Part 8: The Plot to Metroid Part 5

Let's Read Up On Metroid's Story!

Part 5: More Manga Madness Maintaining Metroid Mademoiselle's Modus Operandi!

Well, we've covered "the" Metroid manga, but it's not the only one that's been made with Samus as a main character. I figured it would be worth looking over the other ones, if only because they give Samus a voice and personality long before Other M tried to force the "correct" version of Samus down our throats. So, lets take a quick look at Samus through the eyes of other writers.


Wanpakku Metroid Strategy Guide

Way back in 1986, Wanpakku Comics released the first Metroid manga as a full on strategy guide, with maps, tactics, enemy names and boss strategies, all wrapped up in a gag comic with Samus acting like a complete idiot, getting freaked out by everything and falling for every possible trap. It's also full of references to other Nintendo games. It's kinda boring for straight up manga, but as a strategy guide it's pretty cool, filled with enough detail to get you through the game, but it doesn't tell you everything, including the ending, teasing players that they need to beat the game to meet to true Samus, so players would have no idea Samus is a girl unless they beat the game.


I get the feeling the artist didn't know, either...


Shounen Oh! Metroid Comics

The Shonen Oh! comics are short, 4-panel manga strips released in 1994. They have Samus acting like a ditz instead of an idiot, so I guess that's an evolution in personality, kind of... not really. They're fluffy joke comics where Samus is obsessed with round things, not really much to them.


There was a roundy here. It's gone now.


Samus and Joey

A three volume manga series released from 2002 to 2005, Samus saves a village from Space Pirates, and in the process gets a disciple by the name of Joey. Together they go on adventures throughout the galaxy. It's basically my favourite manga because it lets Samus be a complete badass 100% of the time, and Joey is a decent enough Robin ripoff that I never really found him as annoying as he could have been. Plus the translation is still ongoing as Metroid Database released the first chapter of the second volume on the 12th, oh, and the art and action are pretty damn awesome.


Seriously, it's awesome, go read it


Metroid Prime: Episode of Aether

A seven chapter mini-series released in 2005 retelling the events of Metroid Prime 2, wherein Samus saves a space station before starting her mission on Aether. She finds some survivors of the Galactic Federation ship she investigated in the game, and so they need to work together to survive. This series has Samus act the most like Samus out of all the other series, being quiet and awkward around people, intimidating in her battle armour which makes others wonder if she even has emotions, but very clearly caring for and wanting to protect the people around her. Though the jump from going to the first temple to the next issue where she has the Light Suit is kinda jarring, and the focus on the survivors instead of Samus herself can feel like a missed opportunity, it's good read anyway.


You cannot get more than dual wielding a cannon and a minigun, it's just not done

And now we're gonna jump over to our side of the pond for a bit and cover the comics that Samus showed up in here.


Captain N Comics

Published throughout the late 80's and early 90's, Samus shows up in a few issues of Captain N. She's notably taller than the princess and captain N himself, and is portrayed as a warrior who goes to the highest bidder but has a heart of gold I guess, I dunno, didn't really pay attention and am only bringing this up because Samus shows up in these comics. Frankly I don't find them entertaining enough to read, so if somebody else wants to sum up what she does in this series, be my guest, I'm out.


She also has a crush on Captain N. I know this cause they had an issue where she meets his future self and makes out with him.


Super Metroid Comics

It's Super Metroid, retold in comic form. Oddly enough, Cheif Hardy, Chairman Keaton and Old Bird all show up here, and they all more or less look the same as they do in the manga... but this was released in 1994, eight years before the manga was. There's also another bounty hunter following Samus around called Houston, who's mostly a nuisance there for Samus to yell at for being a greedy bounty hunter, but then oh no, she gets hurt and he rescues her so he's not just a greedy bastard at all! Yeah, it's not all that interesting a comic, outside of introducing the idea that Samus was raised by the Chozo. Beyond that it's simply not worth talking about.


Seriously, what are you two doing here?


Metroid Prime Comic

Three short comics that show what happened in Metroid Prime. I'm not even kidding when I say that's it.

Next time, I may possibly start covering Metroid Fusion finally!