What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 161

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring reaction videos – I can hardly believe it has been almost 25 years since The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was first released in cinemas. The first time I saw it (the first part of a cinematic trilogy) was during its final week of showing at the local cinema and I ended up being very engaged by it. Since then, the Peter Jackson-directed fantasy movie (and its two follow-ups) was released in different editions on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray formats, ultimately offering movie buffs and J.R.R. Tolkien fans a lot of choices. Considering its great cinematic quality, in-depth storytelling and memorable characters, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is arguably the greatest cinematic fantasy spectacle ever made. As such, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring itself was featured many times in reaction videos by YouTubers, and posted below are the ones I enjoyed watching. Go watch the videos below.

#2 Islamic Slave Trade examined – When it comes to the disturbing topic of slavery, not too many people want to discuss the Islamic slave trade which started from 7th century and even persisted in various forms into the 20th century. When compared to the transatlantic slave trade, Islamic slave trade happened across North Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Southern Europe and South Asia. There were women who were trafficked as domestic laborers or concubines, there were men who were recruited into specialized elite slave militaries, and there were others who subjected to brutal physical labor in various forms in different regions. The Islamic slave trade was indeed twisted and cursed, and it should never be revived. To find out more, watch the in-depth video below.

#3 The impact of Super Castlevania IV remembered – Released in December of 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in America, Super Castlevania IV was easily one of the most anticipated new games of that year given the fact that the Castlevania game series was already wildly popular with gamers. Considering its American release date, it was also the most pursued SNES game during the Christmas season. As such, its impact with gamers during the season was memorable and the YouTube video below by My Retro Life captured the game’s impact.

#4 Skipjack tuna’s impact in Japan – If you are fond of eating tuna, are you familiar with skipjack tuna? Skipjack tuna (also referred to as Katsuwonus pelamis) is a medium-sized, streamlined pelagic fish in the tuna family of Scombridae. It is the one tuna species that got heavily fished and chances are, you canned tuna you ate came from it. In Japan, there was a surplus of skipjack tuna which not only brought down prices but also made an impact on customers through the restaurants and groceries. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 The history of Tron – If you have seen the classic sci-fi movie Tron from 1982, were you able to play the official video games about it? Back then, there were video games of Tron released in the arcades and on game consoles of the time. Having seen the movie first, I remember wanting to play the Tron video games whenever I saw a print ad or a poster about the games. To learn more about Tron and its impact on video gaming, watch the video below from the late PatmanQC.

#6 Bill Clinton’s immorality, lying and sex scandal revisited – It has been almost thirty years since the Bill Clinton – Monica Lewinsky scandal first rocked the world resulting in massive news media coverage, legal implications, political debates and even a successful impeachment of Clinton. If you set aside the politics and media coverage, Bill Clinton’s sex scandal alone was essentially embarrassing and tarnished the Office of the President of the United States. I personally know Democrats who had trouble defending their immoral and dishonest President Clinton, and they are still worshipping both Bill and Hillary to this day. Recently, a comprehensive look back at the late-1990s sex scandal of Bill Clinton was released on YouTube and I encourage you to watch it now. Learn from history and never ever follow the evil Clintons.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 48

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads from the 1980s to the 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s to the 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Broderbund British print ad

A colorful advertisement for Broderbund's video games featuring 'Lode Runner' and other titles, with a bright design that includes text promoting 'America's Favourite' and 'Big Value Choice.'
An American-themed promotion of games for the British market in the 1980s.

Back in the 1980s, home computer systems were already popular platforms for playing electronic games. The American company Broderbund was one of the dominant forces of home computer gaming back then with lots of hit games (a mix of their own productions and the publishing of ports of games from other companies) that entertained many. When it came to England, Broderbund was aggressive on marketing its games there and the above print ad is a fine example of it. They came up with an American theme on their ad promoting the Lode Runner games, Choplifter, Spelunker and Stealth to British computer gamers. The imagery of a burger and the display of the American flag made the ad eye-catching.

2. King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch Japanese print ad

Promotional advertisement for the video game King Kong 2 by Konami featuring a close-up of a gorilla's face, vibrant graphics, and game details in Japanese.
A print ad of King Kong 2 and two other Konami games for Japanese gamers.

Believe it or not, Konami had the license to create the 1986 adventure game King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch which was very loosely based on the 1986 movie King Kong Lives. To promote its release for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom), Konami came up with the above print ad that had an actual movie photo of King Kong, inserted two screenshots and showed some creative writings. Conveniently, Konami also inserted two of its other games for promotions.

3. Datsugoku Japanese arcade flyer

An intense illustrated scene featuring muscular characters in action, one wielding a gun while shouting. The background shows a prison-like setting with buildings and characters on the ground. The image includes bold Japanese text that translates to 'Escape' and hints at a theme of liberation and combat.
The front.
An advertisement for a video game featuring various characters in action poses, illustrating gameplay mechanics like combat and weapon usage. The text is in Japanese, explaining character controls and actions for different scenarios.
The rear.

In 1988, SNK released Datsugoku in Japanese arcades and it became a commercial success for them long before they transitioned to their Neo Geo hardware. As you can see in the Japanese arcade flyer, the game has a war theme about prisoners of war struggling to fight their way out of enemy territory. This is not surprising because of the popularity of Hollywood’s military themed action movies and the Cold War itself had influenced game designers. The arcade flyer has fine-looking art of war. This game was eventually released in other parts of the world under the title P.O.W.: Prisoners of War.

4. The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! North American print ad

A vintage advertisement for the video game 'The Punisher' featuring a muscular character in tactical gear and a machine gun, with Spider-Man appearing in the background. The ad highlights intense action against crime and showcases gameplay details alongside an image of the game cartridge.
The Punisher with Spider-Man in this action-oriented print ad.

In the early 1990s, Nintendo’s Game Boy was the dominant handheld gaming device and it was not surprising that a lot of companies released games on it. Along the way, the Punisher became one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters and there were two monthly comic book series about the character. Acclaim produced The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! for Game Boy featuring not only the Punisher but also Spider-Man (in the background) which was enough to get the attention of comic book fans. The descriptive text they came up with has this obvious anti-crime theme and it emphasized action. I saw this print ad in some 1991 comic books I read and it remains eye-catching until now.

5. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Japanese print ad

A promotional image for the video game based on 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,' featuring AT-AT walkers and various characters, with text highlighting the game's release.
This is one captivating print ad.

In the early 1990s, Victor/JVC published Star Wars games developed by Lucasfilm Games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Following the 1992 release of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on the NES in the West, they released a port of it for the Famicom in Japan in 1993. To promote the game, they made a print ad that highlighting the memorable Battle of Hoth (using art and one screenshot) as well as iconic photos of Luke Skywalker in Hoth and Dagobah (with Yoda). The ad makers strategically inserted screenshots showing the in-game Hoth and Dagobah settings plus two of Cloud City. I played the game myself and it was very punishing. Still, this ad looks great. It also motivated me to replay The Empire Strikes Back on home video back then.

6. Contra: The Hard Corps Japanese print ad

A vibrant video game advertisement featuring a male and female character armed with futuristic guns, set against a fiery background. The text highlights the game's themes of cyber action and features the game's title prominently.
This Contra: The Hard Corps print ad for Japan still looks exciting.

In 1994, gamers in Japan who owned the Sega Mega Drive (Sega Genesis in America) were highly engaged when Konami released Contra: The Hard Corps specifically for the said console. Konami aggressively marketed the game and one of the ads they made for Japan was the above 2-page print ad that had dynamic looking hand-drawn artwork that had strong anime aesthetics. They inserted two screenshots of the game and posted a text description to get gamers excited. Apart from bringing Contra excitement for Sega gamers and Contra fans who happened to own the Mega Drive, this print ad clearly shows Konami went all-in with doing business with Sega.

7. Skimaxx North American and British arcade flyers

Promotional image for the Skimaxx arcade game featuring a virtual water-skiing experience with a bright blue and pink design, showcasing the game machine and a player on a water-ski simulator.
Skimaxx arcade flyer for England. Does anyone know who the pretty model is?
Promotional image for SKIMAXX, an interactive water-skiing simulator featuring a player on a ski board, a colorful arcade machine displaying gameplay, and descriptions of features and pricing.
Skimaxx arcade flyer for North America.

I never played Skimaxx in the local arcades. Did you? Released in 1996 by Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Skimaxx is very notable for having a truly unique physical cabinet design featuring a pivoting hydraulic footboard which brings to players the simulation of rock motions, twists and more. Two arcade flyers – for North America and England – were respectively published and both featured a pretty blonde lady wearing a swimsuit playing the Skimaxx machine, highlighting the use of the footboard. Apart from the technical features, a Skimaxx machine can be linked with another machine for head-to-head competition. These arcade flyers are very cool and mesmerizing to look at and they contain enough details to make arcade operators interested.

8. Genso Suikoden II Japanese print ad

Promotional poster for the video game 'Gensou Suikoden II' featuring various vibrant scenes and characters from the game, with Japanese text and a price listed.
This is truly an epic-looking print ad promoting Genso Suikoden II. A lot of images were shown but they did not spoil the plot.

