See Tetris In A New Way With Box Brown And First Second
By Alex Widen
Who thought a video game about puzzle blocks would take over the world? Box Brown brings the true-to-life story of Tetris to the graphic novel medium!
Tetris: The Games People Play
Writer, Artist & Colorist: Box Brown
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If there is any video game which may be close to universal, it is Tetris. It’s a game which anyone of any age or language of orientation can play. Yet did you know that its creation was one of Cold War intrigue? The game itself may be an addictive puzzle, but the story of how it became a worldwide sensation is more complex. Covering such a story is a monumental task, yet Box Brown manages it with good humored flair and artistic imagery. This is his second major work with First Second.
Image by Box Brown and First Second
Brown’s previous effort, Andre the Giant: Life and Legend was a fun and in-depth biography of the iconic wrestler. Tetris serves as both a biography of Alexey Pajitnov, as well as the sordid path his game took throughout the world. It’s a tale that not only begins in 1984 Soviet Union, but spans centuries from ancient Egypt to cave paintings to 19th century Japan. In explaining Tetris’ rise, it studies the nature of gaming on the human mind and culture itself.
Like Anything Great, It All Began in One Person’s Mind!
Alexey Pajitnov and his best pal Vladimir Pokhilko started as computer scientists for the Moscow Academy of Science. Originally trying to create artificial intelligence for Moscow, Alexey’s love of games led him to create his own. Based loosely on Pentominoes, Alexey soon programmed his own prototype game on a simple computer. With the help of Vladimir and some other friends, a more graphical version of his text based game emerged. It quickly swept Moscow by storm.
Image by Box Brown and First Second
As this was the Soviet Union, ideas such as merchandising and capitalist profit were forbidden. The state controlled all commerce. Yet Alexey tapped into humanity’s simple yearning for games with one which was uniquely addicting. A chance encounter with Robert Stein, owner of Andromeda Software, at a Hungarian tech expo began Tetris’ flight from Russia. Stein’s efforts to gain ownership of the game, and the wrangling which resulted afterwards, would change it all.
Image by Box Brown and First Second
Soon, other video game companies such as Nintendo and Atari were all involved in a struggle for Tetris. This involved not only outmaneuvering rivals, but the oppressive Soviet regime itself. Henk Rogers of Bulletproof Software (and designer of The Black Onyx) got the closest to Tetris’ creators and wrangling it for the West. The game would also bridge the gap between Nintendo’s roots in consoles and their desire to perfect mobile hand held video games.
Who Knew a Puzzle Game Could Be So Dramatic?
The story of Tetris is amazing, and easily could be a movie all its own. Juggling all of the elements from ancient pre-history to the dawn of video games is a monumental task. Box Brown manages to utilize little embellishments to make it all flow. Brown’s style may not be intended for stock superheroes, but is ideal for projects such as this. His caricatures of real people are amazing, and his panels and page layouts are works of art themselves.
Image by Box Brown and First Second
Box Brown’s color palette for this work consists of black, white, and yellow. Far from limiting, it allows him to push the boundaries of his art and the expectations of readers. Brown mirrors the simple color scheme of original Game Boy’s, which was the system where Tetris forged its legacy. His illustrative style is thoroughly engaging and inviting. Each line has its place, and his characters emote with basic yet effective expressions. Brown’s art is truly like nothing else in comics.
Image by Box Brown and First Second
The graphic novel is full of “characters,” who are naturally Box Brown’s adaptations of real people and events. His ability to reach across nations and centuries to tie the story of Tetris to human evolution and the rise of video games is an amazing feat. Alexey, Henk, Vlad, Stein and other Soviet and Nintendo figures all get their own paths in the overlapping story. A lot of extensive research and careful planning went into this, and it shows on every page.
Slide Tetris into Your Graphic Novel Collection!
Image by Box Brown and First Second
Eagle-eyed readers may even catch a cameo of Box Brown himself within the story if they read the last credit page. Tetris is an awe-inspiring work of comic book art which informs, entertains, and motivates. Those who may not be able to buy this from First Second’s booth at comic conventions (like I did) can order it at their main website or other venues. With comic books based on video game franchises on the rise, Tetris may be one of the best video game graphic novels ever written.