1990s – Page 24 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Remember how lively Festival Mall’s original cinemas used to be?

October 13, 2023October 10, 2023carlocarrasco

For decades now, I have been living in Alabang and I witnessed how much Muntinlupa City modernized along the way. Bordering Barangay Ayala Alabang is Filinvest City (formerly called Filinvest Corporate City) which itself is home to several business or facilities such as the Filinvest Tent, Commercenter, Acacia Hotel Manila, Crimson Hotel, Westgate and, of course, the wildly popular place to be in – Festival Mall.

For the newcomers reading this, Festival Mall opened in May 1998 with its initial name Festival Supermall. Way back then, out of pure curiosity, I entered the mall for the first-time ever during its soft opening on May 1, 1998 (Labor Day here in the Philippines) as I was already looking for a new place and new discoveries at a time when I got tired of Alabang Town Center (ATC).

Being very new back then, Festival Mall’s presence of retailers or tenants was not yet dynamic as there were still businesses inside that could not open in time for the mall’s opening. I do remember walking down seeing lots of vacant retail spots covered with signs such as “opening soon”, “coming soon” and the like. Back in those days, the Philippine economy and society itself were dampened by the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

As the months passed by, more businesses opened and Festival Mall’s early attractions include the X-Site Amusement Center (which already had the indoor roller coaster) and, of course, the brand new cinemas which had several screens operating at a very spacious area on the top floor. I still remember seeing lots of people lining up for tickets and seats to watch Armageddon which ended up as the highest grossing movie of the world in 1998.

While I could no longer remember what was the first movie I saw at Festival Mall’s original cinemas (note: this is to differentiate it from the more modern cinemas of the mall located at the expanded area) back in the old days, I do remember watching several movies there through the years such as Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), The Blair Witch Project (1999), X-Men (2000), Marvel’s The Avengers (2012), The Mummy Returns (2001), The Matrix (1999), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Mission: Impossible II (2000), X-Men: First Class (2011), and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) to name some. I also saw some Tagalog films at Festival Mall’s old cinemas.

Indeed, for more than a decade, Festival Mall’s original cinemas became a favorite destination of mine to watch movies in Alabang and I definitely was not alone. I also remember the times when the said cinemas attracted a whole lot of moviegoers when the annual Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) opening day (every December 25) happened resulting in long lines. Watch the YouTube videos below…

As you can see in the above videos, Festival Mall’s original cinemas was a hot spot for moviegoers. It should be noted that the mall is strategically located in close proximity to the Alabang Viaduct and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) which ensures visibility to motorists and accessibility to commuters on a daily basis. The old cinemas were also a hot spot for a variety of small businesses selling different kinds of food and drinks to moviegoers and others who just passed by.

Festival Mall at 25

This past May, Festival Mall turned 25 and its anniversary was highlighted with special events as well and publicity through the media. There were these Festival Mall 25th anniversary feature articles that got published in different newspapers almost simultaneously. In the commemorative article that got published in the Manila Bulletin, President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation Josephine Gotianun Yap was quoted which goes as follows in the excerpt below. Some parts in boldface…

“We would not be where we are today without the unwavering support of our customers, merchants, suppliers, and employees who have journeyed with us through the years. It is humbling to think that when we first opened the mall, we only had 30 stores and no anchor supermarket. But thousands of visitors came on our first day, attracted by our amusement centers, cinemas, and food court. And now the mall has 800 tenants and eight leading anchor stores. We value our collaboration with major retailers, which has enabled us to bring together SaveMore, Ace Hardware, Robinson’s Department Store, Handyman, Shopwise, H&M, Decathlon, and Landmark all under one roof. As we build on its strong foundations for the future, we see Festival Mall continuing to serve as a place where time stops for making memories with family and friends,”

As seen above, the Filinvest Development Corporation executive clearly referred to the original cinemas which was one of the early attractions of Festival Mall way back in 1998. As mentioned earlier, Festival Mall today has more modern cinemas located at the expanded area on the same floor but several meters away from the original cinemas. So how does Festival Mall’s original cinemas look like nowadays? Watch the video below…

Yes, indeed the mall’s original cinemas have turned depressing. There are much less customers who pass by the area and many of the businesses that operated within have closed down! As I personally found out, Festival Mall is still using a few screens at the old cinemas for moviegoers while leaving the many others closed and left in the dark. If you think about it carefully, what does the mall management have in mind with regards to all of those cinema seats, sound systems, projectors, screens and other pieces of equipment inside each and every closed screen of the original cinemas?

*A closed screen at one end of the original cinemas of Festival Mall. Just imagine what is left of all the hardware (examples: projectors and speakers) and seats inside.*

This was a premium place to watch movies at. It had more comfortable seats and better equipment that made the cinematic experience more immersive. It was here where I saw 2001’s Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

*This is where I used to buy movie tickets for many years. For some time now, the selling of movie tickets here ha*s stopped. To buy tickets, you have to go to the modern cinemas of the mall several meters away by foot at the same floor.

Apart from seeing more of the screens of the original cinemas closed down, the number of small-time businesses that sold different kinds of food and drinks are also gone which is depressing. Those businesses offered moviegoers different choices of what to eat or drink apart from the usual popcorn and drinks sold by the cinema’s concessionaires. I do remember a certain business joint that sold really good coffee (both hot and cold) that is also affordable.

There used to be different kinds of small business joints that sold a variety of food and drinks located on the floor spots at the original cinemas area. Those businesses have since closed down and left.

*I remember the times I bought popcorn and drinks at this place before watching a movie. Now there are no food, no drinks and no people selling to customers anymore.*

With the way things are right now, walking through the original cinemas area of Festival Mall is lonely and depressing to do. The area is almost lifeless and it easily is the saddest place inside the mall which itself has become a major attraction for shoppers and families. I can only wonder if Festival Mall’s management has any plan to revive the original cinemas area. Will they someday renovate at least a few of the screens and install brand new seats and other equipment to accommodate more moviegoers? Do they plan to attract new businesses to occupy the vacant commercial spaces and floor spaces near the old cinemas?

*It would be nice to know if Festival Mall’s management or Filinvest itself has any plan to revive commerce at the original cinemas area which is now the saddest and loneliest part of the mall*.

To be very clear with you all reading this, I never worked for a shopping mall nor have I ever worked in the movie theater business. I am a long-time resident of Alabang who often visits Festival Mall for purchasing needed items, dining and availing of services. Watching movies at Festival Mall used to be a big reason for me to spend time at the mall. I know for a fact that operating movie theaters is difficult and attracting people to watch movies on the big screen is tougher because of streaming. It does not help that the COVID-19 pandemic convinced people that watching new movies at home via streaming is the new standard which also made them think that movie theaters are unnecessary.

As a movie enthusiast, I can say out loud that watching a movie inside the cinema is still the best and most definitive way to enjoy watching. The movie theater experience can never be matched by streaming nor could the biggest HDTV at home could ever come close to the size and visual impact of a cinema screen. That being said, I can only hope that Festival Mall could someday revive the movie experience and commerce at their original cinemas area. They already have the modern cinemas at the expanded area but those are only 4 screens.

If you are living here in South Metro Manila and you have been to Festival Mall several times before, what do you think the mall management should do about their old cinemas? Is Festival Mall your favorite place to watch movies in? Do you think that hosting multiple film festivals – both foreign and domestic – each year would justify renovating the old cinemas of the mall?

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

+++++

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 @HavenorFantasy 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 8

October 6, 2023October 5, 2023carlocarrasco

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 topics and the related videos I found.

#1 Godzilla videos in preparation for the new Japanese Godzilla movie

In case you missed the news due to the excessive amount of entertainment developments, there is indeed a brand new Japanese-produced movie of Godzilla (Gojira in Japan) titled Godzilla Minus One which will open in cinemas in Japan this November and in America this December. You can check out my post about Godzilla Minus One by clicking here.

With renewed interest in Toho’s Godzilla sparked in moviegoers’ minds, here are some videos that can help you get to know Japan’s iconic giant monster better before the new movie comes out.

#2 Forza Motorsport (2023)

The much awaited big-budget simulation racing game Forza Motorsport (2023) is coming out on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass within a few days from now for its general release. The big-budget Xbox-exclusive racing game is actually available via early access to those who paid extra for the privilege via the Premium Edition. As with tradition, gaming media outlets produced several video previews and updates of the game recently as the release date came closer and here are the videos you must watch on YouTube. Already Forza Motorsport (2023) received acclaim from critics (click here, here, here and here). Take note that this is the first new Forza Motorsport video game since 2017.

#3 Stay away electric vehicles (EVs) as they could kill you

No matter what the Leftists and climate change extremists do, I personally reject electric vehicles (EVs) and the elimination of fossil fuel and the lessening of energy choices for consumers. No matter what flashy publicity and loud talking points were made, I am not convinced that electric vehicles are safe enough to use for daily travel. In fact, many EV makers don’t want you to know that when their vehicles spark into flames, the fire is much harder to put out and often requires a higher amount of water to do so. Why is that EVs spark and become major fire hazards on the street (and even burn down homes) can be realized in the videos below.

#4 Music video of New Life Music’s worship song Testimony

The music team of New Life Philippines released the official music video (note: backstage sessions specifically) of their newest worship song Testimony. Written by Nash Soliven, Camille Cuna, Erican Reyes, Timothy Mena, Charity Patricio, Josiah Patricio and Sam Mokamad, Testimony reflects the meaning of Revelation 19:10 in the Holy Bible and it was made to strengthen people’s faith in the Lord and believe He is still moving no matter how bad things are around us in this very divided world we live in. The song will remind you about having the testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Watch the official music video by New Life Music below.

#5 Visit the Pool of Siloam in Israel

As some of you may have known by now, I went to Israel on a pilgrimage tour with my local church which was hosted by a very good Israeli strategic partner who ensured everything was in order. Among the many sites we visited in the Holy Land was the Pool of Siloam which was the very place where a blind man (born with blindness) got healed because he followed the instructions of our Lord and Savior Jesus without hesitation. For reference, read John 9:1-11 in the Holy Bible.

You can read my Pool of Siloam feature article by clicking here. I also have several other Israel 2023 articles on this website and I hope they will inspire you to visit the Holy Land in Israel to deepen your faith in the Lord. It is in Israel where the Holy Bible comes to life!

Watch the videos – including my very own video at the place – about the Pool of Siloam below.

