comics blog – Page 4 – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at What If #85 (1996)

August 18, 2025August 14, 2025carlocarrasco

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 1996 and explore a part of Marvel Comics’ universe through the reimagined tales emphasized in the What If monthly series.

Back in 1993 – the year that Marvel Comics celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the X-Men – the definitive rival of the X-Men, Magneto, made a major comeback and he was so resourceful as a threat to everyone. With the massive space station Avalon as his lair, Magneto sent out Exodus to lure mutants to join him. As time passed, Magneto’s own force grew and arrogantly disrupted the funeral of Illyana Rasputin in the presence of the X-Men, X-Force, Excalibur and X-Factor (as told in Uncanny X-Men #304). As the conflict went on, Colossus betrayed the X-Men to join Magneto.

Can you just imagine what would it be like had Magneto became the ruler of mutants?

With those details laid down, here is a look back at What If #85, published in 1996 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Arnie Jorgensen.

Early story

The story begins inside Avalon with Magneto and Colossus watching recorded footage of Charles Xavier announcing his decision to stop opposing the ascension of Avalon. It turns out, Xavier’s decision paved the way for mutants to relocate to Avalon (orbiting Earth) in return for assurance that those who remain in it will do so unmolested. With the intention to let Avalon’s residents achieve their full and glorious potential, Magneto allowed the mutants to rule themselves without any dictatorship by him.

Through the years, division between Avalon’s mutants – Acolytes who believe in isolation and the Acolytes who believe in annihilation – intensified and proved that the spirit of mutant unity has faded away. As violence between the mutants went on, the number of explosions inside Avalon kept increasing…

Quality

*A magnificent view for Magneto, Colossus and the readers.*

What I like most about this What If tale is its core concept exploring what would have happened had Magneto ruled the mutants specifically those living in his own realm (Avalon). Writer David Michelinie (best known for writing Amazing Spider-Man stories) wrote a really inspired script that emphasized Magneto’s vision of mutant utopia isolated from the twisted and complicated societies of Earth (which still has lots of people who are afraid of and hostile towards mutants) while leaving room for conflict in the form of ideological division between mutants on Avalon. As the growing division and violence are shattering Magneto’s vision of mutant utopia, the birth of an infant whose presence adds to the tension and fear of Avalon’s inhabitants.

The good news here is that Michelinie’s script is pretty solid and Arnie Jorgensen did a good enough job visualizing it all. The characters, mainly Magneto, Colossus and Beast, were portrayed clearly in character and to see the master of magnetism struggling with maintaining order on Avalon is a nice portrayal of his human side which makes him have a lot more in common with his opposite Professor X when it comes mutant matters. Considering Magneto’s long history of intense evil and obsession with leading humanity, his portrayal of insecurity, doubt and weakness is very believable to read.

Colossus, whose betrayal of the X-Men in Uncanny X-Men #304 remains unforgettable, is the loyal and sensible servant of Magneto. Beast, meanwhile, remains the very bright and insightful mutant scientist as he has always been which makes Michelinie’s writing really impressive.

Also at the heart of the story is mutant order. Apart from the division between Avalon mutants who want full separation from humanity and those who want to conquer Earth by eliminating all human beings, the very fabric of mutant society got shaken all because of an infant who was born there on Avalon (Avalon’s first natural birth ever). I like the way this sub-plot added tension to the mutant division because it is, in some ways, socially relevant to this day. It will remind you that certain groups of people out there who would go as far as committing murder only because they are so obsessed with their foolish, worldly beliefs. Look at the Palestinian terrorists, the Iranian terrorists and the woke mobs in many parts of the world.

Conclusion

*Remember Fabian Cortez and the Acolytes?*

With a very solid script filled with intrigue, social relevance and portrayals, What If #85 (1996) is a pretty engaging read. As it is strongly focused on Magneto and his mutants on Avalon, this comic book gives readers a fine dramatization of its core concept as well as developments on what would have happened had mutant utopia been realized far away from human society. I should state that for every build-up in the story, the payoff is fortunately solid. Consider this comic book a dramatic portrayal of mutants of Magneto without the involvement of the X-Men.

