Editing Comix Zone

{{short description|1995 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Comix Zone
| image = Comix Zone Coverart.png
| developer = [[Sega Technical Institute]]{{Efn|Game Boy Advance port developed by Virtucraft|group=lower-alpha}}
| publisher = [[Sega]]
| designer = Peter Morawiec
| writer = Peter Morawiec
| programmer = Adrian Stephens
| composer = [[Howard Drossin]]
| engine = 
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|July 1995}}|'''Sega Genesis'''{{vgrelease|NA|July 1995|JP|September 1, 1995|EU|September 1995}}'''Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 13, 1995<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sega ships CD-ROM titles. - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+ships+CD-ROM+titles.-a017632290 |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}</ref>|EU|March 1996}}'''Game Boy Advance'''{{vgrelease|EU|September 11, 2002}}}}
| genre = [[Beat 'em up]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| platforms = [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]], [[Windows]], [[Game Boy Advance]]
| caption = North American Genesis box art
}}

'''''Comix Zone'''''{{Efn|[[Japanese language|Japanese]]: コミックスゾーン, [[Hepburn romanization|Hepburn]]: ''Komikkuzōn''|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1995 [[beat 'em up game]] developed by [[Sega Technical Institute]] and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]]. Set within the panels of a [[comic book]], it follows the [[Comics writer/artist|comic writer/artist]] Sketch Turner as he attempts to escape the pages of his own work. The game sees players traversing three [[Level (video games)|levels]], each broken up into two parts with multiple branching pathways, where they must defeat enemies and solve puzzles in order to progress.

Conceived by Sega Techinical Institute programmer Peter Morawiec, the concept for the game was originally shown off in a 1992 demo video, entitled ''Joe Pencil Trapped In The Comix Zone'', to Sega. The concept was greenlit and development began on the game. After a few delays in its release in order to implement more features, the game was released in July of 1995 in North America and in September that same year everywhere else. ''Comix Zone'' received a mainly positive critical reception, although critique was given to certain elements such as perceived high difficulty.

==Gameplay==
[[File:ComixZoneScreenshot.webp|left|thumb|Sketch Turner kicking an enemy through a set of [[Comic panel|comic panels]]. The interface at the top left shows Sketch's current [[Health (game terminology)|health]] and items.]]
''Comix Zone'' is a [[beat 'em up game]] set in the pages of a [[comic book]]. Players control Sketch Turner as he progresses through panels of his comic book, hoping to reach the end and escape before his own creations finish him off. There are three [[Level (video games)|levels]], or pages, in total and each one is broken up into two parts which are seamlessly integrated with one another, as well as multiple branching paths within them. In levels, Sketch must defeat enemies and solve puzzles in order to progress. Enemies can be defeated by simply punching or kicking, while jumping or not, or by tearing off a part of the page and throwing it back as a [[paper plane]], which causes Sketch's health to deplete and has the chance to hit him instead.

Sketch's health is shown via a [[life bar]], which depletes if he is hit by an enemy or hits/attacks an obstacle; when it depletes completely or Sketch falls down a hole the game ends. This can be counteracted however if Sketch completes a level, which grants a [[Continue (video games)|continue]], or he uses a healing item. Up to three items can be stored at a time and can be found by using Roadkill, a rat and himself an item, to peel back a part of the page. Items can either help defeat enemies and obstacles or heal Sketch's life bar.

== Plot==

=== Setting ===
''Comix Zone'' is set in a comic book of the same name. The comic centers around a [[post-apocalyptic]] [[Earth]] ravaged by alien invaders and each level is set in a different part of the world. The locations the player visits include a decimated [[New York City]], the [[Himalayas]] and the [[Atoll|atolls]] of [[Zealand]]. Humans still roam the Earth alongside aliens, whom they want to rid from the planet. [[Mutant|Mutants]], who despise both humans and aliens, wish to eradicate both species so that they can rule the planet undisputed.

