Description
Collector's Note – Why This Issue Matters
The May 1985 issue of Inside Kung-Fu, identified in the listing by the feature “Deadly Steps of the Praying Mantis,” belongs to one of the most active decades for martial arts publishing in the United States. By the mid-1980s, kung fu, karate, kickboxing, and related disciplines had become deeply visible through movies, tournament circuits, instructional schools, and specialty magazines. As part of the wider field of collectible 1985 magazines, this issue reflects the period when martial arts print culture served both serious practitioners and fans drawn to the mystique of traditional fighting systems.
The Praying Mantis style gives this issue its central collector interest. Praying Mantis kung fu is a traditional Chinese martial art associated with quick hand techniques, angular movement, trapping, footwork, and a distinctive fighting theory inspired by the movements of the mantis. The listing notes coverage connected to techniques, philosophy, and training methods, though it does not confirm specific article titles, instructors, or lesson sequences beyond the “Deadly Steps of the Praying Mantis” feature wording.
May 1985 also falls within a cultural moment when martial arts magazines helped translate specialized fighting traditions for a broad Western readership. An issue focused on a named style like Praying Mantis is especially useful to collectors because it ties the magazine to a specific martial tradition rather than only to general self-defense or tournament coverage.
About the Publication
Inside Kung-Fu was a specialist martial arts magazine aimed at practitioners, instructors, competitors, performers, and enthusiasts interested in kung fu and the wider martial arts world. Its editorial identity was built around martial arts personalities, training concepts, style coverage, demonstrations, photography, and reporting from the broader fighting-arts community. During the 1980s, it served readers who wanted focused martial arts coverage rather than general sports or entertainment journalism.
Key Highlights Inside
- May 1985 issue of Inside Kung-Fu magazine.
- Identified by the listing feature “Deadly Steps of the Praying Mantis.”
- Associated with Praying Mantis kung fu, a traditional Chinese martial arts style.
- Listing notes coverage connected to techniques, philosophy, and training methods, though specific article titles are not confirmed.
- Newsstand quality noted with no address label.
- Bagged and boarded for protection according to the listing.
Condition & Rarity
Collector evaluation for this issue should account for the stated good condition, with possible minor wear including slight rips or marks typical of a mid-1980s martial arts magazine. The newsstand status and absence of a mailing label are positive presentation details because the cover remains free from subscription-label interruption. Bagged and boarded storage is also relevant, as it helps reduce further handling wear, bending, surface rubbing, and edge damage. For martial arts magazines from this period, complete pages, stable binding, readable instructional content, and clean cover presentation are the main condition factors to assess.
Looking for More Issues Like This?
Style-focused martial arts issues from the 1980s can be challenging to locate by exact month, especially when the subject is a specific tradition such as Praying Mantis kung fu. Readers interested in the broader publishing context can browse the 1985 magazines collection for related publications from the same year.
That year-based collection is useful for comparing how martial arts, fitness, action entertainment, sports, and popular culture were documented across mid-1980s magazine publishing.