Overall, What If #85 (1996) 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 What If #23 (1991)

August 13, 2025August 7, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1991 and explore a part of Marvel Comics’ universe through the reimagined tales emphasized in the What If monthly series.

If you are not aware of the extensive literary history of the X-Men, the mutant franchise of Marvel Comics had its turning point in the mid-1970s with the release of the 68-page Giant-Size X-Men #1 which introduced a newer lineup of mutants (Wolverine, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Thunderbird and Storm). It has been argued that Giant-Size X-Men #1 marked the starting point of the bronze age of comics in America and creatively it sparked a new chain of X-Men stories that captivated the fans and attracted new readers.

But what would have happened had the newer lineup of the X-Men did not even exist?

With those details laid down, here is a look back at What If #23, published in 1991 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Kurt Busiek and drawn by Rodney Ramos.

Early story

The story begins when the original X-Men (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Angel, Beast and Iceman) members, Havok and Polaris arrive on the island of Krakoa. A huge green monster suddenly appears and attacks them. Guided by Professor X’s mind, Marvel Girl/Jean Grey helps Polaris by overriding the mental blocks that prevented her from using her full magnetic might. With a lot more power in her, Polaris takes action and helps the X-Men not only overwhelm the monster but also hurled the entire island of Krakoa into space.

As the X-Men were never captured by Krakoa, there was no reason to recruit a new team. The X-Men returned home and proceeded with other matters. On the other hand, Charles Xavier experiences a series of intense nightmares of conflict in outer space. As the nightmares took its toll on him, Professor X decides to take a vacation. Before he could leave, the X-Men are suddenly attacked by Eric the Red, Proudstar and Nightcrawler…

Quality

*Without the existence of the 2nd X-Men team (from Giant-Size X-Men #1), the original X-Men’s first encounters with Dazzler, Kitty Pryde and the Hellfire Club turned out totally different.*

This What If tale exploring an alternate chain of events involving only the original X-Men is not only a daring piece of work by the creators but it is also highly ambitious as seen through the scope of the plot. I’m not just talking about the non-existence of the 2^nd X-Men lineup of Giant-Size X-Men #1 but also alternate realities of real X-Men developments such as the encounter with the Phoenix, Lilandra and Professor X’s first encounter, the X-Men’s encounter with the Hellfire Club, and more. Truly, the alterations were executed and the consequences were quite intense.

By focusing on the concept of the original X-Men proceeding as the 2^nd X-Men team did not materialize, the Busiek-Ramos team really went all-in exploring the different possibilities and most of them were intriguing and entertaining to follow. The reading experience can be jarring because of the sudden change of scope that happens when the narrative suddenly shifted from one plot development (of local conflict) to another (a conflict on a galactic scale). Indeed, the narrative can be challenging to follow and to really enjoy it, you should pay strong attention to the details as you read on.

When it comes to character development, there is very little to find here which is not surprising given the way the script was written and also because the spotlight had to be shared by so many characters. Still, I enjoyed the character moments between Cyclops and Jean Grey, particularly during important points in the 2^nd half of the story.

If there were any weak spots in the presentation, it is the fact that a lot of exposition had to be done and there were certain parts of the narrative that felt crammed with an excessive amount of details. Not only that, there is also an excessive amount of characters that go beyond the X-Men such as Lilandra of the Shi’ar Empire, the Starjammers, Alpha Flight, the Avengers and other beings of science fiction mixed in which make following the narrative challenging at certain points.

Conclusion

*The original X-Men team plus Polaris and Havok.*

What If #23 (1991) has more than enough advantages that outweigh the disadvantages. It’s story is very intriguing and enjoyable to read even though there were some bumpy parts on the narrative. Still, it is great to see what would have happened had the newer X-Men team never materialized and this comic book’s ending is very impactful to see.

Overall, What If #23 (1991) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Action Comics #550 (1983)

August 8, 2025August 5, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, DC Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1983 to take a close look at a part of the DC Comics universe through a tale of the Action Comics monthly series.

