PLACE:
Feudal Japan, Hokkaido(mentioned), The Garden of the Starbearer

FIRST SIGHTINGS:
Ukira, General Naga, The Daimyo, Sugi, Lord Daishuga, Master Kami, Izanagi, Izanami, Kaguya

IN JOKES:
Chikara, Yin & Yang, Serpent - front cover
Foxes - page 2, frame 5
Foxes - page 3, frame 1
Symbols - page 4-5, frame 5
Symbols - page 9, frame 1
Cat faced - page 10, frame 2
Roses - page 11, frame 2
Serpent on axe - page 11, frame 4
Ace of Spades, star - page 12, frame 1
Roses, Yin & Yang, Creature of the Night, (possible ankh) - page 17
Star - page 18, frame 5
Stars - page 19, frame 2
Roses - page 19, frame 5
Roses, Star - page 20, frame 7
Serpents - page 22, frame 1

BRIEF STORY SYNOPSIS (IMAGE):
Set in feudal Japan, Ukira, a young warrior, carries important information to the ruler of their clan that will ensure victory against the armies of their enemy. As he rests, he dreams of a fox and when he awakens he finds himself in the company of a troupe of traveling entertainers. They demonstrate the tales of the Four-Who-Are-One and when they finish, Ukira finds himself in another dimension where he is tempted to remain. However, he remembers his duty to deliver the message to his clan and in doing so, passes a test.

BRIEF STORY SYNOPSIS (SPACEBASS):
Young warrior Ukira is sworn to deliver an important message to The Daimyo that will ensure victory for his clan. During his quest he encounters the Cross-Road Spirits, guardians of the four bridges, who challenge his journey with many tests designed to see if he is truly an honorable man.

SPACEBASS SAYS:
    This issue includes the second installment of an interview with Brent Ashe, Art Director.
    Talk about not sticking to formulas! Reading this issue was almost like reading a whole new book. (And I mean that in the best way possible) The new time period and place really shakes things up. Although I am not a huge fan of the manga style of drawing, I was surprised that this issue in particular didn't employ the style very much. (Yet another pleasant surprise for me.) I was also very surprised that Eric Carr's 'Fox' character didn't appear in the issue. With a name like 'Year of the Fox' I expected to see what all Kiss fans are dying to see: The Fox. As cool as I think the character of The Fox will be, I personally would like to hold off on the character. You know, save him for later and wait until the timing is just right. This comic book will be around for a long time to come, no sense in rushing things. But, then again, the story isn't over yet...
    I was glad to see in the Psycho Babble column that they are thinking about making a special 3D comic. I am psyched! I am such a sucker for 3D comics, and I really think that KISS PSYCHO CIRCUS would look fantastic in 3D! I hope they decide to do it. Another part of the column addressed a plea to bring back the 'camp' and 'innocence' that the old Marvel title had. I couldn't be more opposed to this opinion. I like the direction that the book has been in since day one, and I wouldn't change a thing. The darker the better in my book. I sure hope we never EVER have to hear the word 'Curly' coming out of The Celestial's mouth. OUCH! That would be painful.
    On a totally unrelated side note, I was recently rereading some older Incredible Hulk comics (gotta love Peter David) and I thought that it might be worthy to mention that Angel Medina and Richard Starkings both worked together on issues 436 to 446. Great stuff! The 'Ghosts of the Future' storyline and 'Hulk Fiction' are... well... Incredible! Check 'em out.

 

PLACE:
Demon's Realm, Beast King's Realm, Palace of the Great Celestial, Feudal Japan

FIRST SIGHTINGS:
The Fox

IN JOKES:
Lord of the Wasteland - page 1, frame 1
Creatures - page 3, frame 1
Creature - page 5, frame 2
Into the Night - page 5, frame 4
Ace of Spades - page 6, frame 1
Destroyer - page 7, frame 3
Hate - page 7, frame 5
Cat-faced, Fox - page 8, frame 3
Cats - page 9, frame 4
Alive - page 10, frame 1
Chikaras, Fox, Clubs - page 11, frame 7
Cat - page 12, frame 2
Two Sides of (one) Coin - page 14, frame 4
Within - page 14, frame 6
Creatures - page 15, frame 1
Within - page 15, frame 2
Chikara - page 17, frame 7
(Caravan) of Souls - page 18, frame 3
Fox - page 19, frame 1
Chikara - page 20, frame 1
Chikara, Club - page 20, frame 8
Fox - page 20, frame 11
Elder - page 21, frame 2
Fox - page 21, frame 6
The Fox, Elder, Stars, Chikara, (Day he died) - page 22

BRIEF STORY SYNOPSIS (SPACEBASS):
Ukira continues his quest to deliver an important scroll to the Daimyo of his clan. After traveling through the remaining three realms of the Four-Who-Are-One, a startling metamorphosis occurs.

SPACEBASS SAYS:
    The Year of the Fox storyline thoroughly demonstrates how wide open this series is. Who could have guessed that this storyline would have existed after reading issue # 1? Not me. I can only wonder what other surprises will be in store for us within the next 15 issues. What a classic way to introduce 'The Fox' to us. I wasn't convinced that it was going to happen until page # 19. That was when a wicked smile crossed my face. Again, the reader is left wanting more without feeling cheated. I'm sure many people will write in demanding for further adventures of The Fox. Sounds good to me. Honestly, the only thing I would change about the last two issues would be for the covers to be flip-flopped, since the Starbearer was more prominently featured in issue # 14. But, then again, that's being extremely picky! This storyline will be a hard act to follow. Why am I so convinced that it will eventually be topped?

We work long & hard on many of the pictures found on this site. Please do us a favor: don't
rationalize stealing ANYTHING. If you can't create an original web site, don't do one!
Real simple, right? Anyway, if you do, I'll let my boys Nicky & Mickey pay you a visit. I may
even go as far as getting the Nightmare King to resurrect Deuce! This could get ugly...
-KISS PSYCHO CIRCUS by SPACEBASS (hey, good idea for an issue...)