The crowd is in a lather for this top-of-the-charts feature match between “The King” James Kong and Kerryn “K-Man” Rubin. Both players have respect and admiration in the Vs world, and also on the dance floor. K-Man takes the early edge in the man-stakes, as he has managed to grow a beard . . . can the King make it count where it really matters?

They flip, tails comes up and The King takes evens.

Turn 1

Both players keep their starting hands. K-Man drops Nenora, and beats for 2.

James: 48

Kerryn: 50

Turn 2

Wow! Both players miss drops, and Nenora beats The King for another 2.

James: 46

Kerryn: 50

Turn 3

K-Man drops The Calculator, Evil Oracle and passes. The King drops Ahmed Samsarra.

K-Man gets medieval on The King’s date and swings for 7 endurance. The King goes into the tank, and bashes for 6.

James: 39

Kerryn: 44

Turn 4

King plays Bizarro, ME AM BIZARRO #1. K-Man Coercions for Villains United and Kree, then plays Baddest of the Bad for Dr. Minerva. K-Man then plays the Dr., grabbing Lieutenant Kona Lor. He plays Enemy of My Enemy from hand to fetch Zazzala ◊ Queen Bee, Mistress of the Hive. He then plays Ms. Doobee (that’s the Bee, for everyone who missed out on Romper Room as a child) into Concealed and passes.

Bizarro absolutely creams the Dr. for 10 endurance damage. Ahmed passes to watch a camel. K-Man bounces the stunned Doctor to the Calculator to give him +2 ATK/ +2 DEF, and then uses the Queen’s ability to burn the King for 2. A 7 ATK/ 5 DEF Calculator bashes Bizarro for an exact stun, but then The King flips Checkmate Safe House for the Team-Up, and makes pretty with its +1 DEF. K-Man’s not letting up that easy, and plays Live Kree . . . or Die! for +5 ATK. This makes the King unhappy. Another Checkmate pops up, teaming Revenge Squad and Checkmate, giving +1 DEF, and then The King plays Enemy of My Enemy for Mr. Freeze, Brutal Blizzard (to warm applause), then Ahmeds the Enemy to get The Science Spire. He flips the Spire, as well as Phantom Zone, exhausting both to play 2 Knightmare Scenario. K-Man then has a power-up and finally Bizarro crashes. Zazzala then swings for 5 and they pass.

James: 28

Kerryn: 35

Turn 5

K-Man thoughtfully plays a resource, then drops Dr. Minerva, snatching another Dr. Minerva. He then plays Lieutenant Kona Lor, making the King replace a resource — Phantom Zone is selected — after removing Calculator from K-Mans KO’d pile. Commander Dylon Cir hits the table, followed by Admiral Galen Kor, and the King looks apprehensively at the army frothing at the teeth for his man-flesh. In response to all this, the King plays Mr. Freeze, Brutal Blizzard, which is enough to give any situation hope, and then passes back, preparing to receive the beats.

K-Man thoughtfully swings Commander Dylon and the Lieutenant into Bizarro. Before the attack is legal, The King uses Enemy to get Terrax, and then replaces the Enemy, triggered by the Commander’s text. A bit more math — the Safe Houses pump Bizarro gently up, and the exchange is made (the scores now 36-24 in K-Man’s favor). The Admiral takes on the 2nd best Freeze, playing Live Kree . . . Or Die!, and the King responds with The Science Spire on Bizarro. Ahmed then KOs the Spire to get another Safe House, teaming Checkmate-Villains United. This pumps the coolest guy on the table, but it’s not enough, and he falls down . . .

K-Man uses Spire on the Admiral, and Dr. Minerva bashes the King with power-ups. Next, The Calculator bashes for 5, then Miss Bee bashes for another 10 with the aid of a Flying Kick. In a last, desperate effort, the King shows 3 Meltdowns that are, alas, just not quite enough.

K-Man was in total control most of the game and wins against one of the best Australian players. Is this the year of the K-Man? Or just the month? Would he settle for the 26 minutes of the K-Man and a cup of coffee? He moves to 3 blot and looks to have the deck and the skills to maintain the rage.