (literally) in a battle between the two. But do they get resolved by the end of the issue, or do new ones arise?

Burnett’s writing throughout the series can be described as exciting, action-packed fun. Each issue starts with a background story to set up the issue that tends to be more serious and narrative-driven, then moving forward in the story, it makes the transition more lighthearted and fun, giving the same vibes and fun one would get from an arcade game. There doesn’t seem to be any plotholes missing in his writing, each scene moves the story forward really well, and the characters’ motivations are well-written. Each issue adds on top of the previous in a way that is easy for the reader to follow and recall, which is ideal in a medium where readers can forget details between that time.

The art by Burnett, Baiamonte, Antonellini, Iurato, Marino, and AndWorld Design continues to kick in that extra oomph with each issue. The colors really highlight those details that bring it to life, the composition reads like a movie, and it reflects the theme so well that it adds to the overall emotion one gets from reading the issue.