If you know me well, you’ll know that I really like Capcom’s fighting games, and their various wacky cast members and backstories. Team Darkstalkers, though bearing the name of Capcom’s mad, horror-themed fighting titles, features just as many Street Fighter characters as it does those from the more overtly monster-laden game.

The plot concerns Shadow Lady Jedah, who’s threatening both the ‘real’ world and the hell dimension of Makai, requiring numerous Darkstalkers and Street Fighters to team up, with the danger bringing together some unusual characters to ally with the heroes.

It’s pretty steeped in continuity, which may seem like a silly thing to discover, given that it’s based on a couple of fighting game sagas. Yet the Street Fighter and Darkstalkers comics are long running and have built up some impressive lore over the years, far outrunning the initial style-over-substance content they were sometimes accused of having.

Though the stories and their continuity aren’t filled with traditional logic, these tales make perfect sense in the worlds of the games. And they are an absolute blast; Team Darkstalkers included.

Honestly, UDON’s Street Fighter and Darkstalkers comics are some of my absolute favourite titles, and have been for some time. They’re perfect escapism, with beautiful artwork and action packed, witty and fun stories to boot.

Despite being a one shot, Team Darkstalkers isn’t really a standalone story, and definitely benefits from prior knowledge of UDON’s Street Fighter and Darkstalkers comics (and if you haven’t read them, seriously just go and read them from the beginning; it won’t take long for you to succumb to their campy charm). If you’re not already on board with these titles, Team Darkstalkers #1 is going to make little sense; however, this is another great addition to both franchises for the fans, and sets up the next chapter of the saga (or sagas?) brilliantly.