A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #389 (1994)

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

We are finally here! I’m talking about the fourth chapter of the Pursuit storyline featuring a broke-hearted and revenge-obsessed Spider-Man who has been more violent in his search for the Chameleon. It should be noted that his marriage with Mary Jane has turned for the worse as time went on. For my previous retro comic book reviews about the Pursuit storyline, click here, here and here.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #389, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins at a very familiar tomb stone. It marked the very spot where Spider-Man was once buried in (refer to Kraven’s Last Hunt). Nearby is the tomb stone referring to the late Kraven the hunter. Moments earlier, Spider-Man discovered the coffin is empty which shocked him. Even though he is burdened with stress fighting the Chameleon, memories of his past encounters with Kraven and the impostors (who posed as his late mother and father) flashed in his mind bringing back pain and anguish.

Spider-Man decides that the time of mourning (dating back to the day he lost his parents when he was little) has to stop and slowly makes his way into Kraven’s mansion. As soon as the door opens, he shouts the Chameleon’s name…

Quality

Spider-Man deals with a physical distraction set-up by the Chameleon inside the mansion of the late Kraven.

As the conclusion to the 4-part Pursuit storyline, this comic book is very intense and it is clear to me that the Michelinie-Bagley duo went all-in to pack it with a lot of punch and a startling revelation that really defined the Chameleon.

While previous chapters showed the broken and revenge-hungry Spider-Man getting more violent towards others as he pursued the Chameleon, this comic book has the webslinger fully unhinged within the setting of Kraven’s property. Spider-Man here goes through two so-called death traps before finally encountering the Chameleon in person. As he fought with the tigers and the mechanized set-ups (in the forms of the type of animals hunted by man), Spider-Man was truly determined to kill the master of disguise and he did not hold back with his violent attacks.

Readers will witness the moment when the spectrum of good and evil got twisted as the Chameleon becomes very fearful of Spider-Man who is so unrelenting he looked truly murderous. That said, the famous webslinger himself is a shadow of what he was and there were moments when I felt he was becoming evil. Indeed, the loss of beloved family members combined with the obsession for revenge against the responsible one can turn good people into destructive individuals moving towards evil. At this point of the Pursuit storyline, Michelinie and Bagley took huge creative risks as they worked to make a conclusion that is believable, intriguing and compelling at the same time.

But that is not all. The Chameleon himself got highly developed in this very late stage of the Pursuit storyline. His relationship with Kraven the hunter was revealed with lots of details pointing to their heritage in Russia with clear separate paths – Kraven was privileged while the Chameleon (Dmitri Smerdyakov) had a more painful life. Chameleon’s perception towards Kraven is complicated as he admires him while still harboring a deep resentment towards him. The revelations about the Chameleon’s past and connections with the late hunter really added dramatic value and tension in the story.

Conclusion

This is the calm before the storm (Spider-Man’s rage and obsession with revenge).

Amazing Spider-Man #389 (1994) is indeed a powerful conclusion to the Pursuit storyline. It went as far as showing Spider-Man as the unhinged force of destruction who was determined to really kill the Chameleon and is also succeeded on defining the super villain’s personality with revelations about his Russian heritage with the late Kraven. This comic book also sheds light as to why the Chameleon became proficient with impersonating people and changing his face physically. There will be times when you could feel pity for both Spider-Man and the master of disguise as their respective emotional states and obsessions were powerfully dramatized by the Michelinie-Bagley duo. When it comes to conclusions, the very ending of this comic book is startling and it does not have much to do with the Chameleon.  

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #389 (1994) is recommended.

