Battling Babe


Maki Aikawa AKA The Air Master, packs a nasty kick.

Just watched several episodes of the fighting anime Air Master. The series is all about the embattled life of streetfighter Maki Aikawa, a former competitive gymnast who now finds her only true joy while engaging in brutal, hand-to-hand combat. Maki is so skilled in the use of aerial attacks and techniques, she can almost fly, hence the name 'Air Master'. As yet undefeated, Maki continually searches for stronger and more dangerous opponents. Can anyone defeat her? What is her purpose for fighting?
That's pretty much all that Air Master is about- well, the series is no Serial Experiments Lain. There is a wealth of sidecharacters though, ranging from the obnoxiously bratty little Renge (who looks like a ten year old child but is actually in HIGH SCHOOL), the innocent and HUGE boobed Mina and Maki's continual loud-mouthed nemesis, Saeko. Maki herself is similar to most fighting game heroes- usually taciturn and silent, slightly naive but turning into a totally different beast when she engages in combat. Thankfully, she's not unlikeable, and is perhaps the most likeable person in the cast of airheads in Air Master.
One thing that you will notice first off though in Air Master is the art style; the characters look reminiscent of Go Nagai designs. Maki herself looks a bit on the mannish side at times, and can hardly be considered kawaii thanks to her standing over six feet tall and having slitted, small eyes (something usually reserved to slinky, evil characters in anime). Still, I watch wrestling so I actually find her attractive, so no big- viewers who enjoy the cute battle babes of titles like Variable Geo, Aika or the recent Ikki Tousen might find Air Master's female characters unattractive, or even ugly. To me though, Maki LOOKS the part of being a tough gal, and DAMN is she bad-ass.
Which brings us to the best stuff in Air Master (aside from the frequent panty flashes)- the fighting. Maki goes up against a variety of enemies, and so far the battles are brutal kick-and-punch heavy affairs that are both hard hitting AND graceful.

This series isn't for everyone; I would say that if they prettied up Maki a bit (though I like her as is) and took away some rather risque elements (constant boob jokes, the lesbian angles), this would be more accessible to more people. However, as it is, it's a pretty cool fighting anime- which means it delivers on the blows and the blood without resorting to power blasts and super attacks, and quite a bit of spicy fanservice as well. Those looking for deep plots and rich characterization should look elsewhere though. In other words, Air Master is pro-wrestling class anime. Heh. Anyway, I like it, and maybe some of you out there will too. Maybe.

Holiday

It's the day of the EDSA Revolution. I'm pretty glad that we have this break and all, but I really think they should stop holding the celebratory events. Every year the people who actually attend the 'festivities' grow fewer and fewer- and even then, most are probably just hired for appearances' sake... it's just embarrasing. The EDSA Revolt was a great milestone in our history, but politicians should stop trying to milk it and hype their roles in it. Let's remember the past, but stop wallowing in the past glory. Filipinos have this incredible flaw for resting on their laurels. Onward, ever onward people. Anyway, the three-day weekend's cool, in any case. Yawn.

K.I.A.

It's final. I'm giving out K.I.A. Volume 1 for submission to the printers out tonight. It's been over a year in the making, and now it's done. Now, all the work will be for getting the word out about the book, putting up the website and so on. Here's to a print production process with no problems, since this is the first time I'm doing a book this thick, with perfect-binding; that means the usual binding for most books with spines, instead of 'saddle stitching' for phamphlet-style comics with staples. Well, all I can do is hope for the best. We have a great printer, and they've done great work on a previous comic book publication, so everything should go well.

Anyway, here are the final images of K.I.A's exteriors.


Look for K glaring at you from the comic racks this March.


Back cover art by Jennyson. Awesome, isn't it?

Still haven't set down a cover price yet, but we may settle on something like Php180.00 for the 160-page book. We'll set down everything once everything's final, soon.

Tekken Home

Starting today, the PS2 version of Tekken 5 will already be in the hands of some lucky bastards. I'm hoping to find bootlegs already, but I'll be getting an original copy whatever happens. Anyway, from the many reactions online, the game looks spot on- perhaps one of the best home conversions ever. The included versions of the first three Tekkens are reportedly direct ports from the original arcade versions- which shouldn't be a problem for the PS2 since they were built on System 11 hardware (glorified PS One). It'll be really cool to have all the coolest Tekkens in one disk, since Tag Tournament was kinda blah and Tekken 4 is pretty much something we all want to forget.
A nice surprise are the extra costumes made specially for the home version. These fancy duds were designed by various artists in Japan, and some are pretty slick. In particular are the 3rd costumes of new girl Asuka and veteran Yoshimitsu. Asuka's can pretty much be described as a Yakuza mistress, with a revealing, high-slitted black, spiderweb motif-kimono and cloth wraps/tapes around her torso. Not quite the costume you'd expect... awesome! Yoshimitsu, known for having bizarre, alien-like appearances, is given a black, fanged look which makes him appear as a blackened dried zombie from Brendan Frasier's Mummy movies.