If there is anything notable about the presentation of superhero elements in Superman stories, it is the occasional use of science fiction. From time to time, DC Comics published tales of Superman going deep into space, encounter alien species and visit far-away civilizations. Sometimes, sci-fi is used on major disasters that Superman has to solve.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Action Comics #550, published in 1983 by DC Comics with a story written by E. Nelson Bridwell and Bob Rozakis, and drawn by George Tuska.

Early story

The story begins with Clark Kent and Lana Lang presenting television news at the WGBS station telling viewers about The Exploder who attacked a large jumbo jet full of people. As the program continues, breaking news about an enormous underwater eruption north of New Guinea came in.

Shortly after, Clark quickly and discreetly left the station to fly overseas as Superman. By visiting the site of the reported underwater eruption, he notices the entire New Guinea drifting southward. Superman is compelled to go deep underwater to prevent the nation from drifting further and he also realized there is no volcano that caused the blast.

Quality

*Superman goes to outer space to find answers behind the events that took place on Earth.*

This is a Superman tale that does not have the traditional good-versus-evil element of conflict. Instead, it is a sci-fi story that started with solid mystery causing the Man of Steel to do research and detective work to find answers.

The comic book writers behind this were really good in pushing Superman hard on his search for answers to solve mysteries that were really out of this world. Lana Lang’s father appears here as a long-time archaeologist who successfully discovered an ancient artifact described as a so-called disk. The plot turned intense when The Exploder suddenly emerged to take the disk away which unsurprisingly pushed Superman to not only react but also get answers.

I like the fact that as Superman does detective work, Lana Lang and Jimmy Olsen contributed nicely to the plot. At the same time, the mystery and tension really built up as the story went along and the payoff the comic book creators came up with is surprising and also worth it.

Without spoiling the plot, I can say that this Superman tale has its own twists on the concept of UFOs and alien that happen to have special interest on Earth. At the same time, you will realize how dedicated Superman is to protecting the people of Earth and why he would not tolerate aliens who actions would jeopardize billions of lives.

Conclusion

*I liked the interactions Clark had with Lana Lang as he tries to solve mysteries.*

While Action Comics #550 (1983) does not have a super villain for Superman to battle, you will still see him doing good, solving mysteries and prioritizing Earth’s people. The sci-fi concept the creators came up with looked outlandish on face value but when you read the story and pay close attention to all the details, you will realize that the story is actually believable. I also like the mystery aspect which gave the plot a good amount of depth.

Overall, Action Comics #550 (1983) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Spectacular Spider-Man #88 (1984)

August 6, 2025August 4, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1984 to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Spectacular Spider-Man monthly series.

In issue #87, Spider-Man revealed his secret identity to Black Cat. That was a turning point on not just the romance between the two but also on their combined efforts of stopping crime and helping others in the city. This opens up opportunities for creative teams of Marvel to explore where Spidey and Black Cat’s relationship will go to next.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spectacular Spider-Man #88, published in 1984 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by Al Milgrom.

Early story

The story begins inside a secret facility wherein several armed guards are preparing themselves for an unseen incoming force. They are guarding a convict known as The Cobra (Klaus Voorhees) who warns them that the one person after him will find some way of killing him.

Suddenly, Mister Hyde breaks through the metallic gate and demands that Cobra should be given to him. The guards used tranquilizer gas to take Hyde out but it turned out useless. Cobra and his handlers secretly moved to the rooftop of the facility to try to escape by helicopter. Suddenly, Hyde emerges, brings down a solid tower and crashes the helicopter with it. He then grabs Cobra who only slithered away.

Meanwhile in New York City, Spider-Man is inside the apartment of Felicia Hardy (Black Cat) and he feels that something dreadful is going to happen…

Quality

*There is a lot of action scenes to enjoy here. Spider-Man and Black Cat have their own moments taking on Hyde.*

I will go straight to the point here. This Spectacular Spider-Man tale sure is packed with a lot of action and intrigue balanced by the romance of Spider-Man and Black Cat (who is now living with the knowledge that Peter Parker is Spider-Man). The conflict between Mister Hyde and the Cobra here is preceded by their past collaboration of getting revenge upon Thor. In fact, Spider-Man had encountered both characters sometime prior and his personal knowledge of Thor’s encounter with them added some depth to the new conflict in this comic book. Spidey here became cautious as he knows the extent of the savagery of Hyde.

As this tale took place after Black Cat learned Spider-Man’s secret identity, the dynamics between the two during battle became intriguing when the former took the initiative to strike the dangerous Hyde even though she was told to protect Cobra. This forces the iconic webslinger to put himself at risk by aggressively hitting Hyde while keeping Black Cat out of the way.

The big battle involving the four notable characters is quite extensive and intense to follow. There are a few strong twists between the scenes and it is entertaining to read. When it comes to character development, I enjoyed how the creators portrayed Spidey being concerned about Black Cat’s wellbeing and her lack of super powers while simultaneously portraying her as being determined to so something significant on solving problems.

Conclusion

*The romance between the two is worth following.*

Spectacular Spider-Man #88 (1984) is not only a good follow-up to the previous issue, it is also a worthy showcase of Spidey and Black Cat’s relationship as Cobra and Hyde engage in a new conflict. As this is an action-packed story, it is not surprising that the character development scenes are fewer. This is a fun read.

Overall, Spectacular Spider-Man #88 (1984) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Action Comics #497 (1979)

July 23, 2025July 18, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1970s arts and culture enthusiasts, DC Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1979 to take a close look at a part of the DC Comics universe through a tale of the Action Comics monthly series.

Do you enjoy following stories with the “make-a-wish” concept as a key element? Or do you prefer seeing major events happen because someone else has the power to alter reality? I for one don’t enjoy those concepts very much and the element of wish-making really ruined the story of the glossy cinematic failure Wonder Woman 1984 (written and co-directed by Patty Jenkins). When it comes to Superman, the wish-making or the ability to seriously alter reality could be effect in storytelling when the right creators are involved.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Action Comics #497, published in 1979 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and drawn by Curt Swan.

Early story

The story begins inside a shed on a lot with three boys who have their own Superman club and support the Man of Steel’s never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way. Arthur, who is up for drawing something for the next club newsletter, shared his idea (inspired by what he saw in a movie) about a gigantic meteor from outer space heading towards Metropolis which would compel Superman to save the city. Near the three boys is an empty chair reserved for a particular someone.

Many miles away deep within Metropolis, Clark Kent attends a conference in which Lana Lang delivers remarks to an audience of GBS affiliates. As Lana tells the audience that their news team is determined to maintain high standards of broadcasting, a uniformed door man causes a disturbance by telling everyone that a blackout has plunged the entire city into darkness.

Suddenly, the audience exited the venue and Lana notices that Clark is gone. Elsewhere, Superman quickly flies high and sees a giant meteor (the size of a stadium) on a collision course with Metropolis…

Quality

*Do you wish you have the power to make superheroes do something as you wish?*

Starting with the concept of reality getting seriously altered by someone with tremendous power, the said concept really brought the fantasy aspect of this Superman tale to a very high level. The Man of Steel ends up getting into unbelievable situations and do things that are amazing or shocking. In order words, the concept of altered reality (related to wishful thinking and intense imagination) actually works well in this tale thanks to the Bates-Swan duo.

Of course, this is not simply a Superman story about wild events that compelled him to react. There are character-driven scenes that emphasize how Superman analyzes what has been going on and why he seems to be controlled or guided to do things that he had no intent of doing. This particular element of the story raises questions about the ethics of having so much power at hand and being able to command a more powerful person to do something (as a wish is made by the one who wields a lot of power).

Considering the wild events that happened throughout the story, I can say that the Bates-Swan duo successfully pulled off a worthy pay-off at the conclusion.

Conclusion

*Superman saves Metropolis and many people once again. Lana Lang is among the people on the street.*

Action Comics #497 (1979) is an old Superman tale that is worth reading. While you won’t see Superman encountering any super villain, the fantasy elements and wild events more than made up for it. More importantly, the Bates-Swan duo was really careful with using the make-a-wish and reality altering concepts to make the plot believable while preventing it from becoming too outlandish. The result is a Superman tale that is entertaining to read.

Overall, Action Comics #497 (1979) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Superman #412 (1985)

July 7, 2025July 1, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 20^th century pop culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1980s to take a close look at one of the many tales published through the original Superman monthly series (first launched in 1939).

For the newcomers reading this, the original multiverse of DC Comics formally ended with Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985-1986). That being said, a lot of DC’s monthly comic book series had respective tales the reflect the closing period of the old multiverse (which lasted for decades) and the Superman monthly series of the era was part of the trend.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman #412, published in 1985 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and drawn by Curt Swan.

Early story

The story begins at the unemployment bureau in Metropolis. Clark Kent, who recently lost his jobs with WGBS and the Daily Planet, stands in line and waits for his turn. Being unemployed, Clark feels troubled and other people nearby recognize him.

As his turn at the counter starts, Clark senses something and decides to get out quickly. He enters the emergency exit, changes into Superman and flies out of the building. It turns out a high-rise building accident has occurred and already several pieces of sharp glass have been falling down. To prevent further harm, Superman uses his heat vision to convert the falling glass and collectively turn them into a growing molten ball. He brings the giant molten ball to the top of the building (still in construction/expansion) and meets the hard-hat workers before flying away.

Elsewhere, Lana Lang announces news to TV viewers regarding the dismissal her of close friend Clark Kent which was the result of the fake headline news story about Superman and the NASA satellite. In another location, Lex Luthor is very pleased watching the same broadcast knowing his plan of ruining Superman succeeded and got Clark Kent as a fake news casualty. Luthor is not done with Superman yet…

Quality

*Lex Luthor here is ruthless, strategic and obsessed with defeating Superman.*

I really like this Superman tale. This is a story about Superman who is still dedicated to doing acts of good by helping people with problems even though he is socially in deep trouble being unemployed as Clark Kent. Not only is the unemployment aspect relevant, the consequences of fake news and their negative effect on people made this tale more socially relevant with today’s world of fake news and unethical journalism.

Going back to Superman, it is clear that the embarrassment and unemployment of his civilian identity impacted him as a superhero. This is evident when Lana Lang accused him of betraying Clark Kent resulting in a fake news story that led to the firing by WGBS and the Daily Planet. Lana, who does not realize Superman and Clark are the same person, blamed the Man of Steel that the firing of Clark is so devastating to her as she cares for him so much (note: Clark and Lana were romantically involved during their teenage years at Smallville).

The powerful writing by Cary Bates does not end there. In this comic book, you will see Lex Luthor execute his other plans to ruin Superman whom he personally accused over the loss of his family and his own world Lexor (click here and here for references). This is a Luthor who is not simply being evil but also someone who is well organized, strategic and even fearless. By this stage, the criminal mad scientist Luthor has accumulated a lot of resources to have his own headquarters, technologies and a dedicated staff. In some ways, Luthor in this comic book eerily resembled his financial tycoon version in the post-Crisis era (click here and here for relevance).

I should also state that the personal encounter between Superman and Luthor here is a great pay-off to the build-up that preceded it. You readers should see it for yourselves because to reveal more in this review will ruin it.

Conclusion

*As Lana Lang delivers the news to TV viewers regarding Clark Kent and Superman, tension is brewing over at the Daily Planet.*

Superman #412 (1985) is undeniably a great Superman story published during the very late stage of the original multiverse (note: Superman #423 was one of the final tales of Superman of this particular era. Superman #424 was part of the post-Crisis era). The portrayal of Superman being disturbed by the huge setback he suffered as a civilian is really compelling to see and his encounter with Lex Luthor really brought the tension and suspense to high levels. At the same time, the consequences of Superman’s actions (including those of his civilian form as Clark Kent) are very evident and nicely dramatized by the Bates-Swan team. You really feel that the creators were wrapping up their Superman stories and decided to move this series to a new direction knowing that the original multiverse will end. This is a must-read tale!

Overall, Superman #412 (1985) is highly recommended.

+++++

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 32

July 2, 2025June 26, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks, nostalgia buffs and electronic gaming fans!

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

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

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

1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Atari 2600 print ad

*I saw the movie and played the Atari 2600 game.*

Way back in 1982, Steven Spielberg’s small production E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial touched countless moviegoers and became a massive hit around the world. Along the way, an official video game adaptation for the Atari 2600 console was made by Atari anticipating big success coming. The above print ad appeared in many comic books I read and the artwork easily caught my attention since I saw the movie. Apart from the fact that the artist’s take on the boy Elliot did not resemble actor Henry Thomas, no screenshot of the game was shown which is very odd because Atari made the adaptation their biggest offering to consumers. As typical of the times, Atari inserted a few other games below for conveniently promoting them along with E.T. and the Atari 2600. Given the massive failure of the game, this print ad is a sad reminder from gaming’s past.

2. Pro Tennis arcade flyer

Still in 1982, Data East released Pro Tennis in the arcades. This arcade flyer has a pretty neat hand-drawn artwork that looked like it came from a comic book, and the ad makers managed to insert one screenshot to make it clear to both players and arcade operators what to expect. This is still a nice flyer to look at.

3. 3-in-1 Atari 2600 print ad

*I was able to play Missile Command, Asteroids and Superman on Atari 2600 a long time ago.*

In the old days, we had an Atari 2600 console in our household and it lasted around 5 years for electronic entertainment. Atari was known for aggressively marketing its consoles and video games, and the above print ad was their creative way of promoting 3 games – Superman and the classics Missile Command and Asteroids – together. The biggest feature of the print ad was the large-sized text description that strongly reflected what each game was about. This is a memorable ad!

4. Super BurgerTime Japanese arcade flyer

Remember the arcade classic BurgerTime? The sequel Super BurgerTime was released in Japanese arcades in late-1990 and the arcade flyer the producers came up with had a very cartoony art style. The rear of the flyer was filled with lots of details, instructions and screenshots to really have arcade operators and players informed. The producer even inserted a new portion promoting BurgerTime Deluxe on Nintendo Game Boy.

5. A Nightmare on Elm Street NES print ad

*If you were able to play this game on the NES, did you have nightmares?*

By the end of the 1980s, there were already five movies of the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise that got released in cinemas and a dedicated following of fans was present. Eventually, an official video game adaptation was released on Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1990 which was surprising since the movies were all rated R and the console itself was popular with young gamers (kids to teenagers). To promote the game, the notorious publisher LJN came up with a print ad that prominently showed series antagonist Freddy Krueger (played by Robert Englund), a few screenshots, the text description and the game box cover. Look back at this old print ad is strange because it shows Freddy Krueger TWICE which means the ad makers could not come up with any original artworks nor a different background for the antagonist.

6. NBA Showdown print ad

*While this ad did not mention Michael Jordan, he was still included in the video game.*

By 1993, EA Sports (Electronic Arts’ sports brand) arguably established itself as the leader of NBA-licensed video games. At the time, console gamers can expect each new NBA game from the publisher to have full rosters and statistics of players based on the season and playoffs that passed. NBA Showdown, which reflected the 1992-93 season, was promoted with this 2-page print ad that had a rectangular image taken during the 1993 NBA Finals (Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns) placed on the left, screenshots and text description on the right. The ad made references to Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, Tim Hardaway and other NBA players to excite gamers. This ad is still good to look at.

7. Super Smash T.V. Sega Genesis print ad

*Were you able to play the Sega Genesis version?*

In 1991, the arcade classic Smash T.V. was ported to the Sega Genesis console under the title Super Smash T.V. and this print ad had a rectangular layout showing a zoomed-in capture of game footage with the huge enemy Mutoid Man. The stylized line (in rectangular layout) strongly reflected what gamers could expect in the game. The ad maker also inserted the confirmation that a Game Gear version was coming. This ad is a unique way of promoting both the Genesis and Game Gear versions of Smash T.V.

8. Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure print ad

*This print ad is still eye-catching and entertaining to look at.*

In the mid-1990s, Activision went big with the comeback of the Pitfall! game series by releasing Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure on multiple consoles. This two-page print ad had a touch of dark comedy by using a prominent image of a crocodile swallowing a person while avoiding blood and gore. With the little space remaining, the ad makers crammed in the text description and screenshots plus the game’s package covers. Notably, the text description maintained its tone and focused on describing the game properly. The marketing campaigns of Activision was effective as Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure went on to sell in the millions.

+++++

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 86

June 30, 2025June 24, 2025carlocarrasco

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 Retrospective look back at Superman (1978) – I don’t know with you readers but I am not excited about the new Superman movie directed by James Gunn. Nowadays I am more nostalgic about DC Comics’ most famous superhero and I have been reading decades-old Superman comic books. As for movies about Superman, the 1978 movie that starred Christopher Reeve remains a classic for long-time fans of the Man of Steel. If you are wondering how much impact does Superman of 1978 have on YouTubers, watch the videos posted below. If you have not seen Superman of 1978 yet, watch it first. Otherwise, enjoy the assorted videos below.

#2 Trump-led America obliterates nuclear sites in Iran – As Israel and terrorist state Iran continued their war, the United States led by President Donald Trump pulled off a significant move by heavily bombing the enemy’s nuclear sites. With the wicked regime of Iran (in power since 1979) substantially weakened, the bombings were very helpful not only to Israel but also to the Iranian people (who did not join their evil government’s terrorism) who had been wanting freedom for a long time. Watch and learn from the related videos below.

#3 PatmanQC examines Tapper – With my digital Xbox copy of Midway Arcade Origins, I was able to play the classic arcade game Root Beer Tapper (AKA Tapper) on my Xbox Series X. I’ve been having a lot of fun playing it and I admire the game’s design and responsive controls. For the newcomers reading this, Tapper was first released in arcades by Midway in the 1980s and made it to many computers and consoles. Not only that, the game has intriguing details behinds its history and there was more than one version of Tapper released. To learn more about the history of Tapper, watch the in-depth video of PatmanQC below.

#4 Unsolved Mysteries Season 5 Episode 8 – As I was doing a round of replaying past episodes of Unsolved Mysteries (hosted by the late Robert Stack), I replayed the 8^th episode of the show’s 5^th season. The said episode has an intriguing story about a man’s close encounter with a UFO in North America, a scandal within Frontera prison, a shocking crime story and updates to previous stories shown. Take time out to watch the entire episode below.

#5 Defiant Comics revisited – If you are into comic books, have you ever heard of Defiant Comics? I would not be surprised if you have not heard of the publisher or if never ready any of its comic books. Founded in 1993 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter, Defiant Comics published some comic books that had new and unique concepts (read my reviews of Warriors of Plasm #1 and Charlemagne #1) that went against type. Unfortunately the company went out of business in 1995 as a result of having to spend a lot of money on a legal battle with Marvel Comics. On YouTube, there are not too many retrospective videos about Defiant Comics and I posted below a video that can help you discover comics, cards and details about the said publisher.

+++++

A Look Back at Action Comics #481 (1978)

June 27, 2025June 24, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1970s arts and culture enthusiasts, DC Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1978 to take a close look at a part of the DC Comics universe through a tale of the Action Comics monthly series.

Believe it or not, there were times when Superman used advanced technology and machinery to achieve his goals, to win a battle or at least survive. This is something we people today can relate with since a lot us have smartphones and computers being used daily. As for the Man of Steel, there was a time when I saw an episode of Super Friends on TV in which a very vulnerable Superman had no choice but to use his personal flying vehicle called the Supermobile to travel and do something. It turns out, the Supermobile itself started in comic books.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Action Comics #481, published in 1978 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and drawn by Curt Swan.

Early story

The story begins on a city street as Amazo (who recently gained the powers of Justice League members in a previous encounter) is about to strike a weakened Superman and Professor Ivo (who is responsible for Amazo) in front of many people. Amazo strikes but ends up smashing the part of the road as his targets vanished.

It turns out Superman and the professor were teleported safely all the way into the Fortress of Solitude. With his powers gone due to red radiation, Superman revealed that he made some preparations in relation to Amazo’s eventual rampage….

Quality

*Exposition about the Supermobile in this page showing the trapped Justice League members.*

This early, I want to point out that this comic book is not merely a shallow tale designed to introduce the Supermobile in lazy fashion. In fact, there is a lot of work done by the Bates-Swan duo here and this includes plot build-up backed with payoffs, lots of details that were revealed and, most notably, the story has a solid structure complete with smooth execution.

This story was preceded by an unfortunate series of events in which Amazo gained the powers of the Justice League members and had them trapped in space, while Superman got hit by red radiation and managed to get out for a new fighting chance. Here, Superman is powerless and vulnerable, and the fact that Amazo is so powerful, the unveiling and use of the Supermobile is clearly justified. Amazo himself is a fine example of a scientific creation gone wrong and seem inspired by the monster of Frankenstein in literature.

By looking close at the details, the dialogue and the execution of event, this is clearly not a rushed job to introduce the Supermobile. It is a sufficient story on its own and it even delivers a good amount of superhero spectacle to satisfy readers.

Conclusion

*Superman and the professor inside the Fortress of Solitude.*

Action Comics #481 (1978) is indeed a satisfying and fun read. The build-up leading to the Supermobile’s debut is sufficient and the creators went on to keep building up the plot with Amazo getting bigger as a threat to not only against Superman but also against the Justice League. The Supermobile’s debut is justified and definitely it is not a cheap addition to the plot. The idea of Superman using a personal transport looked silly on face value but this comic book proved it is believable and sensible.

Overall, Action Comics #481 (1978) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Action Comics #438 (1974)

June 23, 2025June 20, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1970s arts and culture enthusiasts, DC Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1974 to take a close look at a part of the DC Comics universe through a tale of the Action Comics monthly series.

Throughout the superhero comics publishing history of DC Comics, Lois Lane is the definitive leading lady of Superman. Traits of her personality and journalistic work ethic got emphasized through her interactions with fellow reporter Clark Kent (Superman). At times, Lois Lane becomes a rival of Kent’s when it comes to getting the hottest scoop and getting the approval of their boss Perry White for publishing it on the next issue of the Daily Planet. But have ever seen Lane become a monster strong enough to take on Superman?

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Action Comics #438, published in 1974 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and drawn by Curt Swan.

Early story

The story begins on the busy streets of Metropolis with Clark Kent and Lois Lane riding in a taxi. He gives her a very unique looking necklace as an advanced birthday gift which she gladly wears. Lois then kisses Clark on the lips which surprises him. Moments later, the taxi stops on a sidewalk as something inside happened. Seconds later, a monstrous woman emerges from the taxi which turned out to be none other than Lois Lane in a transformed state. The monster Lois gets out of the taxi, throws the necklace away and leaves Clark behind. The incident causes a commotion in the city.

Still inside the taxi, Clark discreetly changes into Superman and flies away to search for Lois Lane…

Quality

*As Superman works to find monster Lois Lane, the media buzz about her begins on television. This was the time when social media was decades away from realization.*

To begin with, the concept of this comic book is clearly outlandish and the creators decided to make a monster out of Lois Lane and explore what would happen to both the city and Superman. The good news here is that the storytelling has a firm structure and the dialogue – most notably that of Superman – still made sense and was believable to follow. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that Superman is still the main focus of the story and how he made moves to solve problems while still caring for Lois Lane is engaging to read.

In this comic book, you will see some interesting developments that emphasize how Clark Kent works within the limitations of his journalistic career and connections, how Superman takes responsibility things he did before, and how he works to protect his secret identity. The Bates-Swan duo really delivered the goods here.

Conclusion

*Superman has two problems to deal with – finding monster Lois Lane and preventing a train disaster from happening.*

Action Comics #438 (1974) is a fun read but it is not a brainless nor a low-intelligence tale. This is a tale about Superman relying less on his powers and using more of skills as civilian Clark Kent to handle the problem of monster Lois Lane. The story lacked the superhero spectacle of action but it still is entertaining to read, and the emphasis on Superman and Lois alone is worth reading. As for The Atom short story included, it is essentially a somewhat fun additive.

Overall, Action Comics #438 (1974) is recommended.

+++++

	Instapundit »… on Trump’s America Urges Allies T…
	The H.A.R.D. Corps (… on A Look Back At The H.A.R.D. Co…
	Instapundit »… on A Lot More American Fruits And…
	Instapundit »… on Varied And Impactful Changes R…
	Instapundit »… on Japan And Italy Agree On Strat…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: