Tag: 1990s

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 4

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 4

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and retro gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will examine print ads from the 1990s that caught my attention and I will explain why they are worth look back at. In retrospect, the 1990s was a decade of serious changes in the world of electronic gaming as the industry saw the shift of graphics from 2D sprites and flat backgrounds to 3D polygons, the shift from cartridges to CDs for software distribution, and more.

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 and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for game details and images.

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

1. Castlevania: Bloodlines print ad

Creepy looking but not horrific. The simplistic approach turned out to be effective on making Sega Genesis gamers excited for this Castlevania release.

During the early stage of the so-called 16-bit console wars, Konami’s Castelvania series made the huge next-generation leap with Super Castlevania IV on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) which gave gamers loads of fun challenges along with technological improvements that added to the gameplay. Being a prolific multiplatform game maker, Konami knew it could not abandon its fans who own the 16-bit console of Sega and this led them to making a unique Castlevania experience with the Sega Genesis in mind – Castlevania: Bloodlines.

The above print ad of Castlevania: Bloodlines was very eye-catching as it showed a photographic presentation of the grave of the Belmont family (note: Simon Belmont is arguably the most known hero of the series) backed with a detailed text description as well as screenshots that showed exactly what Castlevania fans expected with gameplay and presentation. While the visual style of the ad had a subtle approach to horror, it succeeded in informing the public that another fun-filled Castlevania experience was coming. The game went on to be a hit among gamers and critics.

2.  The Granstream Saga print ad

THQ really tried hard to sell The Granstream Saga in North America at a time when a lot more Japanese RPGs started coming into the market.

Back in the late 1990s, there was a slew of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) that got released on the PlayStation console in North America arguably because of the massive sales success of Final Fantasy VII in 1997. In 1998, THQ (note: then a newcomer in video gaming) made the daring move to release The Granstream Saga in North America and it was part of the company’s plan of releasing more RPGs. With regards to the 1998 print ad, THQ marketing team wisely emphasized the fact that the game launched at #1 in Japan (published by Sony) although, strangely, the rest of the short descriptive text did not emphasize the fact that the game was one of the first fully polygonal RPGs ever released. The ad had one image of an animated cut scene while there were two gameplay images. When I first saw the print ad, I became interested with The Granstream Saga as I was fond of both RPGs and anime. I never got to play it due to a lack of time and money back then.

3. NBA Action 98 print ad

Do you find this print ad funny or disturbing or both?

The first time I saw Sega’s print ad of NBA Action 98 (a polygonal NBA basketball video game for the Sega Saturn), it caught my attention quickly mainly because of the concept of the imagery showing a really tall guy leaving the place after getting stretched to be tall (as emphasized by an adult operating a machine to stretch another kid’s body to get taller) as a kid from outside looks on. While it looked hilarious at first, the photographic imagery also had an unintentional dark tone as the adult operating the machine looked like he was torturing the kid. This print ad was really eye-catching in a rather disturbing fashion to me, so much so I did not have any interest left to check out the advertised game. The small size of the screenshots and the hard-to-read descriptive text did not help at all. In my view, this was a marketing misfire by Sega.

4. Flashback: The Quest for Identity print ad

This was indeed an eye-catching print ad.

Back in the 1990s, the CD-ROM was cutting edge technology in the world of computing and CDs (compact discs) helped game companies have their game content as well as multimedia files (example: full motion videos or animated scenes) released together conveniently. In the middle of the decade, a version of the game Flashback: The Quest for Identity (note: a game with computer-generated animation scenes previously released on PC) was released in cartridge format for the Sega Genesis as well as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). This was a big deal back in the days of the so-called 16-bit console war and the above print ad clearly emphasized it with the description “The First CD-ROM Game in a Cartridge!” The advertisers also assured consumers that the in-game 24 frames-per-second frame rate, the Hollywood-inspired high-quality visuals and related gameplay elements were intact for consoles. When I saw this particular ad, I became convinced to buy the game for my SNES (read my retro review by clicking here). To see how Flashback looks like on Sega Genesis, watch this.

5. Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean print ad

To make things clear, Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean is not based on any anime property. It was the 3rd game of its series and the first and only one to be released in English.

There is no denying the fact that Working Designs (closed since 2005) contributed a lot to console gaming by localizing and releasing several Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) in America at a time when such games were not yet popular. Apart from the Lunar RPGs and Dragon Force, the company brought Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean to the Sega Saturn console in America and they had a very eye-catching print ad promoting it. Like their ads for Lunar RPGs, the Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean print ad had a dominating anime-style artwork that highlighted the fantasy concept and characters, plus screenshots and in-game animated (note: not anime but detailed pixel artworks) sequences that were meant to attract RPG enthusiasts and gamers looking for the next-generation console gaming experiences. It should be noted that Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean was actually the 3rd game of its franchise that started in Japan, and it was the first and only Albert Odyssey game to ever be released in English. To this day, Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean still has not been re-released nor remastered for other consoles and original Sega Saturn copies of the game are very expensive to acquire. That being said, this particular print ad is a lively reminder of Albert Odyssey’s only Western release.

6. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis print ad

Capcom efficiently showed the new monster Nemesis, screenshots of the game and the return of Jill Valentine in this 1999 print ad.

