How did someone take 90 percent of the life during the early 2000s and cram it into one image?
I never thought I’d see art like this, let alone discuss art like this in an article, but here I am. Artist Autobiotic has made something truly special here: Link and Goku squaring off at the start of what will surely be an intense action sequence.
As cool as this is, I can’t help but wonder why they are even about to battle. Autobiotic mentioned in his page description that this is part of a what-if scenario in which Link ventured to Goku’s world to find the Dragon Balls, and that maybe they would team up after an initial confrontation, but I still like to imagine something silly accidentally led to something epic. Maybe Goku misinterpreted something that Link didn’t say.
The art is clean and simple, and matches the art styles of the respective franchises. Maybe it favors Link’s cell shading from The Wind Waker, but that makes sense when considering how old and less digital the original Dragonball show is. The colors are vibrant, and the lighting effects — beams of light shining down and through the trees — creates a sense of depth. It also works well with the angle we are seeing everything from.
The angle is a simple artistic choice, but it gives the viewer a lot to enjoy. The view is from low to the ground, looking up at the sky. Goku is attempting a surprise attack to quickly and aggressively take control of the fight, but Link is ready — as he always is.
What is also great is that each character came to this fight with their tried-and-true battle tactics. Goku was dropped in by his flying Nimbus and is preparing to use his Power Pole, and Link is charging his Hero’s Sword so he can quickly perform a spin attack as Goku lands. They are both hardened, adorable warriors who are ready to go.
Again, I never thought I’d see something like this, and I’m happy I can now say that I have. It’s a crossover I wish I could go back and share with my 12-year-old self.
