When it comes to 90s cartoons one of the first that always comes to mind is the Street Sharks. Street Sharks is a cartoon that hit at the right time when I started watching TV. And as a kid how could I not fall in love with giant shark heroes? It certainly help that they had a catchy theme sone that is all that was really needed to get me into a cartoon. So, when IDW Publishing announced a new Street Sharks comic book of course I would be interested in it. Luckily, IDW Publishing gave me the opportunity to check out an early copy of the first issue ahead of its September 24th release. Find out how it turned out with our advance review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Stephanie Williams
Artist: Ariel Medel
Colorist: Valentina Pinto and Jonathan Dobbso
Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
STREET SHARKS #1 SOLICITATION
“THE FIRST OF FIVE JAWSOME ISSUES!
The first Street Sharks comic in more than 20 years brings you extreme stories and a fintastic time! But don’t call it a comeback: They’ve been waiting for everyone ELSE to get ready for more jawsome adventures!
The four Bolton Brothers were happy playing sports and meeting babes. But when a run-in with a mad scientist turned them into giant sharks, they only got COOLER!
Kick some serious fin with Ripster, the great white head of the pack; Streex, the rollerblading ladies’ man (er, ladies’ SHARK); Jab, the hammerhead who loooves using his noggin; and Big Slammu, the whale shark with the whale-sized muscles, on their newest adventure! They’ll need all the help they can get to stop their arch nemesis, Dr. Piranoid, from developing… THE PERFECT PREDATOR! Little do they know, it’s already too late to stop the grossest monster they’ve ever fought from being born!
Stephanie Williams (Nubia and the Amazons, My Little Pony) and Ariel Medel (TMNT vs. Street Fighter) bring you the most righteous shark tale you’ve ever read!” – IDW Publishing
HIGHLIGHTS OF STREET SHARKS #1
Nostalgia at its Finest
When it comes to comic book adaptations of franchises known for their live action or animated forms a priority to check of is hitting on fans nostalgia. That is especially true for long dormant franchises. It is something that Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel understood well. They hit on everything that you can want from the Street Sharks. The chemistry between Jab, Streex, Big Slammu, Ripster is on point. It feels like they were part of the writing and animation staff who worked on the animated series.
Ariel Medel Captures the Animated Series Look
Not enough can be said by Ariel Medel’s artwork. Along with the coloring done by Valentina Pinto and Jonathan Dobbso, Medel’s style works well to bring the 90s animation style to life in comic book form. The characters mannerism from panel to panel makes it feel like you are experiencing an episode from the animated series. Then when we get right into the action the artwork pops because of the style that it nails. It all leaves you hoping Medel will work on more comic book adaptations of 90s cartoons.
Hit the Episodic Tone of an Animated Series
The other important aspect that Street Sharks #1 nails is that it gives you a full experience. From start to finish you get the feeling of watching a full episode of the original show. Yes, there are some typical comic book aspects to hook in the reader on future issues. But largely Williams and Medel make sure that they deliver what feels like a full story in this first issue. That allows the teasers for what they have planned for this series to be a greater hook to continue coming back for more.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN STREET SHARKS #1
Nothing!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Street Sharks #1 delivered exactly what it needed to be. This is a comic book that is nostalgia at its finest. There is plenty of nostalgia in the story Stephanie Williams and Ariel Medel tap into. At the same time, they do make this feel like a continuation of the animated series with an episodic tone to this debut issue. If you grew up a fan of the Street Sharks make sure to pick this up.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Street Sharks #1 is scheduled to be released in comic book shops and digital storefronts on September 24, 2025.
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