Super Mario (comic)

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Prototype cover for an Archie Super Mario comic that was never greenlighted.
Tentative cover art for the pitch

At an unspecified time, likely sometime after the announcement or release ofSuper Mario 3D World,[1] comic publisherArchie Comics pitched aSuper Mario comic adaptation toNintendo, written byIan Flynn and featuring art byTracy Yardley and Ben Bates. The pitch first became known to the public when concept art for it was published on websiteComics Art Fan in 2015 (since deleted).[2] Author Ian Flynn would revisit theSuper Mario comic in 2019, giving more details onX about its fate (stating that he heard the comic was well-received by Nintendo of America but was rejected by Nintendo's Japanese office) and the planned storyline for it.[3]

According to Ian Flynn, the comic was planned to begin with a four-issue mini series with plans to turn the comic into an ongoing series had it been successful.[4] The comic would have taken an approach similar to Flynn's work on Archie'sSonic the Hedgehog andMega Man comics, featuring "narrative-driven adaptations of the games with stories bridging the canon." Reflecting back on the pitch, Flynn stated, "It's not how I'd approach a Mario project today - too much drama, not enough whimsy. Still, I thought some of y'all might get a kick out of it."[5]

Archie Comics (particularly Paul Kaminski, who was an editor at that time) later intended to includeSuper Mario characters inWorlds at War, a planned third crossover between the publisher'sSonic the Hedgehog andMega Man comic books. Compared toMarvel Comics'Secret Wars storyline, the story would have been set on a "battle planet" within the multiverse's nexus, with theMario cast's unfamiliarity with the other heroes being used to help explain the crossovers to new readers. This too would not come to fruition, however, as Kaminski would leave Archie before the idea could be pitched to Nintendo.[6]

Storyline summary[edit]

It started off withMario &Luigi being summoned toPeach's castle for a plumbing job. Luigi was excited for the career-defining contract, Mario less enthused - a job's a job & he's bored of their career. They arrive just afterBowser has ransacked theMushroom Kingdom. With literally no one left to save the princess, Mario jumps at the call to adventure. Luigi less so. They stock up on what power-ups are left after the invasion and embark on a journey through Worlds 1-8, burning through their provisions since they're novice heroes.

They reachBowser's Castle inW8-4 and Luigi calls it quits. This is suicide. They're PLUMBERS, not heroes. Mario refuses to give up - too many are counting on them. They part ways, Mario storming the castle. Mario makes his way past the traps andfirebars to his first showdown with Bowser. The King of Koopas wants to know who's been causing so much trouble forhis troops and it's...this pudgy guy? Oh well. Anyone who challenges him meets the same fate.

It's a knock-down, drag-out fight on thebridge over amagma moat. Mario is too nimble for Bowser to land a solid hit, but Bowser is too tough for Mario to actually hurt. They're at a stalemate when a scream is heard, building from deep in the hall.. It's Luigi, screaming in blind terror, running thru the castle as fast as he can. Over the bridge. Past the baffled combatants. Into a wall. Which knocks loose the decorativeaxe. Which cuts the bridge.