=== Characters ===
The player controls Sketch Turner, a [[Comics writer/artist|comic writer/artist]], and freelance rock musician,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://manuals.sega.com/genesismini/pdf/COMIXZONE.pdf |title=Comix Zone Instruction Manual (North America)}}</ref>{{Rp|page=1}} living in New York City who is sucked into his own comic. The comic, ''Comix Zone'', is inspired by Sketch's vivid dreams and nightmares. Along his journey to escape the comic, Sketch meets Alissa Cyan, a general of a human defense force, and Mortus, a powerful mutant and main antagonist of the game.

=== Story ===
One night during a thunderstorm while working on ''Comix Zone'', a panel of Sketch's comic is hit by a lightning bolt, causing the book's main villain, Mortus, to escape its pages. Desiring a physical form in the real world, Mortus sends Sketch into the comic in the hopes of killing him and receiving a body in the process. Upon arriving in the comic Sketch is met by Alissa, who believes that Sketch is a chosen one who came to save her post-apocalyptic world. Sketch disputes this fact but goes along with it as he goes on Alissa's mission and attempts to find a way out of his comic. After traveling the world for a while, Sketch and Alissa reach a weapons factory containing a nuclear weapon hidden on a derelict ship. As Alissa attempts to defuse the weapon, Mortus comes back into the comic and throws her into a chamber that slowly fills with liquid. Sketch battles against Mortus and his minions and comes out triumphant. He then frees Alissa from her confines and escapes the comic with her just as the weapon self-detonates.

Now in the real world, Alissa enlists in the army and is eventually promoted Chief of Security for the [[United States]]. Sketch's comic becomes the best-selling comic book ever, selling out on the first day and making him a celebrity overnight. Alissa moves in with Sketch and the two live happily together.

==Development==
===Conception===
''Comix Zone'' was conceived by the [[Sega Technical Institute]] (STI) programmer Peter Morawiec.<ref name="S16: Morawiec" /> Many of Morawiec's fellow STI developers were comic book fans and made monthly trips to local comic shops.<ref name="S16: DevDen" /> He devised the ''Comix Zone'' concept after joining his co-workers on one of their trips to a shop in [[Palo Alto, California]].{{sfn|''GamesTM'' staff|2010|p=150}} Morawiec "felt that comics and games could be very complementary" and began working on a [[technology demonstration]] for his [[Amiga]].<ref name="S16: Morawiec" /> The story was inspired by the 1985 music video for "[[Take On Me]]" by [[A-ha]], which depicts a race car driver in a comic book connecting with a woman in the real world. Morawiec added a [[dystopia]]n-esq setting based on his passion for [[science fiction film]]s.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=92}}

Morawiec presented the video, "Joe Pencil Trapped in the Comix Zone", to STI head Roger Hector in December 1992.<ref name="S16: Morawiec" />{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=93}} Hector was enthralled by the concept, saying: "The minute I saw it, I knew it was going to be great."<ref name="S16: Hector">{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Interview: Roger Hector |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2005/02/interview-roger-hector/ |website=Sega-16 |access-date=July 31, 2022 |date=February 15, 2005}}</ref> He encouraged Morawiec to pitch it directly to [[Sega of America]] CEO [[Tom Kalinske]], who approved it.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=93}} Although Kalinske wanted development to begin immediately, ''Comix Zone'' was placed on hold so STI could work on ''[[Sonic Spinball]]'' (1993), as Sega wanted to have a ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' game available for the 1993 [[Christmas shopping season]].{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=93}} Following ''Spinball''{{'s}} release, STI pitched several concepts, including ''Comix Zone'', to Sega management. Kalinske remembered ''Comix Zone'' and asked STI to begin development.<ref name="S16: Morawiec" />

