Introduction to Street Fighter Chun-Li Vol. 2: She’s been nicknamed “The Strongest Woman in the World,” but before Chun-Li was a no-nonsense Interpol officer she was a fresh recruit in the Hong Kong Police. Street Fighter Chun-Li explores Street Fighter history and the young Chun-Li’s first encounter with the criminal Shadaloo organization. With her partner Po-Lin and her father (and superior officer) Dorai by her side, expect this trio to get into car chases, shoot outs, and plenty of fisticuffs as they fight their way to the truth about Shadaloo’s latest scheme. Plus appearances by Dan, Gen, Fei Long, Sagat, and more Street Fighter favorites!

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview struggles to capture the excitement and depth fans expect from the beloved franchise. Despite the potential of focusing on one of Street Fighter’s iconic characters, this preview fails to deliver a compelling narrative or meaningful character development.

The story in this preview aims to delve deeper into Chun-Li’s backstory, exploring her motivations and challenges. However, the plot is thin and lacks direction, making it difficult for readers to engage with the narrative. The storyline feels more like a series of disconnected events rather than a cohesive arc, which have left me unsatisfied and disconnected from the character’s journey.

The character development is a significant weakness in this preview. Chun-Li, a character known for her strength and complexity, is presented here with little depth. Her motivations are unexplored, and her interactions with other characters lack the emotional weight needed to make them impactful. This superficial treatment of such a central character is disappointing and undermines the potential for a rich, character-driven story.

The side characters in this preview also suffers from minimal development. Characters are introduced without much context or backstory, making them feel like mere plot devices rather than integral parts of the narrative. This lack of depth in both the protagonist and supporting characters results in a story that feels flat and uninspired.

While the artwork in this preview is visually pleasing, it cannot fully compensate for the shortcomings in the narrative. The illustrations capture the energy and style of the Street Fighter universe, with dynamic action sequences and vibrant character designs. However, even strong visuals cannot elevate the overall reading experience when the story lacks substance and cohesion.

The pacing of this preview is another issue this preview has to face. Because with  scenes that either drag without adding value or rush through potentially significant moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow of the narrative, making it challenging for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression.

The dialogues throughout this preview tends to be stilted and lacks the sharpness needed to bring the characters to life. Conversations often serve as exposition rather than meaningful exchanges, further detracting from the potential for character development and engagement.

Despite its shortcomings of this preview, the concept of focusing on Chun-Li’s story holds potential for the full version of this comic book. With a more focused narrative and deeper exploration of character motivations, the series could better capture the essence of the Street Fighter universe and offer a more rewarding experience for fans.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 1 / 5