Street Fighter II #2

Oct 1994. Cover price 95p.
40 pages. Full colour.
Manga Publishing Ltd.

Edited by Cefn Ridout.

Cover by Masaomi Kanzaki, finished art by Lea Hernandez, colouring by Koto Color.
r: UNKNOWN.

Contents:

 2 Win Six of the Best competition.

 3 Street Fighter II Battle 03: Recall w: Masaomi Kanzaki, translated by William Flanagan; a: Masaomi Kanzaki, lettering and finished art by Lea Hernandez, colouring by Koto Color. / Indicia

r: UNKNOWN.

 4 Ryu (one fifth page) fact file.

 6 Ken (one fifth page) fact file.

 8 Guile (one fifth page) fact file.

10 Zangief (one fifth page) fact file.

12 Dhalsim (one fifth page) fact file.

14 Blanka (one fifth page) fact file.

16 E. Honda (one fifth page) fact file.

18 Chun-Li (one fifth page) fact file.

20 Street Fighter II poster 2 (of 8); a: Masaomi Kanzaki, finished art by Lea Hernandez, colouring by Koto Color.

r: UNKNOWN.

24 Balrog (one fifth page) fact file.

26 Vega (one fifth page) fact file.

28 Sagat (one fifth page) fact file.

30 M. Bison (one fifth page) fact file.

32 Po-Lin (one fifth page) fact file.

34 Wong-Mei (one fifth page) fact file.

36 Gouken (one fifth page) fact file.

38 Next Month Ryu Vs. Dhalsim (one fifth page)

39 Manga Mania - Now with full colour sections by popular demand in-house advertisement.

40 The Guyver Bio-Booster Armour in-house advertisement for videocassette.

The one thing I've never gotten used to regarding Street Fighter is the tendency for repetition. Not only are the fact files identical to the first issue's, there's a comprehensive double-page presentation of information regarding the island of Shad, the street fighters, and the lack of rules in combat. The art is extremely attractive throughout this reprise, though it smacks of padding.

Ryu wins a fight in three minutes, twenty seconds, but is attacked after the round by three crazed men. Chun-Li assists in stopping the junkies, stating that the drug has paralyzed their pain receptors, and their central nervous systems must be hit to bring them down. She finds vial of the drug on the men, which she tells Ryu is called "Doll." Taken in large doses it multiplies violent tendencies and turns normal people into maniacal killers.

The rumour is that this island is the origin for the world supply of illegal synthetic drugs.
Even though the island was built by an international consortium, Interpol can't seem to get a foothold here.
So they had to send in undercover agents to investigate, but they've disappeared.

Blanka challenges Ryu to battle, goading him with the fact that he killed the agents. Chun-Li intervenes, stating that he must fight her first, as one of the investigators who disappeared was her father. Demanding that Blanka tell her everything when she wins, Blanka states that he never loses. During the fight, Blanka hits her with an electrical blast.

Electric thunder (electricity): An electric eel can amplify the electricity in its cells to give a 200 volt electrick shock. Raised in the wild, Blanka discovered the technique and produces a 1200 volt killing attack.

With blood in her eyes, Chun-Li struggles to recover from the blow. Ryu urges her on, using his chi to help her win against Blanka.

While there is much in the narrative to enjoy, the minor irritants are too blatant to ignore - between the blank reverse on the poster and the repetition of fact file material, much of the space in this issue outside the strip is wasted. All this space could have been put to use in any number of inventive and entertaining ways, but is written off. It is also surprising that no letters page has been included, as there must have been some worthwhile feedback.

A fine translation hits all of the beats which the story requires, and enough history is presented for us to understand motivations and abilities. If only a little more care had been taken in the presentation...

#01

Street Fighter II

#03