Morawiec approached programmer Adrian Stephens, who had joined STI as a programmer as ''Spinball'' was nearing completion, about working on ''Comix Zone''. Development began with a three-man team of Morawiec, Stephens, and executive producer Dean Lester.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=93}} According to Hector, "It took a few months to put together a team capable of delivering the game".<ref name="S16: Hector" /> The team grew as large as a dozen people and was given high priority at STI and the full support of the studio. Additional staff included [[Jonah Hex]] co-creator [[Tony DeZuniga]], comic book artist [[Alex Niño]], lead animator Bob Steele, artist Chris Senn, programmer [[Stieg Hedlund]], and associate producer Mike Wallis.<ref name="S16: Hedlund" />{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=93-94}} Hector, who served as the manager, credited Morawiec as the project lead.<ref name="S16: Hector" />

===Production===
The initial protagonist was Joe Pencil, a "geeky-looking" character who Morawiec based on "the classic comic book angle of a scrawny kid getting transformed into a powerful superhero."<ref name="S16: Morawiec" /> Sega's marketing department objected to the character's name and design, so he was renamed Sketch Turner and Morawiec, a fan of the [[Smashing Pumpkins]], redesigned him to resemble a [[grunge rock]]er.<ref name="S16: Morawiec" /><ref name="S16: DevDen">{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Developer's Den: Sega Technical Institute |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2007/06/developers-den-sega-technical-institute/ |website=Sega-16 |access-date=July 31, 2022 |date=June 11, 2007}}</ref> The marketing department also demanded, against Morawiec's wishes, that Sketch have a sidekick, a popular trend in games at the time. Morawiec did not want Sketch to be followed by a human or a large animal, so he conceived Roadkill since a rat "didn't take up a lot of screen space, and we could do quite a bit with it in terms of puzzles and such."<ref name="S16: Morawiec" /> The marketing department felt that a pet rat was an awkward choice,{{sfn|Stuart|2014|page=287}} but Lester and the other developers supported it.<ref name="S16: Morawiec" />

[[File:Tony DeZuniga.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jonah Hex]] co-creator [[Tony DeZuniga]] (pictured in 2011) designed ''Comix Zone''{{'s}} beginning and ending sequences.]]

STI sought to design ''Comix Zone'' faithfully to its comic book theme, including in its animation style.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=93}} DeZuniga designed the beginning and ending sequences; he drew the art with ink and pencils before scanning it into a computer and processing it for the Genesis.{{sfn|Stuart|2014|page=287}} Senn contributed character animations as well as some background art and [[Boss (video games)|bosses]].{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=94}} As development progressed, Stephens found it challenging to program the game so it would fit within two [[Megabyte|megabytes]] while being able to [[Data compression|decompress]] large pages of graphics during play. He noted that the Genesis was not designed with this process in mind, but was pleased that he managed to make it happen.{{sfn|''GamesTM'' staff|2010|p=151}} When STI sent ''Comix Zone'' to Sega of Japan for review, it received a note claiming the game "embodied everything that was wrong with American culture". Hedlund said the team took this as "high praise".<ref name="S16: Hedlund">{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Interview: Stieg Hedlund (STI Programmer) |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2006/12/interview-stieg-hedlund/ |website=Sega-16 |access-date=July 31, 2022 |date=December 15, 2006}}</ref>

''Comix Zone'' became STI's top project with the full support of Sega's marketing department. The development was relatively smooth,{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=94}} though the game was repeatedly delayed so the team could add more features, leading to a release late in the Genesis' lifecycle.{{sfn|Day|2007|p=31}} ''Comix Zone'' was one of the only two games, the other being ''[[The Ooze]]'', to bear the STI logo.<ref name="S16: DevDen" /> It was the first game that Wallis worked on during his time at Sega,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Interview: Mike Wallis (SOA Producer) |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2007/06/interview-mike-wallis/ |website=Sega-16 |date=June 19, 2007}}</ref> and the last Genesis game Senn worked on.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Interview: Chris Senn (STI Artist) |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2007/04/interview-chris-senn/ |website=Sega-16 |access-date=July 31, 2022 |date=April 3, 2007}}</ref> The soundtrack was composed by [[Howard Drossin]], who used the GEMS sound driver and chose a [[rock music]] style.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=94-95}}<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |last1=Plasket |first1=Michael |title=Comix Zone |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/comix-zone/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=July 31, 2022 |date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> Drossin sought to demonstrate the sound capabilities of the Genesis and that it could produce more than just [[chiptune]]. He provided most of the male audio clips, while various administrative assistants provided female audio clips. Morawiec contributed the voice of the villain Gravis.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=94-95}}