+++++

GMA Network’s fake Filipinos (AI sportscasters) should remind you that AI has no soul

September 29, 2023September 27, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently here in the Philippines, GMA Network made waves to boost their sports coverage by unveiling their artificial intelligence (AI) sportscasters named Maia and Marco which drew varied reactions from Filipinos online. Check out the official video unveiling of the AI sportscasters from GMA Integrated News’ YouTube channel below…

If you look at Maia and Marco’s unveiling, you probably would have been impressed with how photo-realistic they look and how almost human they sounded (including being able to speak Tagalog). They were made to look like Filipinos convincingly You might be saying to yourself that this is a shining example of Filipino achievement in the world of technology and be totally accepting of it. But make no mistake as Maia and Marco are indeed not real people (fake Filipinos) and most notably, they have no souls at all.

This bring me to the fact that AI has no soul and we humans must take action to prevent artificial intelligence from overwhelming us. Overseas, the development of AI is moving at a rapid face and the competing tech giants (which invested heavily on AI) involved are so focused on outmaneuvering and outdoing each other, they don’t seem to care about the possibilities that AI could turn into a rebellious force that could harm people around the world in multiple ways. Already, artificial intelligence and robotics are emerging as threats to humanity. To put things in perspective, watch the CBN News YouTube videos below…

With AI and robots left unchecked, a new form of religion that has nothing to do with God, Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit is emerging already. There are those who pulled themselves away from the Lord to dedicate themselves to intelligent robots, human-like AI-driven characters and other aspects of technology. I would not be surprised if I find out that GMA’s Maia and Marco are being idolized by some people right now (note: idolatry is both foolish and unholy).

In the world of entertainment, AI is already being used as a tool for visuals (combined with computer-generated imaging or CGI) which includes the process of recreating the likenesses of actors (both the living and the dead) to make characters on-screen look as real as possible. In relation, the digital ways of resurrecting dead actors to portray their respective characters is morally disturbing to say the very least. It should also be stated that AI itself is being used to make articles, essays and even scripts – literary pieces that were not composed by the human user himself/herself. Has it occurred to you that the movie or streaming show you watched used a script that was partially made with AI because the screenwriter took shortcuts when working? Learn from the YouTube videos of Dave Cullen below…

Going back to GMA Network and its AI sportscasters, a lot of Filipinos have been questioning how artificial intelligence will affect not only journalism but also Philippine sports broadcasting (a lively sector) and job opportunities (which millions nationwide need badly). No matter how life-like and charismatic they look on-screen, Maia and Marco are still fake Filipinos created with AI and CGI. They are characters, not human beings. Did GMA Network even try to search for talented and charismatic prospects for their sports broadcasting needs among the many living and breathing Filipinos present in the country? The Philippines has a population of over 100 million people and that includes many young adults and adults who can be employed.

Way back in 1992, in a response to Marvel Comics’ expression that creative people (their employees) are secondary to their comic book characters, Image Comics co-founder Rob Liefeld emphasized the need for a living and breathing work force to keep the company and the business moving.

“Without your creative people, there would be no Batman, there would be no Spider-Man, there would be no Hulk. That’s short-sighted as far as I am concerned. You will need warm bodies, warm creative bodies to create properties to keep your company going,” said Liefeld.

While he specifically did not talk about AI at all, what Liefeld said long ago is still highly relevant which companies and organizations here in the Philippines can learn from before going all-in with artificial intelligence (which will deprive job seekers the opportunities). At least in my view, AI is unnecessary with sports broadcasting. There is nothing like watching a live sports event happen in which the human broadcaster makes powerful or exciting verbal expressions whenever a fun moment happens during the game. That being said, do you seriously think an AI sportscaster can pull off such human reactions in natural and believable fashion for the millions of viewers watching? In case you did not notice, Maia and Marco of GMA still have that robotic tone with the ways they talked – undeniable proof that AI has no soul. Humans who work have souls.

In fairness, GMA Network is aware of the public’s concerns about AI with regards to ethics, human labor, journalism and more. Watch the GMA YouTube news video (mostly in Tagalog) below…

Regardless of how AI develops and make impact on Filipinos, what is clear to me is that measures must be taken to ensure that humans will always have an advantage over artificial intelligence. I am talking about the need for kill switches covering all AI applications and projects to ensure that human users will have the edge in the event that AI turns rogue against humanity. That being said, I encourage you readers to contact your congressional representative and tell him or her to make laws that will make kill switches on AI a requirement all over the Philippines, and that includes requiring all AI providers/makers (including the foreign entities) to comply. Users of AI should be prioritized always! Do you want ChatGPT to control you or destroy you and your family? Do you want robots with AI to be a major part of your household and your lifestyle? I don’t think so.

Once again, AI has no soul. If you want to cook, do it yourself. If you want to write a letter or an article, do it yourself. If you want to compose a teaching module or a new prayer for a bible-focused session in your local church, push AI out of the way to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and then proceed with the Lord’s command. By the way, artificial intelligence and technology could never understand the Holy Spirit and you definitely should never let them be part of your Christianity. No matter how many people around you worship AI, robots, science and technology, you should never let them pull you away from the Lord.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this latest development? Do you think GMA Network has set a bad example with their AI sportscasters Maia and Marco with regards to Philippine sports coverage and journalism in general? Why do you think the network wanted their AI sportscaster to look human? Do you think the technology of artificial intelligence will be abused by those who possess it here in the Philippines? Do you think Philippine Congress should come up with a new law requiring kill switches on all AI projects and applications within the country to ensure that users will still have an advantage in case AI goes rogue? Do you think a rogue AI can bring down the security and economy of the Philippines?

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

+++++

A Look Back at Star Trek: Generations comic book adaptation (1994)

September 21, 2023September 21, 2023carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1994 to explore the official comic book adaptation of the movie Star Trek: Generations.

Star Trek: Generations was a cinematic production that symbolically served as the passing-of-the-torch from the original Star Trek crew (led by Captain Kirk) to the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew (led by Captain Picard). The most highlighted feature of the movie was the crossover between Kirk and Picard followed by working together to stop the villain. It was a crossover that fans wanted for some time prior to the film’s release.

In my experience, Star Trek: Generations was a disappointing movie as there were lots of flaws here and there. Most notably, the Kirk-Picard crossover (with William Shatner and Patrick Stewart in their most iconic roles) was nothing special as its payoff to all the build-up that preceded it was so small.

Unsurprisingly, there was comic book adaptation of Star Trek: Generations that appeared in the local comic book stores which I intentionally avoided reading back in 1994 as I anticipated the movie. Recently, I finally got to read it.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at the Star Trek: Generations comic book adaptation, published in 1994 by DC Comics with a story written by Michael Jan Friedman and drawn by Gordon Purcell based on the cinematic story by Rick Berman, Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga.

Early story

The story begins with a retired James T. Kirk landing from his orbital skydiving activity in the presence of his long-time crew members and friends Pavel Chekov and Montgomery “Scotty” Scott. In response to Chekov’s reminder that they are to attend the launch ceremony of the USS Enterprise B (NCC-1701-B), Kirk as he is enjoying retirement and prefers to do other things like tri-elliptical jumping. Kirk also states that he swore he would never set foot on a starship again.

The next day, Kirk, Scotty and Chekov attend the ceremony at the Enterprise B greeted by journalists. Captain John Harriman personally tells Kirk that he read about his missions when he was in grade school.

Not so long after the Enterprise B launched into space, a distress call was received from a transport ship helplessly caught in some kind of energy distortion (with one other ship near it)…

Quality

*The crossover encounter between Star Trek’s two most iconic captains – Kirk and Picard.*

As an adaptation, this comic book is surprisingly faithful to the source material for the most part. While this adaptation does not contain 100% of all the details and scenes of the movie and there were some scenes that were shortened for brevity but it certainly has quite a lot of content for readers to absorb. In fact, it will take two full readings to truly grasp the story, get to know the characters and understand the sci-fi details that Michael Jan Friedman brought from the movie script into literary format.

Like the movie, this adaptation tackles the themes of destiny, time and loss which were emphasized through Picard and Soran. While Picard would not dare to make alterations to cope with the deaths of two relatives he loved, Soran (who previously lost family members in a tragedy and temporarily made it to the a very desired realm) willingly makes tremendous acts to fulfill his goal even it means costing tremendous death and destruction along the way.

*Worf, Riker, Troi and Data on the bridge of the Enterprise during their encounter with the Klingons’ Bird of Prey.*

When it comes to storytelling, this one is more about the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew facing a crisis. The scenes of Kirk and his original crew members served as a glorified prologue designed to give moviegoers (as opposed to readers) one final act of heroism by the iconic captain. Kirk doing the heroic stuff early in the story was pretty much a tribute to his past while conveniently serving as a subtle build-up for the Picard-Soran conflict and the Nexus (Star Trek’s distorted version of Heaven) leaving not much left for the Kirk-Picard crossover.

Anyone who loves Star Trek: TNG will be delighted to see their favorite characters like Picard, Data, Riker, Deanna Troi, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Geordi La Forge and Worf here as they each had good chunks of the spotlight. If you saw the movie before reading this comic book adaptation, you will be able to spot the notable lines of dialogue they said on the big screen. As details from the movie had to be compressed for this adaptation, those who got turned off by the excessive screen comedy by Brent Spiner as Data (note: this reflects the emotion chip activated in the character) will be delighted to see the funny acts were heavily toned down in favor of maintaining the narrative.

More on the quality, this adaptation also exposes many of the weakness and flaws of the movie itself. I am talking about the film’s lack of consistency when it comes to emphasizing the most important concepts of the story. Throughout the story, Kirk’s early heroic act had no real impact when the narrative focused on Star Trek: TNG nor was it a solid build-up for the crossover with Picard. The script emphasized the Nexus quite a lot but in different points as the narrative switched between focusing on Picard and Soran. That being said, the way the story was told made it easy to forget about Kirk and Picard coming together. Like in the movie, the Kirk-Picard crossover failed here too.

While the movie is indeed a very flawed source for this comic book, the adaptation spared readers from the monotony of the many pointless moments and sequences that moviegoers went through. This is understandable because brevity was needed to capture the cinematic story into literary format with the limited number of pages allocated.

If there is anything consistently good here, it is the art of Gordon Purcell who proved to be capable of capturing enough of the actors’ likenesses to make the characters recognizable. To be clear, the replication of the actors’ unique looks happened from time to time only.

*Purcell did a great job making Scotty (close-up at right) look so much like actor James Doohan.*

You will see certain parts of the comic book showing Captain James T. Kirk looking like William Shatner and Captain Picard looking like Patrick Stewart. There were certain pages in which Soran had Malcolm McDowell’s face, Scotty looked so much like James Doohan and more. Ironically, Purcell fell short of capturing likenesses of Marina Sirtis as Troi and Gates McFadden as Dr. Crusher.

