The Card Wars tournament is coming up and Cake wants in. Well, what Cake really wants is a worthy opponent, as Fionna has yet to fully grasp the game. But when they stumble upon the tournament, it seems to be fate. Card Wars #1 kicks off a new Fionna and Cake mini-series, and it promises some new challenges and good entertainment. Fionna gets tired of losing to Cake- she chooses her cards based on cuteness, whereas Cake chooses based on strategy, so why Fionna’s losing is truly a mystery. Desperate to get out of a potentially lengthy game night, Fionna suggests Cake try to find someone new to play with.

The Ultimate Game Time Club folks are reluctant to allow a new member in. Strike that, they outright refuse to allow a new member in. It’s an exclusive, slugs-only club, you see. But Cake’s determined, and she knows she’s good enough- if only given a chance to prove herself. And it’s only because of dire circumstances that Cake gets that chance.

Other noteworthy moments include the UGTC slugs’ borderline creepy obsession with Lumpy Space Prince (I’m being nice when I say “borderline.” There’s a shrine.), the Ice King’s maniacal game of Card Wars against Gunter, and Cake morphing into a slug-like form.

This was a good set-up for what seems to be a fun mini-series, and I know fans of Fionna and Cake are eager for more of this duo’s adventures. Card Wars is an animated and dynamic game that goes beyond the cards, and among the plays is a literal tornado wall of fire. I absolutely want in on a game where you can play a literal tornado wall of fire. This is what dreams are made of. This game is appropriately dramatic and extreme and Wilson brings it to the page nicely, as well as the melodramatic moments peppered throughout the issue- a dramatic gasp here, an extreme close-up there, and let’s not forget the “dramatic fling.” It all suits the storytelling perfectly, and makes Card Wars a fun and endearing read.

Score: 3/5

Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake - Card Wars #1 (of 6) Writer: Jen Wang Artist: Britt Wilson Publisher: BOOM!/Kaboom! Price: $3.99 Release Date: 7/15/15 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital