PRESS START: Mario, Metroid, and Zombies

by Andrea Purcell

It’s dangerous to go alone, so take August’s PRESS START: Video Game Comics and Collectibles Column! This month we travel back to the 1990s with Mario, fight Metroids with Samus, clash with zombies in Call of Duty, and more! Level up your comics and collectibles with PRESS START!

Video game-related items are sprinkled through each month’s PREVIEWS catalog, and we go through to pick out the coolest products. With everything from comics and art books to statues and toys, the PREVIEWS catalog is full of everything a gamer needs.

Don't wait to reach a save point. Head to your local comic shop to pre-order all of the cool items in this month’s column and many more!

Call of Duty Zombies #1

The horde is coming in Dark Horse Comics’ latest video game adaptation of the bestselling Call of Duty franchise. Call of Duty Zombies #1 (AUG160054) takes the fan favorite zombie maps in Call of Duty and fleshes out the backstory of the Tranzit Crew as Stuhlinger, Misty, Russman, and Marlton take on the undead. The Crew was last seen in the “Buried” maps and now must fight to escape Maxis’ apocalyptic wasteland. It’s a race for survival as they take on the waves of unending zombies with their wits and weapons, but not everyone may make it out alive.  

20 Years of Tomb Raider

Celebrate two decades of Lara Croft and Tomb Raider with a new introspective hardcover from Prima Games. Delving into the history of this groundbreaking franchise, 20 Years of Tomb Raider (AUG162283) is a love letter to this long-running action adventure series. Featuring exclusive interviews from Core Design, Crystal Dynamics, official voice actors, comic artists, and more, this book is jam-packed with behind-the-scenes commentary and stunning visuals. This is the perfect companion book for fans of Tomb Raider or those looking to learn more about the history behind one of video gaming’s most famous heroines.

Metroid Prime Samus Varia Suit 1/4 Scale Statue

Metroids beware, interstellar bounty hunter Samus Aran is ready to spring into action with a new statue from First 4 Figures. Based on her design from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the Metroid Prime Samus Varia Suit 1/4 Scale Statue (MAY168266) is a gorgeous rendering of the iconic character. With her blaster cannon at the ready, Samus stands 20 inches tall on a base inspired by the series insignia. This stunning statue is created from hand-painted polystone, comes with a hand-numbered base, and is shipped with a special card of authenticity. 

Super Mario Adventures

Since its debut in Nintendo Power magazine in 1992, fans have been clamoring for a collection of the Kentaro Takekuma manga following the zany exploits of The Mario Brothers, Princess Peach, Bower, and all their Toadstool Kingdom friends. Now, thanks to Viz Media, nostalgic video game fans are getting a chance to travel back in time with Super Mario Adventures (AUG162108). In stunning full-color, readers can enjoy the myriad quests the Mario Bros. take on to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser, but this time Peach might just save herself instead!   

Dragon Age Inquisition Iron Bull Statue

The fan favorite character from Bioware’s hit game Dragon Age Inquisition is being immortalized by Gaming Heads in an all-new statue. Standing an impressive 22 1/2 inches tall, the Dragon Age Inquisition Iron Bull Statue (APR168687) captures him mid-swing as he takes out any enemies that stand before him. Scuplted by Kaushik Manna and limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide, this is a must-have collector’s item for fans of Bioware and fantasy. Crafted from polystone resin with a hand-numbered base and Certificate of Authenticity, the Iron Bull is an impressive piece to add to any gamer’s shelf.