The New Laser Quest Comic
It has been a while since we’ve had anything new to talk about on the Laser Quest front. However, a just-released comic book created by artist Harry Nordlinger offers up a little nostalgia with a new platform for remembering the LQ game and arena. I preface this by saying this is an independent project inspired by, but not affiliated with Laser Quest.
First, just look at the cover and tell me he hasn’t absolutely nailed a snapshot of the reality post-2020!
It’s really a shame to realize just how accurate this artistic rendition actually is, but he certainly has captured what many of us saw when we would drive by former arenas in the wake of all the LQ closures that took place during the pandemic.
We will hear directly from the artist himself in an upcoming episode of the Laser Unfocused Tag Talk podcast to learn about what inspired this project and how he was so spot on with his interpretation of the setting in his artwork.
The drawings that illustrate the story of the disappearance of little Johnny include incredibly accurate renditions of phasers, arcade games and the vibrancy of Mission Control that hit all the right memory chords as you turn the pages. Nordlinger has really captured many Laser Quest elements very well in both his artwork and his reimagining of the arena where he himself played when he was younger (Mountain View, CA).
The story follows the path of a young boy who goes to a birthday party and enters the arena in the year 2000, only to exit into a world that changes him profoundly, returning with no words about of what has happened. A decade lapses, and his life has grown incredibly dark, much like the formerly happy arena where he returns in search of…truth? A happier time? The innocence he left behind? Where does he end up and will he ever return? Well, there’s a bit of a “Tales from the Dark Side” vibe to the premise, but it does play well for a bit of a twist to the tale of Johnny’s fate inside the dark corridors of the arena.
Warning: You must be able to separate the setting from the storyline if you want to get any warm fuzzies out of this. Otherwise, go into it expecting something much grittier and darker out of this book. However, if you can do that, I think you’ll appreciate the piece of art that has been created here.
This is honestly head and shoulders above the comic book that was actually produced by Laser Quest corporate back in the 90s. This new book is what we should have had back in the day (albeit we would have no doubt gotten it with a more scrubbed up story). Even though it has taken 30 years and it comes several years after the closing of all the LQ sites in North America, we are finally seeing a comic book representation presented in a way that I wish it had been done years ago.
Harry Nordlinger has a small tour of signing locations posted where he is promoting this book, however, I obtained my copies off eBay (the seller was a mom and pop comic book store). It is available in retail comic shops or through the author’s website at vacuumdecay.com if you are seeking it out. This book was only just recently published this past August by Floating World Comics, so for all intents and purposes it is hot off the presses. I would encourage you to check it out!
Watch for my upcoming interview with the artist. You have enough time to order a copy and follow along as Harry Nordlinger talks about the origins of creating this comic inspired by a place many of us remember well. He will be featured in my November 20th podcast episode. However, as someone who revels in reporting the latest laser tag news as soon as I find out about it, I did not want to wait until then to share the update that we can now enjoy a comic book that is chock full of nostalgic elements for those of us who remember those LQ days so well.
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Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
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