ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Super Trash Clash,’ Volume 1

Dul is a young girl living in the era of arcades and 16-bit cartridge gaming. While gaming is something Dul loves, she and her mom can’t afford many games for her to play. But when her birthday comes around, her mom manages to find a way to get her just what she always wanted. Well, almost. Super Trash Clash Volume 1 is published by Top Shelf Productions (an imprint of IDW Publishing) and written by Edgar Camacho, with art by Camacho and translation by Eva Ibarzabal.

While a lot of media centers childhood in its narrative, rarely do these stories manage to capture youth as it was for many of us. Camacho’s tale is about a young girl whose mom tries to get her the thing she wants, and the journey it sends Dul on is a rare treat that genuinely captures the innocence and struggles of youth.

From the first moment Super Trash Clash Volume 1 introduces us to Dul, she is instantly solidified as a lovable protagonist. Her enthusiasm and good nature make her someone you cannot help but root for. Even when she makes a questionable choice, she still manages to shine.

Her mistake comes when her mom accidentally purchases the wrong video game for her birthday. Rather than the one she was hoping for, she receives the titular game Super Trash Clash. The game instantly fails to entertain her and her friend Misa. When she gets the opportunity to trade the game for the one she wanted, she jumps at the chance, only later considering how her mom will feel about her getting rid of the game she bought for her. Upon realizing what she has done, Dul sets out to recover her lost game.

Dul’s quest to hunt down her game takes her from Misa’s cousin’s house to a local arcade and beyond. Camacho does a wonderful job of making the journey feel like an epic quest, despite the mundane nature of the story. The level of importance Dul projects onto recovering her nearly unplayable game applies a weight to the situation only a child’s point of view could sell.

While Dul provides a wonderful center point for Super Trash Clash Volume 1, it is easy to see where her good-natured personality comes from. Shining right alongside her daughter, Dul’s mom is the iconic example of a hardworking parent that wants only the best for her child. Every time she appears during the story, Camacho delivers her with utmost sincerity and authenticity.

The art in this story brings the feeling and warmth of the narrative to life wonderfully. Despite the low-income setting of the story, Camacho never fails to extend the warmth of the tale’s characters to their modest home. The comfort of the family’s surroundings is further enhanced by the book’s colors, which always help to project the emotions within each panel.

Wrapping up the book’s presentation is the lettering. The lettering’s style fits perfectly with the art to form a seamless presentation. The dialogue placement is also great, providing the reader with a clear path to follow the story.

When all is said and done, Super Trash Clash Volume 1 provides a wonderful tale of childhood, gaming, and family. The loveable characters help propel a story about the mistakes that help us realize the things that matter most.

Super Trash Clash Volume 1 is available on November 29th, wherever comics are sold.