After the release of the best-selling and acclaimed Resident Evil 2, Capcom approved the production of several Resident Evil projects that include sequels and spin-offs. Along the way, Sony announced in 1999 that the PlayStation 2 console will come out in 2000 and this had an impact on Capcom’s RE projects as many of them were being developed for the aging PlayStation (PS1) console. Before the PS2 announcement, Capcom had a PS1 RE game project with its story set on a cruise ship. That project was abandoned following the PS2 announcement and because Capcom did not want to leave its fans to wait too long for another Resident Evil adventure on PS1, they reviewed their list of proposed spin-off games and went ahead making Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (Japanese title: Biohazard 3: Last Escape) for a late 1999 release while the PS1 console was still in good demand.  

In the above 1999 print ad, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was shown with 3 screenshots assuring RE fans that the game has the tried-and-tested design of polygonal characters/monsters moving within pre-rendered environments, the action, the horror and adventure elements of the previous games. More notably, the new monster Nemesis had the biggest image and he rightfully became the main antagonist until the very end.

Lastly, the RE3 print ad featured the return of Jill Valentine (one of the protagonists of the first Resident Evil) and this time she had a clear sexualized look wearing a tube top and a mini-skirt. As I mentioned in my RE3 retro game review, I believe that the sexualized look of Jill was done by the game developers who were most likely influenced by the sexy appeal and iconography of the character Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series of games. Like Lara Croft, Jill is sexy and capable of fighting with guns and other weapons. Whatever the intention of Capcom and the development behind the game, the print ad (which even had wrongful details about the timing of the story) clearly worked on getting RE fans and gamers’ attention as Resident Evil 3: Nemesis sold more than 3 million copies on PS1.

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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  @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 14

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 14

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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 The truth about the Middle East and why a two-state solution is terrible – YouTube channel travelingisrael.com published two important videos that have to be seen as each comes with in-depth explanations. One video explains why genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing hit several groups of people (examples: the Armenians, the Christians, the Jewish plus the dissenting people in Iran to name a few) in the Middle East through the decades. The other video is about the decades-old concept of a two-state solution involving Israel and the Palestinians (displaced people) remains terrible to implement. To this day, the evil legacy of murderer and demon Yasser Arafat remains with leaders of Palestine.

#2 Questions that pro-Palestine believers cannot answer – Still with YouTube channel travelingisrael.com, here is a video about ten questions that the pro-Palestine believers cannot answer. Let me also state that a lot of these pro-terrorist, pro-Palestine believers often rely on violence, mobbing and screaming in public rallies. So many of them have been brainwashed by Islamo-Leftists to do Satan’s work. The video below is a must-watch…

#3 Score PN’s videos about comic book adaptations of Batman movies – When it comes to relevant and fun content related to the Resident Evil entertainment franchise, YouTube channel Score PN is a great source of videos to watch. That’s not to say the channel is limited only to Resident Evil stuff as it also has videos about other entertainment properties covering movies, comic books and video games. Among the many non-Resident Evil videos the channel has, I found its two videos about the comic book adaptations of the movies Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) fun and informative to watch. You can watch the two videos below…

#4 Assorted retro gaming videos – There is no doubt that content about retro gaming is really popular not only with long-time gamers but also with much younger people who became fascinated with the way games from long ago looked and played. In relation to the topic of retro gaming, I published articles focused on the decades-old electronic gaming print ads which you can read by clicking here and here. There will be more retro gaming posts on this website and while waiting for them, I recommend you watch the assorted videos I selected for your enjoyment below…

#5 Entertainment trivia videos by Minty Comedic Arts – If you are fond of trivia about movies or shows, then you can’t go wrong with the many videos published by Minty Comedic Arts. Posted below are videos of his that I selected for your enjoyment. Don’t forget to visit Minty’s channel on YouTube.

#6 Israel war updates – Going back to Israel, I have been following updates about the war against Hamas and Hezbollah not through the distorted mainstream news media but to a carefully selected few sources that are trustworthy. One such source is TBN Israel on YouTube and you can watch their recent videos about the war below. Always remember that Hamas and Hezbollah are pure evil and they are both allied with the evil regime of Iran.

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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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures Season II #1 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures Season II #1 (1994)

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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 arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1990s to explore the adaptation of the start of the second season of the X-Men animated series in the form of the X-Men Adventures comic book series.

Before getting to the retro comic book review, I want to address the recent controversy and criticism of the new animated series X-Men ’97, a continuation of the popular 1990s series that turned out to be woke by featuring the so-called non-binary presentation of people. In my view, this is not surprising given the fact that the very woke Disney company has owned Marvel Entertainment for many years now and its wokeness has infected the animated X-Men franchise along with the most recent movies and shows of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Wokeness and Leftist beliefs continue to ruin entertainment and established properties as we know it. It’s the culture of Communist-filled Hollywood (Commiewood).