Apart from drawing the characters, Purcell nicely visualized the look of the film and his own take of the memorable saucer crash of the TNG crew’s Enterprise had a of power and impact worth seeing. Lastly, he the artist did a good job drawing the starships.

At the very end of this adaptation were a few pages that emphasized the challenges of adapting the movie into literary format which was worth reading.

Conclusion

*The scene of Picard revealing to Deanna Troi the deaths of his two relatives (obviously without Patrick Stewart’s emotional moment).*

The Star Trek: Generations (1994) comic book adaptation is clearly flawed like the movie it was based on. Many of the movie’s weaknesses (including the ever disappointing Kirk-Picard crossover) made it in this comic book but the ironic thing is that the story in literary format flowed with a better pace and Gordon Purcell’s art was really attractive to look at. In fact, I can clearly say that Star Trek: Generations works better as a comic book than as a film.

Overall, the Star Trek: Generations (1994) comic book adaptation is satisfactory.

+++++

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #43 (1996)

September 11, 2023September 17, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1996 and explore a part of the Marvel 2099 comics universe through a tale of the Spider-Man 2099 monthly series.

In my previous retro review, Miguel O’Hara learns how challenging it could be for him to direct the path of Alchemax which is symbolize with himself being surrounded by the managers. He recently stopped his father Tyler Stone from taking control of his office. As his office needs a secretary, someone very exceptional came in.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 #43, published in 1996 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Peter David and drawn by Andrew Wildman and Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins when one of the undersea bases of Alchemax explodes to the surface in heavily damaged form. Something terrible happened to it deep below and there is only one man (wearing a protective suit) still living floating on the sea. Just as he notices sharks coming his way, Spider-Man comes down to save him with the use of one of Alchemax’s floating vehicles. As Spider-Man pulls the helpless man up with his web, one of the sharks leaped high at them. The web breaks and both the man and Spidey fall into the sea.

Meanwhile at Alchemax, Gabriel O’Hara confronts his mother Conchata who very recently started working as the office secretary of Miguel. Gabriel asks how could she be working for Miguel as part of Alchemax which is the very corporation she hated. The mother answered back stating that she resolved her accumulated anger related to Miguel and has realized that he needs her…

Quality

*The rise of the mutate rebel Roman and Miguel O’Hara’s corporate interactions dramatized efficiently in this single page.*

Moving further away from what was dramatized in issues #40 and #41, Peter David crafted this tale focusing on a new threat that endangers not only Spider-Man but the people and their local society as a whole. To put things in perspective, it is recommend you revisit issue #8 and focus on Alchemax’s aquatic division called Atlantis which had been working on a major reclamation project under the sea with the objective of becoming a tourist attraction in the years to come. Right there, Tyler Stone mentioned Miguel’s involvement with the project which includes bio-engineered workers.

The key elements of Atlantis mentioned in issue #8 literally resurfaced in this comic book and Peter David heavily emphasized the related details and integrated it all in the plot which essentially justified the existence of the new opposition led by Roman who is the charismatic leader of the mutates (genetically designed sentient beings) who had long been working hard and long outside of the undersea bases which had humans living comfortably inside. Roman here is not related in any way to Marvel’s aquatic hero Namor the Sub-Mariner but he is an imitation of him (note: his name is Namor in reverse).

The conflict of Atlantis revives the business-laborers conflict but was twisted to show the conflict between humans and mutates, as well as Atlantis being symbolized as a physical project of Alchemax to exploit the aquatic life and resources deep under the sea. The build-up of the human-mutates conflict in this particular comic book is surprisingly beefy and was efficiently done.

As for Spider-Man himself, you will get to see him more involved with Alchemax just as he successfully keeps his civilian identity secret. Along the way, you will see more of Miguel O’Hara doing more corporate work and negotiations. As expected, his drive to lead Alchemax with his own perception of being compassionate encounters hurdles from the established order – both within and outside his company. His mother was portrayed to be more sympathetic than before and she shows lots of signs of having mellowed. The development on Miguel and Conchata here were deep and they made a lot of sense with the plot itself.

Conclusion

*The futuristic Spidey interacts with a huge shark!*

Spider-Man 2099 #43 (1996) is another tale that has aged well as its foundations and elements proved to be very solid until now. With regards to the big event that took place near the end of this comic book, it seems that Peter David took inspiration from what was portrayed in Fantastic Four #4 (1962) as well as from Namor the Sub-Mariner himself. I really enjoyed how this story became a huge pay-off to the minor build-up in issue #8.

Overall, Spider-Man 2099 #43 (1996) is highly recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Punisher 2099 #3 (1993)

September 6, 2023September 3, 2023carlocarrasco

In my previous retro review, the futuristic Punisher moved on from the deaths of his family members. Influenced strongly by the writings of the late Punisher Frank Castle, Jake Gallows begins operating as a vigilante even though he still has a full-time career as a law enforcer with Private Eye. Not only that, he gets opportunities to face off once again with Kron Stone (Venom 2099 himself) who is responsible for the deaths of Jake’s family.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Punisher 2099 #3, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Pat Mills and Tony Skinner, and drawn by Tom Morgan.

Early story

The story begins on one snowy night within the city. A lady who has grown very addicted with Total Reality makes a deal with a sinister merchant and makes her escape out of reality and into a living digital realm without caring about the consequences she will physically experience.

A black ambulance arrives and out comes the Punisher who hits the merchant hard enough with his weapon for a quick knockout. He then takes off the lady’s optical device (note: this should remind you somewhat of Microsoft’s HoloLens in terms of physical similarities) which brings her back to reality. Gallows knows fully well that Total Reality can actually kill users who do not practice any restraint, and he then crushes the lady’s device. Instead of thanking the Punisher, she expresses her frustration and anger to him before leaving.

Afterwards, Gallows brings the merchant into the black ambulance and puts him on stretcher. There are sharp devices nearby that can kill the merchant if he makes any attempt to escape…

Quality

*Among his colleagues at work, Jake Gallows simply acts as he himself is the Punisher captured on video (but his face has been protected digitally).*

While the first two issues of this monthly formed the origin and establishment of Punisher 2099, this comic book shows him doing vigilante work and acting as judge, jury and executioner all together. Going back to issue #1, the creative team made it clear that in 2099, justice can be bought and punishment for criminals is much softer compared to how it was in the 20^th century. This alone serves as a powerful motivation for Jake Gallows to bring back old-fashioned, harsh punishment for criminals even if it means he has to do it by himself outside of the law. This is the core concept of this comic book and along the way, there is this build-up of the villain Fearmaster and his henchman Multi-Fractor.

More on the story, the creative team took their time to develop Jakes Gallows and emphasize how his mind functions each time he works secretly as a vigilante (who cannot be identified visually) and privately as a Private Eye cop (the organization’s psychologist noticed something about him). More on his secret as the Punisher, it turns out Gallows was able to establish a secret prison complex, equipment for crime-fighting and even a deadly chair underground.

As he continues to be obsessed with fighting criminals with the harsh ways of the past, the futuristic Punisher symbolically becomes a questionable protagonist. On face value, he seems to be good by simply opposing crime and yet he seems to be evil as he commits acts outside of 2099’s laws.

Conclusion

*Clearly acting out of the law, the Punisher of the future imprisons criminals and acts as judge, jury and executioner without hesitation. This also shows his dark side.*

With its simply concept, Punisher 2099 #3 (1993) succeeds in defining the futuristic Punisher’s motives, intentions and execution. Compared to Frank Castle Punisher, Jake Gallows lives in a society which has laws that are so weak to push back against crime, justice becomes hollow and even laughable. That being said, this comic book is very socially relevant (note: Leftists in America weakened laws which benefited criminals, supported illegal immigrants at the expense of citizens, and have varied movements of arrogant protesters and activists who intimidated people and caused serious damage around the country) and what has been happening in America under the influence of the Democrats makes the dark future of 2099 looking like it could happen. At the same time, the Punisher in this story incidentally became somewhat unlikable as his crime-fighting obsession is gradually turning him into becoming as bad as the bad guys. This is a lively reminder that even in a society that is plagued with crime and weak justice, vigilantism is still a big no-no and it is also very destructive. To be a vigilante means becoming wicked.

Overall, Punisher 2099 #3 (1993) is satisfactory.

+++++

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #42 (1996)

September 5, 2023September 2, 2023carlocarrasco

In my previous retro review, the futuristic webslinger encountered a group of dangerous people who are convinced that he betrayed them by becoming a corporate tool (note: the result of Goblin 2099 poisoning people’s minds). Not only that, the still-recovering Tyler Stone came back at Alchemax, saw his captured son Kron (Venom 2099 himself) and cold heartedly ordered his execution.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 #42, published in 1996 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Peter David and drawn by Andrew Wildman.

Early story

The story begins with Miguel O’Hara now wielding tremendous corporate power at Alchemax where he is surrounded by managers. Some time had passed since he prevented Tyler Stone from returning to power and he made it known to him that he is aware that they are biologically father-and-son. Miguel then played “duck, duck, goose” on the managers while he stood up on his desk. He made clear to them that he is aware of their so-called game of “who can jerk the new boost and get the most for himself?”

Miguel then tells them that he will review their requests and address their concerns in his own time and his own way. They get dismissed by him. Miguel then meets someone who just arrived for the post of office secretary.

Meanwhile in the downtown section of New York, Raff and Kasey watch a union group composed of construction guys, watchdogs, sewer workers and truckers marching down the street and making noise. As Kasey wonders where the group was heading, she notices a man named Boru whom she previously heard was dead…

Quality

*Spider-Man 2099 faces a tough opponent.*

Storywise, this tale by Peter David moved away from the themes of issues #40 and #41 by focusing more on Miguel’s newest rise in Alchemax’s corporate hierarchy and how this adds more tension to his already troubled living as a secret superhero, an executive and as a person. By this stage, he knows Tyler Stone is his true father and the man known as Venom 2099 is his half-brother and relationships within his family are far from being normal or ideal. Still on the corporate aspect, a very notable person gets to work as Miguel’s new secretary which I won’t spoil here because I can say that the build-up and pay-off are well worth reading. The new secretary also added to the further development of specific characters and what was dramatized here will compel you to revisit earlier issues of the Spider-Man 2099 series. As always, Peter David’s writing is rich here.

Outside of Alchemax, the group led by Boru (who is symbolically a leader of hardened and desperate labor union members) emerges as an intimidating force of opposition for Miguel, the corporation he leads and even in his Spider-Man identity. Boru himself is quite a strong opponent for Spidey and the way their battle ended is something can intrigue readers or even frustrate die-hard fans of the protagonist. These conflicts, combined with Miguel’s struggle with all the tension hitting him from all angles, made this tale very intriguing and compelling to read.

Conclusion

*While walking through the city, Miguel O’Hara spots members of Fantastic Four 2099 in conflict with Stark-Fujikawa.*

Spider-Man 2099 #42 (1996) may not look like the expected continuation of what was built up in the previous two issues but its standalone story combined with strong twists, in-depth character development and sheer intrigue in key points of the story made this a must-read. I can also say that I am motivated to find out what happens next, especially given how this particular tale ended.

Overall, Spider-Man 2099 #42 (1996) is highly recommended!

+++++

Konami admits 2023 release of Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is uncertain as more time is needed to ensure quality performance

September 1, 2023August 30, 2023carlocarrasco

Not so long after the confirmed delay of release of the Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (now set for 2024), Xbox fans, JRPG enthusiasts and Suikoden fans (including those who own different game consoles) will have to adjust themselves for the potential delay of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars as Konami admitted online that a 2023 release is uncertain as more time is needed in order to ensure quality and enjoyment.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official update from Konami. Some parts in boldface…

Regarding the planned release of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars, we have reached the conclusion that despite the very best efforts of our dedicated development staff to release the Remasters in 2023, additional time is needed to ensure the quality performance and gameplay experience our users deserve.

The entire Suikoden team is renewing our efforts to bring Suikoden I & II HD Remaster to release as soon as is possible. We will share further release information as soon as it becomes available, on our official social media accounts and official homepage.

There you have it! Konami is struggling to keep its promise of a 2023 release of the remastered Suikoden and Suikoden II (read my retro review). If a delay does happen, there is no telling if the release will still happen within this year or in 2024 (the worst case scenario). Konami made clear it wants to release Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars as soon as possible and they know very well that there are many Suikoden fans within the Xbox community, the PlayStation community, Nintendo community and PC gamers who play via Steam. Konami also knows that there is a huge market of gamers worldwide who enjoy Japanese RPGs but never got to play the early Suikoden games.

*I played the original Suikoden on PlayStation way back in 1996 and I would love replay it on my Xbox Series X console.*

*Suikoden II is one of the best Japanese RPGs not made by Square Enix that I have ever played. This I really look forward to replaying on my Xbox Series X.*

While the uncertainty of a 2023 release of Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars is suggestive of a delay just waiting to happen, in my experience the wait won’t be too painful as Starfield and Forza Motorsport (2023) will be released soon and those Xbox-exclusives will keep many gamers occupied. Take note that Sea of Stars has just been released and already it gathered many positive reviews and more people on the Xbox ecosystem (including those subscribing on Xbox Game Pass) are playing it. Right now, we can only hope that Konami and its team can ensure that the remastered Suikoden and Suikoden II will come out with top-notch quality and with a lot fun whether a delay is happening or note.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think Konami will delay Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars for release in 2024?

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

+++++

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #41 (1996)

August 31, 2023August 28, 2023carlocarrasco

In my previous retro review, the futuristic webslinger encountered Goblin 2099 (note: the futuristic take on Green Goblin) who proved to be very dangerous not with weapons nor physical attacks but with influence members of the local society to rebel against him believing that he is a corporate asset. How much influence Goblin had on the people at the expense of Spider-Man is just waiting to be discovered.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 #41, published in 1996 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Peter David and drawn by Andrew Wildman

Early story

The story begins with Miguel O’Hara visiting a ruined place with armed personnel escorting him. It turns out the site was the White House and Doom 2099 has already fallen as President of the United States. Miguel seeks closure as he spends time at the ruins and eventually finds the name plate from the office of Tyler Stone (Miguel’s biological father).

Meanwhile at Alchemax, corporate personnel got surprised to see Tyler Stone return confined to a hovechair due to his fragile and weakened state. This turned out to be his first time to be at work since he got shot.

Inside the laboratory, Tyler sees his deranged son Kron (Venom 2099) contained behind solid glass like a mere scientific specimen for study. After learning key details about the symbiote and how it affected his son, Tyler gives the order to have Kron executed…

Quality

*Even though Goblin 2099 was not present, this scene shows how much the said villain poisoned the minds of people to harm Spider-Man.*

Let me start with the writing by Peter David. It is clear to me that David confidently wrote this story to maintain the flow of intrigue, emphasize how local society’s changing, how the external events affect others and, most notably, managing to push Spider-Man 2099 to the edge complete with a brewing conflict with the very powerful Tyler Stone.

At this stage of the monthly series of the 1990s, Miguel O’Hara’s rise within the corporate structure of Alchemax got emphasized again and Peter David inserted growing tensions for the protagonist effectively blurring the boundary that separates personal life from the corporate career. That being said, the futuristic Spider-Man in his civilian identity literally entered a gray area which will compel readers to speculate if he was still in control of matters or if he was slowly becoming evil as he gains power (this makes him comparable with the tycoon Tyler).

Still on the character development aspect of this comic book, Miguel here still showed his fragile side as the death of Dana left him with a lot of pain deep inside (which was dramatically emphasized by Andrew Wildman through his art in one very particular page). This furthers adds to questions about the sanity and mental stability of the protagonist who already wields so much power as Spider-Man and as an Alchemax executive.

