Killer 7

(Devil’s Due, 2005-2006)
™ and © 2005 Devil's Due

When monster-morphing suicide-bombers, sponsored by the Japanese “Rising Wind” party, threaten world stability, the U.S. government hires seven assassins known as “The Killer 7” to neutralize the threat. The Mr. T look-alike Garican Smith and his boss, the wheelchair-bound Harman Smith, head to Tokyo to protect an endangered contact. However, a grenade-launching masked bandit has beaten them there, only to battle the zombie enemies by himself.

Adapting this Capcom videogame favors this publisher’s strong suit in bullets and body counts. The source material already had elicited polarized reactions, given its stylistic anime artistry and avant-garde adventure but inexplicably unpredictable plot and frustrating gameplay.

The comics version follows the same uneven path, choosing to telegraph its punches in this intro. Strangely, the game’s hallmark cel-shaded animation is discarded in favor of heavy inking. However, fans of the franchise can hope that the appearance of the remaining Killer 7 will give this series a needed shot in the arm.

— Oliver Chin

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