So how do you reject X-Men wokeness apart from avoiding X-Men ’97? You simply go back to the X-Men animated series of the 1990s as well as the comic books that adapted the stories.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men Adventures Season II #1, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Ralph Macchio and drawn by Andrew Wildman.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with the cosmic being the Watcher carefully examining the flow of events on Earth and what has changed for the X-Men since then. Robert Kelly, who previously had an anti-mutant agenda when he was a U.S. Senator, has since been elected as the President of the United States and openly pushes for a policy of conciliation with mutants. His action sparks social unrest.

Meanwhile inside a small church far away from the nation’s capital, the wedding of Jean Grey and Scott Summers pushes through with several members of the X-Men in attendance. Very notable was the absence of Wolverine who turned out to be inside the Danger Room (deep within Charles Xavier’s estate) fighting a giant-sized version of Cyclops…

Quality

The X-Men are troubled by the anti-mutant wave happening in public.

As the opening issue of the second volume of the X-Men Adventures comic book series, this comic book carefully sets up the tone and the plot of a series of future challenges for the X-Men which is clearly reflected on the front cover with Mister Sinister displayed prominently. The story mainly highlights X-Men’s new struggle with the wave of anti-mutant rage in the public while dealing with the absence of their leader Cyclops (on honeymoon with his new wife Jean) while leaving space for potential sub-plots such as the attraction between Jean and Wolverine, the moves of the anti-mutant radicals and, most notable of all, the secretive return of Morph (thought to have died in issue #2 of the first season).

As expected, build-up is the main approach taken by the creators on telling the story and there were some bouts of superhero spectacle (action) that spiced up the reading experience for me. Considering what has been happening in different parts of the world in recent years, the sub-plot of the rabid anti-mutant activists using tactics to destroy the X-Men’s credibility with violence and misinformation magnified through the news networks is very socially relevant.

What the rabid anti-mutant people committed in this comic book reminds me of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel organized by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in which violence, destruction and selective images of terror spread through news networks and social media were done. Similarities aside, the wave of evil is clear here and the intent of the anti-mutant believers and Palestinian terrorists obviously expresses intentions of genocide against another particular group of people.

When it comes to weaknesses of this comic book, I cannot help but find Andrew Wildman’s art looking very rushed. There is a lack of precision and detail of his art here when compared directly to his works in the first volume of X-Men Adventures.

Conclusion

The anti-mutant radicals in this comic book have a lot in common with Palestinian terrorists, the pro-Palestine activists, the Black Lives Matter activists and other members of woke mobs. Violence, arrogance, rage and misinformation are their values.

X-Men Adventures Season II #1 (1994) incidentally works well as an adaptation of the animated series, as a standalone comic book as well as being a socially relevant tale in today’s age of social media. While the concept of evil remains in X-Men lore, what was told here shows different layers of it. The X-Men themselves also looked fragile and the return of Morph is a key part of the story clearly designed with future events in mind. Finally, this comic book is a lively reminder of the era when X-Men stories were made for the fans, not the woke mob.

Overall, X-Men Adventures Season II #1 (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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 3

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 3

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will examine print ads from the 1980s and 1990s that caught my attention and I will explain why they are worth look back at.

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 and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for game details and images.

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

1. Japanese print ad of Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Do you know any Star Wars fan who is aware of the error in this Japanese print ad of Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back?

Back in 1993, the sequel Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in the West and on the Super Famicom in Japan. Having played all three Super Star Wars game, I can say that this sequel was a huge improvement over its predecessor technically and also with gameplay (read my retro review by clicking here).

Like its predecessor, the game was released in Japan by JVC Musical Industries and in the above Japanese market print ad, the marketing team wisely used the game’s official artwork to give gamers a clear view of the concept derived from the 1980 movie plus a few screenshots showing gameplay. What I find hilarious to read is the line (highlighted in red and all capitalized no less): MAY THE FORCE WITH YOU. Clearly someone from the Japanese marketing team who prepared that line lacked English proficiency or might not have watched the movies dubbed in English. In the 1977 movie, Han Solo said to Luke, “May the Force be with you.”  

2.  Spider-Man (Atari 2600) print ad

This is an entertaining way to promote a video game based on a comic book icon.

We are back again with the Parker Brothers company and their promotion of the Spider-Man video game for the Atari 2600 which I myself played long ago. Unlike before, the print ad this time was mainly about the Spider-Man game and somehow Parker Brothers coordinated with Marvel Comics to make a comic book-inspired ad. In the above print ad, Spider-Man was shown playing the game about him with an Atari 2600 controller and console, and the Green Goblin taunts him as he plays. This type of ad is a stroke of genius because it shows the Marvel Comics’ icon as a player and the gameplay was emphasized accurately. Even if viewers are not too fond of video games, they can still find themselves interested in reading the literary adventures of Spider-Man.

3. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Treasure of Tarmin print ad

Apart from emphasizing the fantasy concept of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, this print ad’s hand-drawn art was strong enough to spark viewers’ curiosity and make them interested in the game or even in the Intellivision console.

Here is a print ad I saw many times while reading comic books in 1983. The game at hand is Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Treasure of Tarmin released on the Intellivision, and it is the sequel to Cloudy Mountain. Like the ad of its predecessor, the above print ad relied heavily on the spectacle of fantasy (and even a bit of horror) by having hand-drawn art as the eye candy promoting Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Treasure of Tarmin. If you look closely, only one screenshot from the game was shown and it was enough to tell gamers that the new game has a completely different visual presentation from that of Cloudy Mountain. Considering the primitive nature of computer graphics and game design of the era, having detailed comic book-inspired artwork was effective to grab viewers’ attention with the intention to make them interested in buying the game. In today’s age of computer graphics and social media, this type of ad for video games is rare to see.