Speaking of Alchemax, Tyler Stone here appeared more sinister than before and being unable to stand did not hinder him at all. His cold-hearted move to have his own biological son Kron (the futuristic Venom and the same guy responsible for the deaths of Punisher 2099’s family) executed clearly shows not only his sadistic nature but also the fact that he is living with pure worldly beliefs. His believes are so worldly, he does not really care about his own offspring. Ironically, this suggests that Tyler could be as twisted and evil as his murderous son Kron. Lastly, the connections between the late Dana and Tyler and Miguel is indeed morally disturbing.

While the cover art showed Goblin 2099, the new antagonist is nowhere to be found in this comic book. However in a very symbolic fashion, Goblin’s influence remained lively through a number of people who condemned Spider-Man 2099 so much, they went as far as actually hurting an idolater of the webslinger. This part of the story is a strong reminder that idolatry is unholy and foolish, that religion is corrupted and will never lead believers to salvation, and that socialism attacking capitalism remained a social disease in the far future.

Conclusion

*Tyler Stone and his son Kron (Venom 2099) are both very evil. They have different ways of being evil.*

Spider-Man 2099 #41 (1996) is indeed a great comic book to read from start to finish. Not only will you get to see the futuristic Spidey struggle with the tension both personally and professionally, you will see the big impact of Dana’s death on him too. The portrayal of negative changes in the local society (at least the society Spider-Man is part of) is pretty dramatic and what Peter David imagined about Marvel 2099 still remains socially relevant to this day. Lastly, this comic book ended very powerfully and was enough to convince me to see what happens next.

Overall, Spider-Man 2099 #41 (1996) is highly recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #40 (1996)

August 25, 2023August 22, 2023carlocarrasco

To put things in perspective, there were these notable changes with both the storytelling and the character development of the futuristic webslinger as a result of the Venom 2099 saga (read my retro reviews here, here, here, here and here) as well as Doom 2099 becoming the new President of the United States (click here). Issue #39 saw the return of Vulture 2099 and the sudden appearance of Green Goblin 2099 (AKA Goblin 2099).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 #40, published in 1996 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Peter David and drawn by Andrew Wildman.

Early story

The story begins with the tycoon Tyler Stone helplessly on bed in a medical center’s room still recovering from the gun shot incident. He tells the doctor near him that he wants to speak to Dana and demands to know what has been going on. Stone also demanded to get into contact with President Doom. In response to Stone’s demand to know the truth, the doctor regretfully tells him that Dana is dead.

Meanwhile, a swinging Spider-Man gets hit from the back by Goblin 2099. As the webslinger asked who he is, the Goblin introduces himself and tells him that he intends to expose him as a fraud. As the green/purple colored mask freak keeps on attacking, Spider-Man moves out of the way. While in movement, Goblin tells Spidey that he has betrayed the good people of downtown New York and must be forced to confess.

As he falls down fast, the webslinger suddenly finds himself clamped and restrained by the Goblin…

Quality

*Goblin 2099’s main weapon against the futuristic Spidey is influence on people and being able to convince them to reject the webslinger.*

This comic book has a very intriguing tale crafted by Peter David. While this marks the first ever encounter between the futuristic versions Spider-Man and Green Goblin, this one has a strong social theme that prevented the conflict from becoming a generic good-versus-evil match-up. Goblin 2099 went after the webslinger not for the satisfaction of killing, not for the intention of dominating the whole world but for achieving social change for the members of the downtown community by destroying Spider-Man’s credibility once and for all (by exposing him as a fraud and a tool of the corporate world who should not be trusted).

This version of the Green Goblin clearly has an agenda that he seems very willing to die for and the mere fact that he interacted with Kasey (an important person for both Miguel and Gabriel O’Hara) further adds to the complexity on both the new villain as well as the downtown community. Given his obsession of destroying the hero by blaming him as a corporate stooge, Goblin 2099 here is symbolically with the Satanic Left (Communist/Marxist/liberal). These factors effectively raise the stakes and risks for Spider-Man who already has a lot of problems to deal with.

Through the fight between Spider-Man and Goblin, you will see how the people of downtown react in accordance to their perception as well as their inability to realize the truth behind Spider-Man’s social standing. The way they reacted shows impact on Spidey who himself struggles to understand their collective thinking and why they allowed themselves to be strongly influenced by the Goblin.

Along the way, there was a scene that emphasized Xina showing how Dana’s death affected her and another scene that took place at a very old New York City cathedral that clearly was crafted to build up on something for future tales of this series.

Characterization and plot aside, this comic book has a good amount of superhero action that will keep you entertained and Andrew Wildman really knows how to make action attractive to your eyes.

Conclusion

Spider-Man 2099 #40 (1996) is another solid tale from the David-Wildman duo. Apart from the big impact Goblin 2099 had on Spider-Man and the people of just one community, this story successfully built-up the tension and complexity on the part of the protagonist while executing suitable pay-offs in relation to the build-up that started in the previous issue. Also I should state that it is very clear that the feature match-up in this comic book is not a rehash of classic Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. This is indeed a very intriguing Spidey 2099 tale that convinced me to look forward to the next issue.

Overall, Spider-Man 2099 #40 (1996) is highly recommended!

+++++

	Vince on NATO Slammed By Trump
	Richard on NATO Slammed By Trump
	Disillusionist on NATO Slammed By Trump
	Instapundit »… on NATO Slammed By Trump
	Instapundit »… on Trump And Takaichi Discuss Imp…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: