Random Happenstance

Over the years, we've done this a lot: pick up a random comic, find out it's part 19 of 47, and press on regardless. Today's might be a tough one, though! And not just because to me the title character's name sounds like they were trying to workshop something better than "Major Bison." From 1992, Iron Marshal #28, "The Exterminator" Written by Henry Wright, art by Lee Chi Ching.

Further elevating the difficulty level, beyond having fewer points of reference than usual, this was pretty far into the series run: Iron Marshal would end with #32, and that link notes the last issues for most (if not all) of Jademan's other titles. At least in the U.S. Iron Marshal and those other titles may have continued to this day...actually, the other titles, maybe; I'm not sure this was ever the breakout or fan-favorite, but good on them for having a midrange title. This issue features a fight between Choppy and Supremo, as Choppy tries to puzzle out Supremo's technique, which seems to involve a knife strike from nowhere, even with his hands bare. How does Supremo do it? You will never guess. Iron Marshal is in this issue, but doesn't really do a lot; as several kung-fu masters have been saved from death, but have still been poisoned in a way that would kill them if they used their chi. (Kung fu in these books had progressed from "guys what kick real good" to channelling inner energy for amazing feats.)

Overall the effect today is like showing up really late for an old kung-fu movie: you're not going to figure out the plot, just watch the fights.