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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

Cyberattacks Became Faster And More Sophisticated With AI

In relation with the recent wave of cyberattacks that impacted several businesses and their customers in Japan, the president of S&J Corp. pointed to artificial intelligence (AI) that made the said attacks faster and more sophisticated, according to a news article by Jiji Press.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? How do you think Japanese businesses and the government will react to prevent further cyberattacks enhanced by AI? Do you think an international group of hackers or activists or Islamic terrorists could be behind the recent cyberattack wave in Japan? What do you think cybersecurity experts in Japan should do to protect the nation from more cyberattacks?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Rockwell Raises Stake In Alabang With P6.2 Billion Deal

Rockwell Land Corporation – the developer of Rockwell Center in Makati – strengthened its ownership of Alabang Town Center (ATC) by sealing a P6.2 billion deal with the Madrigal family to acquire the remaining stake in the mall operator Alabang Commercial Corp. (ACC), according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. The ATC will be redeveloped over a number of several years.

For previous developments about Rockwell and its acquisition related to ATC and ACC, click here, here and here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Night-time shot of Alabang Town Center.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Alabang or if you usually visit the Alabang Town Center every week, what do you feel about Rockwell’s redevelopment plans of the decades-old, high-end property? Have your favorite stores or restaurants at ATC already stopped operating recently? What do you hope to see in the ATC as the redevelopment happens over the next several years? Do you think Rockwell’s presence in Alabang will alter the entire business environment in Muntinlupa City?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 athttps://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

Illegal Hotels Raided In Thailand

In Phuket Island in Thailand, the local authorities recently raided three properties – two of which were originally developed for residential purposes – that illegally operated as hotels catering to foreign tourists, according to a news report by VnExpress. This is only a part of the ongoing crackdown against illegal hotels and already something wrong have been uncovered.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the authorities in Thailand will be able to find and raid all existing illegal hotels?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Chinese National Arrested In Parañaque City For Harassment

Recently in the City of Parañaque, a Chinese national was arrested for harassing a man while carrying a dangerous weapon, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned there could be more Chinese nationals who intend to commit acts of crime while in the city? Do you still believe in the concept of the Parañaque Renaissance?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 engagement, 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 148

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 Heaven’s Gate Revisited – What is there to be said about the 1980 historical epic Heaven’s Gate apart from the facts that it failed spectacularly and brought down United Artists a lot? To its credit, it has a grand look that required a massive amount of money to be spent and the sheer depth of authenticity implemented under the direction of Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) is eye-catching. The film also had fine performances by Kris Kristofferson, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Walken and Isabelle Huppert. Historically, the massive failure of the movie impacted Hollywood as a whole and movie studios rarely grant the final cut privilege to movie directors. That said, there is a lot more to learn about Heaven’s Gate and I encourage you all to watch the video below.

#2 Moments That Destroyed Political Careers – Imagine yourself working so hard to get elected into public office in America followed by efforts to solidify the trust of voters who helped you win. With huge expectations, there obviously is pressure on you (the elected official) to serve them and fulfill your promises. Then one day, you committed a blunder or a very embarrassing moment that eventually leads you into a painful downfall. In America, there are Democrats and Republics who saw their political careers get destroyed because of the moments gone wrong. Watch and learn from the video below.

#3 History Of Sega And Its Impact On Video Gaming – Remember long ago when Sega was a highly prolific and innovative maker of games for arcades and consoles? Remember seeing consoles and add-ons with Sega branded on them? Decades ago, Sega was a gaming titan and it was a powerful competitor with Nintendo during the so-called 16-bit wars of the 1990s. Today, Sega is still operating but it is a shadow of what it used to be. To find out what happened, watch the very informative video game documentary below. It also has interviews with Tom Kalinske and other important video game personalities.

#4 Totally Whatever Reacts To Deep Impact – Back in 1998, I encountered some people who claimed to have cried while watching Deep Impact inside the movie theaters. When I saw it in the cinema, I saw a few other moviegoers near me having tears flowing from their eyes. Indeed, Deep Impact was made to move viewers emotionally with its themes of family, strained ties, and the struggle to remain intact before a massive tragedy happens. That said, you must see how the movie impacts the YouTubers in the video below.

#5 Tuna In Japan – Whenever I visited Japan, I always made the effort to enjoy a meal with tuna on it. I enjoy eating sashimi (specifically raw tuna), sushi and cooked meals that have tuna in different forms in them. If you love eating tuna and if you plan to visit Japan soon, watch the video below. Learn the details.

#6 Child’s Play 3 Reaction/Review Videos – Believe it or not, the 1991 movie Child’s Play 3 was released less than a year after Child’s Play 2. The movie followed the character Andy Barclay again, only this time he was portrayed as a troubled teenager who enters a military school. Unsurprisingly, the evil Chucky was revived and pursued Andy once more. Having seen Child’s Play and Child’s Play 3 on home video just months apart from each other, the viewing experience was unique given each film’s differences in terms of casts and settings. When Child’s Play 3 came to an end, there was this feeling among many moviegoers that the film series concluded solidly. To see what kind of reactions the 1991 movie attracted from YouTubers, watch the videos below.

#7 The Legend Of The Lone Ranger’s Failure Explained – As a young boy, I saw The Legend of the Lone Ranger on home video and enjoyed it. Back then, I was completely unaware about the controversy regarding past Lone Ranger actor Clayton Moore who was legally barred from appearing in public wearing the trademark black mask. That controversy alone hounded the movie and was arguably the single biggest factor behind its failure. By the way, the film’s star Klinton Spilsbury was dubbed over as the Long Ranger and he never acted again. To learn more, watch the video below.

#8 Minty Comedic Arts Examines Tales From The Crypt – When you hear the title Tales From The Crypt, do you think about the about the horror anthology TV series or the original comic book series published by EC Comics in the 1950s? I myself read several reprints of EC Comics – including Tales From The Crypt – and saw some episodes of the TV series. That said, both the TV series and the comic books delivered a very unique kind of entertainment that is sadly missing today. In his video, Minty Comedic Arts revealed a lot of interesting details about the TV series as well as EC Comics. I encourage you to watch his video now.

#9 The Unification Church Exposed – When former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in 2022, the killer Tetsuya Yamagami committed the act not because of politics but because of the perceived connections the politician had with the controversial Unification Church which he blames for financial ruining his family and his own life. The killer’s own mother was a member of the Unification Church and because she donated so much money to it, her own family ended up lacking money for survival, education and other needs. The murder investigation eventually unraveled decades of allegations about financial exploitation, shattered families and the immense influence the said church had on its members from Japan to South Korea and the United States. There are a lot of very intriguing details in Dark Asia with Megan’s video below and I encourage you all to watch it.

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Las Piñas City Court Sentences Foreign National To Life Imprisonment Over 71 Kilos Of Shabu

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a Regional Trial Court (RTC) sentenced a Taiwanese national to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of possessing more than seventy kilos of shabu, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The convict was also ordered to pay a fine of P2 million.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think there are absolutely no illegal drugs hidden within your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Man Arrested In Parañaque City For Failing To Settle P300,000 In Cockfight Bets

Recently in the City of Parañaque, a man who failed to settle cockfight bets worth P300,000 placed on credit was arrested, according to a news report by The Daily Tribune.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from The Daily Tribune report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you want cockfight betting to be banned locally? Are many people in your local community addicted to gambling activities?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Philippines Electricity The Most Expensive In ASEAN

Due to the low supply of electricity and the high demand recorded this past June, the Philippines had the most expensive electricity rates among member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a news report by GMA News.

Be reminded that the Philippines is experiencing weak economic growth, high inflation, and has been weak when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment. Could imagine how foreign investors would react to the expensive electricity here in the Philippines?

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think must be done to ensure abundant electricity for the Filipinos? Are you convinced now is the time for the government of the Philippines to go all-in on nuclear power? How much was your electric bill this past June?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Determining Lifting Import Prohibition On Fresh US Potatoes

Fresh potatoes from the United States could potentially enter Japan’s markets this year as the authorities are assessing the quarantine risks and the concerns raised by Japanese potato farmers, according to a news report by NHK World. The Japanese authorities received a request from Washington regarding American potatoes which led to the ongoing assessment.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt of the NHK World report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan’s agriculture ministry will even allow full market opening to fresh potatoes from the United States? What do you think is the reason why Japan’s domestic production of fresh potatoes has declined?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco