Before games like Overwatch and Marvel Rivals took the spotlight, Valve’s Team Fortress 2 was the go-to quirky, character-driven hero shooter that captured the hearts of gamers everywhere. Remarkably, Team Fortress 2 has remained relevant, maintaining a strong fanbase since its debut in 2007. Recently, fans were both stunned and thrilled when a new Team Fortress 2 comic was unexpectedly released, a whole seven years after the last installment.
The seventh issue in the Team Fortress comic series, titled “The Days Have Worn Away,” begins with a heartfelt tribute to Rick May, the voice behind the Soldier, who sadly passed away in 2020. Valve artist Heather Campbell brings her unique touch to the artwork, skillfully bringing the eccentric cast of TF2 to life. Readers will enjoy meeting a Scout from a lively family, a Soldier who’s hilariously nailed the ‘just roommates’ dynamic with his new wife, and a spine-chilling body horror moment featuring the Administrator. With such a diverse range of moments and characters, the comic offers something for everyone.
For those who haven’t yet dived into the comics, I wholeheartedly recommend starting from the beginning. The series kicked off in 2013 with “Ring of Fired,” offering a captivating exploration into the backgrounds of both main and side characters, including the intriguing Miss Pauling. As Valve describes on TeamFortress.com, “Over the years, the comics have spawned ancillary characters, then assistants to the ancillary characters. Companies mentioned in passing became global empires three generations old. The game that started as a handful of guys in a desert shooting at each other slowly blossomed into the most labyrinthine story in Valve history.”
The beauty of this expansive storyline is that you don’t need to have extensive gameplay experience to appreciate it. Through the comics and the Meet the Team videos, Team Fortress 2’s legacy continues to resonate within the gaming community long after its peak. It’s heartwarming to witness some of these beloved characters find a conclusion, as they’ve lingered in limbo for so long. Yet, it seems this latest issue might mark the end of the comic series.