Can't wait to get my copy. Lots of Iron Fist fighting's coming. And with K.I.A. finally going out of my hands, I'll actually be able to have some time off to play. YAY!

Brutal Anime

I've been seeing a lot of the new anime known as Gantz recently. This series has raised a lot of controversy in Japan because of truly horrific violence and bloodshed- enough so that the episodes had to be extensively re-edited, cropped and censored to be allowed to air.
Of course, on dvd or vcd we don't have to worry about any cuts, so anyone wanting to see the brutal glory of Gantz need only get the series for themselves. I haven't seen this around yet, but I am intrigued. However, the write-ups about Gantz have stressed that the violence may be offensive to some viewers. I've seen a lot of bloody anime before, and I've yet to see truly stomach-turning stuff... let's see how Gantz revs up the meter.

Also, the series is produced by Gonzo (Last Exile, Gatekeepers), one of my favorite anime production houses, which is another reason why I want to see it. Let's see if Gonzo truly can do no wrong...

Gantz is the story of Kei Kurono, a Japanese youth whose life is prematurely cut when he is run over by a train. But instead of the afterlife, he finds himself in a strange room, in which dwells a strange black sphere known only as The Gantz. Soon after, Kei and many other recently-deceased resurectees are sent on a deadly game- to exterminate various alien beings in human guise throughout the world. If they fail, they die again. So if he's to survive, Kei's gotta do a whole lot of killing...

I'll post my comments once I pull a copy from someone's bloody hands...

Cramping my Style

There's nothing more irritating than waking up in the morning, stretching your leg and then suddenly feeling the muscles in your calf KNOT UP harder than a piece of gnarled wood. Like what happened to me this morning. AAAAAEEEEHHHHH!!!! This probably happens to me every several months. Maybe I should try limbering up gently before going to bed. Sigh.

Future Fighters


The Streetfighter Series Four lineup from SOTA Toys.

SOTA Toys has finally announced the lineup for their fourth wave of Streetfighter action figures. Series Four will consist of Bruce Lee-lookalike Fei Long from Streetfighter II, moody Goth-guy Remy from Streetfighter III, fan favorite evil master Akuma, chain-wielding bruiser Birdie and last but not the least, Ibuki the ninja schoolgirl from Streetfighter III!
I don't really know if my little e-mail campaign helped since Ibuki was pretty much of a shoe-in given her popularity and the relative obscurity of her competition (Rose and Rainbow Mika from the Streetfighter Alpha games). But just the same I'd like to thank everyone who answered my call and voted for my favorite Streetfighter character. WOOHOO! Ninja action figure on the way! Heh.
The fourth wave of SOTA Streetfighter toys should hit by late 2005.


SF fans wanted her and they got her.

Movie Villain

On the way to work, I heard that former congressman and actor Dennis Roldan has been arrested on suspicion of heading the Kidnapping Gang that abducted a 3-year old Filipino-Chinese boy. The family of the child couldn't pay the more than 100 million peso ransom, and eventually turned to the police after the kidnappers threatened to wound the boy and let him 'bleed to death'. One rare unbotched rescue later, the gang was taken into custody and Roldan fingered by the suspects as the mastermind.

Wounding a 3-year old kid and letting him bleed to death.

A couple of things come to mind. The kidnappers' heads and a that big honking morning star Mel Gibson used to cave in a traitorous noble's face in the movie Braveheart.

Back

I haven't been able to update recently since all I've been doing for the past several days was scrambling to finish everything K.I.A. in time. Despite having over a year to develop, gather together people and material for this project, it still eventually came down to me sprinting the final lap to get everything done finally. In the end though, I am really happy with how the pages are now composed.
Anyway, long story short, K.I.A. Book One is pretty much done. All that remains are some finishing touches- a couple of text materials and one page of extra stuff that I'll finish today or tomorrow. Then it's off to the printers to simmer for a couple of weeks.
The numbers are impressive. 19 contributors. 12 hot pinups, 13 cool stories, 160 pages and one deadlysexy femme fatale. It's been a ride, and I'm just so glad it's coming to fruition. Yipee!

Now, back to our regular scheduled blogging. Heh.

Tekken Ultimate

I'm probably one of the biggest Dead or Alive fans around, and I totally LOVE DOA Ultimate for giving me videogame bikini battles... but this time, it seems that Namco's Tekken 5 for the PS2 really IS an ultimate package for videogame fans.
Aside from a very close translation of the recently-released arcade version of Tekken 5, the PS2 version will come with a TON of extras and bonuses.