When Konami released the original Suikoden (Genso Suikoden in Japan) fantasy RPG on the PlayStation in the mid-1990s, the game achieved positive feedback from gamers and critics which boosted sales. In late-1998, the sequel Genso Suikoden II was released for PlayStation in Japan and Konami became aggressive on promoting it as it became aware of the many dedicated Suikoden fans. They came up with an epic-looking 2-page print ad that had a collage of official artworks, screenshots of in-game cutscenes, and some of the fancy looking visual effects to sell the game. The images and descriptive text informed gamers of the new conflict following the events of the original game. I played Suikoden II a lot and it is easily bigger and better than its predecessor. That said, this epic-looking print ad truly highlights the great stuff Suikoden II offered gamers and it made the Suikoden II print ads in America look inferior. Too bad Konami did not use the approach of the Japanese print ad in the Western markets because Suikoden II truly is epic fantasy.

9. Einhänder North American print ad

The 2-page print ad of Einhänder for North America.

Back in the late-1990s, SquareSoft became a more prominent game developer and publisher by releasing new games that not only had 3D polygonal visuals but also tackled gameplay styles beyond role-playing games (RPGs). In the case of their game Einhänder, they made a serious gamble on the shooter genre of gaming while moving forward with 3D polygons and some unique gameplay features of their own. In preparation for the game’s North American launch in 1998 for PlayStation, the company came up with a wide print ad with a dominant artwork that showed a planet with a huge part torn off and drifting into space. Even a small part of the planet’s core got exposed. This ad pounded hard on the expression of “Earth shattering”, and it showed SquareSoft was serious on making an impact on the shooter genre. When I saw this ad in a magazine, the planet caught my attention and then I focused on the right section which had the descriptive text and screenshots of Einhänder. This is still an engaging print ad to look at.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992)

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Spider-Man fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1990s to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

Back in 1992, Marvel Comics organized the celebration of what was back then the 30th anniversary of their most famous icon Spider-Man. Each Spider-Man monthly series that year had an anniversary celebration issue that had hologram covers and page content that was higher than usual. I previously reviewed Web of Spider-Man #90 and Spider-Man #26. The purest Spider-Man monthly series – Amazing Spider-Man – also had the anniversary treatment.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #365, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with the main story “Fathers and Sins” written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley. Other stories here include “How I Created Spider-Man” by Michelinie and Aaron Lopresti; “I Remember Gwen” by Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and John Romita; and “A Friend in Need” by DeFalco.

Cover of The Amazing Spider-Man comic book, issue 365, featuring a ghostly image and spider web design, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the series.
The cover.

Early story (main story)

The story begins with the Lizard (Dr. Connors) prowling from one building to another during the night in New York City. He secretly stays outside the windows of the apartment of his wife Martha and their son. A birthday celebration is happening inside the apartment and among the guests are Peter Parker and his wife Mary Jane. Peter knows that growing up without a father is rough and he remembers that no one has seen Curt Connors since he last turned into the Lizard (refer to the Spider-Man: Torment storyline written and drawn by Todd McFarlane).

As the celebration goes on, the Lizard silently sneaks into the apartment through an open window. This alarms Peter through his spider sense which compels him to decide to secretly change into Spider-Man.

As Martha Connors enters a dark room to get a prepared gift for her son Billy, the Lizard shuts the door and confronts her. In his reptilian form, the Lizard communicates to his wife in English and assures her that he (Dr. Connors) is in control. He tells her that the evil sorceress Calypso sent her into a berserker rage to kill Spider-Man but his human consciousness was aware all the time. He tells her to bring to him their son. Martha is frightened and she knows that there is too much risk to grant her husband’s command…

Quality

A comic book panel featuring Spider-Man fighting a green-skinned villain, with action words like 'SPUSH' and 'THROK' illustrated around them. Spider-Man is depicted in a dynamic pose as he attacks the villain, who is wearing a white coat and green pants, surrounded by debris.
The main story has a rematch between Spidey and the Lizard. Unlike Todd McFarlane’s Torment, the story and visuals here have more subtlety, suspense and balance.

The main story “Fathers and Sins” is the anticipated rematch between Spider-Man and the Lizard following the very violent events that happened in the Torment storyline. Unlike that tale authored by McFarlane, this one has more depth and subtlety balanced with superhero spectacle.

David Michelinie carefully crafted the tale with clear progression in mind for the enduring rivalry between Spider-Man and the Lizard. He also took the opportunities to develop the characters whenever possible, and he did so with Dr. Connor’s wife and son. In fact, there are family dynamics within this story and the Lizard – portrayed here with multiple personality disorder (MPD) switching from Dr. Connor and the wild animal itself – is simply not the murderous entity seen in Torment. That said, this tale opens up questions such as how Dr. Connors will live on knowing the murders he committed as the Lizard, does he have any chance of keeping his family intact, and more.

More on Spider-Man himself, he was portrayed as a sensible and caring superhero. Even though he had traumatic encounters with the Lizard in Torment, he engaged his rival with reason instead of head-on violent action. He consistently believes that he could overcome the Lizard and somehow get Dr. Connors back intact knowing that the family needs him. When it comes to problems related with science and technology, Spider-Man here makes efforts to solve them using the knowledge he gained in university. The iconic webslinger here is pretty versatile, strategic and calculating. I should state that Mark Bagley has really fine artworks here and it is clear he truly captured the essence of Michelinie’s script.

The short story “How I Created Spider-Man” follows J. Jonah Jameson’s recollection of Spider-Man. This was cleverly written by Michelinie to revisit key moments from the origin and early superhero days of Spider-Man through Jameson’s memories, his own perception of the hero and his history of abusing his publishing power to make him look like a menace to society. The nostalgia and related details are easily the main attractions of this short story. This is something that fans of Spidey will enjoy.

A comic book page depicting a tense scene with a humanoid creature with green scales and claws confronting two women. One woman appears frightened while the other is trying to remain calm. Dialogue bubbles convey urgency and fear as the creature discusses control and a boy named Billy.
There is absolutely nothing like encountering a family member who has turned into a large, dangerous reptilian!
A comic book page showcasing several characters engaging in conversation at a party. The scene includes characters with distinct hairstyles and outfits, expressing emotions and interactions amidst a festive backdrop.
The short story “I Remember Gwen” is a great way of revisiting the past of Spider-Man, Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy. The art by the late John Romita is great to see!

The Spider-Man nostalgia intensified in the 2nd short story “I Remember Gwen” which features artwork by the late John Romita. This one is about Mary Jane Parker recalling her friendship with the late Gwen Stacy (who back then was romantically linked with Peter Parker) and key moments she remembered from Spider-Man. This short story has fine art by Romita and this resulted in a retro visual ride that captured the 1970s aesthetics. As this tale revisited Spider-Man’s past relationship with Gwen, it also offered readers a close look at the MJ-Gwen friendship. That said, long-time fans of Spidey will enjoy this.

The final short story “A Friend in Need” is easily the weakest part of this anniversary celebration comic book. It features the Prowler and does not have much to do with Spider-Man. This one is a shallow filler-type of story.

Conclusion

Comic book panel featuring Spider-Man carrying two women, one with blonde hair and the other with red hair, while a giant Green Goblin head looms in the background. The scene captures a moment of tension and emotion with speech bubbles conveying inner thoughts.
This page drawn by John Romita should compel you to read Amazing Spider-Man #121.

As of now, I can say that Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992) is easily the best of the 30th anniversary celebration comic books I have read so far. It has a very solid main story that moved the Spider-Man-Lizard rivalry forward (and also has a conclusion that tapped directly into the icon’s origin with a good element of surprise) and two of the three short stories are great offerings for the very dedicated Spider-Man fans. It also has short articles/special messages that highlight the importance of Spidey’s 30th anniversary, and a Spider-Man 2099 preview! In short, this anniversary celebration comic book is the complete package for the fans and is also one of the most defining Amazing Spider-Man comic books of the 1990s. It truly is worth having in your collection!

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 159

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 You Me and the Movies reacts to Wicked City – Having watched lots of anime feature films, OAVs and TV shows before, I never saw Wicked City. Released in 1987, Wicked City is a neo-noir cyberpunk horror anime movie directed by Yoshiaka Kawajiri. YouTuber You, Me and the Movies recently posted a reaction video about Wicked City which is entertaining to watch. That said, it is also their latest anime reaction video and I encourage you to see it.

#2 Nintendo’s Virtual Boy revisited – I never owned the Virtual Boy from Nintendo. Released in the mid-1990s, it was a table-top game console that displayed stereoscopic 3D graphics which ended up as a major failure for the company. Virtual Boy was designed by the late Gunpei Yokoi who was the same guy behind the Game & Watch and the original Game Boy. To learn about the history of the Virtual Boy and why it was approved for release, watch the video below.

#3 Tokyo’s midnight restaurants – In Tokyo, life does not simply stop when regular office hours are over. There are people who have unusual working schedules and there are those who are actually living as night-time persons. That said, there are restaurants in Tokyo that fully operate late in the evening. The good news here is that visitors and food lovers can find delicious Japanese meals, fine drinks and more. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#4 Punch-Out!! revisited – When you hear the title “Punch-Out!!”, do you think of the popular Famicom/NES video game that had Mike Tyson, the 1990s Super Punch-Out!! console game, or the original arcade game with the dual-monitor set-up that Nintendo first released in 1984? Indeed, Punch-Out!! went a long way and ultimately, it made video game boxing cartoony, wholesome and fun. To learn how the game franchise started and who exactly were involved, watch the comprehensive video from the late PatmanQC.

