Issue: 16
First published: 2000(exact date unknown)
Publisher: Comics On Air
Writer, Artist, etc.: Unknown (can't read Chinese)
A Hong Kong comic (Mahwah) based on the fighting video game Capcom VS. SNK.
Note: To avoid confusion, when I'm talking about Balrog, it's the boxer. When I mention M.Bison, it's the Street Fighter boss/villain.
I can't read one iota of Chinese, but I'll try to do a summary:
Balrog battles Rugal while M.Bison deals with the SNK heroes (Terry Bogard,
Ryo, etc). It appears that Rugal and M.Bison have teamed up against all the
fighters in the Capcom VS. SNK tournament.
M.Bison beats the crap out of the SNK heroes in about two seconds, while Balrog and Rugal have an epic battle, eventually resulting in Balrog's death. The end shows Rugal ready to face his next opponent, Sakura.
I'm hopeless when it comes to fighting games, but I've always shown an interest in Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, etc. because of the game art, anime and comics. I picked this up in Chinatown, Sydney (which is in New South Wales, Australia). I've only been there a few times, but whenever I go, I make sure to pick up some video game related mahwa (e.g. Street Fighter, Resident Evil).
Since I can't understand the story, I'm in to the art when it comes to non-English comics (obviously). Capcom VS. SNK has some great art; it's consistent throughout the issue. The art style is typical of mahwa. There are some amazing splash panels and pages that use computer "paint" effects. My favourite of these is a splash page showing Balrog going after Rugal, with eyes and fist blazing red and a tank behind him (not really there, it represents Balrog's strength, anger, etc).
Now the reason I bought this is because this is based on a fighting game, so you'd expect some cool fight scenes. The Balrog vs. Rugal battle delivers. It’s action packed, full of energy. I was in awe (ok, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point) when Balrog smashed his boxing gloves. He means business! Balrog was actually cool for once.
This is one of the best HK comics I've seen so far. I'll do a review of a HK comic called Dragonman soon, to show how mahwa can go wrong.
