Who is Clarke Illmatical? The legend starts in Japan. His father, Rodyo a Black samurai who moved to Japan after touring in Vietnam. Seeking refuge and peace in the mountains of Shikoku, Rodyo devoted himself to his sword. The Black samurai traveled, meeting and learning from the great masters, soon crafting and creating his own legend. 

Clarke’s mother, was a Black geisha named Margasaki, who was actually an agent of the Pink Poison clan. Margasaka fell in love with Rod-yo when she was sent on a mission to kill him. While dueling with their swords in the snow, there eyes met and that night, they created what would be known as Clarke Illmatical. 

Ok, I didn’t really get started out like that. 

I’m an 80s baby from Jamaica, Queens. A borough away, kung fu flicks played in Times Square and I wouldn’t venture to “The Deuce” until I was in my late teens. My lessons in martial arts came from my half brother who visited in the summer and Saturday afternoons on Channel five at 3pm. 

Years later, I’d find out that the Drive in Movie, was the brain child of Mel Maron, who had the vision of taking the films out the seedy theaters in Time Square and placing them in the homes of kids who lived in the suburbs. 

The routine consisted of watching the movies and then venturing outside and practicing the moves you recently learned — on any willing participant. Most of it is a blur, but I remember the bad dubbing,  the sound effects and the way the actors sounded while fighting — “HAAA… YOU SWINE!” Who can forget the swords clashing against iron bracelets or if you were lucky a film with a character who had iron arms! 

My brother did a good job of beating me in the head, telling me about Bruce Lee. However, the film that first resonated with me was MASTER KILLER, which featured Gordon Liu. The other kung fu flicks had older guys, grown men, who I didn’t really connect with. MASTER KILLER featured a young protagonist like me and I related to the story. 

The 80s was a crazy time in New York City. I ran home from school with Kevin Scott. Somewhere in between all of the fantasy films of the decade, I remember the long lines for Return of the Jedi. Not a martial arts film per say, but George Lucas was influenced by Japanese culture and Luke’s voyage is similar to that of the protagonist of many martial arts films. 

There were two other martial arts films that connected with me during that period of time. Although it isn’t what you’d consider a traditional kung fu flick, THE KARATE KID definitely had an impact on American culture. After seeing that film, the crane kick became apart of my arsenal. I can still recall seeing that film in the theater. My father had already seen the film, but insisted that I learn the moral from the story. 

A few years later, on VHS, after all of my classmates had already seen the film, I finally got a chance to watch THE LAST DRAGON. This isn’t a traditional kung fu flick in the Shaw Brothers sense, but definitely influenced by the Asian films and Bruce Lee. That movie was a family favorite and while living at home, whenever the Tri-Star horse galloped across the screen, everyone in the house paused momentarily, secretly hoping that we’d see Bruce Leroy pop up on the screen. 

It would be foolish for anyone to minimize the impact Asian martial arts films have had on the United States and the world. If Lex Luthor and The Joker are regarded as classic villains of American culture, you have to reserve a place for The White Lotus as well. 

I’ve always been attracted to the stories. The journey of the hero. The quest for the style to avenge his family, to beat the evil master or just to get revenge! I was fortunate to grow up in a household with parents who enjoyed martial arts, sci-fi and fantasy films just as much as I did. 

When I got older, my parents told me that while they dated, FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH was a favorite and I’ve learned that it is one of the more under appreciated films of it’s era. 

While in high school, I feel as though I was fortunate to live through what was known as “The Golden Age” of hip-hop. In the early 90s, a group of rappers, representing Staten Island would created a renewed interest in martial arts films. 

The WU-TANG clan didn’t introduce me to martial arts films or it’s culture, what they did, was create a renewed interest in the martial arts cinema, utilizing creative storytelling. 

In 2005, I started collecting Shaw Brother films on DVD, from a local bodega. The bootleg movies were priced at “3 for $10.” While engulfing chicken wings, french fries and Guinness beer, I started visualizing a character of my own. At the time, I still did not have the courage to bring this charter to fruition. 

In 2006, I’d being my journey. After being encouraged by a friend, I met with Louis Venosta, the writer and creator of THE LAST DRAGON. During our meeting, he told me about how the story came together, his background in writing and most importantly, he pointed me toward the work of Joseph Campbell, who I’d learn was the force behind George Lucas and the Star Wars films. 

I had originally contacted Venosta because I wanted to be involved in the sequel of THE LAST DRAGON. I realized after the meeting that — my story had to be told. THE LAST DRAGON was an extension of him, his experiences and his walk in life. 

After several screenplays, a self published novel, MASTERNEVER AND THE FLOW OF DEATH, the comic book was birthed in 2011.  The story, is influenced by my interest in martial arts films, Asian culture, urban culture, fantasy films and the need to communicate a story. 

This blog, was created out of the need to write about and discuss the films, video games and arts that have and continue to influence my life. The title of this blog, is familiar to many of you, by way of THE LAST DRAGON. I’d learn that this was actually liberated from an old DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU editorial rant. 

I’m keeping on with tradition. Following the masters before me.