There’s almost always been some crossover between the world of comics and video games, whether that’s on the screen or in the panels. Accordingly, whenever video game developers enter the field of comics or comic writers and artists contribute to the design of video games, it further becomes obvious that the two mediums complement one another. So whenGears of Warcreator Cliff Bleszinski announced his new superhero dog comic,Scrapper, it was practically a given that the title would be tailor-made for a video game adaptation, though the form CliffyB envisions it taking is decidedly different fromGears of War.
Following a successful 6-issue run last year on Image Comics, the publisher is nowset to releaseScrapperin a collected hardcover format this spring. The upcoming release ofScrapperin a single, self-contained book prompted the opportunity for Game Rant to sit down and discuss the property with its creator, and the topic ofScrapperturning into a game naturally came up. According to Bleszinski, the reason that it’s so easy to envisionScrapperworking as a video game is because it was an intentional move on his part. It’s the result of a lifelong game designer entering the world of comics, with a very clear throughline of inspiration.
Scrapper’s Abilities Make Him a Natural Fit for a Video Game Adaptation
Video games are contextualized through the things that the player actually gets to “do” when controlling their interactive avatar, which makes the medium ideal for adapting comic book superheroes. Most superheroes have extensive combat abilities alongside their signature superpowers, andScrapperis no different. In terms of what abilities Scrapper has on display in the first story arc of the comic, Cliff Bleszinski notes that each of these powers is an intentional inclusion that could translate seamlessly to avideo game adaptation.
Video games are about verbs. What can you do? Can you run? Can you dodge? Can you dive? Can you shoot? Can you duck? Scrapper has plenty of verbs, and that was deliberately done.
In terms of specific inspirations for a potentialScrappervideo game adaptation, it turns out that both the hypothetical game and the comic take inspiration from Batman across both mediums. Bleszinski notes that the inspiration forScrappercame from the idea of “what if Batman was a dog?” and then was further fleshed out, and the titular hero’s wide array of abilities take its inspiration fromRocksteady’s now-legendaryArkhamtrilogy.
Think about the genius of Rocksteady Games and how they cracked the code of finally making an incredible Batman game withArkham Asylum. That’s kind of the mold that I was going for initially. Even Rocksteady didn’t go forArkham Cityinitially. They walked before they ran. They stayed in the asylum, initially. They also did the whole ‘Batman’s the world’s greatest detective.’ They actually tapped into that, whereas other games just had Batman kicking guys’ asses.
Whether fans will seeScrapperadapted into a game remains to be seen, but reading the comic makes it obvious that the canine superhero is a perfect fit for being the star of his own interactive adventure. Regarding the potential ofScrapperto translate into a game,CliffyBnotes that “I could absolutely seeScrapperas a game, I would just need the right partner for it.”
Gears of War
Xbox Game Studios' Gears of War franchise began on the Xbox 360 and instantly became a flagship franchise for the green brand. The original Gears of War trilogy is considered one of the finest in the history of the third-person shooter genre, with the trilogy’s intense action and surprisingly touching story moments creating memorable experiences.The series has had another two solid main series entries since and even a turn-based tactics game.
