To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Little Caesars, the world’s third-largest pizza chain only after Domino’s and Pizza Hut, has opened its first outlet in Malaysia, marking the brand’s global expansion.
The new outlet was launched on May 24 in Damansara Utama, a suburb of Petaling Jaya in Selangor.
The outlet serves Little Caesars’ signature Hot-N-Ready classic pepperoni pizza and crazy puffs pepperoni, while also incorporating localized offerings such as Chicken Hawaiian, 3 Cheese Edge to Edge, and Classic Veggie pizza, the chain said in a statement.
The chain is known globally for its affordable pizzas, Crazy Bread, and quick grab-and-go style meals.
Little Caesars, billed as the “Best Value in Pizza,” was founded by Mike Ilitch and Marian Ilitch as a single family-owned restaurant in 1959 and is headquartered in Michigan. It has since grown into the world’s third-largest pizza chain, operating restaurants across all 50 U.S. states and 31 countries and territories.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you were to visit Malaysia today, would you make an effort to visit Little Caesars and have a meal there? If you have dined at Little Caesars before, what is your favorite among their food offerings? Do you think Little Caesars will be able to do good business in Southeast Asia?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.
Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
I recommend you check out the following videos I found.
#1 Maximum Carnage Revisited – With Spider-Man, Venom and Carnage all in high demand in 1993, Marvel Comics launched the 14-part Maximum Carnage storyline published on the four Spider-Man monthly comic book series and the quarterly Spider-Man Unlimited series. Carnage back then was a still new super villain who is more insane and more bloodthirsty than even Venom. Maximum Carnage has a divisive reception among fans and comic book collectors. Some called it the worst Spider-Man storyline while others found it exceptional as the chaos in New York City attracted other Marvel superheroes – notably Captain America – to help Spider-Man solve the crisis. Regardless of opinion, Maximum Carnage made an impact on pop culture and it got its own official video game adaptation. To discover more about Maximum Carnage in comics and in video game form, watch and learn from the videos below.
#2 The World’s Largest Truck Stop Diner – While I have visited the United States a number of times since 1989, I never had the opportunity to spend time at a truck stop diner nor have I ever experienced traveling long distances in a truck. Having seen truck stop diners (or rest places for truckers) on videos and on TV, I noticed those places have a unique vibe, its own culture and assorted meals customers can enjoy. As such, I urge you to watch the video below and pay attention to the details.
#3 You, Me And The Movies React To Scary Movie (2000) – In November of 2000, I saw Scary Movie in the local cinema here in the Philippines and almost all the seats were filled. That film was released in America in July that same year and it became a surprise box office hit. Even though it was not heavily promoted here in the Philippines, it still attracted a lot of local moviegoers upon opening. Regardless, the Keenen Ivory Wayans-directed movie was a mature parody of varied horror movies (notably the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer movies) and its success made Anna Faris popular. Local moviegoers who enjoyed American Pie had their enjoyment watching Shannon Elizabeth again. Now that the movie is over a quarter-century old, one has to wonder if it still has the power to entertain viewers, especially those who missed out on it. That said, you should watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.
#4 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To Patriot Games – Recently, Ashleigh Burton posted her reaction video of the 1992 movie Patriot Games starring Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan. For context, Patriot Games was the cinematic sequel to The Hunt For Red October and both were based on novels by Tom Clancy. At the time of Patriot Games’ release, there was some buzz and even debates about Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Jack Ryan, especially when compared to Alec Baldwin’s take on the same character in the 1990 film. How Ashleigh Burton reacts to Patriot Games is a must-see.
#5 Bears Cause Trouble In Japan Again – Recently in Japan, bears are causing trouble once again and there was one person who got attacked. As there is still a lot of forests and untouched land in Japan, bears are present and arguably multiplying. From time to time, bears come out of the woods and appear in places where people dwell. As such, there is a lot for you to learn about them and you can stay safe in Japan by watching the Nippon TV video below.
#6 Why Gamers Stopped Buying Games At Full Price – Are you a hardcore gamer who got so disappointed with the current state of gaming that you decided to refrain from buying video games at full price? You definitely are not alone. In my experience as an Xbox gamer, I got very turned off by the changes made by Team Xbox as well as the quality of their high-profile first-party games of the past two years, I decided to go for bargains and retro gaming. I also extended my patience for brand new games to drop their prices first before I could even consider buying them. The video posted below explains in detail how the gaming landscape shifted and how the behaviors of gamers have changed which should concern every video game company that invested so much on making new video games. Watch it and pay attention to the details.
#7 Minty Comedic Arts’ Revenge Of The Nerds Trivia Video – During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minty Comedic Arts posted his trivia video about the 1984 raunchy comedy classic Revenge of the Nerds. Directed by Jeff Kanew and starring the late Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Ted McGinley and Julia Montgomery, the movie follows a group of socially awkward students who are compelled to form their own fraternity after getting harassed and bullied by a dominant fraternity. Filled with adulterated gags, funny dialogue and memorable character moments, Revenge of the Nerds was a commercial success and it spawned three sequels. The story behind the movie’s production is filled lots of details that are worth exploring and you can learn all about those by watching Minty Comedic Arts’ trivia video below.
#8 The Forgotten Cartoons Based On Video Games – You may have played the video games of Tomb Raider, Darkstalkers, Wing Commander, Mutant League and Bubsy. But have you seen the cartoon shows based on them? Indeed, there were animated adaptation of the said games and not too many gamers remember them. That said, you have to see GoodBadFlicks’ video about them now.
Recently in the City of Parañaque, elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a Vietnamese national for illegal cosmetic procedures done in a clandestine clinic, according to a GMA News report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a Vietnamese citizen for allegedly performing illegal cosmetic procedures at a clandestine clinic in Parañaque City.
Operatives from the NBI Special Action Unit conducted an entrapment operation on May 13 after receiving a complaint about an individual posing as a medical professional offering invasive procedures.
“Upon verification with the PRC, this individual is not a licensed medical professional and is not allowed to practice medicine,” an NBI agent said during a press briefing.
Authorities said an undercover operative applied for a liposuction procedure, which requires professional medical expertise.
“Liposuction is considered an invasive procedure that requires the expertise of a medical professional,” the agent added.
The suspect was arrested after operatives entered the clinicand found two Filipino patients who had just undergone procedures.
“They are still fresh from their medical procedures,” the NBI said, noting this confirmed active medical practice inside the facility.
Authorities also seized medical equipment used in the operation. The suspect is facing charges for violation of the Medical Act of 1959.
Investigators said the clinic offered procedures at around P40,000—lower than rates charged by licensed practitioners, which can range from P50,000 to P80,000.
Officials warned the public to be cautious of unusually cheap procedures and to verify the credentials of practitioners.
“Kapag napuna ninyo na mas mura, i-verify muna ninyo kung ito ay may registration, may permits,” NBI Spokesperson Palmer Mallari said.
(If you notice the price is lower, verify first if the clinic is registered and has permits.)
The NBI also flagged new tactics used by illegal clinics to avoid detection, including restricting patients from using mobile phones during procedures. According to investigators, this may be intended to prevent communication with authorities or accomplices during entrapment operations.
Authorities added that such operations have become more “compartmentalized,” making it harder for both patients and law enforcement to identify those actually performing the procedures.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you feel angry about the illegal cosmetic procedures performed by the Vietnamese national before getting arrested? Are you concerned that there could be several patients who availed of the suspect’s illegal procedures? Do you think the suspect should be banned from returning to the Philippines? How do you think the clandestine clinic and the illegal procedures were set-up in the city in the first place? Do you personally know anyone who became a victim of the suspect?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Thanks to the recovery in exports and private consumption, the economy of Japan grew by 2.1% in the first quarter this year, according to a Kyodo News report. Still, there will be challenges ahead for the Japanese economy as the nation is still dependent on the Middle East for its crude oil needs and there is the possibility that the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran could start a new series of conflicts in the said region.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…
Japan’s economy grew an annualized real 2.1 percent in the January-March period, marking the second straight quarterly expansion, led by a recovery in exports and private consumption, government data showed Tuesday, with the full impact of the Middle East conflict yet to be felt.
In the first quarter of 2026, gross domestic product adjusted for inflation increased 0.5 percent from the October-December period, the Cabinet Office said in its preliminary report, beating market expectations. GDP is the total value of goods and services produced in a country.
Economists polled by the Japan Center for Economic Research had forecast an annualized real expansion of 1.56 percent while expecting growth to slow to 0.45 percent in the April-June quarter, amid concern that the Middle East crisis and surging crude oil prices will weigh on corporate profits and consumer spending.
In the January-March period, private consumption, which accounts for more than half of the economy, grew 0.3 percent, rising for the fifth straight quarter, helped by strong demand for clothing and a boost in spending at restaurants, an official said.
Spending was also underpinned by state subsidies for gas and electricity bills and solid wage growth, as rising earnings saw companies move to attract and retain talent, economists said.
But with data showing a rapid deterioration in consumer sentiment due to the Middle East conflict, its impact on private consumption warrants close attention, another government official said.
In the January-March period, exports rose 1.7 percent from the October-December quarter on a recovery in auto shipments bound for the U.S. market and strong demand for machinery and electrical devices for industrial purposes. Imports edged up 0.5 percent.
Economists said shipments to the world’s largest economy have been recovering due to receding uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy following a bilateral deal struck last year.
Business investment rose 0.3 percent from the previous quarter, with increased expenditure for research and development on the back of robust corporate profits and for general-purpose machinery and electric lighting fixtures, the first official said.
She said the impact on the data of the Middle East conflict, triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that began in late February, was unclear.
Prolonged tensions in the Middle East could affect imports of crude oil and petroleum products such as naphtha and hit exports bound for the region, economists said.
GDP was dampened 0.1 percentage point by a reduction in private inventories, apparently due to the government’s decision to release oil from stockpiles, starting with those held by the private sector.
Japan’s heavy reliance on oil imports from the Middle East makes the country vulnerable to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping artery, with surging oil prices feared to drive up inflation.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday the government will consider compiling a supplementary budget for fiscal 2026 to ease the impact of elevated crude oil prices.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the economy of Japan can still maintain its growth rate in the 2nd quarter? Do you think Japan will soon import oil from other parts of the world to reduce its dependence on the Middle East? Do you think Japan’s ties with Trump-led America will open new windows that will help Japanese exporters a lot?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formally announced a major change that will compel aliens seeking the adjustment of status to return to their respective countries and go through the consular processing via the Department of State. The change marks the USCIS’ return to the law’s original intent to ensure that aliens navigate America’s immigration system properly.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the USCIS’ official announcement. Some parts in boldface…
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a new policy memo reiterating the fact that, consistent with long-standing immigration law and immigration court decisions, aliens seeking adjustment of status must do so through consular processing via the Department of State outside of the country.
Officers are directed to consider all relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether an alien warrants this extraordinary form of relief.
“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances. This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency,” said USCIS Spokesman Zach Kahler.
“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process. Following the law allows the majority of these cases to be handled by the State Department at U.S. consular offices abroad and frees up limited USCIS resources to focus on processing other cases that fall under its purview, including visas for victims of violent crime and human trafficking, naturalization applications, and other priorities. The law was written this way for a reason, and despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make our system fairer and more efficient.”
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you are an American citizen, do you agree with the USCIS’ change of policy and processes with regards to aliens who are already present in the United States while seeking to adjust their respective statuses? Do you think this latest change will somehow bring down the number of illegal immigrants/aliens present in America? Do you think it makes sense for aliens in America to go back home to their respective countries to apply for change of status at the U.S. consular?
Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, employees of the City Government were delighted as their mid-year bonus was officially announced and released, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Good news for employees of the Muntinlupa City government.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced the release of the midyear bonus for city government employees on May 18.
Biazon held a live broadcast on Facebook for the announcement, saying, “As always, siyempre, and inaasahan ng mga workers in government ‘yung ating midyear bonus (As always, of course, government workers look forward to our midyear bonus).”
“Matatanggap ng city government workers ng Muntinlupa ang kanilang midyear bonus starting today [May 18] (City government workers of Muntinlupa will receive their midyear bonus starting today),” he said.
He said the midyear bonus for plantilla and casual employees of the city government is equivalent to one-month salary.
Workers under job orders, contract of service, Kabalikat (street sweepers), and barangay health workers will receive a premium pay of P5,000 coming from the city government.
“Yan po ay handog ng city government of Muntinlupa courtesy of our taxpayers (This is a present from the city government of Muntinlupa courtesy of our taxpayers),” he added.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, what is your opinion about the release of the mid-year bonus of the City Government employees?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Parañaque, elements of the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Special Action Unit (SAU) raided and dismantled an illegal operation that used artificial intelligence (AI) tools, cryptocurrency schemes and other means to victimize people online, according to a news report by GMA News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the GMA News. Some parts in boldface…
Authorities have dismantled an alleged online scamming operation in Parañaque City that combined romance fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, and artificial intelligence tools to target foreign victims.
In a statement, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said operatives from its Special Action Unit (SAU) conducted a raid on May 15 at a residence after securing a warrant to search and seize computer data from a Parañaque City court.
Seventeen individuals were arrested during the operation – including 14 Filipinos and three foreign nationals – who were allegedly caught in the act of operating computer systems and communication devices linked to the scheme.
Investigators said the suspects were running a call center-like setup on the third floor of the property, equipped with multiple computers, mobile phones, and internet routers believed to be used in online fraud activities.
Authorities also discovered a separate room allegedly used for “models,” where a computer installed with an application capable of AI-based face swapping or deepfake technology was found.
Initial forensic findings by the NBI’s Digital Forensic Laboratory showed that the group allegedly targeted victims abroad, particularly in the United States, Bangkok, and parts of Europe.
The group used dating apps and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Grindr.
The scheme reportedly involved creating fake identities, initiating romantic relationships, and using scripted conversations to build trust before convincing victims to send money.
Investigators said victims were later directed to transfer funds through cryptocurrency wallets linked to a suspected fraudulent investment platform identified as “cexonline.uk,” a method believed to help obscure financial trails.
The arrested individuals were brought to the NBI-SAU office for documentation and were presented for inquest proceedings on May 16 before prosecutors from the Department of Justice.
They may face charges for violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you believe that there could be more scam hubs operating secretly within the city? What do you think makes Parañaque an ideal city for criminals and scammers to set up illegal operations targeting people online? Who do you think is the mastermind of these scam hubs in Parañaque?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Remember how terrible flooding was in Parañaque City last year? A lot of locals do not want such cases of flood to happen again and already there are those who said that Parañaque should be renamed as Baharañaque. In a serious attempt to prepare the city for the incoming rainy season, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the flood-prone areas of the city and he was accompanied by 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan, according to a news report by The Daily Tribune.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of The Daily Tribune. Some parts in boldface…
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is partnering with local lawmakers to fast-track long-term drainage upgrades and dredging operations along critical creeks to resolve severe flooding that frequently paralyzes major thoroughfares in the city.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Parañaque Representative Brian Yamsuan on Monday conducted a joint inspection of flood-prone areas, specifically targeting Dr. A. Santos Avenue in front of the Manila Memorial Park.
During heavy downpours, floodwaters in the area can rise up to four meters high, blocking access to the Skyway and the South Luzon Expressway, which triggers massive traffic gridlock.
Dizon said a key immediate solution is to dredge Villanueva Creek, which runs inside the cemetery, to allow floodwaters to flow freely into (Don Galo) Creek. Dongalo Creek will also undergo extensive dredging to clear accumulated garbage and silt.
