Clark Still

Clark Still (クラーク・スティル, Kurāku Sutiru), also mistakenly known as Clark Steel in some translations, 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, Tafu & kūru).

Development
During the early stages of KoF '94, the development team intended Ralf 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. In order to differentiate the duo, the designers gave Ralf a bandana and Clark a hat, then later sunglasses.

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 1995, 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.

Abilities

 * Superhuman strength / Ignore Weight - 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.


 * Firearms - Clark is proficient with many if not all kinds of firearms.
 * Survival - Clark can survive in many kinds of rough terrain, especially jungles.
 * Knife - 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. 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.

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)

Trivia

 * In Neo-Geo Freak 1998, the characters in KOF '98 have their own interviews. Here are Clark's response to the questions.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.