There is no way I could see Duke Nukem: Forever #0 and jump at the chance of reading up on the bada$$ hero that got me into gaming as a kid. Alongside the recent release of “Duke Nukem: Forever” on the popular gaming platforms, IDW released the #0.
It starts off with Duke seeing a sign for a hole-in-the-wall stripper bar nearby. Of course he goes, but what’s hilarious is the sign itself stating “Beers, Babes and Boobs!” One has to think that if it says Babes, then Boobs would be automatic. But then a sign appears with (non-nude) dancers where one has a tail. An instant liking to the writer Tom Waltz and artist Xermanico for starting it off with a bang.
The book itself was a mix of locals and employees in the bar wondering if the muscular guy that just walked in is the famous Duke Nukem. As locals are in most places, some believe and some don’t. Others have amazing stories of how they either saw or met someone who saw Duke in action. From Washington D.C to Hawaii, issue 0 covers two not-so-crazy-for-Duke stories on how the hero filleted big monster robot sharks to stopping an alien invasion at the White House. Each one packed with action and his famous Duke Nukem facial expressions one would remember while playing the 1990 PC game.
We also get a small taste of how legendary his reputation is as two thug boar-aliens open a portal in the strip bar demanding all humans give up their women. Next to himself, and his guns, no one will ever take women off this planet if Duke Nukem is nearby. As soon as he makes himself known, one of the boar-aliens realizes how “toast” they are with the comment “we’re bacon.” Another great add-in comedy from Tom Waltz.
As a kid, I couldn’t help but be incredibly curious to play the game my dad would be playing for hours with the volume on full blast. Once i got my turn at playing, I was addicted. Even though I played Nintendo, Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis between middle school and college, hardly anything would top the 1st person shooter of Duke Nukem. IDW’s comic was nothing short of what I’d expect of the guns-flaring, trash-talking hero in print.
Reviewer’s Rating: One For The Collection
Digital release courtesy of IDW
