Axel teaches the rookie his own "facts of life"
Facts of Life is a Streets of Rage complete story appearing in Sonic the Poster Mag 7.
Staff[]
- Nigel Kitching - script
- Peter Richardson - art
- Tom Frame - lettering
Story[]
In a city dripping with crime and corruption, it isn't wise for a young lady to walk home alone at night, particularly in a gang-controlled area. However, this young lady is Blaze Fielding and she has company in the form of Max Hatchet, Axel Stone and Skates. Before the gang leader can "punish" Blaze for stepping onto their turf, the vigilantes are easily fending them off. Local resident Jed is told to ring the police by her wife and the sound of sirens is soon ringing through the air. The elderly neighbour comes out to tell the police what happened but Officer Jack isn't listening, more keen to arrest Axel, Blaze and Max (and, reluctantly, Skates). In one police car, a rookie officer asks why they haven't arrested the street gang and Axel kindly replies that the whole police department is in the pocket of Mr X. The rookie is totally confused, but Jack tells him it's time to learn these facts of life.
In a scrapyard, the heroes are turfed out of the car and two officers prepare to shoot Max first. The rookie is ordered to watch over Blaze but the policeman ends up helping her out by unlocking Blaze's cuffs. Ms. Fielding takes the initiative by attacking her hero. Alerted by the disruption, the two officers pointing a gun at Max are distracted enough to not notice Max charging at them. He knocks his attempted killers to the ground and Blaze and Axel finish the job. With his colleagues floored, the rookie is given a lecture by Axel, who attempts to get him to leave the force. The rookie is terrified, saying they'll kill him if they quit, much like they'll do to the vigilantes one day. To convince his friends that he had no part in all this, the rookie asks Axel to hit him in the face, something Axel does with gusto. As the heroes leave, Axel realises it's only a matter of time before their luck runs out. Blaze comments that they need to keep bringing justice to the streets while they can.
Trivia[]
- Nigel Kitching writes his first Streets of Rage story with this strip.
- The words "facts of life" appear three times in the story, not counting the title.
- Mr X is misspelled Mister X.
- Blaze calls Axel "Alex" in one panel.
Timeline[]
The previous Streets of Rage story was Skates' Story. The next is The Only Game In Town.
The last story to featue in Sonic the Poster Mag was Marble Garden Menace. This strip was followed by The Chaos Emerald Thief.