4. G.I. Joe: Cobra Strike print ad

The G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero franchise’s early entry into video games.

Going back to Parker Brothers, the company developed and published the first-ever licensed game of the G.I. Joe franchise – G.I. Joe: Cobra Strike for the Atari 2600. In promoting the game, a 2-page ad was released with comic book-style art work (featuring Cobra Commander and Duke representing different sides) dominating the space, with descriptive text and a hand-drawn illustration of the gameplay (read: not a real screenshot) as well as the game box flling the remaining space. In my personal experience, I saw this ad before I even got to watch an episode of the popular G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero animated TV series, and before I got to read an issue the related comic book series (which started before the TV series). Looking back at the above print ad, I can still remember the time when I was puzzled by the two characters simply because I was not yet familiar with them. Take note that the video game and the ad were released at a time when the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero started rising quickly in popularity on toys, comic books and animation.  

5. Alien 3 (SNES) print ad

This print ad appeared in several comic books I read in 1993.

Way back in 1992, I had one of the most depressing cinema viewing experiences with Alien 3 which had a very troublesome production and lacked a solid foundation behind its creativity. Then in the summer of 1993, print ads of the video game Alien 3 for Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) appeared in several comic books I read at the time. The above print ad was actually entertaining to look at. For one thing, the ad makers used three wide layers of screenshots from the game depicting different areas. Then I noticed the details which showed there were more aliens for gamers to encounter (versus only one in the movie) and the playable lead character Ellen Ripley was armed with guns (versus no guns in the movie) being able to fight the monsters. Not only that, the ad makers knew the specific details from the Alien film franchise which is reflected in the ad referencing the Face-hugger aliens, the acid from the creatures and, of course, the alien eggs. To this day, there are old-time gamers who found the Alien 3 SNES game more entertaining than the movie.

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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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Batman Returns: The Official Comic Adaptation of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture (1992)

A Look Back at Batman Returns: The Official Comic Adaptation of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture (1992)

carlocarrasco

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 early 1990s and look at the official comic book adaptation of the 1992 superhero movie Batman Returns.  

Way back in 1992, I managed to watch Batman Returns in a movie theater here in the Philippines. It was entertaining but I noticed it had an even darker tone, more violence (although the quality of physical action went down) and was more adulterated compared, at least, with its 1989 predecessor. What really stood out for me in the Tim Burton-directed movie were the great performances of Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.

Even though I was already visiting comic book stores back then, I was not even aware that an official comic book adaptation of the movie was released by DC Comics. It was only recently I finally got to read a copy.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Batman Returns: The Official Comic Book Adaptation of the Warner Bros. Motion Pictured published in 1992 by DC Comics with the adapted story written by Dennis O’Neil and drawn by Steve Erwin.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins decades into the past in Gotham City. A wealthy couple (Cobblepot family) decide to reject and abandon their infant son (Oswald/Penguin) as he was born with freakish features. They placed their son into a metal container (which itself is contained in a large makeshift basket) and dropped it on a local waterway that leads deep into the city’s sewers. At the end of the journey, large penguins find the container.

Decades later in Gotham City, tycoon Max Schreck talks to the mayor about his planned power plant project that needs permits and tax incentives from the local government to be realized. The mayor is doubtful about the project as he believes that the city has more than enough energy sources to sustain growth into the next century. Schreck insists that the local government’s analysts don’t realize the big picture about energy and economic growth. Then Chip Schreck (Max’s only heir) arrives with Selina Kyle (Catwoman) carrying coffee near him.

Minutes later, Max, Chip and the mayor arrive at Gotham Plaza for the local Christmas tree lighting. Even though he forgot to bring his speech, Max Schreck delivers remarks pretending to be caring and charitable to others. As his speech ends, two over-sized objects looking like giant gift boxes arrived nearby giving the mayor the false impression that those are clever gimmicks by Schreck.

As soon as Schreck says that those objects were not his, the oversized gift box opens violently as thugs wearing circus costumes and masks suddenly come out causing violence and hysteria to the unprepared people.

The local police activate the Bat Signal to call Batman for his assistance. Nearby, the Penguin sees it and says, “Ooh, Batman. I’m trembling…”

Quality

Moments from Batman’s first fight with Catwoman.

To get straight to the point regarding the narrative, this comic book adaptation does have the same basic plot and concept of the movie but with noticeable differences (whether technical or creative) that happened here and there. For the most part, Dennis O’Neil captured the concept of the movie but with less of the flavor of Tim Burton’s creative touches (which should not be surprising).

Having seen the movie, it is clear that the comic book creators reduced the dialogue and took shortcuts on adapting scenes from the film not just for the sake of brevity but to ensure they could fill the limited amount of pages to work with. That being said, I can say that the reduced dialogue from the first conversation between Penguin and Max Schreck severely weakened the impact when compared to what was executed in the film. Speaking of dialogue, the comic creators had to down key words (think of it as creative censorship) to avoid offending readers.

