Tyler Kirkham’s “Final Boss Volume 1” is really a work of art. I mean, literally, it is a GRAPHIC novel. But the writing, the style, and story, all of it is just a thing of beauty. I absolutely loved everything about it. The characters we are introduced to and their costumes look amazing.

Now listen. It’s gory. Eyes are popping out left and right. People are ripped in half. But the characters, the development. Absolutely amazing.

I’m in to see what happens with the main character in the tournament. What is the deal with the extra characters introduced? How does the tournament play out? What happened to his dad and grandfather? And did he just get possessed with the Phoenix Force that Jean Grey has battled with for decades?!?

Sign me up to find out.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Mortal Kombat meets Street Fighter!

Final Boss Vol. 1 by Tyler Kirkham is a total adrenaline rush. It is pure ‘90s fighting-game meets gritty action flick chaos in comic form. You’re dropped right into Tommy Brazen’s world, a muscle-bound ex-Special Ops main character who spends more time punching his way out of life than anything. The combat is brutal and cinematic. There are buckets of blood splashed across the pages. The art slams with dynamic panel layouts and vibrant colors that feel like they’re straight out of an arcade power-up sequence. The mythology of this story is also a fun aspect. Tommy's grandpa’s WWII temple flashbacks and classic fighting tropes are front and center, and it gives an extra layer to all the fighting. I'm excited to see where it goes. . In short: if you’re craving a visually intense, no-holds-barred brawl-packed debut with just enough mystery to hook you, this hits like a supercharged punch.

Typically I gravitate towards horror, thriller, or science fiction when I choose what comics I read, so when it was recommended I take a glance at Tyler Kirkham's Final Boss I had my reservations. A Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat style fighting comic just normally isn't my jam. Damn, was I wrong. Final Boss kicks some serious ass.

Get ready for an over-the-top adventure that's a high-octane nod to classic action stories. Trying to forge a new path, Tommy uses his newfound powers for various paid enforcer gigs and street fights, only to uncover a past far more complex than he ever imagined.

Kirkham is a veteran comic creator, who has worked for the likes of Marvel and DC and whose work speaks for itself. So it wasn't the creator that made me a bit reserved about this comic series, it was more the theme and genre. Just trying to get myself psyched up to read Final Boss was something that I had to work at. After reading the first five issues, I cannot believe I even gave it a second thought.

Final Boss is an epic fighting comic, that is a combination of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, action adventure, superhero, and mystery story. Yes, it's a lot. But it works so well together. You have moments of action-packed fighting, moments of exploring mysterious caves, and moments of just trying to make ends meet. Theres a lot packed into the first volume but somehow doesn't feel bloated.

Tommy is a likable character who is struggle to find his place, pay bills, and find a missing family member. So there you feel empathic towards him, feeling his emotional pain, but also his physical pain. The ability to connect with such an outlandish style of character truly surprised me and I was not only routing for him to win each fight, but to succeed in his mission in life.

The fights are epic, brutal, and downright fantastic. Kirkham's storytelling and scripting is wonderful, but it's the artwork that screams out and grabs your attention. He has a keen ability to craft not only big action-packed and visceral fighting sequences, but also the intimate and emotional moments. Large scale settings and small up close shots are perfectly illustrated with ease.

Final Boss is for those long time fans of fighting video games, action-packed stories, and a stellar mystery. While if you are not into these types of tales you might be apprehensive, giving this a shot was the best comic book experience I did for myself in 2025. Final Boss is a perfect comic in both story and artwork. I could not ask for more from Tyler Kirkham. Now, I just can't wait for more from this series!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc for review!

The art is amazing and detailed and the story is action packed. The author has blurbs about being inspired by fighting games and it definitely shows in a good way. If you like a fun brutal action packed graphic novel, Final Boss delivers!

A fun, bloody, ride.

Final Boss is basically what it says on the tin. It’s a love letter to the Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter genre of physical violence but in graphic novel form (emphasis on graphic). It reads a bit like those video games. The characters all have super distinctive looks, styles, and powers and the story takes some laudable pains to explain why our protagonist gets more powerful (levelling up, if you will) with each new victory. Add to this a high stakes tournament on a mysterious island and tantalizing foreshadowing of a divine donnybrook, and what more does anyone need? The whole thing is madly entertaining. The word “romp” comes to mind and seems made for situations just like this.

I eagerly await more entries into this series.

Very Mortal Kombat vibes.
The action. The GORE. We even have a tournament w/ an MMC who I wouldn’t say has a hidden power, but an unknown one? Either way, I like the way it works.

This is a graphic novel that’s so easy to get into. It just has such a fun balance. The art is killer too!!
It’s not all just gore & violence though, we even get a dose of mystery, and I love the bits of flashbacks to his Grandpa. So much lore to be discovered!!

I def would continue this series and I can’t wait to read the next volume!! 🫶🏽

Final Boss is definitely for anyone who grew up watching 80s or 90s action and fighting movies, especially stuff like Bloodsport. Reading this honestly felt like playing through Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, or Killer Instinct as a kid. That nostalgia hit immediately, and I felt like I went back in time.

The book does not hold back on the gore at all, which I appreciated. The pacing works really well for what the story is trying to do. It’s simple, but it doesn’t feel shallow. I liked that we get small glimpses into the lore of the characters and the world without it slowing things down. The pacing is quick; It’s very much a testosterone-filled read with nonstop action right out of the gate.

Story-wise, the main character, Tommy, is easy to understand. You learn his motivations early on, and it feels like you’re discovering the world alongside him rather than being dumped into it. This book's strength is definitely the fights; the violence is graphic, the finishing moves are creative, and the fight choreography doesn't feels repetitive.

As far as action and fighting comics go, the artwork here is top tier.. From the character designs, to the muscle detail, to the action sequences, everything is drawn in a consistent, detailed, violent fashion. This first arc started off hot, and it feels like things are only gearing up from here. I’m definitely curious to see where it goes next.