Before I read Doodle Jump, I assumed it was aimed for very young children. Having read all four issues currently released, I can’t really imagine a child of any age reading this comic. Maybe if it were the waiting room of the dentist’s office and all the Highlights magazines were taken, but only then. This comic is based on a game that I’ve never played but apparently is quite popular, and it does a great job of incorporating elements of the game into the story. In this issue, we continue to follow Doodler and Triple as they search for the suit of armor made for the “ultimate warrior.” Triple has a prophetic scroll that explicitly shows Doodler as the chosen one, the hero, and so they rightfully assume Doodler is meant for this armor.
In #4, Doodler and Triple are in a dark tunnel of some sort; they are first forcefully transported by flying caps, and then take a super-fast capsule to their destination, which they discover is actually manufacturing the mysterious black holes that have been popping up everywhere. The black holes haven’t really done anything; they seem rather benign, and even got Doodler and Triple out of a tight spot back in the first issue. But for some reason Triple is outraged and terrified when they discover the black hole factory. #4 ends with Doodler captured by a giant robot type creature and Triple cowering in fear. No doubt Doodler will escape by doing what it does best: jumping to higher ground.
There wasn’t anything in this comic to keep me interested. The story was pretty simple and read like a game, so kudos to the creators on that end. But as a comic, this isn’t something I’d recommend. Triple is, I assume, supposed to be the funny sidekick type to Doodler’s didn’t-ask-to-be-a-hero-but-here-I-am trope; the only problem is Triple is annoying, not funny, and Doodler’s hero status comes from his ability to jump really high. In #3 when they are attacked by a huge octopus thing, the monster is only defeated because it accidentally destroys the building it’s in as it attempts to catch Doodler, who is just jumping around. It’s a little ridiculous, but more than anything it’s just boring. Jumping your way out of danger works in game form, but on the page, not so much.
Who knows, maybe I’m too old for this and there are kids out there who genuinely enjoy this comic. If that’s the case, that’s awesome. But when there are so many engaging, funny, and action-packed stories out there, in whatever form of media, I can’t imagine anyone of any age actively choosing the Doodle Jump comic.
Score: 2 / 5
Writer: Meredith Gran, Mario Udzenija Artist: Steve Uy Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment Price: $3.99 Release Date: 10/29/14 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital