Tag: comic book

A Look Back at Venom: Lethal Protector #5 (1993)

A Look Back at Venom: Lethal Protector #5 (1993)

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 arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1993 to explore a part of Marvel Comics’ universe through the first-ever limited comic book series featuring one of Marvel’s most iconic supervillains – Venom.

Issue #4 had an eye-catching cover drawn by Mark Bagley as it had a female Venom-like character on it. Indeed, that new character (later called Scream) appeared and went on to physically challenge Spider-Man while Venom got imprisoned by the Life Foundation. The organization’s leader Carlton Drake revealed that his team extracted so-called seeds from Venom’s symbiote. Even with those plot threads, Venom: Lethal Protector #4 felt more like an Amazing Spider-Man tale.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Venom: Lethal Protector #5 published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Ron Lim.

Comic book cover for Venom: Lethal Protector featuring Venom battling Spider-Man and red symbiotes.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins inside a laboratory beneath a desert in California. The Life Foundation’s Drake communicates directly with Spider-Man, showing a live video of Eddie Brock whom they declared to be dead. Brock was recently separated from his symbiote and the organization extracted seeds from the same symbiote.

Spider-Man fights the Life Foundation’s armed personnel while communicating with Drake. Over at Drake’s side, one of the staffers told him that he detected a pulse from Brock and speculated that he must have passed out due to the trauma of getting separated from the alien costume. Drake orders the others to take Brock to the dissection lab, have the symbiote studied, and eliminate Spider-Man.

As Spider-Man explores the facility, five people each wearing symbiotes confront him suddenly. Spider-Man refers to them as “five Venoms”…

Quality

Comic-book page showing Spider-Man and allies breaking into a guarded laboratory, evading sonic guns, and confronting armed guards.
Spider-Man and his old nemesis Eddie Brock are together again in desperate situations.

Following the events of issue #4, this comic book has the predictable shift of the spotlight gradually moving from Spider-Man towards the murderous Venom who happens to be vulnerable as the Life Foundation became a bigger threat. To be clear, this one still feels more like a Spider-Man tale than a Venom tale but with the scales almost even.

At this point of the limited series, Venom is at his most vulnerable here. Eddie Brock is in a weakened state and has been humiliated a lot as he remained naked as the Life Foundation’s captive. Just as the organization has the symbiote (the one Spider-Man brought back home from the Secret Wars planet) all to itself for research and exploitation, they developed their own team of symbiote-wearing individuals (including Scream who fought Spidey in issue #4).

Why did the Life Foundation create its own symbiote warriors? It was an additional part of their sinister plan to establish their very own elite corporate security force with a future post-apocalyptic utopia in mind. Apart from preparing for such a future, the organization led by Carlton Drake has vested interest in accommodating the super-rich people – the powerful 1% minority – who paid a lot of fees to guarantee their survival. As such, the symbiote warriors (who are security guards of theirs) they came up with are essential for the foundation’s plans. This is the huge, looming threat that goes beyond Spider-Man and Venom’s interference.

Back to the story, Venom fans will be delighted to see Eddie Brock back in action starting with being apart from the symbiote as he fights to free himself. Even without the symbiote, Brock is capable of seriously injuring others. Spider-Man, meanwhile, gets involved fighting with the Life Foundation’s symbiote warriors.

As with issue #4, the decline of visual quality remains evident here as this is the 2nd straight issue of the limited series drawn by Ron Lim. Lim’s work is not terrible but it pales in comparison to the style and dynamic artistry of Mark Bagley (who drew the first three issues) who is very experienced drawing the webslinger and Venom (plus Carnage) and spectacle. When it comes to the five symbiote warriors of the Life Foundation, they mostly have a generic look as Scream and Agony are the only ones who stood out differently due to their female physique and long hair. Also, Ron Lim’s take on Venom is not very good as there is a lack of visual details and obvious signs of rush.

Conclusion

Comic book page showing San Francisco park eviction, construction workers clearing squatters, and two men watching from bushes.
Roland Treece is moving forward with his evil plan as he succeeded in setting the Life Foundation on Venom. He intends to find gold deep under the city of San Francisco.

Venom: Lethal Protector #5 (1993) can be best described as a return to form for Venom although the overall tone of the story leans a bit more towards Spider-Man. Quite obviously this one sets up the events for the sixth and final issue, and it further emphasized the growing threat of not only the Life Foundation but also the group of Roland Treece (who is the primary antagonist of this limited series). Venom fans have more to enjoy in this comic book compared to the previous one.

Overall, Venom: Lethal Protector #5 (1993) is serviceable.

+++++

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

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #27 (1995)

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #27 (1995)

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 year 1995 to explore a part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Spider-Man 2099 monthly series.

Following the events of the dramatic Spider-Man 2099 #25, Miguel O’Hara knows that his father is none other than Tyler Stone (his superior at Alchemax) and this only adds more tension to his already troubled life and also to his fragile family. In issue #26, as Miguel struggles to live with the shocking truth about his heritage, Tyler frees Kasey Nash fulfilling Conchata O’Hara’s request.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 #27, published in 1995 by Marvel Comics with a story written by the late Peter David and drawn by Joe St. Pierre. 

Comic book cover featuring Spider-Man swinging upside down above the bold title "When the Night Falls," with a cityscape and crashing debris below.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Miguel O’Hara and his ex-girlfriend Xina Kwan traveling far away from New York to have a vacation together. Their destination is Nightshade, an independent research community that is free from corporate influence. Miguel feels uneasy as Xina drives the car very fast. Suddenly, a hologram of Lyla (Miguel’s AI assistant) appears in front of them as the car moves on, surprising Miguel. Lyla informs him that he has received a message from his brother Gabriel. Being uninterested, Miguel tells Lyle to erase it.

Meanwhile at a talent search facility of Alchemax, an internal meeting of Tyler Stone’s “big guns” starts, and their agenda is about Nightshade…

Quality

Comic book page showing cars crashing through a building, falling debris, a distressed character, and a silhouetted figure climbing beside Spider-Man and a long-haired companion.
As trouble strikes Nightshade, Miguel O’Hara discreetly changes into Spider-Man 2099.

If there is anything I could describe about this particular tale of the futuristic Spider-Man, it is a blend of a road trip with corporate intrigue. Considering how short the main story is as this comic book contains a short story, this tale is clearly a build-up for something big set to happen that will eventually test Spider-Man soon.

This story has Miguel O’Hara spending quality time with an old flame on an out-of-town trip and together, they have a nice reunion with Angela Daskalakis who was their headmaster when they were very young. Given his status as an employee of Alchemax, Miguel is unsurprisingly restricted from entering Nightshade’s research and development facilities. The new setting and reunion allow the creative team to develop Spider-Man in unique ways which is welcome move.

The conflict really begins when the Corporate Raiders (a strike team deployed by Alchemax) organizes a corporate warfare strike at Nightshade triggering the independent place’s defenses. That said, Miguel is in a tough situation as he has to take on the armed raiders as Spider-Man while somehow ensuring that his ex-GF and their former headmaster are safe.

With regards to the shortness of the main story, the short story here took place several years in the past showing Miguel and Xina during their childhood. Kron Stone, the one who would later kill Punisher 2099’s family members and become Venom 2099 (click here, here and here), is also present as a youngling who got into conflict with Miguel. This short story also shows Miguel getting humiliated at an early age and has to decide between standing up for himself or allowing himself to be a victim for the rest of his life. This one is an OK read.

Conclusion

Comic book panel showing a group of suited men gathered around a model city, with speech bubbles outlining an agenda and identifying them as aggressive and powerful targets.
Alchemax’s enforcers.

Considering the shortness of the main story, Spider-Man 2099 #27 (1995) lacks substance and engagement but that does not mean the creative team did not give their best. The concept of Miguel O’Hara going all the way to a new destination which itself became the target of his company’s enforcers is itself fresh and intriguing. I just wish it had more content and the short story felt more like filler with some foreshadowing.

Overall, Spider-Man 2099 #27 (1995) 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

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #12 (1993)

A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 #12 (1993)

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 year 1993 to explore a part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Spider-Man 2099 monthly series.

By 1993, the 2099 lineup of comic books became popular with Marvel Comics readers and it was the series of the futuristic Spider-Man that engaged readers a lot thanks to the in-depth writing of the late Peter David. It should be stated that David also wrote a lot of stories of the classic Spider-Man (Peter Parker) years before Marvel even launched the 2099 franchise of comic books.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 #12, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Peter David and drawn by Rick Leonardi.

Comic book cover featuring Spider-Man and a character named Thanatos. Spider-Man is seen in a dynamic pose, while Thanatos, wearing a gold and red costume with a helmet, is prominently displayed. The background is orange with comic-style text.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins in an Alchemax facility with Tyler Stone talking with Dana at work. As Miguel O’Hara walks by the virtuality unreality office, a huge explosion sudden hits them. It turns out there was an experiment by Jordan Boone that went wrong and Miguel finds him. As the two talked, Jordan remains arrogant and sarcastic towards O’Hara.

Elsewhere, the mysterious man wearing armor and a helmet uses his device to scan the Alchemax facility and he spots Tyler Stone and Dana talking with each other. He listens to their conversation closely…

Quality

A comic strip featuring a distressed woman with long blonde hair expressing emotional turmoil amidst a backdrop of technological failure. The panels depict her hesitation, thoughts on running, and a call to someone named Miguel. The scene is vibrant with bright colors, emphasizing her emotional state.
Not even Miguel O’Hara’s AI assistant could handle the news.

This is a tale that has a careful mix of complexity and twists within. It technically is about the business of Alchemax getting disrupted from within and from the outside with the mysterious Thanatos pursuing something deep within the secrets of the company.

Miguel O’Hara is in a bind here as Dana (who is his fiancée) gets involved in a dangerous situation because of Thanatos’ sudden forced entry into Alchemax targeting Tyler Stone. At the same time, O’Hara values the company and prefers it does not collapse because of Thanatos. As expected, Miguel changes into the futuristic Spider-Man and carefully deals with Thanatos not by force but with strategic negotiation and discussion. Since he does not know what Thanatos is truly after, he has to play along while ensuring nobody from the company suffers (even though Alchemax itself has some very undesirable personalities within).

All throughout, this tale is heavy on the dialogue and there are a lot of details that you will need to absorb in order to understand the story and what Thanatos is pursuing. Along the way, this story reveals Alchemax has something valuable that has nothing to do with wealth. This is where the virtual unreality division of the company comes into place and Jordan Boone (who later becomes the fake Loki in the Fall of the Hammer storyline and also Halloween Jack in later X-Men 2099 tales) has a very notable role here. The story moves mostly in a medium pace and the build-up of the plot happens gradually. As such, there is some suspense and intrigue here.

Thanatos here is a pretty calculating antagonist. He is capable of killing others to get what he wants, but he prefers to do things patiently and strives get what he wants without using force as the primary option. There is richness in the dialogue here and his interactions with Spider-Man and Tyler have a cerebral touch throughout.

Conclusion

A comic book panel featuring characters in superhero costumes interacting, with one character in a red and black suit resembling Spider-Man, and another in a yellow and blue suit. Dialogue bubbles reveal a tense negotiation. The scene includes two other characters standing nearby, with a futuristic background.
Spider-Man carefully talks with Thanatos to let Dana go free. Dana does not know Miguel O’Hara and Spidey are one and the same person.

Spider-Man 2099 #12 (1993) is a really intriguing read filled with suspense and twists. This is not your typical superhero story about the hero fighting hard with the villain, and Thanatos is a pretty unique antagonist who puts Alchemax and others on the edge of danger. That said, this tale is the start of a new storyline and there is more that have yet to be revealed. 

Overall, Spider-Man 2099 #12 (1993) 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

A Look Back at Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #116 (1986)

A Look Back at Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #116 (1986)

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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, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, Spider-Man fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1986 to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man monthly series.

Within the shared universe of Marvel Comics, Sabretooth is a very notable super villain often associated with the X-Men, and has been portrayed as Wolverine’s rival. Sabretooth by nature is sadistic, savage and is violent driven by his beastly instincts. Like Venom, Sabretooth is also a murderer. Considering how popular the Wolverine-Sabretooth rivalry has been from comics to the movies, would you believe that the ferocious mutant actually encountered Spider-Man in comics long ago? Yes, they met and fought each other!

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #116, published in 1986 by Marvel Comics with a story written by the late Peter David and the late Rich Buckler.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with a gang of thugs who have cornered Black Cat who is suffering with a broken nose. It turns out, she broke into the office of their boss called the Foreigner. With her broken nose, Black Cat feels disoriented and helpless. She starts to hallucinate an image of Spider-Man replacing the thug who has her.

In another part of New York City, Spider-Man swings around wondering what Black Cat has been doing. He finds an empty alley and secretly changes into civilian clothes as Peter Parker and decides to visit his friend Mary Jane. As he approaches the building where MJ lives in, he spots Roderick Kingsley coming out of the place. He feels troubled and remembers Roderick for causing him aggravation.

Once he meets Mary Jane, he confronts her about Roderick…

Quality

This page shows the very moment Spider-Man and Sabretooth met.

This is a story with a lot of details spread throughout. While the cover of this comic book prominently shows Spider-Man and Sabretooth together, the plot is divided into a few threads. That said, the Black Cat herself has a great share of the spotlight as this tale happened after Doctor Strange removed the remains of her hex. At this point of the monthly series, Peter Parker and Black Cat no longer have a love relationship as they broke up already. As such, Peter David loaded a lot of emotional stuff into the intense talks between the webslinger and Felicia Hardy. All of that is justified with the very rich dialogue David composed and the tension between the two is realistic and believable.

Spider-Man here is dealing with a lot of emotional baggage even as he keeps on persevering to get rid of the bad guys in New York. He is seriously having a troubled personal life and lacks a clear direction.

Sabretooth, on the other hand, has things in his own life going wrong since he broke prison. This led him to the Foreigner for potential opportunities to find work (read: violent tasks) and already he is itching to kill someone as he failed to achieve any over the previous two days.

That said, Spider-Man and Sabretooth encountered each other by circumstance and Black Cat is technically the bridge. Better temper your expectations because what the cover art does not tell you is that the first-ever encounter between the webslinger and the beastly murderer is not extensive. Still, I can say their battle is surprisingly satisfying and how it ended is very intriguing to see. As such, I am satisfied with their first encounter here.

Conclusion

With so much in his mind, Peter Parker walked on the different surfaces of the place.

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #116 (1986) is loaded with a lot of drama, intrigue and gritty stuff that preceded the Spider-Man/Sabretooth encounter. I should state that the art of the late Rich Buckler here is very impressive to look at and there is a good level of grittiness mixed with realism throughout. Buckler’s take on Sabretooth is menacing to see. This comic book is entertaining and intriguing to read, and I am interest now to search for other comic book encounters between Spider-Man and Sabretooth.

Overall, Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #116 (1986) 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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #365 (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 arts and culture enthusiasts, Spider-Man fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1990s to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

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

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

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

Early story (main story)

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

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

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

Quality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

+++++

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #24 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #24 (1995)

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, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about the X-Men 2099 series was its expansion of the 2099 universe lore as well as the portrayal of uncertainty that mutants deal with in the more desolate parts of America (far away from Spider-Man 2099 and Punisher 2099). Along the way, the futuristic X-Men themselves were really torn down by a series of unfortunate events that includes the departure of their founder and leader Xi’an (eventually Controller X of the Theater of Pain). With the team members separated by circumstances, they were given their own tales and character development periods.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #24, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

X-Men 2099 comic book cover featuring characters Skullfire and Luna facing the Norns, with action-oriented poses and vibrant colors.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins in southern California where the Slaughterhouse gets shaken by the force of a gamma bomb that detonated far away. Inside the facility, Quiver and Sham struggle as they sneak carefully. They intend to escape even though the odds are against them.

Nearby, the demonic Theater of Pain leader Brimstone Love strikes Junkpile (now with SHIELD serving the new President Doom 2099) hard and seriously damages him. With Junkpile down, the evil leader believes that Doom’s best is a failure and the Theater of Pain has nothing to fear from him. Brimstone Love issues an order to have Junkpile disposed.

Several feet below the ground, Skullfire and Luna find themselves contained after getting captured. For Luna, Xi’an is a lost cause and she prefers to find Shakti and escape. Skullfire, however, insists on pursuing Xi’an even though their situation looks very hopeless. As the two try to escape, they end up facing the muses of the Theater of Pain’s bloodsport arenas…Euphoria, Felicity and Bliss. Luna was previously one of them…

Quality

A dramatic comic book scene depicting a confrontation between two characters. One character, wearing a green outfit, appears distressed and is gripping her arms while shouting. The other character, in a golden outfit with a menacing expression, is explaining the concept of pain in a theatrical context. Their surroundings include futuristic elements and machinery.
Shakti represents the remaining X-Men while her former superior Xi’an has fully sided with the evil Theater of Pain as Controller X.

Being the comic book that immediately precedes issue #25, there is a lot of creative stuff here that X-Men 2099 fans will enjoy. The Moore-Lim duo took their time in setting up the eventual restoration of the futuristic X-Men as a team while carefully telling the dangerous events they will face with the Theater of Pain standing in their way.

Fans can find small moments that can be enjoyable or even intriguing to discover such as Luna facing off with her Theater of Pain “sisters” of long ago, the reuniting of Bloodhawk with Meanstreak and Krystalin followed by the justification behind their decision to get involved, and more. What I find very compelling to read is Shakti’s interaction with Controller X (Xi’an behind the mask obsessively serving the Theater of Pain) and the rising danger the Theater’s operation is brewing. There is richness in the dialogue between Shakti and Xi’an, and the symbolic division between them – Shakti representing the X-Men and their former leader Xi’an now serving the evil ones – is really powerful to see.

The storytelling as a whole has a lot of depth behind it, and the build-up of the events is undeniably powerful. As the story progressed, the tension also grew stronger and you can feel the danger that awaits the futuristic X-Men.

Conclusion

A comic book scene featuring two characters discussing their feelings and a recent earthquake, standing near a cliff with a dragon-like creature in the background.
Bloodhawk is back with Meanstreak and Krystalin.

X-Men 2099 #24 (1995) succeeds a lot on setting-up the big conflict of issue #25 and it also sets in motion the eventual reuniting of the X-Men. Along the way, there are small details here and there that will compel you to revisit previous X-Men 2099 issues. Brimstone Love’s evil was emphasized more here and Controller X/Xi’an’s determination to serve him and make a lot of people suffer under the Theater’s operation added a lot of tension to the plot. Consider this a very important read before reading X-Men 2099 #25.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #24 (1995) is recommended.

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #23 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #23 (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, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Having taken over the United States as its President, Doom 2099’s impact was undeniably felt even though his appearances in X-Men 2099 issues #21 and #22 were pretty short. Along the way, members of the futuristic X-Men are gradually making their way back together. While Meanstreak and Krystalin have reunited and left Las Vegas, the trio of Skullfire, Shakti and Luna pursue a dangerous mission to get back Xi’an who has officially joined the Theater of Pain led by the demonic Brimstone Love.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #23, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Cover of 'X-Men 2099' comic issue featuring a character named Junk Pile, wearing a military-style helmet and armor, with a prominent shield design in the background, displaying the text 'MUTANTS MAKE THE LAWS NOW' and 'AGENT OF SHIELD.'
The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Junkpile who was recently rescued by Doom’s team and restored to functioning status. Doom’s minister of humanity Morphine Somers informs him that he has the chance to join SHIELD (the elite security force of the nation) and operate autonomously and with full administrative sanction. Suddenly, Doom himself appears and convinces Junkpile to calm down and formally join SHIELD.

Over at Death Valley, Skullfire, Shakti and Luna are disguised and traveling with the many disenfranchised people (the ones discarded and unwanted by society) heading to the floodgate bio-resource processing center. Even though the odds are tremendous, the three of them are determined to find their former leader Xi’an and save him from the Theater of Pain.

Upon arriving at the floodgate facility filled with armed guards and handlers, Skullfire, Shakti and Luna join the line for processing. Watching from a distance is Xi’an who is now operating as Controller X…

Quality

A panel from a comic book featuring two characters discussing the use of bodies for various purposes, including medical experimentation and entertainment, with a futuristic backdrop of machinery and monitors.
Pay attention to the details closely. In 2099, human lives can be disregarded or turned into something else.

Apart from the obvious fact that this particular story is part of the build-up towards the events of issue #25, this comic book carries a fundamental expansion of the lore of America of 2099. As the theme of mega corporations taking over America has been a core element of Marvel 2099, this X-Men 2099 tale further explores what happens to the social outcasts and unwanted people, and why the self-declared authorities have such power to have each of them processed under heavy surveillance.  

A scene from a graphic novel featuring a group of characters in hooded cloaks discussing a dangerous situation. They express concern about their security and the fate of a character named Xian.
Even without resources, Skullfire, Shakti and Luna push through with their very dangerous mission.

Through words and images, the Moore-Lim duo gave readers a really dark look at how human lives got turned into commodities by those who wield a lot of power in 2099 America. Some people who got processed end up being subjects for medical experimentation, others are groomed for private pleasure dens while the best ones are prepared for the use of the Theater of Pain. That said, Xi’an being part of the Theater of Pain as Controller X really strikes hard at the foundation of the futuristic X-Men who have been struggling a lot since he left them.

More on the plot itself, the X-Men are the underdogs and they really don’t have much resources nor a solid strategy to get to Xi’an while dealing with the dangerous forces of Brimstone Love and the Theater of Pain. Fortunately for them, there are a few others who have the means to take on the Theater of Pain directly.

Conclusion

A comic book scene featuring two armored characters engaged in conversation. One character, wearing a hooded red cloak and a metallic suit adorned with stars, stands confidently while the other character, a large robotic figure, looms over him. The background depicts a high-tech environment, with panels and machinery visible.
Junkpile joins SHIELD in the presence of Doom 2099.

X-Men 2099 #23 (1995) is another engaging read and it nicely sets the stage for the inevitable big story in issue #25. The odds are really up against the X-Men whose three members are truly determined to get Xi’an back believing there is hope for him to turn away from the Theater of Pain. Bigger than the story itself is the presentation about the immense power others have over the people and why being a social outcast can be very dangerous. That said, I am looking forward to the next issue and see how it connects with issue #25.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #23 (1995) is recommended.

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

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 157

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 157

carlocarrasco

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

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

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #19 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #19 (1995)

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, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

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

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

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

Early story

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

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

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

Quality

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 156

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 156

carlocarrasco

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

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

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Virtua Fighter anime revisited – Remember back in the 1990s when Sega struck gold with the groundbreaking success of the first Virtua Fighter game? Virtua Fighter was their first 3D polygonal fighting game and it easily attracted attention as well as tons of money from arcade gamers and later console gamers. Virtua Fighter also sparked strong sales for the Sega Saturn console in Japan. Along the way, Sega itself got involved in anime productions with their ownership of TMS Entertainment and by the year 1995, the Virtua Fighter anime TV series was launched. To be clear, the Virtua Fighter anime series was not a simple production as the creators behind it made something cohesive as well as the characters worth following. To learn more about the said anime, watch the GTV Japan video below.

#2 A look at the legacy of Reggie Lewis – When the late Reggie Lewis first entered the NBA as a rookie, the Celtics were still the best in the Eastern Conference and their famous starting five of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge were aging. During his second season, Lewis improved heavily as he replaced the injured Larry Bird, and he went on to become a very productive Celtic over the next several years. Tragedy struck in 1993 when Lewis died at age 27 and the details behind his heart condition and death are complicated to say the least. What most people did not know was that Lewis entered the NBA to lift his family (note: his mother was a drug addict) up from poverty. The legacy of Reggie Lewis is explained in detail in the video below and I encourage you all to watch it.

#3 The Creepiest Episodes of Unsolved Mysteries – Recently, YouTuber Minty Comedic Arts posted a video about the ten creepiest episodes of Unsolved Mysteries (hosted by the late Robert Stack). In that video, I saw most of the creepy episodes featured and there were a few ones that I saw for the first time. Indeed, almost all the episodes of Unsolved Mysteries can be viewed for free on YouTube and there are some that were missing due to legal reasons. Now is the time to watch Minty’s video below. Tell me if you find them creepy.

#4 American cheese in Japan – With the intensifying demand for cheese around the world, there is now a so-called battle for market share. In Japan, most cheese offered are imported and their prices have gone up significantly affecting the restaurants and local consumers. Along the way, cheese produced in the United States have entered Japan in growing numbers and it is being offered to local businesses and consumers for their consumption and cooking needs. America has key advantages with regards to production of milk and cheese and there is a renewed focus on exporting products aggressively. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 The Unreleased Marvel 2099 Video Game of the 1990s – Thirty years ago, I read a video game magazine and got excited over the news about an official video game based on the Marvel 2099 comics franchise. I already read lots of issues of Spider-Man 2099, X-Men 2099, Ravage 2099, Punisher 2099, Doom 2099, and the 2099 Unlimited quarterly series. That said, I was delightfully surprised that the Marvel 2099 game was set for release on PlayStation. Then as time passed by, nothing happened and the unreleased game was forgotten. To find out exactly what happened, go watch the in-depth video below.

#6 Chopping Mall reaction videos – How many times have you seen a horror movie or a cinematic misadventure that happened inside a shopping mall? In 1986, the low-budget techno-horror movie Chopping Mall (original title: Killbots) was released and it had a lot of scenes filmed inside the Sherman Oaks Galleria (which was also a location for Commando and Fast Times at Ridgemont High) in California. What makes Chopping Mall unique is its concept of security robots going rogue and harming people which brings back vibes of The Terminator. In today’s age of rampant artificial intelligence (AI) development, Chopping Mall has gotten more socially relevant and it has been featured in many movie reaction and retro review videos on YouTube. I found for you guys and gals the more engaging videos of the said movie.

#7 Adults Who Went to the Extreme for Disney and Buried Themselves with Debt – What is the worst thing you can do with your time and money with regards to entertainment from the woke Disney company? A few years ago, a survey found that 24% of all Disney-goers accrued debt during their trips along with 45% of parents with children (aged below 18). To be very clear, visiting a Disney theme park with the family is very costly and the very expensive rates on the food, transportation, accommodations, souvenirs and services related with Disney won’t fade away. Even with those painful prices, there still are certain adults who put themselves at huge financial risks because they could not restrain themselves from enjoying anything Disney. The Disney adults are real, and they lack discipline on spending. In the long run, these people are morally and spiritually lost. You better not follow their bad examples, and you can find out why by watch the informative video below.

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