#5 When the Phoenix Suns had Charles Barkley – In 1992, NBA superstar Charles Barkley transferred from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns. During his first season with Phoenix, the Suns made it to the NBA Finals of 1993 facing off with eventual champion the Chicago Bulls. If you ask me, Barkley’s tenure with the Suns was memorable as he won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with them and really came close to winning an NBA championship. Nothing has been the same since Barkley left Arizona. For an immersive look back at Barkley’s days as a Phoenix Sun, watch the video below.

#6 Friday The 13th (1980) reaction videos – What can be said about the original Friday The 13th movie of 1980? Directed by Sean Cunningham, the slasher-horror film made almost $60 million worldwide on a negative cost of a few million Dollars, and it led to many sequels throughout the 1980s. The film was released at a time when many low-budget horror movies were made to cash-in on the success of John Carpenter’s Halloween. In my opinion, the movie itself is dull and it is actually one of the weakest of its franchise. Still, this old movie has impact on YouTubers who saw it for the first time ever. That said, go watch the reaction video below.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #22 (1995)

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Issue #21 had a wild story as it reflected the impact of Doom 2099 who took over as President of the United States. Not only did Doom appear (which easily reminded readers about the Fall of the Hammer storyline and the few X-Men members who got involved) in Las Vegas, Halloween Jack was on the verge of causing tremendous chaos on the city and many innocent people within. Quite notably, the series started its movement of gradually getting the futuristic X-Men together again.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #22, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Comic book cover featuring the title 'X-Men 2099' with the subtitle 'Xi'an Joins the Theatre of Pain'. The central character holds a skull-like object, surrounded by fiery background and several other characters engaged in action.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins at the Sangre de Cristo mountains in New Mexico where a government helicopter arrives. Morphine Somers and an armored member of S.H.IE.L.D. appear to inspect the ruins. No lifeforms dead or alive were detected.

Meanwhile at a very dark location lighted by flames, former X-Men leader Xi’an meets with Brimstone Love and his trusted companions Charon and Felicity. The demonic leader of the Theater of Pain tells Xi’an that once he is initiated into the exquisite mysteries and dark truths of their group, he will emerge transformed. The Theater of Pain operates by providing twisted entertainment for an audience of the world’s rich and jaded, and by manipulating their deepest, most decadent fantasies which puts them under control.

Xi’an, who reverted back to his sinister self and abandoned the principles he held as leader of the X-Men, arrogantly tells Brimstone Love that he brought the Chosen and Master Zhao to him without being told what would happen to them. After being told that he must surrender his pride to become part of the Theater of Pain, Xi’an turns his back on the leader and begins to walk away expressing rejection. Brimstone Love suddenly tells him no one leaves the theater and teleports him…

Quality

A comic book panel featuring four characters engaged in conversation, with a focus on a muscular man speaking and a woman with cybernetic features listening intently. The background includes a futuristic environment with technology and containers.
An important meeting between Shakti and Haiku is about to start.

If you have been craving for a powerful tale about Xi’an in the X-Men 2099 monthly series, this is the one to read. This comic book mostly follows Xi’an who at this stage had left the X-Men behind and started his participation with the Theater of Pain. As it turns out, his actual initiation to become a true member of the Theater of Pain really started in this tale and his new superior Brimstone Love is absolutely evil, exploitative and manipulative. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that Xi’an here was portrayed to be very vulnerable and truly disadvantaged as the initiation happens in three different scenarios which instantly reconnects with the painful stages of his past. That said, Xi’an perception of what had happened and how he related with personalities he encountered before truly gets tested. The same goes with his endurance as well as his handling of emotions and trauma. I can also say that the conclusion of Xi’an tale here is absolutely powerful and meaningful to see.

A scene set in a post-apocalyptic environment, showcasing a group of anxious individuals waiting in line at a facility called Floodgate Bio Resource Processing Center, surrounded by ominous flames and armed figures.
Imagine this as the future of woke California.

While Krystalin and Meanstreak are completely absent in this comic book, you will see Shakti, Skullfire and Luna who are still exerting efforts to figure out how to track down the Theater of Pain and save their former leader. Having served as the second-in-command to their leader when the X-Men was still intact, Shakti seeks a meeting with someone who was personally involved with Xi’an. At this stage in the series, Shakti and Skullfire are both focused on finding Xi’an believing that he can be recovered. This adds more to the tension leading towards the events of issue #25.

Conclusion

A comic book page featuring characters in a dramatic conversation about control, manipulation, and ambition, with fiery elements and colorful illustrations.
Symbolically, Xi’an looks like he is already in Hell in the presence of the demonic Brimstone Love of the Theater of Pain.

