KICK FIGHTERS ASSEMBLE!

Way back in the mid-1990's, Kick Fighter Komiks was one of the most popular komiks magazines on the stands at the time.  Published by Infinity Publishing Inc., it's claim to fame was its roster of characters that were based around those from the popular Street Fighter video games. Be that as it may, the book's writers and artist still managed to exercise their creativity, giving their cast of heroes completely different backgrounds and gradually modifying their looks just enough to make them more-or-less original characters in their own right.

Another thing that made Kick Fighter unique at the time was that its characters existed in the same universe.  Although there they may been a few crossovers between Philippine comic book characters before then, they were very rare.  To my mind, there hadn't really been a serious attempt at a shared continuity among a large cast of characters from individual series until that time.

The Kick Fighters first came together in KFK's 48th issue (December 30, 1993).  With some snappy dialogue from writer Mike Tan and action-packed art by Gilbert Monsanto and Lando Inolino, this book-length adventure was billed as their "Winter Special Edition" (even though we don't really have winter here in the Philippines).

THE KICK FIGHTER KAST

BALZAUR

Alien gladiator from the planet Omicron.  Star of the serial Versus.















BIOTROG

The silver-masked bionic vigilante, star of his own self-titled series.






BLADE

From the serial Double Blade, a Special Forces commando turned mercenary.  Not to be confused with Billy the Dragon, who would later replace Blade as the magazine's resident Guile clone.

BOGA

Wisecracking high-tech hitman.  Also a character from Versus.

BRONCO

Environmentally-conscious green-skinned man-monster.  Star of the series Mysterio.

CHAN LEE

From Versus, a Shaolin monk and ally of Balzaur.
















HIRO

From Double Blade, a black ninja and Blade's former nemesis-turned reluctant partner.














HUGO

From his own self-titled series, a pro-wrestler and part-time terrorist-buster.











ISPIKIKAY

Eco-friendly teenage superheroine, star of her own self-titled series.















JOLAS ZUARES

Fil-American secret agent, star of his own series.
















KAHDDIM

Super-powered Hindu monk, from the series Kulto.














KICKERO

Bionic-eyed crime-fighting kickboxer, star of his own series.
















ULTIMAXX

From Versus, evil robot creation of the mad scientist Brain Master.  Erroneously referred to in this story as Ultramaxx.












VOLTAR

From Versus, Balzaur's electric-powered arch-foe.
















WARLORD
The villain for this issue, an insane terrorist who has declared war on peace.















 The plot involves the Warlord's scheme to  turn the entire world's population into warmongers via a mind-control device.  With some of the KF heroes (and some villains) already under the Warlord's thrall, the rest of the good guys are forced to fight their brainwashed comrades in order to save the day.

The story ends with the Warlord being driven away (he's never heard from again), and the heroes vowing to stand together against evil, gathering together for one last group shot...

Even though this was the KF characters' only full-scale crossover, the universe had been established, and the Kick Fighters went on to make frequent guest appearances in each others' series. Later, during the two KFK revamps that followed, certain sets of characters would go on to form their own teams, such as Blades and Bullets, Omni Powers and others.

KICK FIGHTER KOVERS

TURBOGIRL

Sort of a cross between Kamen Rider and Super Gee, Turbogirl first appeared in Lastikman Komiks #1 (September 28, 1995), published by Graphic Arts Service, Inc.  The series was written by Primus Inter Pares and drawn by Rudy V. Villanueva, who incidentally was the artist on the original Super Gee strip.

ORIGIN

Gigi (sharing the same real name as Super Gee) was the daughter of Dr. Honda, scientist for Kawazake Industries and co-inventor of the GEE-2001, a high-tech motorcycle described as having "the firepower of a warplane and the intelligence of the smartest computer."

However, its designer, Dr. Gore, planned to use the GEE-2001 for evil purposes and orders Dr. Honda's assassination.  But before he dies, Honda passes on the vehicle's control device to his daughter.

Once activated, Gigi is instantly transformed into the high-riding heroine Turbogirl.  Vowing vengeance, she uses the GEE-2001 to battle the evil machinations of Dr. Gore.

POWERS

Turbogirl's motorcycle, the GEE-2001, is equipped with various advanced gadgets and weaponry, and is also capable of flight.  But the real source of her powers is the GEE-2001's control device, Turbo.  Gigi transforms into her heroic alter-ego by pressing its button and shouting "Turbo!"

As Turbogirl, Gigi posseses superhuman strength and agility.  Her finishing moves are her Turbo Kick and Turboblast, a powerful burst of energy that she can fire from her hands.

ENEMIES

DR.GORE

 
Turbogirl's arch-foe, a mad scientist who seeks world domination (yeah, that's original) through his twisted creations, the Monster Fighters.






XYRATON
A giant mechanized rat.

GORGAM

A Monster Fighter sent to steal the country's rice supplies.  He has the ability to breathe fire, as well as spit out gigantic metal "rice grains."

NUKLEYOR
A nuclear-powered Monster Fighter, formerly the President of the "fictional" nation of Franciu (a reference to real-life French President Jacques Chirac, who was behind the controversial nuclear tests at the time).  Seeking to bring the world to its knees, he asks Dr. Gore for the ultimate weapon.  Instead, he turns him into one.

DIAMONDUS
A diamond-based Monster Fighter, he can fire sharp diamond projectiles and roll himself into a super-hard diamond ball, but is vulnerable to high temperatures.

HURRICAN
A Monster Fighter with the power to produce devastating hurricanes.

DINO, Son of ZUMA: Blind Date with a Dinosaur

"I love you, you love me..."

Dino was one of the bizarre characters made famous in Jim Fernandez and Ben Maniclang's long-running Aliwan Komiks serial, Anak ni Zuma (1976-1984). The dinosaur-headed son of the Aztec demigod Zuma has also been portrayed on film, appearing in the 1987 sequel based on the serial.

During the mid-1990's, Grahic Arts Service, Inc. published Zuma And Other Amazing Stories (or Zuma Komiks, for short). The anthology featured the further adventures of the sinister snake-man (Zuma The Series), while another strip, Mga Anak ni Zuma ("The Children of Zuma") was devoted to his offspring Galema and, of course, Dino.

In this short tale from Zuma Komiks #112 (December 29, 1995), we find that Dino has been playing Lizard King of the Jungle, living in peace and harmony with his animal friends. But then, an injured and blinded young woman enters his life...

NIKNOK and the Tree with a Heart

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so in the spirit of the season of hearts, let's talk about the one fruit-bearing tree in the Philippines that has one...

"Saging lang ang may puso!"

According to Philippine folklore, the heart of the banana tree contains an agimat or magical charm that drops out of it at the stroke of midnight. Whoever catches the charm in his mouth would be endowed with supernatural powers; provided, of course, he survives the kapre, tikbalang and other mystical creatures who would then try to take the charm from him. From Pilipino Funny Komiks #169 (September 11(!), 1981), here's a take on the banana heart myth featuring one of Funny Komiks' most popular characters: writer Pat V. Reyes and artist Vic R. Geronimo's mischievous, fried chicken-loving kid Niknok.