Mario bounces off the falling Bowser to safety. Mario and Luigi reconcile - yeah, Mario may have gotten in over his head, but Luigi could never abandon his brother. Together they rescuePeach who shares a bashful love-at-first-sight moment with Mario. The trio returns to the Mushroom Kingdom and begin to rebuild. Peach names Mario & Luigi royal plumbers. Luigi is overjoyed - they're set for life now! No more adventures! Cut to the stinger ending of Bowser crawling out of the magma moat.[7]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^When asked, Ian Flynn replied that he did not recall the exact timeframe but that he thought it might have been "postMega Man launch and preWorlds Collide," which would put it between May 2011 and April 2013. However, one of the prototype pages depicts elements fromSuper Mario 3D World, which was first announced in the June 11, 2013 Nintendo Direct during E3 2013, two months afterWorlds Collide.
  2. ^Lamoreux, Ben. (November 2, 2015)Archie Comics Pitched a Super Mario Comic, But Nintendo Rejected It.Gamenesia. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  3. ^https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1166822538242117633
  4. ^https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1166822541538844673
  5. ^https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1166822559565996034
  6. ^BumbleKing Videos (December 5, 2022).WHOLESOME: Black Doom calls to check on his son | BumbleKast for Dec. 5th, 2022 - Ian Flynn Q&A.YouTube. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  7. ^https://twitter.com/IanFlynnBKC/status/1166822543925358593
Unreleased media
Canceled gamesSuper Mario gamesMario Artist: Sound Studio •Mario Takes America •Super Mario 64 2 •Super Mario's Wacky Worlds •VB Mario Land •Super Mario Spikers •Famicom Mini Collection
Donkey Kong gamesDonkey Kong no Ongaku Asobi •Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers •Diddy Kong Pilot (2001/2003) •Donkey Kong Racing •Diddy Kong Racing Adventure •Famicom Mini Collection
Tech demoSuper Mario gamesGame Boy Color Promotional Demo •Super Mario 128 •Mario's Face •Chase Mii •New Super Mario Bros. Mii
Yoshi gamesBalloon Trip
Internal testSuper Mario gamessnd_test •NDDEMO •Mario Kart XXL
Yoshi gamesYoshi Demo
Unaired episodes"Frog Feats" • "Kowabunga Koopa!" • "Lotto Trouble" • "You Bet Your Lasagna!"
MiscellaneousNintendo Comic •Super Mario (comic)
Publications
MagazinesMycom BASIC Magazine (1982–2003) •Famitsu (1986–present) •Famicom Hisshōhon (1986–1987) •Nintendo Power (1988–2012) •Club Nintendo (German) (1989–2002) •Club Nintendo (French) (1989–1998) •Nintendo-Magasinet (1990–1994) •Nintendo-lehti (1990–1994) •Club Nintendo (Italian) (1990–1998) •Club Nintendo Classic (1990) •Game Power (1991–1997) •Club Nintendo (Mexican) (1991–2019) •Total Game Boy (1991–2002) •Club Nintendo (Slovenian) (1993–1995) •Club Nintendo (Czech) (1993–1994) •Club Nintendo (Hungarian) (1993–1995) •Shitamachi Ninjō Gekijō (1995–1996) •Yūki Nae no GE-MU no Tsubo (1996) •Nintendo DREAM (1996–present) •N64 Gamer (1998–2001) •Nintendo World (1998–2017) •Nintendo Power Advance (2001) •Nintendo Magazine (2020–2025)
Chapter booksSuper Mario Bros. Monogatari (1989) •Super Mario Bros.: Trapped in the Perilous Pit (1989) •Ohanashi Super Mario (198?) •Super Mario Bros. 3: Happy Birthday, Princess Toadstool (1990) •Super Mario Bros. 3: The Secret Bridge (1990) •Zur Fernseh-Serie Super Mario Bros. - Spiele und Geschichten (1991) •Nintendo Adventure Books (1991) •Tanoshii Super Mario Ehon (1993) •Super Mario Bros. (novel) (1993) •Super Mario Bros. (Golden Look-Look Book) (1993) •Super Mario Bros.: Cuento para Leer y Pintar (1994) •Super Mario Bros.: Cuento para pintar y leer (199?) •Shampoo Ehon (199?) •Donkey Kong Country (1994) •Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle (1995) •Donkey Kong Country: Rescue on Crocodile Isle (1997) •My Very First Nintendo Game Boy (Donkey Kong Country ·Super Mario's Adventures) (1997) •Nathaniel's Fun Factory (1999) •Super Mario Sound Ehon (199?) •Game Boy Advance (2001) •Mario and the Incredible Rescue (2006) •Super Mario Hiraite Dāre da!? (2014) •Go! Mario and Friends (2017) •Super Mario Little Golden Book (2021) •Super Mario: Meet Mario! (2021) •Super Mario: Bowser: King of the Koopas! (2022) •The Super Mario Bros. Movie Official Storybook (2023) •Mario's Big Adventure (2023) •A Hero Like No Other (2023) •Mario Kart: Off to the Races! (2023) •My Mario no Ehon (Hello, Mario! ·Peropero Yoshi) (2025) •Rosalina's Storybook (2025)
Activity booksDonkey Kong (1982–1983) •Super Mario Bros. Monogatari (1985) •Mario no Nazonazo Ehon (1987) •TV Land Wanpack No. 103 Challenge!! Famicom Quiz (1987) •Super Mario Bros. (activity books) (1989–1993) •Super Mario Bros. Sticker Fun (1989/1993) •Super Mario Bros. Paint 'n' Marker Book (1989/1993) •Super Mario no Wakuwaku Study Club (199?) •Nintendo Sticker Activity Album (1991) •Super Mario Bros. (sticker book) (1991) •Super Mario-o Sagase!! (1992) •Nintendo Official Sticker Album (1992) •Super Mario Bros. - Mots croisés (1992) •Super Mario Bros. Official Motion Picture Sticker Album (1993) •Super Mario-o Sagase!! 2 (1993) •Super Mario Ehon (1994–1999) •Super Mario World Daibōken (1994) •Super Mario Rätselbuch (1994) •Álbum Videojuegos Nintendo (1994) •Super Mario no Tanoshii Tokei Ehon: Ima Nan-ji? (1995) •Super Mario 64 Quizbuch (1997) •Álbum Super Mario 64 (1997) •Pégate a Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (2003) •Super Mario Galaxy Official Sticker Collection (2009) •Super Mario Sticker Album (2010) •New Super Mario Bros. Wii Official Sticker Collection (2011) •Paper Mario: Sticker Star Sticker Book (2012) •Super Mario Dokidoki Puzzle Land (2013) •Mijn vriendenboekje (2015) •Play Nintendo Activity Book (2015) •Build-A-Peach & Mario Sticker Book (2016) •Super Mario Odyssey (2017) •Super Mario Official Sticker Book (2018) •Super Mario: Mario Time! (2018) •Nintendo Collection: Super Sticker Book: Volume 1 (2018) •Super Mario: Power Up! (2018) •Super Mario: Here We Go! (2019) •Super Mario: Bring on the Bad Guys! (2020) •Super Mario: The Big Coloring Book (2020) •Super Mario Official Sticker Book & Bring on the Bad Guys! (202?) •Super Mario 2021 Activity Book (2021) •Mario Kart vriendenboek (2021) •Super Mario Deluxe Paint Box Book (2022) •Super Mario Activity Book (2022) •Nintendo Holiday Activity & Gift Guide (2022) •Super Mario Play Time Sticker Album (2023) •Every Day is a Mario Day Activity Book (2023) •The Super Mario Bros. Movie Official Activity Book (2023) •The Super Mario Bros. Movie Learning Activity Booklet (2023) •Super Mario Vriendenboek (2024) •Super Mario IT'S-A ME, MARIO! (2025) •The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Activity Kit (2026)
GuidebooksHow to win at Super Mario Bros. (1985) •Super Mario Bros. Ippatsu Kaitō (1985) •Super Mario Bros. Urawaza Daizenshū (1985) •Super Mario Bros. (Family Computer Game Hisshōhō Series) (1986) •Hisshō Technique Kan Peki-ban (1986) •Super Mario Bros. 2 Urawaza Daizenshū (1986) •Super Mario no Daibōken Daihyakka (1987) •Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3 Daihyakka (1988) •Super Mario Bros. 3 World Hayamawari Technique Shū (1988) •Super Mario Bros. 3 Hisshō Kōryakuhō (1989) •Super Mario Bros. 3 Urawaza Daizenshū (1989) •Super Mario Bros. 3 Kanzen Kōshiki Daihyakka (1989) •Super Mario Bros. 3 Hisshō Urawaza Daihyakka (1989) •Super Mario Bros. Daihyakka (1990) •Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook Super Mario World (1991) •Super Mario All Hyakka (1991) •Mario Mania (1991) •Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook Yoshi no Tamago (1992) •Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook Super Mario Land 2 (1992) •Super Mario USA Hisshō Kōryakuhō (1992) •Super Mario USA no Subete (1992) •Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook Super Mario USA (1992) •Super Mario: Super Englisch (1993) •Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten (1994) •Super Mario Daizukan (1994) •Super Donkey Kong 2 Guide Book (1996) •Super Mario Game Daihyakka (1996) •How To Draw Donkey Kong & Friends (1997) •Zen Super Mario Wakuwaku Quiz Daihyakka (1997) •How to Draw Nintendo Heroes and Villains (2004) •The Complete Mario Encyclopedia (2006) •How to Draw Nintendo Greatest Heroes & Villains (2007) •Super Mario History 1985-2010 (2010) •Mario no Power-Up Daishūkai Zukan (2015) •Super Mario Memorial Book (2015) •Super Mario Maker (2015) •Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia (2015) •Super Mario Odyssey: Kingdom Adventures (2017) •The Art of Super Mario Odyssey (2018) •Nintendo Museum Official Book Vol. 01 (2025)
Manga and other Eastern comicsSuper Mario Bros.: Mario-o Sukue! (1985) •Super Mario Bros. Taiketsu!! 3 Nin Mario (1985) •Super Mario Bros. (1986) •Famicom Quiz to Meiro: Mario Bōken Meiro (1986) •Famicom Manga: Super Mario-kun (1986) •Super Mario no Daibōken (1986–1987) •Super Mario Bros. 2 (1986) •Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen! (1986) •Mario no Nazonazo Taizenka (1986) •Mario no Nazonazo Kyōshitsu (1986) •Famicom How-To Manga (1986) •Super Mario Wakuwaku Game Land (1986–2000) •Soreike!! Donkey Kong (1986–2000) •Super Mario-kun (Shōgaku Ninensei) (1986–1987) •Famicom Meiro: Super Mario/Makaimura (1986) •Super Mario Bros. 2 (1986–1988) •Super Mario Bros. Gaiden 2 (1986) •Famicom Joe: Yatta ze! Clear Dai Sakusen (1987) •Super Mario-kun 2 (1987) •Ganbare Super Mario (1987) •Super Mario Bros.: Ghost Koopa no Gyakushū (1987) •Miracle Peach (1988) •Super Mario Bros. 3 (Gakushū Yōchien) •Super Mario Bros. 3 (Wanpakku Comic) (1988–1989) •Super Mario Bros. 3 Bōken Meiro (1989) •Super Mario-kun (Gakushū Yōchien) (1989, 1990, 1992–1994) •Super Mario (1988–1998) •Super Mario Land Kessen Meiro (1989) •Super Mario-kun (1990–present) •Mario no Famicom Meiro (1990) •Tobidase! Mario (1991–2006) •Super Mario-kun Bunsū Kōryaku Comic (1991) •Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater (1991–1997) •4koma Manga Ōkoku (1991–2002) •Otoboke Yoshi-kun (1991–1997) •Otenba Peach-hime (1992–1994) •Mario Vs. Wario Monogatari (1992–1993) •Super Mario: Makai Teikoku no Megami (1993) •Peach-hime no Princess Tanken Manga (1993) •4koma Land (1993–1995) •Uho'uho Donkey-kun (1995–1997) •Super Mario Gaiden: Hige to Boin to Hige (1995) •Super Donkey Kong (1995) •4koma Gag Battle (1995–2004) •Mario & Donkey Daibōken (1995–1998) •Super Donkey Kong 4koma Manga Theater (1995–1996) •Mario vs. Kirby Yume no Bakushō! 4koma Taiketsu!! (1996) •GOGO! Mario World (1997–1999) •Mario no Bōken Land (1999) •Super Mario Ehon (Shōgaku Ichinensei) (199?) •Uho'uho Daishizen Gag: Donkey Kong (2000–2001) •Hichako no Game Taiken-ki (2002–2004) •Dr. Mario-kun (2003–2007) • "Wario to Saikyō Tag da Fii!" (Densetsu no Starfy) (2003) •Mario Dàmàoxiǎn (2004) •Paper Mario RPG Special Comic (2004) •Super Mario-kun (Pikkapika Comics) (2004–2006) •Himemaru no Game Tenkomori! (2005–2006) •Made in Wario (2005) •Gimon? Kaiketsu! Mizumario (2005) •Go!! Go!! Mario Kart (2006) •Peach no Daibōken!? (2006–2007) •Waiwai! Wario (2006) •Ore Dayo! Wario Dayo!! (2007–2012) •GO Ketsu Wario (2008–2011) •Oshiete! Kinopio (2008) •Super Mario-kun Gekijō (2013–2016) •Super Mario-kun Gekijō - Yoshi New Island (2016) •Super Mario Manga Mania (2017) •Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (201?) •Track That Treasure, Captain Toad! (201?) •Super Mario-kun Special Selection (2023) •Super Mario-kun Kessaku-sen! Henshin Mario dai shūketsu SP!! (2023)
Western comicsNintendo Comics System (Super Mario Bros. ·Game Boy) (1990–1991) •Super Mario Adventures (1992) •Mario vs. Wario (1993) •Mario vs. Wario: The Birthday Bash (1994) •Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special (1995) •Bumm-Badabumm im Urwald (2000) •Donkey Kong in When the Banana Splits (2000) •Mario Kart DS comic (200?) •Skylanders: Unexpected Allies (2015) •Nintendo Comic (canceled) •Super Mario (comic) (canceled)
Sheet musicFamicom Music Hit Parade (1988) •Nintendo My Play a Tune Book (1989) •Super Mario World Zenkyokushū (1991) •Super Mario Bros. Five-finger Christmas Solos (1992) •Sing and Play With Super Mario Bros. (1992) •Super Mario 64 Original Soundtrack (1996) •Super Mario RPG Original Sound Version (1996) •Super Mario Bros. Party Songs for Kids (199?) •New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Simplified Piano Solos (2010) •New Sounds in Brass: Super Mario Bros. (2010) •Super Mario Officially Licensed Music Folio Series (2011) •Yasashiku Hikeru Super Mario 3D Land (2012) •Super Mario Jazz Piano Arrangements (2013)
InternetDiddy's Drivers Ed (1997) •Drumstick's Nuggets (1997) •Krunch's Dirty Tricks (1997) •Timber's Island Tour (1997) •Jugemu no Mario Kart 64 Maruhi Kōryakuhō (1997) •DK Card Nyūmon Guide (2000) •Super Mario Land Maruhi Jōhō (2000) •Ore-sama no Maruhi Nikki (2001) •Ore-sama no tanoshii ichinichi! Omae mo minarae! (2001) •Super Mario Advance Shitsumonbako (2001) •Oya Mā-hakase ni Shitsumon! (2001) •Wario's Warehouse (2002–2003) •9-Volt no Nikki Kōkai! (2003) •Dr. Crygor no Kenkyū Nikki (2003) •Dribble to Spitz no Kinmu Nisshi (2003) •Jimmy T. no Afro Nikki (2003) •Kat to Ana no Kawaribanko Nikki (2003) •Mona no Mona Nikki (2003) •Orbulon no Chikyū Report (2003) •Wario-sama no Buriburi Nikki (2003) •Made in Wario Staff Special Zadankai (2003) •9-Volt no Nintendo Mukashi no Rare Shōhin Shōkai! (2003) •Iwata Asks (2006–2015) •Review: Mario Slam Basketball (DS) (2007) •WarioWare: Smooth Moves playtest (2007) •Review: Diddy Kong Racing DS (2007) •Playtest: Mario Party 8 (2007) •Interview: Mario Strikers Charged Football (2007) •Review: Wario: Master of Disguise (2007) •Playtest: Super Mario Galaxy (2007) •Playtest: Super Paper Mario (2007) •Playtest: Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber (DS) (2007) •Review: WarioWare: Smooth Moves (2007) •Shitsumon Corner (2009) •The Capcom Times (2015–2016) •Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review Roundup (2017) •Super Mario Odyssey Review Round-up (2017) •Ask the Developer (2021–present) •Get to know the king of swing! (2023) •Super Mario RPG Character Highlight (2023) •Super Mario RPG: How to battle! (2023) •Super Mario RPG Secrets (2024) •Princess Peach: Showtime! Tips for beginners (2024) •What's new? Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024) •Series intro: Mario & Luigi (2024) •Get to know Mario & Luigi: Brothership (2024) •Mario Kart World Multiplayer modes (2025) •Get to know GameChat and GameShare with these games (2025) •Mario Kart World Tips & Tricks (2025) •The ABCs of DK! (2025)