Late in development, Sega's testing department recommended that the [[difficulty level]] be increased. Average players found it difficult to complete the game as a result, and Morawiec expressed regret that he followed the test department's recommendation.{{sfn|''GamesTM'' staff|2010|p=152}} As development concluded, pressure was mounting as the American STI team had not released a game since ''Spinball''. Further complicating matters was the forthcoming release of Sega's new consoles, the [[32X]] and [[Sega Saturn]], and Stephens expecting a child. Resultingly, ''Comix Zone''{{'s}} scope was reduced for a sooner-than-planned release and two levels had to be removed.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=94-95}} In retrospect, Morawiec felt the development would have greatly benefited from the contributions of STI's more experienced Japanese staff, who had split from the main team following the release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' (1992).<ref name="S16: Morawiec">{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=Interview: Peter Morawiec (STI Programmer) |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2007/04/interview-peter-morawiec/ |website=Sega-16 |access-date=July 31, 2022 |date=April 20, 2007}}</ref>

==Release==
''Comix Zone'' was released for the Genesis in North America in July 1995,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/eb4483b8-6d87-49ae-a54c-ea77e0b1ba09|title=Genesis ProReview: Comix Zone|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=73|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=August 1995|page=64}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Elrich |first=David J. |date=September 14, 1995 |title=ROAD TEST; 32-Bit Video Games: Newest Kid on the Block |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/14/archives/road-test-32bit-video-games-newest-kid-on-the-block.html |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> in Japan on September 1, 1995,<ref name="Sega titles - Sega JP">{{cite web |title=Software List (Sega Release) |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=[[Sega|Sega Corporation]] |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=ja}}</ref> and in Europe on September 1995.<ref name="ComixZone-SM21">{{cite web|title=Mega Drive Review - Comix Zone|url=https://archive.org/details/sega-21/page/19/mode/2up|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine#History|Sega Magazine]]|publisher=[[EMAP]]|accessdate=9 March 2025|date=September 1995|pages=84-85}}</ref> The game received a small print run in Japan and became an expensive collector's item in the years following its release.<ref name="HG101" /> A [[porting|port]] for [[Windows]] was released in North America in November 1995 and in Europe in March 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+enters+PC+gaming+market+with+hit+titles,+key+partnerships.-a017424677|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401081536/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+enters+PC+gaming+market+with+hit+titles%2c+key+partnerships.-a017424677|title=Sega enters PC gaming market with hit titles, key partnerships|website=[[Business Wire]]|archivedate=April 1, 2016|date=September 18, 1995|accessdate=August 11, 2021|via=[[The Free Dictionary]]|author=[[Sega of America]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Guise|1996|p=58}} The port, released when [[Microsoft]] was promoting [[Windows 95]] as a legitimate game platform, is largely identical to the Genesis version, though it features a [[MIDI]] rendition of the soundtrack.<ref name="HG101" /> Sales of ''Comix Zone'' were hampered by its late release in the Genesis' lifecycle, after the worldwide launch of [[Fifth generation of video game consoles|next-generation hardware]] like the Saturn and [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]]'s [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]. According to Stephens, Hector said that ''Comix Zone'' failed to [[break even]],{{sfn|''GamesTM'' staff|2010|p=153}} which Morawiec attributed to the popularity of the PlayStation.<ref name="S16: Morawiec" />

To promote ''Comix Zone'' as "edgy and cool", Sega bundled ''Comix Zone'' with a CD featuring rock songs by popular bands such as [[Love and Rockets (band)|Love and Rockets]], [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]], and the [[Jesus and Mary Chain]].{{Sfn|Horowitz|2016|p=94-95}} STI originally planned for the bundled CD to contain several ''Comix Zone'' tracks performed by a grunge band that Drossin had formed in [[Los Angeles]], but Sega chose a different approach. Morawiec said that the team, particularly Drossin, was upset by the change, though their planned CD was still manufactured and distributed via a magazine, European and Windows copies, and Sega's short-lived Sega Tunes [[record label|label]].<ref name="S16: Morawiec" /><ref name="HG101" /> ''[[Hardcore Gaming 101]]'' described the rock CD as "a stunt that further drives the nineties-ness of [''Comix Zone''] as a time capsule for an era when game companies often released a lot of crazy promotional crap to sell their products".<ref name="HG101" />

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 76%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/10975-comix-zone/index.html |title=Comix Zone for Genesis |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=29 October 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209000059/https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/10975-comix-zone/index.html |archivedate=December 9, 2019}}</ref>
| MC = 71/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/comix-zone/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Comix Zone for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=29 October 2018}}</ref>
| Allgame = 4.5/5<ref name=allgamereview>{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1552&tab=review|title = Comix Zone Review| author = Baker, Christopher Michael |publisher = [[AllGame]] |accessdate =May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114202946/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1552&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| EGM = 7.825/10<ref name=EGM73>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Comix Zone|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=73|publisher=Sendai Publishing |date=August 1995|page=35}}</ref>
| Fam = 30/40<ref>NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: コミックスゾーン. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.351. Pg.30. 8 September 1995.</ref>
| NGen = 3/5<ref name="NG"/>
}}

''[[GamePro]]'' considered the game's visuals a successful recreation of the look and feel of a comic book, but said that the game quickly sours once the player encounters the repetitive combat and overly simplistic puzzles. They also found problems with the controls: "Sketch can't move rapidly around the panel, and button slamming yields unpredictable results." They concluded: "You really want to love ''Comix Zone'' for its original elements, but after a few panels, the honeymoon's over."<ref>{{cite magazine|author=The Unknown Gamer |date=August 1995|title=ProReview: Comix Zone|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_073_August_1995/page/n65/mode/2up|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=83|page=64}}</ref> The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' acknowledged the problems with the controls, but also remarked that the graphics are exceptionally colorful for a Genesis game, and argued that the originality of its comic book look makes it a must-have despite its flaws.<ref name="EGM73" />

''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' reviewed the Genesis version of the game and stated that while the unique concept, outstanding visuals, and solid soundtrack make the game of interest, the gameplay is derivative and repetitive. They summed up: "A very cool idea for a game that wasn't executed properly, ''Comix Zone'' is better than most."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|date=August 1995 |title=Finals |url=https://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-008/page/n75/mode/2up|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=8|page=75}}</ref> In 2017, ''[[GamesRadar]]'' ranked ''Comix Zone'' 43rd on their "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time." They lauded the animation and sound effects as "magnificent" and beyond the supposed limitation of the console.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Loveridge |first=Sam |date=2017-06-21|title=Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Games of All Time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-sega-genesis-games-all-time/|access-date=2022-02-20 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Ports and related releases==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2019}}
[[File:ComixZonePortDifferences.png|thumb|417x417px|The [[Game Boy Advance]] port of the game (Right) alters some of the graphics due to the system's small screen.]]
The game was ported to Windows 3.1, with the use of [[WinG]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Comix Zone (1995) by SegaSoft Windows game |url=https://www.uvlist.net/game-154190-Comix+Zone |website=Universal Videogame List |language=en}}</ref> in 1995 by Sega PC. It was also included in [[Sega_Smash_Pack#Pack_3_(Windows)|''Sega Smash Pack 2'']] (2000). The game was ported to the [[Game Boy Advance]] only in Europe on September 11, 2002, which was developed by Virtucraft and published by Sega.