I really like X-Men 2099 #22 (1995). The struggle of Xi’an is the very meat of the comic book as the Moore-Lim duo set the stage for the reuniting of the X-Men and the major conflict that awaits them all in the 25th issue. Xi’an’s tale here is absolutely compelling to read and there will be moments when you will feel sympathy or confusion as his struggle with the initiation goes on. Symbolically, the mental and personality torture on the former X-Men leader strikes hard on the essence of the futuristic X-Men itself. You might end up speculating Xi’an might have been delusional on following the steps of Charles Xavier and Magneto to lead mutants in 2099’s America. This comic book could make you think deeply how far the futuristic X-Men could exist without their former leader. As such, this issue should inspire you to revisit the first three issues of the series.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #22 (1995) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

All Booth Slots for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar in Alabang Hills Village Filled Up

The Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) recently announced that all booth slots for their upcoming Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar has been filled up. The bazaar is all set to happen on November 21 and 22, 2026, from 10AM to 8PM at the Phase 2 park grounds.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the AHVA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

In addition, the AHVA posted the full list of the dried goods vendors which you can see below. This shows that there will be a wide variety of products offered to shoppers and visitors. There could be something for you to buy for Christmas gift-giving. Pay attention to the image posted below.

Official list of dried goods vendors. (source – AHVA website)

The Phase 2 park grounds is the main venue of Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, and both the covered basketball court and the pickleball court (formerly the badminton court) will be used too.

For the non-residents who have private vehicles (without Alabang Hills Village stickers) and intend to attend the bazaar, be ready to leave your ID card at the village gate and tell them were you are headed. Once inside, it is a must that you should follow their rules and speed limits at all times. Be aware that finding available parking spaces can be a bit of a challenge and remember to always be respectful to the nearby homes.

If you have inquiries for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, send your email to ahvcommunityaffairs@gmail.com

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #21 (1995)

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

If you have been reading a great majority of the Marvel 2099 comic book series of the 1990s, then you should be aware about a notable turning point that saw Doom 2099 taking over as the President of the United States. The comic book Spider-Man 2099 #34 reflected the impact of that turning point and it had this pretty clever way of having Doom 2099 and Spider-Man 2099 (but in civilian form as Miguel O’Hara) getting reunited for the first time since the Fall of the Hammer crossover storyline. The same thing also happened in the X-Men 2099 series and the encounter between Doom 2099 and a few X-Men members was remembered.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #21, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Cover of X-Men 2099 AD comic book featuring the character Halloween Jack, depicted with green skin, long white hair, and wearing a skull necklace.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins with government propaganda released to the public. It announces the direction that America will go to under the rule of Doom 2099 as US President. It turns out, Doom has been President for days and already a series of changes is happening nationwide. Halloween Jack (who was a fake Loki during the events of the Fall of the Hammer) asks a rhetorical question about Doom. Halloween Jack and Meanstreak meet with Celestia Amberlyn who is the biggest star of the Synge casino and also a close personal friend of Indigo Eshun, the minister of Signal.

Their meeting intensified quickly due to their conflicting agendas. Amberlyn is with the Doom administration while Halloween Jack is defiant towards the new US President. He shows her his new technology called the virtual unreality projector. He tells her that he will overturn the natural laws of physics throughout Las Vegas and replace them with the wildly unpredictable reality of another dimension…  

Quality

A comic book scene featuring a character named Doom, wearing an armored suit and a dramatic cape, standing confidently with arms crossed. The background shows a futuristic setting with a hovering spacecraft and two startled characters observing. Dialogue bubbles express surprise and commentary on Doom's demeanor and armor.
Meanstreak, Krystalin and Halloween Jack witness the arrival of Doom 2099 in Las Vegas.

With Doom’s influence as US President felt a lot in this comic book, I can say that the storytelling and events here really got wild. Halloween Jack’s machine really caused a very unique kind of chaos on Las Vegas and his insanity here reminds me a lot about the Joker of DC Comics. After working a lot on making Halloween Jack’s insane agenda happen, Meanstreak finally realizes his errors and decides to take action before total disaster happens. That said, Meanstreak’s old self is back complete with recalling his rightful place with the X-Men.

As stated earlier, Doom has impact on the story and it is truly an expressive portrayal of what he could achieve with the power of the US Presidency. Doom clearly has plans for America and he has his own vision about establishing order and this comic book clearly dramatizes it. On face value, it looks like Doom’s short appearance in this comic book is just for show but I can assure you that he has an action-packed response to Halloween Jack’s insane operation on Las Vegas.  

Conclusion

A comic book panel featuring a character with brown hair and a blue costume discussing the consequences of altering reality, surrounded by other characters who appear concerned. The scene includes dynamic action effects and colorful visual elements like coins and light bursts.
Finally, Meanstreak realizes the wrong things he committed and has decided to take action before total disaster happens.

X-Men 2099 #21 (1995) is indeed a wild tale that concluded with purpose. Not only does it reunite Meanstreak with a teammate, it also sets that direction towards the inevitable reuniting of the futuristic X-Men. The wild turn of events here is balanced with the good amount of details and character development implemented by the Moore-Lim duo. Doom’s presence here really shook things up and the impact on the city of Las Vegas has to be seen.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #21 (1995) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Food and Beverage Vendors Plus New Details for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar Revealed

Very recently, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) revealed new details as well as a list of approved food-and-drinks vendors for their upcoming Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar which will happen on November 21 and 22, 2026, at the Phase 2 park grounds. For each day, the bazaar will start from 10AM until 8PM.

For the upcoming bazaar, there will be over forty-five dry goods vendors participating. This ensures that customers will see a wide variety of products for sale ranging from clothing to houseware, toys, accessories, shoes and more. There will be a lot of items that customers can acquire for Christmas gift-giving.

With regards to the food and vendors approved by the AHVA, the list is as follows in the image below.

A colorful flyer for 'Sip & Stroll', an early Christmas bazaar featuring various food and beverage vendors, with a festive design and a list of vendor names and offerings.
The official list of food and beverage vendors for the Sip & Stroll early Christmas bazaar. (image sourced from AHVA website)

In addition, the AHVA confirmed that there will be acoustic performers and DJs who will provide entertainment in the afternoon of each day of the bazaar. There will also be game booths for additional enjoyment.

Promotional poster for the 'Sip & Stroll' early Christmas bazaar at Alabang Hills Village, featuring details about the event including dates, times, activities, and vendors.
Pay attention to the new details here. (image sourced from AHVA website)

The Phase 2 park grounds is the main venue of Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, and both the covered basketball court and the pickleball court (formerly the badminton court) will be used too. For the non-residents who have private vehicles (without Alabang Hills Village stickers) and intend to attend the bazaar, be ready to leave your ID card at the village gate and tell them were you are headed. Once inside, it is a must that you should follow their rules and speed limits at all times. Be aware that finding available parking spaces can be a bit of a challenge, and be respectful to the nearby homes.

If you have inquiries for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, send your email to ahvcommunityaffairs@gmail.com

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 157

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Popcorn in Bed’s X-Men movie reaction videos – I enjoy watching the movie reaction videos posted by Popcorn in Bed. For the most part, Cassie and her sister Carly (who joined her many times in reaction videos) are pretty reactive to the movies they saw for the first time ever regardless of genre. Recently, I replayed watching their reaction videos of the live-action, X-Men movies (the main ones specifically) from 2000’s X-Men to 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse. Each X-Men reaction video of theirs is fun to watch and I noticed how Cassy and Carly discovered who the characters are, familiarized themselves with them, and still succeeded on following the stories even though there were so many characters in each film. That said, I encourage you all to watch their videos below.

#2 The Sherman Oaks Galleria today – You may not have visited the Sherman Oaks Galleria in California, but you might have seen it in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Chopping Mall, Commando, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Indeed, the said shopping mall was used as a location in the movies and given the fact that a lot of shopping malls across America have closed down, revisiting the Sherman Oak Galleria’s legacy is both nostalgic and even educational. To find out what the Sherman Oaks Galleria looks like today, watch the video below. Tell me if you can recognize the malls spots that appeared in movies.

#3 Magic Johnson’s 1996 Comeback as a Lakers Player – Looking back at the career of Magic Johnson, the 1990s was a series of drastic changes about him. He quickly retired in 1991 because he had Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but returned as a player in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game and represented the United States as a Dream Team members in the Barcelona Olympics. He retired again in 1992 as controversy and protests grew from players over his plan to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1992-93 season. He came back to the NBA as Lakers head coach in 1994 winning 5 games and losing 11, and eventually stepped down. In 1996, he came back as a player for the Lakers taking a new role as a power forward. Magic Johnson’s presence on the basketball courts looked exciting on face value but there was a lot of tension behind the scenes and even division among the Lakers. To discover what happened, watch the video below.

#4 Eels to eat in Japan – I enjoy eating Unadon, the classic Japanese dish that has eel (unagi) grilled in the kabayaki way and served in a rice bowl. I had Unadon during my visits to Japan and in Japanese restaurants (both locally and overseas). Eels are truly popular in Japan. Even though supply constraints of live eels are felt by consumers and businesses, somehow the Japanese food joints found ways to secure enough of them and offer them to hungry customers in creative ways. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 Retro World Expo 2026 – I always wanted to attend a retro gaming convention in America. I saw this video about Retro World Expo 2026 which took place in Connecticut and it was enjoyable to see. There is nothing like playing classic arcade games and classic console/computer games running on their original hardware. Watch the video below.

#6 You, Me and the Movies react to Resident Evil: Degeneration – If you are a fan of the Resident Evil games and movies, do you really enjoy watching the computer-generated Resident Evil movies? Back in 2008, the pure-CGI movie Resident Evil: Degeneration was released in cinemas and there was some excitement for it among RE enthusiasts as it had fan-favorite characters Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Not only that, RE fans who were disappointed with the Milla Jovovich-led live-action movies wanted to see RE movies that were more connected with the games they enjoyed. You, Me and the Movies recently posted their reaction video about Resident Evil: Degeneration and it is a must-watch.

#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Transformers: The Movie – Finally, Ashleigh Burton saw the animated classic The Transformers: The Movie and posted her reaction video of it. It is nice that the animated movie got featured by her as this year marks its 40th anniversary. Go watch her video now! It’s fun to watch.

#7 Deathmate and the 1990s comics revisited – As a long-time comic book reader, I personally witnessed the presence and impact of the Deathmate crossover comic books in 1993. The Deathmate comics published by Valiant were released on time while those from Image Comics really arrived late. Local comic book collectors near me had no excitement for Deathmate even though famous artists like Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee and Whilce Portacio participated in it in various degrees. The video below is very comprehensive with its focus on not just Deathmate but also the comic book speculator boom, the 1990s comics trends, the intrigue behind the scenes and more. Watch the video now.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #19 (1995)

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Issue #18 had some political flavor as it tried to shake the foundation of the X-Men 2099 series. It also had symbolism that reminded me about the criminal past of Las Vegas, the twisted Black Panthers (the evil Marxist-Leninist and black power political organization of America) and the social unrest that happened in America during the era of Richard Nixon as US President. At this point in the series, the futuristic X-Men are a shell of themselves as the members have been separated and are involved in different developments far away from each other.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #19, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Cover of Marvel's X-Men comic issue 19 from April 2055, featuring bold yellow and red title text, 'Winner Take All for Vegas', and characters including a muscular hero and a villain with a green appearance, surrounded by dark, swirling elements.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins inside an old facility in New Mexico. Shakti, who is only wearing a t-shirt and a panty – has been unconscious for several minutes. After waking up, she learns that a thermionic detonator (left by their former leader Xi’an) has been set to explode and time is quickly running out. She also realizes that the bodies of the Chosen have been taken.

In desperation, she wakes up Skullfire and Luna, and they ran out of the facility to save themselves. The facility blows up and Skullfire asks Shakti for an explanation. She reveals to him that Xi’an – whom she momentarily encountered several minutes prior – is responsible for the destruction and he clearly made an attempt to kill them all. As such, Xi’an is now an enemy of the X-Men.

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, a heavily mutated and oversized Lytton Synge grabs his sister Desdemona by the neck. While explaining details to him, Desdemona uses a failsafe device to cause him to stop moving and free her. She puts on additional gear that enables her to control Lytton’s body and she made it clear to him that he will be used against Halloween Jack…

Quality

A comic book page featuring a confrontation between a woman with pink hair and a villainous figure. The woman expresses anger while the villain makes a smug remark. Various characters engage in dialogue, highlighting tension and supernatural elements.
Desdemona, Halloween Jack and Meanstreak are together again. Desdemona here had a desperate attempt to reclaim the casino and their company from Halloween Jack.

There is a good amount of intrigue in this comic book covering the three plot threads. The thread of Shakti, Skullfire and Luna was very short but it added to the tension about having their former leader Xi’an as a deadly enemy.

On the other hand, the events set in Las Vegas saw the return of Lytton Synge in a bloated, Hulk-like figure as Desdemona used him to attack Halloween Jack who has gained control of the Synge business empire (at least in the building they are in) as he continues with his obsession of changing Las Vegas and moving forward with his plan that could mean doom for the city. In this particular plot thread, Halloween Jack has prepared highly advanced technology to redefine Las Vegas in the most phenomenal way. What I find disturbing is Meanstreak’s lack of morality as he keeps on assisting Halloween Jack (his old friend Jordan) with his sinister plan. This makes Meanstreak appear cold-hearted, sinister and unbecoming as an X-Men member.

Over at California, Krystalin pursues a mission to find Billy the Kid as she has absolutely no choice as the life of her brother is at stake. The Free Radicals literally have her cornered and she cannot do anything except doing what they want her to do. In this particular plot thread, the creators did a good job presenting Krystalin as desperate as she is in the middle of a conflict between the Panthers of Wakanda (where her brother belongs to) and the Free Radicals.

Conclusion

A comic book page featuring a distressed woman in a white outfit, looking alarmed as she interacts with a control panel, with countdown clocks and dialogue about a bomb and urgent questions.
Shakti in a very dangerous situation with not much time left.

X-Men 2099 #19 (1995) unsurprisingly moved plot developments forward. Apart from developing the X-Men members more, this comic book also expanded the lore of 2099 America nicely. At this stage, I am eager to find out what would happen next to the X-Men members in their respective plot threads. That said, I am still engaged enough to continue with the remaining X-Men 2099 issues that I have yet to read.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #19 (1995) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.