While Comix Zone is in many ways a typical punch-everyone-in-sight-and-move-to-next-screen platform game, the innovative comic-book style presentation sets it above and beyond other games of this ilk. Word balloons appear when Sketch talks to someone, and once he knocks down an end-level "boss", he'll leap out of the page and back down into the next panel, or even shortcut to the panels below. This inside/outside dichotomy of a comic book is used to excellent effect. For example, Sketch can rip loose chunks of the page itself (i.e. where he is in) to make deadly paper airplanes. He can also punch baddies *through* the ink boundaries of a panel. These effects greatly enhance the atmosphere, and each new level comes with surprising new effects.

Fans of the Commodore 64 classic Dan Dare (based on the British comic hero) will immediately recognize Comix Zone as being a true spiritual descendant, and a great one at that. The only downsides I can think of are: a) the game is a tad too short, and b) it lacks any save feature of any kind -- a curious absence inherited from the console version that should have been fixed. Still, Comix Zone is well worth the time for fans of superhero comics, and platform fans in general. Despite its shorter-than-average length, the game offers multiple paths (via different panels you can go to) so that the replay value is somewhat high. With innovative concepts, smooth controls, and vibrant graphics, Comix Zone is a must-have. Two thumbs up!