Clark Still

"He's a tough and cool professional grappler! You'd best stay out of his way! CLARK STILL." - The King of Fighters XV

Clark Still (クラーク・スティル) is a character from the Ikari Warriors, Metal Slug and The King of Fighters video game series. A member of the mercenary group, his official nickname is "Tough & Cool " (タフ & クール).^[1][2][3]

Development

During the early stages of The King of Fighters '94, the development team intended Ralf Jones and Clark to be shirtless in order to express the feeling of "Ikari" or rage. But the higher ups ordered them to update their designs to look a little more modern.^[4][5] In order to differentiate the duo, the designers gave Ralf a bandana and Clark a hat, then later sunglasses.^[6]

The duo started out as palette swap characters in Ikari Warriors. In KOF '94, Ralf and Clark were very similar in looks and move repertoire, but by '95, Clark got a newer stance and win pose, while Ralf retained his old ones. In every new instalment of the KoF series, Clark seems to be further and further differing from Ralf; while Clark is a powerful grappler, Ralf is more of a power player, making use of some very efficient long-range attacks. Both characters were redesigned in KOF '99.

For The King of Fighters XIV, the team reverted Clark back to his classic look making him more slimmer than he was in XIII.

Personality

In contrast to the rowdy and outgoing Ralf, Clark is taciturn and rarely displays much emotion. However, a melancholic streak is hinted at, and his loyalty towards his comrades is never questioned. He is known to sometimes make fun of Ralf's stubbornness and serious nature.

Skills

• Superhuman strength / Weight negation - Clark can grab and throw anyone in spite of his/her weight. He can do this to anyone heavier than him including Goro Daimon, Chang Koehan, Brian Battler, Wolfgang Krauser, Mr. Big, Mukai, Silber, Tizoc/King of Dinosaurs, Raiden, Xanadu and Antonov.

• Enhanced gunmanship - Clark is proficient with many if not all kinds of firearms.
• Survival mastery - Clark can survive in many kinds of rough terrain, especially jungles.
• Knife proficiency - Clark can also use knives.

Fighting style

Clark has been trained in the mercenary combat styles of the Ikari Warriors but he is also an accomplished wrestler and grappler.

Music

Voice actors

• Yoshinori Shima - The King of Fighters '94~XIII, Metal Slug Defense (recycled audio), Metal Slug Attack (recycled audio)
• Tomo Kasaya - The King of Fighters XIV~present
• Sean Michaels - KOF: Maximum Impact series (English voice)
• Eric Kelso - The King of Fighters XII (English voice)

Appearances

Trivia

• Clark's full name, "Clark Still", has been commonly mistakenly spelt as "Clark Steel" in many translations.

• All the members of the Ikari squad (Heidern, Ralf Jones, Clark Still, Leona Heidern and Whip) are the only military characters to win a KOF tournament.

• In Neo-Geo Freak 1998, the characters in KOF '98 have their own interviews. Here are Clark's response to the questions.^[7]
  • What is your aspiration in this competition? - "I'll do it as usual."
  • Who would you like to fight the most? - "If it's possible to face a Soup Rex Mania. I'd want to face that person."
  • Who would you like to team up with? / Who would you not like to team up with? - "Goro Daimon. "Judo", he's a person who feels the aesthetics of throwing different from wrestling."
  • What is "KOF" for you? - "Variety show. There's nothing like it."
  • Finally, please give a word to your fans. - "It seems to be a comprehensive approach. Take care. Is this OK?"

• In KOF: Maximum Impact 2, Fio compares Clark to her own comrade Tarma Roving.

• His special move Napalm Stretch is likely a homage to Ataru Kinniku from the Kinnikuman series; both characters share the same technique and perform it in a similar manner. The "Clark Spark" is likewise a direct copy of the "Kinniku/Muscle Spark," and another of Clark's moves also imitates the "Tower Bridge" move used by Robin Mask in the series.

• In his team's backstory for XI, Ralf mentions that the two veterans' relation with Heidern is best represented by the white magnolia flower from the funeral they attended. In flower language, it means deep unspoken trust.^[8]

• A character named Clark can also found in Crystalis. He lives somewhere on Evil Spirit Island. He was most likely included as an easter egg for fans.

• In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Clark was voted as the staff's twenty-seventh favorite character. He shared the spot with Kizuna Encounter character, Kim Sue Il.

Gallery

Ikari Warriors concept art.

The King of Fighters '94 artwork.

The King of Fighters '99 artwork.

The King of Fighters 2003 artwork.

The King of Fighters XII artwork.

Metal Slug Defense artwork.

The King of Fighters XIV artwork

The King of Fighters XIV render.

References

The King of Fighters characters Kyo Kusanagi • Benimaru Nikaido • Goro Daimon • Terry Bogard • Andy Bogard • Joe Higashi • Ryo Sakazaki • Robert Garcia • Takuma Sakazaki • Ralf Jones • Clark Still • Heidern • Athena Asamiya • Sie Kensou • Chin Gentsai • King • Mai Shiranui • Yuri Sakazaki • Kim Kaphwan • Chang Koehan • Choi Bounge • Heavy-D! • Lucky Glauber • Brian Battler • Rugal Bernstein Iori Yagami • Billy Kane • Eiji Kisaragi • Saisyu Kusanagi • Omega Rugal Leona Heidern • Mature • Vice • Kasumi Todoh • Geese Howard • Wolfgang Krauser • Mr. Big • Chizuru Kagura • Goenitz Shingo Yabuki • Yashiro Nanakase • Shermie • Chris • Blue Mary • Ryuji Yamazaki • Orochi Iori • Orochi Leona • Orochi Yashiro • Orochi Shermie • Orochi Chris • Orochi K' • Maxima • Whip • Bao • Li Xiangfei • Jhun Hoon • Kyo-1 • Kyo-2 • Krizalid Vanessa • Seth • Syo Kirishima • Alfred • Fiolina Germi • Gai Tendo Ramón • Lin • Hinako Shijo • Kula Diamond • Clone Zero • Foxy • Candy Diamond • Another K' • Another Iori • Another Benimaru • Another Robert • Cosplayer Kyoko • Kang Bae Dal • Smart Chang • Cool Choi • Kaoru Watabe • Baitang • Duck King • Lilly Kane • Kim Jae Hoon • Kim Dong Hwan • Unknown • King Lion • Kim Sue-il • Kaede • Duke Edwards • Rocky • Athena • Neo & Geo • G-Mantle May Lee Jinju • K9999 • Ángel • Zero • Ron • Glugan • Igniz • Misty • Nests Moe Habana Kusanagi Reiji Oogami • Jun Kagami • Miu Kurosaki • Sinobu Amou Ash Crimson • Duo Lon • Shen Woo • Tizoc • Gato • Malin • Maki Kagura • Adelheid Bernstein • Mukai Alba Meira • Soiree Meira • Lien Neville • Mignon Beart • Chae Lim • Duke • Rock Howard Oswald • Elisabeth Blanctorche • Momoko • B. Jenet • Shion • Magaki • Silber • Sho Hayate • Jyazu • Hotaru Futaba • Itokatsu • Tung Fu Rue Luise Meyrink • Nagase • Jivatma • Ninon Beart • Hyena • Hanzo Hattori • Kyo Kusanagi Classic • Wild Wolf • Mr. Karate II • Armor Ralf • Richard Meyer Xiao Lon • Makoto Mizoguchi Nightmare Geese Nameless Raiden Hwa Jai • Saiki • Evil Ash • Mr. Karate Shun'ei • Meitenkun • Gang-il • Luong • Xanadu • Sylvie Paula Paula • Kukri • Mian • Nelson • Zarina • Bandeiras Hattori • King of Dinosaurs • Hein • Nakoruru • Mamahaha • Mui Mui • Love Heart • Alice Garnet Nakata • Antonov • Verse • Najd (Aila) Isla (Amanda) • Dolores • Krohnen McDougall • Re Verse • Otoma Raga • Haohmaru • Darli Dagger • Unnamed "Special" DLC Character

Metal Slug characters Marco Rossi • Tarma Roving • Allen O'Neil • Donald Morden Fiolina Germi • Eri Kasamoto • Mars People • Hyakutaro Ichimonji • Rumi Aikawa • Abul Abbas Utan • Rootmars Nadia Cassel • Trevor Spacey • Amadeus Utan • Rootmars Ralf Jones • Clark Still Leona Heidern