Komik2u

After 8 books of Ghost Rider with Jason Aaron (Wolverine: Weapon X) and Jose Villarubia (New Avengers), the Russ Manning Award winner Tan Eng Huat joins critically acclaimed writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent) in chronicling Frank Castle’s warfare against Norman Osborn’s The Cabal as the corrosive affects of their Dark Reign further degenerates the Marvel Universe. The last issue of Ghost Rider (Last Stand of Spirits of Vengeance) may seems to inflict Huat’s next project as some have said, whether it would be something related to Spiderman (least expected), Thor or The Punisher. Well, the truth quite surprised me and I doubt that Huat will keeps his touch on Ghost Rider to this coming book. This 6th issue of Punisher is expected for publish in June. The amazing cover is crafted by Mike McKone.

Preview by Marvel: The Hood’s crime organization has infected the entire world, and nowhere is it more prevalent than the streets of New York where, hidden within the decaying husks of abandoned buildings, the Hood has built his secret empire out of everyone’s sight including Osborn’s. Castle is the one man standing between the new kingpin of crime and total domination, but in order to save his home from the decay and corruption, The Punisher will first have to survive the rage of The Deadly Dozen!(?)

Buy Ghost Rider comic books

It may sounds funny but the term created by Aaron -  ’Ghost Rider Survival Squad’ - might be appropriate enough how desperate are the last remaining spirits of vengeance who stand united against the vigilant Danny Ketch. The first half of this book is quite directive with flameheads clash. The urge look of the characters especially the Japanese spirit of vengeance, make it visually interesting, but it is not much more than an extended series of fight between the red and blue flames. Seriously, I am still thinking who’s behind the idea of creating this Japanese Rider who looks quite similar to Kaneda of Otomo Katsuhiro’s great Akira. Aaron or Huat?

Nowadays, there is a trend in the US mainstream comics in taking popular characters and rebrand  them with fresh and differentiated representation that seems to excite fans constantly without fail. This series is not to be excluded. Within Aaron’s mould, Ghost Rider has transformed from a tepid, light-horror road story into a twisted, mythic, grindhouse opera, thanks to the Tan Eng Huat’s artwork strokes.

Tan Eng Huat might not draw comics that look like the rest of the Marvel line, but Ghost Rider shouldn’t be so American at all time. A critic mentioned that Huat is like Mike Mignola brewed with Kevin O’Neill, which ultimately makes Ghost Rider look like a Hellboy spliced with LXG. Frankly speaking, I do love Jose Villarubia’s choice of tones, and it works perfectly well with Huat’s pencilling and inking.

Johnny Blaze and the new nun-turns-Caretaker, together with the Asian flamehead allies are on some sightseeing journeys through out the world in search of the remaining few Riders. Regardless whether they’re actually riding or not, this alliance hopes they may reach these clueless Riders before Danny Ketch. This issue is actually the first time we catch a good glimpse of Zadkiel and his ongoing war against Heaven armies, which does not interest me much. If Ghost Riders’ beliefs may be integrated one to another, Taoism to Christianity to Islam to Buddhism, why not the the Heaven’s armies? Shouldn’t they consist of various believers too? This book may be classified as Parental Advisory item, but the way I see this one, it’s so Christian. On a second thought, I think Aaron should have done proper homework before integrating the Riders’ beliefs.

Some may say that Huat seems to have settled in with the characters flawlessly, and Johnny Blaze is now in the hand of the right creative team. But I lightly doubt that as Huat will be only riding on the flameheads up to issue #32.

Buy Street Fighter 2 Turbo #3A comic book

This third book of Street Fighter 2 Turbo series close up the year 2008 with nice action-packed stories. The front part of the book describes how Fei Long’s passion changed as time goes by with respect to his difficulties in maintaining life. Street Fighter Tournament as expected, gives him the opportunity to at least honor the fighting arts instilled by his master if it could not salvage his mistake in directing life - leaving his passion.

Preliminary battle starts in Hong Kong!

The story starts with an immediate round for the first slot to Street Fighter finale. As expected, I like Cruz’s version of Adon than Alvin’s Muay Thai bloke. It is exciting to know that Dhalsim’s Katon ball is actually an illusion. It is quite funny to see Sagat acting calmly on the hierarchic seat as one of Bison’s highest subordinates. As the first part focus is mainly on Fei Long, the same goes with the preliminary rounds. All his open fight opponents which consists of the “Storm” grandma, the guillotine old freak, a black nin, a drunken master (Jackie??) and a Jet-Li wannabe are easily downed by his single shots. This episode ends with Chun-Li is well prepared for the open fight with opponents which some fans may refer them as the human version of Furious 5.

Cruz and Siu-Chong have done very well in shifting the Fei Long’s wandering story to the intense fights which sandwiched some plots of escaping Cammy White. As she possesses the same trait as Bison, the location of Delta Red is easily known. It’s just a matter of time for Cammy to retained her teammates back.