This is a unique, alternate portrayal at the aftermath of Selina Kyle’s fall from the high window. When compared to the movie itself, this adaptation emphasizes how far the Schrecks would go to avoid being held accountable for crimes committed.
This particular scene did not appear in the movie at all. Perhaps it was based on an older version of the film script.

When it comes to scenes between the film and this comic book adaptation, I can say that the date between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle inside Wayne Manor does not appear in literary form at all. Ironically, there is one scene that appeared in this adaptation (the Penguin plotting chaos in Gotham while Catwoman mentions “An orgy of sex and violence,”) that never made the final cut in the movie itself. With regards to the aftermath of Max Schreck’s violent push of Selina Kyle through the high window, this adaptation showed Max’s son Chip present (implying he witnessed his father’s act just steps away) and he goes along with his father to ensure that none of them would be held accountable for Kyle’s fall (caused by “stress” and being “depressed”).  

With the way the narrative was completed, this adaptation works well but much less of the theatrical touches of Tim Burton and without the power of the respective performances of Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken (Max Schreck). Ironically, I can easily imagine Bruce Wayne/Batman sounding like Michael Keaton through dialogue.

While artist Steve Erwin did not come close to capturing the likenesses of Christopher Walken as Max Schreck, and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, his take on Selina Kyle is better as she somewhat resembles Michelle Pfeiffer.

With regards to the visuals by Steve Erwin, he does a good job drawing the locations and help establish geography (albeit in limited scopes) for readers to grasp. In fact, there were drawings in which Erwin literally copied location spots, objects and even camera angles from the film which suggests he had confidential access to the footage. When it comes to visualizing action, Erwin’s approach is pretty simplistic and limited. There simply was no dynamism with the action which theoretically means he had no artistic freedom (sticking closely to script while working within the limits of images per page) or he simply had no intention to make the action look spectacular.

With regards to violence connected with the action, the comic creators had to resort to creative censorship apparently to make this adaptation more acceptable with younger readers. The fall of Selina Kyle from the high window had severely reduced intensity in comic form and the horrific moments of her being surrounded by cats in the film were completely gone. Oh yes, Batman’s use of the Batarang against multiple thugs on the street was executed with a simplistic and not-so-violent (read: little impact) manner by Erwin.

Consider this as a late-20th century portrayal of diversity and inclusion in America. By today’s standards, there are hordes of SJWs (social justice warriors), woke nuts, socialists, Communists, Marxists, and liberals who believe in diversity (racism in reverse) and inclusion (exclusion actually) so much, they intend to destroy families starting with the children.

When it comes to drawing the major characters, Erwin really falls short here. His Bruce Wayne never came close to resembling Michael Keaton and the same can be said about Max Schreck (does not look much like Walken) and the Penguin (does not resemble Danny DeVito at all and with reduced facial details, he looks nowhere as scary as the cinematic villain). Ironically, Erwin’s take on Selina Kyle comes a bit close to looking like Michelle Pfeiffer. Erwin does, however, did a good job drawing Batman and Catwoman in their fully costumed, masked appearances.

Conclusion

Very clearly, Steve Erwin had access to footage of the movie when making this adaptation.

Considering its flaws and compromises, Batman Returns: The Official Comic Adaptation of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture (1992) still works as an entertaining read and I myself have seen the movie many times. It captures the plot and several shots of the 1992 movie, but it certainly lacks Burton’s theatrical flavor and the powerful performances of DeVito and Pfeiffer. To its credit, this adaptation has several visual and literary differences compared with the movie which adds to its entertainment value. If you really want the full impact, full fun factor and artistry of Batman Returns at all, watching the movie itself is the best way. That being said, consider this adaptation as a cheaper accessible counterpart.

Overall, Batman Returns: The Official Comic Adaptation of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture (1992) is satisfactory.

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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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

March 1, 2024 is special non-working day in Muntinlupa City, State of the City Address by mayor set

March 1, 2024 is special non-working day in Muntinlupa City, State of the City Address by mayor set

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Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that March 1, 2024, will be a special non-working day locally in celebration of Muntinlupa City Charter Day, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The mayor will deliver his State of the City Address on the said day.  

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

The Muntinlupa City government reminded the public that March 1 is a special non-working day in the city.

This is based on Republic Act 9191, approved on Feb. 21, 2003, or “An Act Declaring the First Day of March of every year as a Special Non-Working Day in the City of Muntinlupa to be known as the Muntinlupa City Charter Day.”

The city government will celebrate Muntinlupa’s 29th cityhood anniversary on March 1. Mayor Ruffy Biazon will deliver his State of the City Address on that day.

Muntinlupa became a highly urbanized city on March 1, 1995 when then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act 7926 or “an act converting the Municipality of Muntinlupa into a highly urbanized city to be known as the City of Muntinlupa,” which is also known as the “Charter of the City of Muntinlupa.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you very happy to see how much the city has progressed since March 1, 1995? Are you familiar with the history of Muntinlupa and how it formally became a 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  @HavenorFantasy 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 Spider-Man #2 (1990)

A Look Back at Spider-Man #2 (1990)

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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 early 1990s and explore a part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Spider-Man monthly series.

