Cuphead Expands Its Audience With New Graphic Novel Series
The mega-hit, indie darling game Cuphead is getting a new line of graphic novels for children in 2022. Next year is set to be a big year for the modern run and gun classic with downloadable content for the original game making its long awaited debut. But other releases will ensure that the franchise will be able to be enjoyed by a much wider audience.
Cuphead was developed by Studio MDHR and came from the minds of the brothers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer. Honoring the games and cartoons they enjoyed growing up, Cuphead was a unique blend of '30s-style Rubber hose animated visuals with a brutal style of gameplay. The game was a critical and financial hit, selling more than one million copies in its first two weeks of release. While it may be popular, Cuphead has often been criticized for its unforgiving gameplay making it a limited experience for less-skilled players. The expansion of the franchise aims to make Cuphead something everyone can enjoy.
The most recent addition to Cuphead's legacy is a series of children's comic books published by Penguin Random House. Issued under its "Screen Comix" brand, The Cuphead Show! Handle with Care! will be geared towards readers from ages six to eleven. Another book The Cuphead Show! Welcome to the Inkwell Isles! will be for younger readers from ages five to eight. Welcome to the Inkwell Isles! is a Step 3 book, described as including "engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics for children who are ready to read on their own." The pair of books are the newest collection of Cuphead comics after Dark Horse's Cuphead: Comic Caper & Curios and Cuphead: Cartoon Chronicles & Calamities.
The comics are the latest attempt to bring Cuphead and Mugman's world to a larger audience. The video game has been such a success, Netflix is currently developing an animated show exploring the zany world of the troublemaking brothers. The expansion of Cuphead from a game with a dedicated audience to a franchise that's more inclusive is a smart move as the series goes forward. While fans believe the addition of an "easy" mode will help players struggling with the difficulty of the "normal" setting, Studio MDHR has yet to add one. But by taking Cuphead to television screens and the pages of comics, the property becomes fun for everyone. People are naturally going to be drawn to the retro charm of the game's design, especially cartoon-loving children. These new books allow Studio MDHR to keep Cuphead the way they envisioned it, while the rich characters and world are brought to a whole new generation of fans.
Cuphead's notoriety may stem from its tricky gameplay, but the appeal of the series truly lies in the visuals that honor a bygone era of cartoons. The game may remain a challenge for the average player, but it's no doubt the future of Cuphead will be for everyone.
Source: Screenrant
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