Arcade-perfect translations of Tekken 1, 2 and 3 are coming in the disc. The arcade versions (sans any home extras from the PSOne translations) will be included in Tekken 5's History Mode. Not only do you get the latest Tekken, you get the first three games (and the best games, actually) free! Is that COOL or what???

An action minigame starring main character Jin Kazama entitled Devil Within. Similar to the previous Tekken Force modes, you control the fighter as he brawls, jumps and battles his way past various oppoinents. Ala Devil May Cry, you can turn into Jin's diabolical self when a special power meter fills up. Too bad you can't choose the other fighters, but what the hey?

The classic arcade shooter Star Blade will be playable during loading screens, similar to how Galaga played while the classic PSOne Tekken loaded.

Taking a cue from DOAU and Virtua Fighter 4, there will be new accessories to heap on your characters, as well as several all-new costumes designed especially for the home game. We're hoping to see Nina Williams or Asuka Kazama in bikinis, but we're not holding our breath.

New CG cinematics for each character in Story Mode will be available, so you can understand the whole convoluted Tekken 5 storyline. Okay, at least we can TRY. Heh.

That's a whole lot of stuff. And best of all... Tekken 5 for the PS2 will be out later this month! The best Tekken yet is coming home, so make room on your PS2. WOOHOO!!!!

FINISHED!

WOOHOO!!!!

I've done it. I've finished ALL my art chores for K.I.A. There's nothing more for me to write, draw, ink or render on Photoshop for the book. All is done save the organization of the book and laying out into pages for the printers.

Well, there IS that one story still coming, but I expect that within today. Crossing fingers.

Darn, it's so close I can almost see it. Touch it. Taste it.

Looking at the art and the material lined up, I'm pumped. I want to get it out and let people see what we were able to accomplish. But really, there's still a bit of work left, though this time more on the print production side and issues involving getting the word out on the book once it's available- stuff like making posters, seeing a K.I.A. webpage up and figuring out how to get into upcoming events. Still quite a bit to do, actually.

But we've passed a major checkpoint. The finish line is in sight.

Here's to the hope we make the final sprint without tripping over ourselves.

Break

I've decided to spend the rest of the week to finish K.I.A. Even if and when the final contributor pages are sent in, I've still got to finish the touches on a couple of stories AND organize everything into the final book. Anyway, as before, the final book will have 160 pages, with various pinups in between stories and another art gallery at the end. It should be something to see, once it's all together.
Anyway, aside from doing to book I'll try to get in some R&R... perhaps watch Constantine, from which I've read a couple of good reviews. Maybe I'll also get down to playing some hours of Suikoden 4 and a recently-acquired copy of Champions: Return to Arms.

The rest of the week is all mine, so it's pretty cool. It's rare to have a breather like this... I should make it count.

Iron-Fisted

I finally got to play Tekken 5 after several days of watching freaky Tekkheads who seem to spend both their salaries AND working hours ON this thing. The really irritating thing about there being only ONE machine is that you have to share it with these blasted pro-level players. You spend almost 20 pesos only to get your ass kicked by some jolog who has dedicated his motor skills to mastering infinite combo juggle strings. It's CRAZY.
Which reminds me my most hated thing in Tekken- how someone can just pound you again and again and again before you can ever even stand the frick up. It started in the horrible Tekken 4, and it's still here. It's just wrong to spend dozens of pesos for seconds of game time since you get KILLED by someone using the same move again and again.

Anyway, as I reported earlier, the supposedly deceased Heihachi IS indeed alive... somehow the old geezer survived getting blown up in Honmaru temple by attacking Jack Robots. I guess after all this time, his flesh is so hard it's indestructible. Anyway, once old Hei's unlocked, he's the third to the last character you face in the Story/Arcade mode, right before Devil Jin and End Boss Jinpachi.
Characters I've seen kicking arse are Hwoarang, Nina and Jin... fast characters who have easy and safe combos and moves that just hit and hit and hit seemingly without any recovery time.

PAH. When I get the home version I won't NEED to play in the frickin' mall with these blasted fanatics. I can beat up people in the comfort of The Sanctum as much as I want. Late February can't come soon enough.

Narrow Margin

Yesterday, I left the office at about 6:30, getting on a bus and heading for home. Curled up in a seat in the cool airconditioning, I zoned out staring at the passing traffic of Ayala avenue and later EDSA.

I stopped by at Megamall and finally played my first games of Tekken 5.

After getting my arse severely kicked several times, I got a text from Budj, informing me about the bombing incident near the LRT station at the corner of EDSA and Ayala.

In another world, another reality, I could have been near that horrific incident, alongside the stricken bus, among the hapless victims bloodied and savaged by a some terrorist bastard's bomb.

