The Eighties are back in a big way thanks to Sina Grace and Daniel Freedman. “Burn The Orphanage: Reign of Terror” reads like an extended play through of Double Dragon or Streets of Rage with a hefty layer of neon soaked cheese. It’s a fun and action packed romp that never slows down.

WRITTEN BY: Daniel Freedman & Sina Grace

ART BY: Sina Grace

PUBLISHER: Image

PRICE: $3.50

RELEASE: May 7th, 2014

The last time “Burn The Orphanage” was on the stands anything was possible. Demons, otherworldly fighting tournaments, and a frantic sense of insanity were regular fare. This time around things seem a little more reserved, but something tells me it won’t last long.

Rock returns to his hometown to catch up with his friends, but looks like the place has been taken over by killer robots. A gritty rebellion ensues that should empower and entertain. Rock’s friends take a little more of the spotlight this time and the book is better for it.

Sina Grace and Daniel Freedmen focus more on the team dynamic. The supporting characters are defined by how they relate to one another and to Rock. There is something about losing their town that brings them together despite their differences. It’s a plot point that gets everyone to rally behind Rock and support his efforts despite the insurmountable odds.

Sina Grace has improved his skills seemingly tenfold since the first series. Everything here feels more crisp and clean. The book has a neon soaked appeal that is still shrouded in darkness, but the high 80’s action never stops impressing. The robotic antagonists provide the perfect threat for our muscle bound street hooligans. The action is tight, focused, and fun. Nothing ever feels stale, and the expressions of the protagonists show that they’re not in for an easy victory.

There are even moments where Grace channels the 80’s throwback so heavily that you’ll feel as if you’re staring at a tube TV watching a Nintendo cutscene. The first and last page of the book channels that pulpy feel with perfect ease. The creators never forget their roots.

Reading this book brings me back to the days of watching my older brother power through beat-em-ups in our parent’s living room. The story used to feel secondary but something tells me Grace and Freedman are cooking something up of a little high magnitude this time. With all that being said, “Burn The Orphanage: Reign of Terror” will entertain you to no need. It’s a bone breaking love letter to a genre forgotten by history with insanity that can’t be matched anywhere else in comics. I love it so much because it unapologetically channels cheese and awesomeness all at the same time.