The broader infrastructure plan includes a major overhaul of the Parañaque drainage system, which will replace old, narrowed concrete pipes with high-capacity drainage lines.
Officials cited during the inspection that uneven road elevation along Dr. A. Santos Avenue — formerly known as Sucat Road — compounds the problem. Low-lying sections of the highway trap rainwater, while clogged roadside canals slow down the rate at which the water recedes.
Dizon and Yamsuan also inspected the (Don Galo) River, another source of flooding that sends water rushing four to five feet high into nearby residential areas, severely affecting Barangay Santo Niño, Moonwalk Subdivision, and portions of Multinational Village.
As a quick-fix solution before the onset of the rainy season, Dizon recommended constructing temporary water detention basins beneath local basketball courts to contain excess runoff before pumping it out toward waterways leading to Manila Bay.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, were you or your neighbors badly affected by the flood that happened in the city in 2025? Do you think flooding in Parañaque has worsened over the past ten years? Do you wish the City Government officials would do much more to prevent flooding from happening again?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Welcome back, superhero fans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Street Fighter fans, retro gamers, Malibu Comics enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1993 to examine the official comic book adaptation of the wildly popular video game Street Fighter II.
While the original Street Fighter game of 1987 did not achieve huge success in the arcades and on consoles, it literally started the ball rolling for Capcom as the game itself influence other arcade game developers to focus more on making beat-them-up games and the use of special moves appealed to others. Capcom went on to release Street Fighter II in the arcades and it came with a dedicated fighting game design that strongly lured in gamers to play it in huge numbers. After selling 200,000 arcade cabinets, SFII went on to become a huge seller on game consoles. Capcom even went on to produce new versions of the game – popularly referred to as upgrades – culminating with Super Street Fighter II Turbo in 1994.
As Street Fighter II kept on attracting countless players into the arcades worldwide, Capcom approached Malibu Comics (publisher of the Ultraverse).
“Capcom came to Malibu because we know how to do it—we’ve handled licensed properties before and done very well,” said Tom Mason in the opening message of the first issue of the Street Fighter comic book adaptation.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Street Fighter 1, published by Malibu Comics in 1993 with a story written by the late Len Strazewski and drawn by Don Hillsman. This was the first issue of a planned mini-series.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins some time in the past when Ryu permanently scars Sagat on the chest with his Dragon Punch during street fight in front of many. Enraged, Sagat tries hard to retaliate against Ryu who happens to be the champion among street fighters. The Japanese fighter hits the tall Thai kickboxer with a barrage of kicks.
The past fight was played on home video and viewed by Sagat and Balrog. Embarrassed by the video, Sagat destroys the TV and asked his companion why must he be humiliated. After Balrog tells him not to talk that tone with their superior Bison, Sagat hits the American boxer. As the fight between the two intensifies, Bison arrives and stops the violence. He tells Sagat that he is an embarrassment to his organization.
Bison reminds them that he took them into his criminal network and still have not redeemed themselves in front of him. He tells the two that they must beat Ryu and regain the street fighter championship.
As Balrog and Sagat express difficulty in finding and fighting Ryu, Bison tells them the Japanese fighter’s friends are Chun Li and Ken…
Quality
Once a dedicated, well-trained martial arts competitor, Ken Masters has been doing his moves in productions of commercials. He does not enjoy the product he endorsed.
Back in 1993, I even contemplated buying a copy of this comic book locally when it was brand new. I’m glad I chose not to buy it back then as this one has bad quality in its presentation from start to finish. Dedicated Street Fighter II fans should be warned.
For starters, the storytelling is not faithful to the lore of Street Fighter II even though the creators derived key elements of characters from the game itself. That said, it looks like liberties were taken in order to form a narrative that can be told in comic book format.
Chun Li here is correctly described as an agent of Interpol and is motivated by revenge over the loss of her father who was killed by M. Bison. And yet, she is portrayed here as having a romantic relationship with Ryu and has been training with him along with Ken in the past. The romantic relationship between the two never existed in the popular video game and it is established in Street Fighter II lore that Chun Li came from a different martial arts background while Ken and Ryu trained together under the same master.
Contrary to what was established in Street Fighter II lore, Ken and Chun Li were portrayed as having trained together and have romance with each other.
Ryu in this comic book is the defending street fighter champion (reflecting the canonical story of Street Fighter and Street Fighter II) who is responsible for the huge scar on Sagat’s chest. While Ryu is the wandering warrior who travels around the world with only a duffel bag as he seeks the true way of the fighter, in this adaptation he is a reigning champion who starts having doubts when Chun Li lectures him over his devotion to fighting as life changes for others around him.
While the liberties are notable and could be insulting to dedicated Street Fighter II fans, the story of this comic book is surprisingly readable. As Ryu is the target of Bison and his criminal network, it made sense for dangerous pawns Sagat and Balrog to go after Ken to get to the Japanese fighter. There definitely is a plot here and if readers can ignore the actual lore of Street Fighter II, it can be followed and the classic concept of good versus evil will be realized.
As for the art, the work done by Don Hillsman is lackluster. While he excelled in making Balrog look scary early in the story, his visual takes on the other Street Fighter II characters range from bad to passable. Ken, Ryu, Sagat, Bison, Vega and Chun Li all have that rough look on their faces and bodies. Hillsman even tried to emulate special moves from the game but ended up looking sub-par. Lackluster artworks like these only add to the perception of the fans and other people obsessed with Japanese culture and the arts that Western illustrators should not draw Street Fighter characters.
Conclusion
Balrog on the offensive against Ken.
I am glad that I never bought Street Fighter #1 (1993) brand new decades ago. Its quality is really bad and clearly it has not aged well. Street Fighter fans – especially those obsessed with Street Fighter II games – should look elsewhere to enjoy the tale and concepts of Street Fighter II. This comic book from Malibu Comics is a creative failure and was the start of the eventual collapse of the publishing deal made with Capcom. Can you just imagine the shock the Capcom executives had when they first read this comic book? Ultimately, this comic book adaption was creative catastrophe which is a shame because Malibu Comics had a good record of licensed projects and the late Strazewski (died on April 27, 2026) was one of the finest writers and creators on the Ultraverse line of comic books.
The first half of the message about the Street Fighter II adaptation and the deal between Capcom and Malibu Comics.
The 2nd half of the message. The Capcom-Malibu deal and the production of this adaptation started in mid-1992. Street Fighter II was already dominating the arcades at the time.
Overall, Street Fighter #1 (1993) should be avoided.
Recently in Thailand, the authorities permanently banned a Chinese national who caused damage on two automated immigration gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport, according to a VnExpress news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
A Chinese tourist has been permanently banned from re-entering Thailand after allegedly damaging automated passport control gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Southeast Asia’s second largest airport by land area.
The 30-year-old man, identified as Zheng Liwei, was accused of vandalizing two automated immigration gates at the airport on Wednesday while attempting to clear passport control for a flight back to China, Bangkok Post reported.
According to reports, Zheng became increasingly agitated after repeatedly failing to complete the airport’s automated screening process.
Video footage circulating online appears to show him slamming his passport against the scanner before kicking the glass barriers and forcing his way through the checkpoint.
Immigration officers quickly intercepted the man after he allegedly crossed the gate without authorization, police told local media outlet The Nation.
Airport security officers, assisted by the man’s wife, later restrained him after he allegedly shouted abuse in both Chinese and English and attempted to assault immigration personnel.
He has been charged with property damage, an offense punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht (US$1,800), or both.
Zheng also faces a separate charge of insulting a public official while on duty, which carries a penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
Thai immigration authorities have revoked his visa and placed him on a permanent blacklist, effectively banning him from re-entering the country.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the authorities in Thailand made the correct responses to the Chinese national? Did you ever witness a fellow foreign traveler causing trouble at an airport while you traveled overseas over the past six months? Have you ever been to Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Author Carlo Carrasco 