DAMN these bastards. No Vanishing Ray for these murdering cowards. PIANO WIRE. I'd do it with fricking PIANO WIRE. DAMN them all to whatever Hell there is.

Be careful and be vigilant, everyone.

Invitation

I've finally finished all the art for my collaboration with Dean in K.I.A. Entitled "Invitation", the 12-page story is about how a mysterious group of female assassins set their sights on having Kai join their ranks. Unfortunately for them, all Agent K wants to do is finish her job and go home...

Enjoy the full story when K.I.A. comes out. For now though, here are some samples of the finished art.


The Five Seasons have set their eyes on K.


You really shouldn't bother someone when they're busy kicking faces in.


If Sauron had a girlfriend, she'd look like Miren here.


Ji'an doesn't see much action in the story, but isn't she cool-looking?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY


Have a Ninja Valentine's Day!

Even though the 'Day of Hearts' is just a merchandising ploy started by businesses to sell countless boxes of candy, flowers and cards to innumerable hopeless romantics, we hope everyone's sappy and happy today. Happy Valentine's, everyone! And remember, if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with. Heh.

Princess Party

Today is the birthday of Sage, Dean and Nikki's little princess! So all of us Uncles and Aunts are heading off later this afternoon to attend her Disney-themed birthday party. Gotta be out of the house soon after lunch since I gotta shop for her gift, and then maybe head on down to the Tekken 5 machine. Believe it or not, I haven't played a single round yet. But well, I can wait. I'd rather spend my money on the PS2 home version than burning it against hardcore Tekken fanatics who seem to live ON the machine. Anyway...

Happy birthday, Sage! May you have more Princess Parties to come.

Sequestered

I gave up a night out at a new Chinese restaurant with the gang to stay home and work on the pages for K.I.A. The pages for the collaboration with Dean are done in the paper stage- now all there is left is shading and lettering on computer. I see the story being put away by tomorrow or early this week, then it's on to the book's epilogue and one more story.
I'm counting on the last remaining loose ends to be wrapped up this week, and for the pages on digital media to be submitted to the printers by next weekend. That is if the CDs don't get confiscated by some security guard at the MRT.

On the other aspects, I'm also having revisions on the soon-to-be up K.I.A. webpage, and re-doing the layout and look of the online site to match the new cover. The webpage will contain info like contributor bios, samples of the pinups (low-res) and the general storyline. I'll aslo be putting up contact info and directions for ordering in case people from overseas or outside Metro Manila want the book but are thousands of miles away from the nearest Comic Quest branch.

Should keep working into the wee hours of Sunday morning and beyond. I'm tired, but am I happy that I can still do this. This is damn fun. Heh.

Gestapo

Apparently, someone in government (supposedly the VRB or Video Regulatory Board) thought it would be a bright idea to have guards and checkpoints confiscate everything that looks like a pirated CD or DVD or any recordable media they get their pokey sticks on at the MRTs and LRTs.

Well, all this Gestapo-like tactic is doing is getting people MAD as hell. It's pretty stupid, almost as stupid as the notion that bombers will actually walk up to a mall's front door with a time bomb complete with ticking clock, sticks of dynamite and red wires just ready to be seen once their bag is opened.

I've been so far lucky to not be subjected to this, but it seems to be true according to guys like Jonas and recently, Elbert. So if you're bringing stuff of this sensitive nature, better take a cab or a bus. And spread the word, so this black-ops harassment can just die a much-deserved cease and desist. Feh.

Underwhelmed

I just got the latest PSM Magazine and watched the included dvd. The disc primarily has stuff on the PSP, including a pretty cool run-through of the system's menus and almost an hour of clips from the various games. Sad to say, the games so far failed to impress me.
I mean, Ridge Racer looks like Ridge Racer. Metal Gear Acid looks boring and it's just NOT cool to have turn-based, card game mechanics run a stealth action hero like Solid Snake. Darkstalkers? DARKSTALKERS? You've got PS2 Tekkens, DOAs, Streetfighter III Third Strike and you launch with an OLD niche fighter like Darkstalkers? FEH.
Other stuff like Dynasty Warriors, the puzzle games and the starter RPGs just don't get me thinking "I have to get my PSP now!" Which is actually good in a way since I have a lot of other stuff to spend my money on.

Once again, I don't see myself buying a PSP anytime soon. Incredibly enough, I'm not too excited about it. It's plainly cool to see and hold and it's a great device, but without hot games, it's just an expensive not-a-phone gadget. Yawn.

Which does not mean I won't be doing cartwheels if I suddenly get gifted with a PSP, or find one lying in the street. But if I have to spend twenty plus thousand on it, I'm gonna have to be wooed by something better than the stuff so far revealed.

PSP Dead or Alive. Mmmmm.... Am I dreaming? Well, we'll just have to wait and see.