The Hammer has finally added some additional material, including an article that makes a very flimsy connection to the mammoth promotional tool that is BORAT!
Yeah, you want to go look now, don't you?

Well, while you're there, you can also check out the sideshow:

KANG #31
Synopsis: Finally the questions you've been asking ALL season are about to be answered -- Just how powerful are Reptile's prophetic abilities? What is the monster that has been terrorizing the island? What lies beneath the hatch? THE ANSWERS ARE HERE!

While the graphics have gotten better, I must say i'm very disappointed. I thought the comics may have gotten better, but I was mistaken.

I appreciate the effort you put in to it, but i'm disappointed.

I guess it's too late to score higher by drawing a flimsy parallel between Jax and Cyrax...

Appreciate the return visit.

I agree. It's sure a lot better than 3/4 of the crap we get here, but I just find it hard to follow, and not really that interesting. But that's just me.

But I've had some pretty lame comics myself (See signature).

Not being interested, I can't really account for, but difficulty to follow I might at least be able to help with.

How many have you read, and did you read them in succession?
If you were following them via the Blogspot blog, are you sure you didn't read them in reverse order? I can see how that might happen, as that is the conventional posting layout, placing recent entries on the top.

I would like to think part of the charm of Kang is it's on-going nature, and deliberate pace of inter-cutting. Two things I have found distinctly lacking in my previous experience reading fan sprite strips.
That's actually one of the criticisms I have of something like 'TCONS,' which details fairly slow moving events in a larger space, and relies largely on photoshop effects which just aren't all that compelling (or, often, terribly vivid).

Hopefully what Kang can do is provide a piece of an on-going puzzle, and on the better occasions, still offer a quick in-and-out gag within it's own context.

But if it's not someone's taste, it's just not their taste.
Although, browsing the boards relatively detached from preexisting groups, one does have to question the sincerity of some posts.

While some seem unfairly harsh and without constructive basis, others are pecularly juxtaposing in their kindness.

Just an observation.

Actually, it's probably just me. Looking at your comics, I think its how you have the pictures stacked on top of eachother that really gets me. I have pretty bad OCD, and I get really picky and annoyed over stupid stuff like that.

So yeah, it's just me.

i've been reading them on the Kombat Pavillion, just so you know.

Ah, okay.
You must hate Peanuts.






... Except... When it's printed horizontally...
Hmmm...

I'm not sure whether you're talking of the classic one, or the new one. In the case of the new one, you have some point, but I also think you failed to analyze the prospect of it, that it was moving a little slow for dramatic purposes. Of course, I already cancelled this series, in favor of a new, and far more original, comic with a much better storyline.

If you are talking about the classic one, you must not forget, part of the old TCONS appeal was it's slow pace, as well as it's wit, humor and quality. Sometimes the best story moves slowly but has more clarity than what I feel yours has to offer. That's what made it stand out among others, especially for it's time.

Haven't seen the older ones.

I can appreciate dramatic pacing, but like I said in a post in the thread, I just don't think mashing two CG style together (digitized MK, and photoshop blurs etc) comfortably justifies a lagging story.

Which, like I said, is why I think the gag strips have taken over.
It's got a tighter logic, and is easier to justify with quick spoofs, or gags, than trying to sell a serious story with stiff, repetitive graphics.
As surprisingly versatile as the MK sprite sheets are, they just aren't original, varying work. And I think efforts to work close ups and so on, really only highlight the flaw of using constrained pixel sprites.

Varying quality between the digitized sprites, enlarged pixel pics, renders, and/or photoshop effects just have a habit of not gelling terribly well.

With dyamic pencils with varied angles and emphasis, you'd be able to sell the story much easier, so I'm not necessarily saying the flaw is inherent to the writing. But the writing doesn't strike me as fitting the medium terribly well.
It's stagnant, and that's what really makes it feel so slow.

Slower points in a four panel strip that's already not to be taken seriously, tend, to me, fly further under the creative-logic radar.

But keep on trucking! At least it's something a bit different.
I just think one of [several] widespread weaknesses I found in my dealings with reading sprite strips, was that they linger far too often on the same graphics and same backgrounds. Usually with a very slow pace.

I'm just not a fan of that, particularly looking at it with a 'real' comic writer/reader's sensibility.

More blows from The Hammer! Oh how we blow!

KANG #32
Synopsis: In the labyrinthine bowels of Shang Tsung's island, kombat kontinues!
Mortal enemies, Kano and Sonya Blade, come to blows deep within the underground lair, and just when hope seems lost for Sonya... It gets worse!

Go ahead little man.
You know you want to.

For those of you suspiciously wondering where today's post is... Suspish no more!
The Hammer is a veritable hive of activity lately, and today Kang gets a little taste of the glory, too, with a very special daily double!

KANG #33
Synopsis: Kombat kontinues!
Lord Rayden believes, despite his inadequacies, Liu Kang is ready to step up and fullfil his destiny as Mortal Kombat champion. Shang Tsung, however, believes certain clerical courtesies should first be gratified.
Kanonizing the Mortal Kombat history!

KANG: Thanksgiving Special
Synopsis: In the tradition of the Halloween special, Kang gives thanks!
Shao Kahn and his evil minions have gathered to give thanks in their own unique way. The Emperor shares with his loyal subjects Outworld's own story of Thanksgiving. A good time is had by all.
Don't let the irony hit you on the way out...

Ahh. Pretty good.
Eons better then most of the krap (including mine) coming through this forum.
4/5 for the whole thing.
Some episode are better than others.

Heh. I like the thanksgiving special you got there. And Reptile versus Liu Kang, this is getting better and better.

Thanks, dude!
Some episodes are better than others? Ah, well, clearly you found the conclusion to Scorpion v Sub-Zero, then. Certainly better known as among the number of - "others."



Cheers! And speaking of which! HAMMER TIME!

KANG #34
Synopsis: My gawd! I think business is a-gonna pick up!
Shang Tsung has called forth his burly Zaterran bodyguard to challenge Liu Kang, who in turn is challenging Goro to final battle.
Can Liu Kang possibly hope to overcome the might of this reptillian chorus leader?! READ TO FIND OUT!


Or alternatively, just draw your conclusions from MKII...

... I've got nothin.

KANG #35
Synopsis: Kombat kontinues.
No schpiel. Just a quicky.

KANG #36
Synopsis: Kombat kontinues!
In the inner bowels of Shang Tsung's island; Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage do combat with Kano, but the fates may just have something different in mind!
What bizarre roadblock faces them next? Only Kang can tell! Kanonizing Kombat history the way it REALLY happened!

KANG #37
Synopsis: Kombat kontinues!
Reptile's prophetic warnings come to fruition, as Kano, Sonya and Johnny are faced with 'one who has four!'
It is noteworthy to mention I also considered, 'one who has more.' However, I did feel this was maybe a little too vague and sloppy in the context of a porphetic rhyming sing-song.

This strip is dedicated to Godzilla.
It is the only series addendum. It was not worth it.

Thanks for the dedication.

As for the strip, I liked it. Simple joke, but funny. Who doesn't love Johnny Cage being more or less the designated MK moron extraodinaire?

I wanted to finish the first MK tournament with #50, which meant I had room for one more strip, and I hadn't really acknowledged Goro's entrance at all. So, I figured... Why not?

And God knows I love Johnny Cage as a moron!
If only there were a way to make the sprites look like Reptile is eating his head. MKSM would've been great if he didn't look blonde.

Also, Dan Pesina is unconvincing as a movie star... :crazy eyes:

Ok it's been a while since I've posted so overall, The entire series between this post and my last gets a 4.999999999...etc/5

I'd like to give you a reason why it's not a perfect 5/5 but I have none so you'll just have to fuckin' deal with it.

Keep up the good work and I hope to god you finally get this simultaneously hilarious and retarded caomic series over and done with.

I guess I'll just have to find a way to live with that 0.000000001.

As for finishing though... Well, after the first tournament there is a whole other one... Not to mention the bits in between... But 'Series 2' will end with #52.
Hateful posts will determine what happens beyond that, although, I have currently completed up to #56 with a Christmas special that is great, but entirely lacking in relevence to Christmas.

Like Series 1, Series 3 would deal with 'in-between' stuff, and try to work in more silliness and fun that isn't solely dependent on the on-going events of Mortal Kombat canon. Although, lord knows, there's already a lull.

The Hammer currently has the first lettered pseudo-preview of my labored "real" comic, so feel free to go over and check that out and say it isn't funny. (It isn't!)

KANG #38
Synopsis: Kombat kontinues!
With Reptile defeat, Shang Tsung is obligated to deliver, but with Goro fighting it out in the depths of his dungeon lairs -- WHO WILL FACE LIU KANG?!
Kanonizing MK history as it REALLY happened. Kang!

There the same....? Also I'm just not finding most of these funny man...most likely because I don't watch sitcoms but still..

I have no idea what you're talking about.
Shang Tsung and Goro are the same? Did you play the first couple of games? Shang Tsung can morph into other characters.

And sitcom is a complete misnomer, even though this does involve situations, and some form of comedy. Sitcom was just relating to the original spoof, which has no baring here.

It's quite possible you don't get it because you are without humor senses.
That may require you to be bitten by a radioactive humor.