The game is hidden within the [[Japan]]ese version of ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' and can be [[Unlockable (video games)|unlocked]] in all versions of ''[[Sonic Mega Collection#Sonic Mega Collection Plus|Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' by having a ''[[Sonic Heroes]]'' [[saved game|game save]], or by starting all other Genesis games at least 50 times. The game is part of the ''[[Sega Genesis Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[PlayStation Portable]] (also called ''Sega Mega Drive Collection'' in PAL regions) On January 29, 2007, ''Comix Zone'' was released for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]], and [[Xbox Live Arcade]] on June 10, 2009. The game appears in ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'' (for [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]]) and on June 3, 2010, it was released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]]. It is also included in the Genesis pack. In August 2011, the game was made available for download on [[PlayStation Network]] as part of the ''[[Sega Vintage Collection]]'', with [[Achievement (video games)|trophy]] support.

On June 22, 2017, the game was published on [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] mobile operating systems as part of the ''[[Sega Forever]]'' retro game collection.

The game is in the [[Sega Genesis Mini|Genesis Mini]] retro console which was released on September 19, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genesismini.sega.com/|title=SEGA Genesis Mini {{!}} Official Website|access-date=August 17, 2019|archive-date=August 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817185456/https://genesismini.sega.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 22, 2020, a vinyl record soundtrack of the game's music was announced by record label Cartridge Thunder. The record release features the original Sega Genesis soundtrack by Howard Drossin, as well as live recordings from the band Roadkill.

On June 30, 2022, the game was released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nintendo Switch Online adds four more Mega Drive titles |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-switch-online-adds-four-more-mega-drive-titles |website=Eurogamer.net |date=July 2022 |access-date=1 July 2022}}</ref>

==Film adaptation==
In August 2022, Sega announced that they partnered with [[Picturestart]], to develop a film adaptation of the game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sega, Picturestart Team for Video Game Adaptations ''Space Channel 5,'' ''Comix Zone'' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sega-adapting-space-channel-5-comix-zone-movies-1235202357/|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=August 19, 2022|access-date=August 21, 2022}}</ref>

== References ==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
===Citations===
{{reflist}}
===Works cited===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=2010 |title=Behind the Scenes: Comix Zone |magazine=[[GamesTM|Retro: Micro Games Action]] |volume=3 |pages=148–153 |ref={{SfnRef|''GamesTM'' staff|2010}} |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |isbn=9781906078560}}
* {{cite magazine|last=Day|first=Ashley|year=2007|title=Company Profile: Sega Technical Institute|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]]|issue=36|pages=28–33 |issn=1742-3155}}
* {{cite magazine |last1=Guise |first1=Tom |title=CVG Review: Sega PC |journal=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=April 1996 |issue=173 |pages=58–59 |publisher=St Ives |location=[[Peterborough]] |issn=0261-3697}}
* {{Cite book |last=Horowitz |first=Ken |title=Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |year=2016 |isbn=9780786499946}}
* {{Cite book |last=Stuart |first=Keith |title=[[Read-Only_Memory_(publisher)#Sega_Mega_Drive/Genesis:_Collected_Works|Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Collected Works]] |publisher=[[Read-Only Memory (publisher)|Read-Only Memory]] |year=2014 |isbn=9780957576810 |pages=287}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Video games|1990s}}
*{{moby game|id=/comix-zone}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19961220004559/http://www.sega.com/segapc/downloads/games/comix.html Comix Zone demo] for [[Windows 95]] and [[Windows 3.1]] hosted at [[Sega of America]]'s official website
*[[iarchive:sg Comix Zone 1995 Sega US|Comix Zone]] can be played for free in the browser on the [[Internet Archive]]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Sega beat 'em ups]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega Technical Institute games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Howard Drossin]]
[[Category:Video games set in New York City]]
[[Category:Video games set in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Video games set in South Asia]]
[[Category:Virtucraft games]]
[[Category:Works about comics]]