The back-up story of El Fuerte by Joe Ng is exciting me, getting to know that he is the die-hard fan of Street Fighter Alpha’s Mika! Although the shots are focused only in the Mexican cafe, Joe Ng managed to further his improvements and get it done well. Surely these back-up stories of Street Fighter IV are the best media for him to excel in his very first art on Street Fighter IV which is commencing this February. Certainly a nice Valentine gift for me! LOL

Coming this January is the most -awaited Street Fighter book this year - Street Fighter Legends: Chun-Li. The first issue by Siu-Chong and Omar Dogan is going to be an interesting one, not only for Chun-Li’s die-hards, but also cinema dashers as the Street Fighter motion picture of Chun-Li starred by Kristin Kreuk will be featured soon.

Buy Street Fighter 2 Turbo #3B comic book

Lantern Ketupat

Ketupat is a kind of dumpling from South East Asia, made from rice that has been wrapped in a woven pouch from leaves which is then boiled. It is known by the name Patupat in Kapampangan, Puso in Cebuano and Ta’mu in Tausug dialect . As the rice boiled by routine, the grains expand to fill the pouch tightly which ultimately becomes compressed. This gives the ketupat its characteristic form and texture of a white rice dumpling.

Woven Mat Ketupat

Ketupat is usually eaten with dry beef or chicken curry called rendang or served to complement satay - signature dish of Malaysian Airlines. Ketupat is also occassionally served by Indonesian, Moro, Bruneian, Singaporean and Malaysian Muslims on festives such as Idul Fitri or alternatively Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

During Idul Fitri in Indonesia, ketupat is often served with chicken curry, accompanied with spicy soy powder, while Malaysians served them with peanut sauce as condiment. Among Filipinos, puso is also traditionally used as a pabaon or a mobile meal, traditionally brought by workers as a type of packed lunch, served with any selection of stews.

Cow Ketupat

There are many varieties of ketupat, with two of the more common ones being ketupat nasi and ketupat pulut. Ketupat nasi is made from white rice and is wrapped in a square shape with coconut palm leaves while ketupat pulut is made from glutinous rice is usually wrapped in a triangular shape using the leaves of the fan palm (Licuala). Ketupat pulut is also called ketupat palas in Malaysia. In Indonesia, ketupat sometimes boiled in thin coconut milk and spices to enhance the taste.

             

Drumstick Ketupat

Local stories passed down through the generations have attributed the creation of this style of rice preparation to the seafarers’ need to keep cooked rice from spoiling during long sea voyages. The coconut palm leaves used in wrapping the rice are always shaped into a triangular form and stored hanging in bunches in the open air. The shape of the package facilitates moisture to drip away from the cooked rice while the coconut palm leaves allow the rice to be aerated and at the same time prevent flies and insects from touching it.

Here are 5 types of ketupat you would not find anywhere in the world but here…

Star Ketupat

 

 

As the name tells, this comic art magazine is truly sweet enough to cheer up comic fans especially the Southeast Asian die-hards. Hot and fresh tidbits for local comic arena!

In person with Tan Eng Huat

The cover story is one of the most looked for - at least for me. This thorough interview on Tan Eng Huat @ Kutu (Tick) on his artworks provide best option for his fans to develop perception. Initiating his international debut on Doom Patrol, the 35-year-old family man share his chronology of career and some stories behind his way of work. The ink washing technique and his close contact with comic teammate describe the Eisner Award nominee’s output. Some interesting issues on his artwork in Silver Surfer: In Thy Name and the currently involved Ghost Rider are highlighted as well.

Benjamin Zhang of the China’s People Republic

He is a manhwa artist from the China mainland. Looking at his artworks, I am eager to witness how did he produced traditional look masterpieces using Photoshop. I wonder if I could ever see him doing some cover arts for west market. For sure it will be refreshing new looks of Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Joker, Poison Ivy or even monstrous characters such as Venom or Akuma of Street Fighter. Thanks to this comic art issue, people get to know in person on Ben since his blog is only translated in Mandarin while his fans whereabouts are borderless. Hopefully there will be the English version of it.

POPCORN™ is also serving some one-shots by Leong Wan Kok as well two other local talents nicknamed Puppeteer and Redcode. Artworks featured in this book include pieces by Benjamin Chan, Luciole Loong, David Wang, Aadi Salman of Devil’s Due Publishing, Kaoru, Imaginary Friends Studio (IFS) of Singapore as well as Baba Chuah who had contributed an art for Dark Horse Comics long ago. For the next issue, I am expecting more coverage and interviews on regional talents such as Chee of IDW Publishing as well as IFS guys such as Admira Widjaya of Indonesia and Yazid of Kuala Lumpur. This first issue is obtainable from Gempakstarz.com for USD10.90.