Issue: 695
Cover: Tiger Wong menaced by Strange Creature

Happy Red is too badly injured to continue fighting so Tiger Wong is left to battle the four department heads. Tiger takes a moment to heel Happy but is forced to stop when they all attack at once. Tiger uses his Crackling Mad Dragon move to defend against all four. A kick to Elegent Gentleman's stomach, another to Jin's face. Red Eagle sneaks in a punch to Tiger's back but gets a kick in the face. Tiger drops a heal on Jin Bu Wan's head and flips backwards lay a toe shot to Eagles' head. Red Eagle has practiced Iron Skull and the toe kick does no damage. He roars with anger prompting Tiger to answer his bellowing... with another foot to the face. Tiger headbutts Jin Bu Wan knocking Jin down but leaving himself dizzy. Tiger composes himself and gives Iron Todd one another boot before attempting to vanish. Despite the damage taken Red Eagle is relatively unhurt due to his Iron Skull Kung Fu. He makes one last desperate lunge to stop his two opponents but Tiger gives him a drilling kick to the face, Happy gives him a palm to the chest and he reels backwards. They then escape into the fog.

Tiger Wong and Happy Red return to the Oriental Heroes dojo where they are met by Gold Dragon, Guy and Baldy. Tiger practices his kicks and then stares contemplatevly into the sky.

Elsewhere, in some distant forest we find a fellow, completed covered in venomous snakes sitting within the base of an enormous tree. Some sort of strange looking human, dressed sort of like Little Red Riding Hood, comes wandering up. The man covered in snakes extends his arms sending the snakes flying towards the strange creature but the creatures powerful protective air prevents the snakes from touching him. It turns out that it was Chan Ou Wan beneath all the snakes. Chan is purple and bloated to fully three times his normal size due to all the poison in his system. The creature is shocked to see Chan release the poison and return to his normal healthy form. Chan and the creature begin to battle with the creature appearing to be the more powerful of the two. They stop fighting briefly when the creature, who happens to be mute, attempts to communicate with Chan. This fails so he decides instead to spit poison into Chan's face.

Personal Observations: We get to see Gold Dragon again after 10 FULL ISSUES. Really, does he have to take that much of a backseat to Tiger Wong? On another note, one of the common questions about manga is, why does every one look western or european. Could anyone be more aryan looking then Gold Dragon. He has western features and blond hair yet he is referred to as Chinese. Now technically he could be Chinese of european descent but that's not the impression I get. They even acnowledged in the comics that it was a bit strange that he has blond hair. I guess he must keep a ready supply of bleach on hand.

Issue: 696
Cover: The Supreme, Tiger Wong, Barbarian and Gold Dragon
Summary Added: October 30, 2000

Henceforth, I shall refer to Chan Ou Wan's poison spewing opponent as Strange Creature. His name literally translates to Strange Man.

Chan Ou Wans' face begins to swell, discolor and emit a foul, disgusting odor from the burning poison that Strange Creature has spit on him. Although in enormous pain Chan remains calm. He has extensive experience with poison and this shouldn't be life threatening. Chan splashes some water on his face to wash away the poison but has to leap away as Strange Creature attacks him. Strange Creature starts toying with him like a cat playing with a rat. Chan uses his speed to avoid his massive opponents attacks. Strange Creature blocks an escape attempt with his mountainous frame, when Chan turns to flee Strange Creature pounds his back with a barrage of punches and a thundering palm shot that knocks Chan forward to the ground. Strange Creature slowely walks towards his fallen opponent as a sound begins to eminate from his belly. The sound works it's way up to his throat. Creature drives a knee into Chan's back, pinning him to the ground. He grabs Chan's arm and spits up some thick green poison onto to it. Chan's cries of pain are met with a punch to the back that sends him forward, right into a patch of quicksand. It's too late when Chan realizes his situation and he quickly sinks under. Strange Creature just turns and walks away.

Elsewhere, Old Supreme has received an invitation to meet with some monks. He shows the invitation to Ancestor, who is busy praying at a statue of Buddha. The Supreme has also received an invitation as well as Barbarian and Tiger Wong. It will be a big get together with Global Cult, Red Sect, the Oriental Heroes and Ancestor.

But what about Chan Ou Wan. Has Strange Creature finally finished him off? The quicksand in which he sank begins to swirl and from beneath the muck rises Chan, fully healed. Chan sat beneath the sand while expunging all the poison toxins from his body. Chan meets up with Incredible Chap and tells him about his shocking encounter with Strange Creature.

Gold Dragon and Tiger Wong have arrived at the monk mountain temple. The are carried on chairs up to the temple itself. The Supreme and crew have also arrived via helicopter.

Heroes info: Many of the fighters in the Oriental Heroes universe use poison as a weapon but none more effectively than Chan Ou Wan. Chan once challenged one of Old Supreme's top assasins, Poison Fang to a test of poison. Chan drank Poison Fang's most lethal concoction while Fang tasted Chan's black blood. Using a technique called The Gulping Toad, Chan was actually able to gain strength from the poison while Poison Fang was forced to beg Chan for an antidote or die. In issue 688, Chan demonstrated his ability to exhale a cloud of black poison. Interresting how in this issue Chan meets an opponent whose poison may be an equal to his own.

Issue: 697
Cover: Tiger Wong in front with Barbarian, Ancestor, The Supreme and Chan Ou Wan surrounding
Published: March 24, 1989

Summary Added: Dec. 11, 2000

The Red Sect deligation arrives in another helicopter. They are led by Barbarian who is flanked by Green Serpent (for more information on Green Serpent see mini bio below) and Island. Being a good brother, Barbarian assists Silver Chime out of the helicopter. Pterosaur (for more information on Pterosaur see mini bio below). has also shown up for the big meeting. The two sect heads, Barbarian and The Supreme, exchange some phony pleasantries and then approach each other with fists clenched. They clasp hands in a show of respect but beneath the surface is a violent test of inner power. The energy generated from the two titans cracks the very earth beneath them. One of the monks nervously suggests that it is time to meet there host. Although they are on holy ground and violence is prohibited, nobody has the courage to tell Barbarian and The Supreme to stop. The Supreme laughs and suggests that this may not be the time or place to match skills. They release their grips to the relief of the monks gathered around and everyone is led up to a nearby temple.

Elsewhere, Old Supreme and Ancestor are on their way to the temple by horseback. Old Supreme is standing on his horse, playing his zyther while Ancestor lays back on his horse reading his invitation. Ancestor uses his inner power to disolves the paper into dust. Above, in the mountains are three monks including the head monk who sits in a tiny pagoda. The head monk rubs his eyes when he spots the two riding up. Ancestor, who is seated backwards on his horse indian style, slowly turns to face him. The monks can clearly sense his immense power. Ancestor bristles as he sees a glowing image of Buddha hovering over the pagoda and his horse topples over. Ancestor and Old Supreme greet the head monk and then are lead up to the mountain temple.

Meanwhile, Tiger Wong, Gold Dragon, Baldy and Guy are led to a small building where they bed down. Guy walks out to the back of the house which faces a mammoth, mountain size relief of the symbol for Buddha and a religious picture below. He prays as light shines down on him.

Finally, everyone is seated around a U-shaped table. On the right is the Red Sect represented by Barbarian along with Pterosaur, Silver Chime and Green Serpent. On the left is Global Cult represented by Old Supreme along with The Supreme, Chan Ou Wan and Lone Kwoon Tin. The Oriental Heroes are represented by Tiger Wong, Gold Dragon, Guy and Baldy. At the open end of the table sits the head of the Monks. Ancestor is conspicuous by his absence.

Gold Dragon is surprised to see that Barbarian has brought along Silver Chime. There is, understandably, a lot of tension around the table. The monk explains that he is trying to bring a truce between the three groups.

Mini Bio: Green Serpent is one of Red Sects' best fighters. He has enormous inner power and seemingly endless stamina. Serpent is able to launch his inner power like a missle ala Ken and Ryo from Street Fighter. In the american version of Oriental Heroes he took on Lone Kwoon Tin in a best of three fight and got demolished.

Mini Bio: Pterosaur is another one of Red Sects' top men. He's old but tough as shoe leather. Like Green Serpent he is capable of withstanding enormous punishment and continue fighting. Pterosaur is the man who dealt the final killing blow to the leader of White Sect, Infinite White. Pterosaur and Green Serpent have much smaller roles than in the engish translated comics and have practically faded into the background.

Issue: 698
Cover: A distraught Gold Dragon
Published: March 31, 1989

Summary Added: January 2, 2000

After everyone stands up from the table The Supreme starts berating Tiger Wong, telling him to sit down and discuss his differences with Chan Ou Wan but Tiger makes it clear that he doesn't take orders from Global Cult head. Tiger gives one last warning, telling The Supreme to stay out of his business and then leaves with the rest of the Oriental Heroes. The Supreme is left fuming over the lack of respect he has been receiving. Tiger and Baldy (for more information on Baldy see mini bio below) have a short conversation while strolling under the night sky.

Meanwhile, Gold Dragon is sitting by himself at the edge of a cliff when a pebble flies over and knocks him in the back of the head. Dragon turns to see Silver Chime. She sits down next to him and they begin chatting. Chime gets angry and clamps a cloths pin to Gold Dragons ear. As they continue talking Silver Chimes brother Barbarian watches from the shadows. Whatever Gold Dragon says it gets her crying and Silver Chime runs off. Gold Dragon is startled as Barbarian walks out of the shadows, glaring at Dragon. In a rage Barbarian punches Gold Dragon in the face, knocking him to the ground. Barbarian gives Dragon a tongue lashing and then turns and walks away passing Old Supreme on his way.

Gold Dragon is shocked to see how young Old Supreme has become. Old Supreme befriended Dragon a while back and even helped him break through to the next level of Golden Armor Kung Fu. Now Old Supreme starts to scold Dragon. Gold Dragon is so distraught that he drops to his knees and begins pounding the ground.

Ancestor is off on a cliff controlling his sword again. Guy stops him and stares, stunned at the demonstration of power. After the sword flies over and buries itself into the side of a mountain Guy runs over an grabs it up to the shock of Ancestor.

Mini Bio: Baldy is an old friend of Tiger Wong and Gold Dragon. He is the last surviving member of a group called The Gang of Four which also included One Eyed Draco, Four Eyed Ming and Heartbreak Kid. Baldy is a decent fighter who has shown some improvement.

Translating Fun: I have to apologize. I would imagine that it's probably getting annoying reading how this character talks to that character and that character yells at another character without any real sense of what there saying. The fact is I don't know what they're saying. With only a week to crank out an issue I only translate at best the first half dozen pages. The rest I have to go strictly from visual. The hope is that I will become better and faster at translating. Unless I move to an issue every two or three weeks this is the best I can do.

Cover: Guy and Ancestor (the large character between them is defined as FATE)
Published: April 7, 1989

Summary Added: January 8, 2000

A bolt of lightning struck Energy Soldier, Ancestor's sword, while he was practicing his control over it, sending it falling into a mountain. Not wanting to lose his precious weapon Ancestor rushes over to retrieve it but before he can get there Guy picks it up. Ancestor yells at Guy to get away from the sword. As Guy holds the sword in his hands a strange black air begins to flow from and entwine it. When a weird sound starts eminating from Energy Soldier, Ancestor warns Guy not to listen. Guy asks Ancestor if the sword is his and gets an explaination of Energy Soldier's amazing ability of flight. Guy begins to get quite a bit nervous at the awesome power of Ancestor. As his eyes widen and sweat begins forming on his brow, Guy asks what form of Kung Fu Ancestor uses to control an object of such weight. Ancestor decides to give another demonstration. He raises his arm and launches Energy Soldier straight up into the sky. It loops around until Ancestor commands it to return. The sword decends towards him but then makes an unexpected move. It flies back into the air. As it ascends Ancestor sees within it the image of dozens of demonic faces. These evil spirits held within don't seem to like being told what to do and occasionally regain control. The sword swoops down towards Ancestor who stands his ground with a shocked, perhaps dismayed look. At the last moment Guy rushes forward and pushes Ancestor out of the way of the lethal weapon. The sword buries itself in the mountain so close ly that it pins the edge of Ancestor's shirt to the cliff face. Ancestor looks rather bewildered as he pulls the sword from the mountain but he still continues his conversation with Guy. He then starts controlling his sword yet again. The sword shoots across the sky like a lightning bolt and then veers back towards Ancestor who just lifts his arm and catches it. Some more converstaion and Guy takes off.

Elsewhere, some leacherous fellow is photographing Maggie's chest (sorry, she's wearing a trenchcoat at the time). The guy slips off a small cliff and bonks his head. Two of his friends run down to see if he's ok. He climes back up and prepaires for another photo but the flash bulb pops off his camera. Tiger Wong appears angering the photographer. Tiger knocks down the photographers friends with a couple well placed kicks. Angry at the treatment of his friends the photographer charges Tiger but a punch to the stomach sends him scampering away. Tiger and Maggie begin chatting away. Tiger jumps into the air and begins showing off his kicks. Suddenly a gust of wind whips up and knocks Tiger right over the treetops. Ancestor has arrived. Tiger runs back and leaps into the air to kick Ancestor.

Next Issue: Tiger Wong vs Ancestor

Heroes Info: Ancestor is not the first character to perform actions at a distance. A while back, Barbarian was testing Tiger Wong's kicking skill and challenged him to tear a piece of fabric that was floating in the air. Barbarian was able to use his inner power to keep the fabric dancing away, just out of Tiger Wong's reach. There is, however, a big difference between a piece of fabric and a heavy sword.

Personal Observation: I will mark this issue as the official beginning to the age of Ancestor. He will dominate the storyline and fighting for a long, loooong time. The next half dozen issues will firmly establish Ancestor as the only focal point of the others characters until the day he dies and that may NEVER come. He is powerful beyond belief. My opinion is that he is far too powerful and I hope to someday get an explaination as to how he became so titanic.