In my previous retro review, Todd McFarlane told a tale of the iconic web-slinger with intense build-up leading to another rematch with his old nemesis the Lizard (Dr. Connors). While the writing was pretty weak, McFarlane still managed to tell a tale with a strong element of horror and supernatural stuff. McFarlane’s approach with visual violence and graphic stuff was clearly adulterated. What was presented daringly tested the limits allowed under the Comics Code Authority (CCA).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man #2, published in 1990 by Marvel Comics with a story written and drawn by Todd McFarlane. This is also the 2nd chapter of the Torment storyline.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in New York City where two men got suddenly murdered by the Lizard in an alley during the night. The next morning Peter Parker reads the newspaper (showing the photograph and the news story of the Lizard’s murder of the two men) while having a breakfast moment with his wife Mary Jane. As soon as his wife mentions the word “monster”, Peter takes a 2nd look at the newspaper’s photograph and finally notices the bloody writing “CNNR” on the alley wall which makes him realize that the Lizard is back again.

Feeling very troubled, Peter leaves Mary Jane quietly and dresses up as Spider-Man to go out once again.

Elsewhere in the city, a sorceress uses her evil method of crafting a potion which creates an unrelenting sound of disturbance which Spider-Man hears. As the sound goes on, his focus and Spider Sense get overwhelmed…

Quality

A quick look at the origin of the Lizard by McFarlane.

While the writing by McFarlane remains weak, he still succeeded in making this story a marginal improvement over the previous issue in terms of moving the plot forward, paying off a good chunk of the build-up in issue #1, and establishing his own visual corner (inspired by horror and adulterated stuff) within the Spider-Man franchise of comics of the time.

The biggest feature here is the physical conflict between Spider-Man and the Lizard. As expected, McFarlane drew the big fight with a lot of intense action, powerful violence (note: it was clear the editorial team recommended moves to tone down the graphic violence), suspense and a good amount of horror. Not only does the big fight move the story forward, it allowed McFarlane to dramatize Spider-Man as a vulnerable hero who not only has to cope with the disturbance from the sorceress far away, but also deal with the poison he got from the Lizard. That being said, Spidey also struggles with his sanity and the new fact that the Lizard has turned into a murder machine which disturbs him a lot as he personally knew Dr. Connors.

Considering what happened here and in the previous issue, there is still a greater force of evil that awaits Spider-Man and the Lizard happens to be an ultra-violent tool.

Conclusion

Many times Spider-Man finds himself in a disadvantage while fighting the Lizard.

Being the 2nd chapter of the Torment storyline, Spider-Man #2 (1990) is a slight improvement over the previous issue in terms of moving the story forward, spectacle and dramatization. While the big fight between Spider-Man and the murderous Lizard is clearly the big feature of the story, McFarlane does a good job portraying Spider-Man as vulnerable and on the edge towards defeat. McFarlane’s writing here is still weak but the other positive elements achieved outweighed the weakness.

Overall, Spider-Man #2 (1990) is satisfactory.

+++++

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

Eiyuden Chronicle and Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama passed away

Eiyuden Chronicle and Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama passed away

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Once the anticipated Japanese role-playing game (Japanese RPG) Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes finally comes out on April 23, 2024, the absence of the main creator will be felt by many players as the Japan-based Rabbit & Bear Studio announced very recently that its head Yoshitaka Murayama passed away on February 6. For the newcomers reading this, Murayama is also the creator of the Suikoden RPG series of Konami where he used to work at. For my previous blog posts of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, click here, here, here and here).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the official announcement by Rabbit & Bear Studios. Some parts in boldface…

Hello everyone,

It’s with a heavy heart and deep sadness we must inform you that the scenario writer and head of Rabbit& Bear Studios, Yoshitaka Murayama, has passed away on February 6th due to complications with an ongoing illness.

Murayama first began this journey of the creation of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes in 2020

through the support of his very loving fans on Kickstarter. Throughout the three-plus-year-development of the game, it was always the passion from his fans that continued to drive his creative vision and motivate him to put his all into the project.

His hard work on Eiyuden Chronicle as scenario writer was finished but as his co-workers and friends, it saddens us to know that he won’t get to see the reactions from his fans.

However, even with those feelings we need to accept the reality that he is no longer with us and continue to push his dream forward by releasing Eiyuden Chronicle to the world.

We want to maintain his legacy and vision with this game and know that he would have wanted the rich world he has created with Eiyuden Chronicle to live on.

His family sincerely appreciates your prayers and support but asks for privacy and that no flowers, mail, or other offerings be sent.

We will have more information on organizational changes to Rabbit & Bear as well as changes to some of the Kickstarter rewards in the near future.

So there you have it. The developer behind Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes made it clear that they will not give up with fulfilling the dream of the late Murayama and there is no stopping the launch of the game (which was supposed to have been released in 2023).

More on the previous works of the late Murayama, I played Suikoden and Suikoden II (read my retro review by clicking here) on the PlayStation console in the 1990s and I had enjoyable times with them. For me, Suikoden II was the not only the best Suikoden RPG of the 1990s but also one of the best RPGs on any platform during the decade. It’s just too bad that the 1999 North American launch of Suikoden II was overshadowed by another company’s JRPG on PlayStation that same year. Considering the many Japanese RPGs that were released on PlayStation in 1999, Suikoden II was the most enjoyable one I played.

Even during his days as a young man working for Konami in the 1990s, Murayama had a very unique vision for digital role-playing and adventuring, as well as fantasy storytelling.

“Eiyuden Chronicle is really (an) evolution of my many design experiences. The many games I’ve made have helped create the foundation for this title. Since I draw my experience from previous games I’ve worked on, of course you will see a little bit of those elements in Eiyuden Chronicle,” Murayama said in response to a question that mentioned Eiyuden Chronicle and Suikoden titles.

With Murayama gone, the spotlight on the April 2024 launch of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will be more crucial than before. I myself will be playing the RPG on my Xbox Series X console as soon as it launches. To get yourselves oriented with the said JRPG, watch the videos below (the last one shows Murayama and his fellow creators as special guests at an event in Taipei)…

Watch out for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP) on April 23, 2024. For more about the JRPG, visit https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/eiyuden-chronicle

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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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 2

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 2

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Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will examine print ads from the 1980s and 1990s that caught my attention and I will explain why these are worth look back at.

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 and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. Back in the old days, many gamers trusted the print media a lot for information and images about games.

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

1. Popeye multiplatform print ad

A fine example of promoting the Popeye video game on multiple platforms visually.

During the early 1980s, an arcade game based on Popeye was released and it became a hit with gamers who lined up and inserted coins to play. That game, which had three stages, was eventually ported by Parker Brothers to multiple platforms of Atari, ColecoVision, Intellivision, T.I. and Commodore.

The print ad you see above is a classic display of how one particular game appeared as a multiplatform release. The screenshots showed different versions of the Popeye game on multiple Atari platforms plus the others. See how different the game looks on each platform? The level of visual details and elements varied from one another as each machine had different specs that Parker Brothers had to adjust to. This is a fine example of promoting one game for different machines for those who love video games.  

2.  Kool-Aid Man Video Game print ad

I never got to play this Kool-Aid Man video game.

Remember Kool-Aid? For the newcomers reading this, Kool-Aid was a very popular product line of flavored juice drinks sold in powdered form. I myself used to mix Kool-Aid with ice-cold water and enjoyed drinking it. In 1954, a promotion of Kool-Aid with a touch of entertainment happened by highlighting the character Kool-Aid Man (famously known as the walking and talking pitcher filled with Kool-Aid juice). In later years, the Kool-Aid Man was often shown breaking through walls saying the line “Oh yeah!”.

The Kool-Aid Man gained tremendous attention as a pop culture figure in the 1980s when a new series of advertisements and promotions happened branching into video games and even comic books. The above print ad was a clever move to promote Kool-Aid as a drink as well as a video game for the Intellivision and the Atari 2600 consoles. Even if you were not too fond of video games in the 1980s, the Kool-Aid game ad would still make you think about the drink. Clever and entertaining!  

3. Zombies Ate My Neighbors game print ad

I saw the 2-page ad many times in comic books and video game magazines.

Going into the 1990s, Konami’s print ad of the video game Zombies Ate My Neighbors (for Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis) appeared a lot in the comic books I read when I was much younger. Having seen lots of horror movies – including zombie flicks – the ad easily caught my attention not because of the screenshots but because of the visual style used. For one thing, there was this 1950s America-inspired imagery on the photo of the scared woman with three zombies slowly approaching her. As for the game itself, there were plenty of small-sized screenshots that had lots of interesting details and pixel art (note: 3D polygons in video games were not yet common back then) which gave me a clear idea that it was a humor and horror-laced 2D adventure. Not only that, the text descriptions combined with the fake quotes added zest into the presentation. After having examined all the details carefully, I really felt like Zombies Ate My Neighbors would be a fun-filled game to play on the SNES.

4. Lunar: The Silver Star print ad

With anime artwork used, it was easy to have the impression that the original Lunar game was based on an existing anime series or movie.

In the early 1990s, Game Arts developed and released the Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) Lunar: The Silver Star on the Mega CD platform in Japan which in some ways was also a technological breakthrough – the game came with full motion video (for short videos), animated images, and CD-quality sound (that really made the soundtrack lively to listen to). After achieving critical and commercial success in Japan, the game was picked-up by Working Designs to be localized and released in the North American market for the Sega CD (the American counterpart of the Mega CD) platform. In promoting the game for American Sega CD owners as well as American gamers in general, a print ad highlighting anime images with five screenshots and only a few words was published on both comic books and magazines.

Even though Lunar: The Silver Star’s core concept was never described in the ad, the anime imagery was still eye-catching and the chosen screenshots gave viewers a preview of the gameplay and the animated images. That being said, it was no surprise that gamers who happened to be a bit interested in anime noticed the print ad. At the same time, the ad gave some gamers the impression that Lunar was a game based on an existing anime franchise. This approach on game advertising was daring and it happened at a time when Japanese RPGs had a limited audience among gamers in North America.

5. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete print ad

In the 2nd half of the 1990s, a remake of Lunar: The Silver Star was released in Japan titled Lunar: Silver Star Story for Sega Saturn (1996), Sony PlayStation (1998) and Windows PC (1998). While it still maintained the 2D visuals for presentation, gameplay and exploration, the remake had smooth anime sequences, new artworks, better sound effects and music. Working Designs pounced on the opportunity to localize the game in America for PlayStation and released it in 1999 with the title Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete. Not only did Working Designs work hard on localizing the game (the English dubbing and singing of the game’s songs were meticulously done), they released it with a very lavish packaging with the dedicated fans and collectors in mind.

By looking at the above print ad that magazines published, Working Designs highlighted the positive feedback quotes from EGM, Gamers’ Republic, PSM and Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine to convince gamers Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete is a great game. While the screenshots showed what kind of eye candy gamers could expect, Working Designs made sure that they would know that the lavish package includes 4 discs (2 game discs, 1 music CD and 1 CD that had video documentary of the making of Lunar), a full-color map in the form of a cloth, and a hardbound art book and instruction manual.

Considering the dynamism of the Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete print ad and the game’s packaging, I can only speculate that Working Designs had to do it aggressively because the gaming landscape changed dramatically as 3D polygonal graphics became the standard while lots of other Japanese RPGs from different publishers were released in 1999 (including the sequels Suikoden II and Final Fantasy VIII) and many of them had more elaborate game designs and visual presentations. Eventually market forces and unfortunate business events led Working Designs to closing down permanently in 2005.

6. Star Wars: Jedi Arena print ad

Remember when Luke Skywalker tested his lightsaber skills with the floating Seeker in the 1977 movie?

Back in the early 1980s, Parker Brothers was very active releasing games on the Atari 2600 console which my family had. At that same time, Star Wars was very popular (and without the wokeness and identity politics garbage of Kathleen Kennedy and woke Disney) and any new game based on the sci-fi franchise was something to be excited for. In the above print ad of Star Wars: Jedi Arena, an artwork showing the iconic her Luke Skywalker testing his lightsaber skills with the floating Seeker ball was displayed and located between Luke’s legs is a monitor showing the screenshot of the game. Looking at the text description, Parker Brothers creatively focused on the aspect of the Jedi way of using the lightsaber interacting with the Seeker ball. Having played the game myself, I can say the ad was creative and pretty much captured the core concept of the game.  

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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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Mantra: Spear of Destiny #1 (1995)

A Look Back at Mantra: Spear of Destiny #1 (1995)

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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 mid-1990s to explore a part of the Ultraverse through a tale of Mantra, the male eternal warrior Lukasz who died during battle then returned in the body of a woman named Eden.

It has been a few years since the last time I reviewed a Mantra comic book. For the newcomers reading this, the Ultraverse was a franchise of superhero comic books launched by Malibu Comics in 1993 which produced a lot of fun, intriguing and memorable tales made by a variety of really talented creators. Mantra was one of the pioneering characters of the Ultraverse and the related comic book series lasted more than twenty issues. Along the way, a standalone story of Mantra was published in the form of a 2-part mini-series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Mantra: Spear of Destiny #1 published in 1995 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by Paul Abrams.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins when Mantra arrives at a museum to start her attempt (in her civilian identity as Eden Blake) to obtain the Spear of Destiny. While wearing a revealing outfit to distract the men, Mantra gets close to the highly prized spear to observe it and see how the security personnel guard it.

At a different spot within the museum, Mantra decides to start obtaining the spear in magical outfit and with a mask. As Mantra arrives at the room where the Spear of Destiny, already there are monsters overwhelming the men guarding the Spear of Destiny…

Quality

Eden Blake/Mantra reporting to work at Aladdin.

Having read most of the stories of the Mantra comic book series, I can say that Mike W. Barr came up with a fresh concept that emphasizes the quest to gain possession of a highly valuable item while also creating a new approach on presenting Mantra…by engaging in espionage (spying and infiltration).

As I am already used to seeing the eternal warrior Lukasz/Mantra using magic in many struggles or missions, the concept of having the protagonist getting disguised and becoming an impostor on a spy mission is a very inspired move by the writer. The preparations taken by Mantra to becoming a certain blonde woman for the mission were nicely structured and detailed enough to make the transformation. As if that was not enough, a certain piece of technology was implemented which made using magic a huge risk for the eternal warrior. That being said, the story smoothly transitioned from magic-filled fantasy into a convincing spy thriller

Along the way, this comic book also emphasizes the darkness of the secret society Aladdin which Mantra (as Eden Blake) works for. Aladdin’s operations were dramatized several times in other Ultraverse comic books but this one has a more explicit portrayal of them.  

Conclusion

Mantra got hold of the Spear of Destiny but for how long?

Mantra: Spear of Destiny #1 (1995) is really entertaining and compelling to read. This is easily one of the more creative and more unique tales of the Ultraverse character ever told and I can say that I am eager to find out what would happen next. This is also the one tale in which Mantra became a spy and gets into a dangerous mission in which the use of magic is too risky. The writing by Mike W. Barr is really strong with this one.

Overall, Mantra: Spear of Destiny #1 (1995) is 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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco