Darkstalkers Issue 5
Published by Devil's Due Publishing, Udon Comic's Darkstalkers Issue 5 was released in March of 2005. Written by Ken Siu-Chong, the fifth issue featured artwork done by Joe Vriens, Alvin Lee, Kevin Lau and Alan Wang. The issue incorporated the side story, "The Curse of Hannya and Kien," which focused on the history of the bloodthirsty sword and armor Bishamon had come into possession of. The non-canon "Darkstalkers Mini" presented an adolescent Donovan Baine who is attending high school with his fellow Darkstalker characters.
Story summary[]
- "A few days after the incident with Victor and Emily, the villagers hired Donovan to find and destroy two "monsters." While Victor and Donovan were locked in battle, Emily and Anita were ambushed and abducted by some creatures of darkness. Following their trail back to the village, Victor and Donovan faced the creatures in battle. With some assistance from the villagers, the two allies of circumstance managed to defeat all of their enemies. Meanwhile, rumors of Demitri's presence in the human realm reach Morrigan's ears."
- –By Udon Eterntainment from Darkstalkers Graphic File.
Issue Synopsis[]
In the yard outside of Castle von Gerdenheim, Emily and Victor sit among the flowers. Emily remarks that she can see the orange star in the daytime and that Professor Gerdenheim could probably explain it, just like he would with why the townspeople hate them. As they head back to see if their father is awake, Donovan appears, calling Victor a Darkstalker. Enraged, Victor attacks him, and Donovan quickly realizes that Victor cannot be a Darkstalker as he does not detect any evil.
Emily notices and implores Anita to help her stop the fight, but Anita does not respond, emotionless. Emily yells if she even cares. Winged Darkstalkers appear and carry Anita and Emily away. Victor jumps trying to save Emily, but cannot reach her. Donovan notes they are heading toward the town and says they should make haste there. Victor is astonished that Donovan will help him, and Donovan says that Victor is not a Darkstalker.
They arrive before the Darkstalkers begin eating the humans and battles them. Victor starts to become overwhelmed, and Emily cries. Seeing this, a townsman tells the others to assist Victor. Surprised, Victor says that the townspeople aren’t bad at all.
As Donovan prepares the slay a Darkstalker, he notices it has a wound that resonates with Bishamon’s power and questions the Darkstalker. It says it’s from a demon armor that was traveling to the north, and Anita wonders if it’s the same one that had attacked her village. Donovan says he believes it is and that once he’s destroyed, perhaps Anita will be saved. The Darkstalker warns him that Bishamon is too powerful and attacks them, and is easily slain by Donovan.
As Victor slays the last of the Darkstalkers, the leader of the town is thanking Emily for Victor’s aid. They look for Donovan, and find that he is already departing with Anita.
In Boston, Felicia and Talbain board a train, with Felicia keeping a cat disguise because they only have one ticket.
In Scotland, the painter compliments the disguised and posed Morrigan and states he’s honored to be the first to immortalize her on canvas. He tells her of a man who can actually grant her eternal youth, and that for years, he sent women lovely enough to him. Intrigued, Morrigan asks for the man’s name, and the painter answers, “Demitri Maximoff.”
Surprised and angry, Morrigan sheds her disguise, demanding all what the painter knows of Demitri. He quickly recognizes her nature and attacks, revealing himself to be a vampire. Morrigan easily pins him to the wall with her wing spikes and kisses him, draining his life away and gaining his knowledge of Demitri. She learns how Demitri is regaining his power and planning his revenge on her father. She thinks that he had found a way back to Makai and leaves to inform her father.
In Romania, Demitri stands on his balcony during a full moon, and his butler arrives and informs him that dawn is nearing, and that he should come inside, which Demitri likens to an insect fleeing from the light. Demitri states that soon, neither the sun or Belial will challenge his power.
Side story: The Curse of Hannya and Kien[]
The story relates some of Hannya and Kien’s history from their perspective. Over many centuries, the cursed armor and sword had lured many, good and evil, with their promises of power. Whatever their motives, all lost their wills to Hannya and Kien, becoming insatiable killing machines until their souls were consumed. Since the armor and sword could not be destroyed, many tried to hide them, but others would be drawn to their power and take possession of them. Bishamon was not the first to don Hannya and wield Kien, and the cursed war instruments believe he will not be the last.
Characters[]
- Victor von Gerdenheim
- Emily von Gerdenheim
- Donovan Baine
- Anita
- Jon Talbain
- Felicia
- Morrigan Aensland
- Bishamon
Minor[]
- Demitri Maximoff (in a vision)
Darkstalkers Mini[]
Notes[]
- Even when facing danger Anita remains emotionless.
- Bishamon is the name of the man under the armor while the sword is named Kien and the armor is Hannya.
Credits[]
| Story by: | Ken Siu-Chong |
|
Pencils and inks by: |
Joe Vriens, Alvin Lee. Kevin Lau |
| Backgrounds by: | Scott Hepburn |
| Colors by: | Espen Grundetjern, Susan Lou, Gary Yeung |
| Assistant Editor: | Marina Siu-Chong |
| Lettering: | Cyber Graphix |
| Udon Chief: | Erik Ko |
| Mad-Evil-Foil cover: | Arnold Tsang |
| Capcom mini: |
Corey Lewis (credited as Rey) |
| Back-up Story: |
Alan Wang |
Artwork[]
