From fan-favorite creator and artist Tyler Kirkham (Witchblade, The Amazing Spider-Man, Deathstroke) comes his new, highly anticipated original series Final Boss, published by Image Comics. Joining Kirkham on art is David Miller (Malefic, Nightstalker), with colors by Ifansyah Noor, and letters by Troy Peteri.
Described by Kirkham as “a culmination of everything [he] loved growing up,” Final Boss feels like a video game in comic form, pulling inspiration from 80s and 90s action flicks, martial arts films, and even UFC fights. It is gritty, fast, and bloody from the first few pages—a passion project that wears its influences proudly.
Writing/Story
Final Boss follows Tommy Brazen, a former Special Forces operative who discovers mysterious powers in an underground masked fighting league. When drawn into a brutal tournament, he must face impossible odds, savage opponents, and the ghosts of his past.
Kirkham’s writing is fast-paced and unapologetically pulpy. While Brazen’s inner monologue can feel a little expositional early on, and the dialogue occasionally comes off as stiff, that is forgivable in such a dense first issue. Nearly forty pages of story and combat still manage to establish a clear tone, character, and momentum.
Kirkham’s love for this material shines through. From a Bloodsport poster to a Predator-style handshake, the references are affectionate, adding levity to a comic that can get incredibly brutal. Brazen himself is a perfect throwback hero: confident, ripped, and impossible to dislike. He feels familiar but fresh, the kind of character who could easily headline a ’90s action classic.
Art Direction
Kirkham and Miller create dynamic, cinematic pages that capture the chaos of every punch and kick. The framing is bold, with panels breaking apart mid-action and objects from one frame cutting into the next. These choices make the fights feel fast, unpredictable, and immersive.
Troy Peteri’s lettering matches the comic’s energy perfectly. It flows naturally with the art, sometimes filling whole panels, especially in the explosive opening spread (see the preview here). The text occasionally reacts to the motion on the page, as if the letters are being thrown into the fight themselves. It is an excellent stylistic choice that keeps the intensity high without overwhelming the visuals.
Ifansyah Noor’s coloring is phenomenal. His use of shadows makes the massive characters feel even larger, while subtle effects like blurring help the reader see from Brazen’s perspective. When the action peaks, Noor unleashes bright color bursts and inversion effects that make every impact land with force. The main fight of this issue is an absolute coloring master class.
The double-page spreads and fighting game homages are the visual highlights. These moments are where the entire team feels in perfect sync, combining over-the-top letter design, vivid coloring, and some of the most detailed art in the issue.
Verdict
Final Boss #1 is a thrilling, adrenaline-fueled debut that delivers everything it promises. Kirkham, Miller, Noor, and Peteri work together to create a love letter to classic action stories and fighting games while crafting something that feels bold and new.
It is gritty, gorgeous, and unrelentingly fun—the kind of comic you can tell its creator always wanted to make.
Final Boss #1 hits comic shops on November 19, 2025.
