film – Page 15 – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at RoboCop 2 #3 (1990)

October 25, 2024September 27, 2024carlocarrasco

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 1990 to take a close look at the concluding chapter of the comic book adaptation of the movie RoboCop 2 (1990).

In my previous retro review, I found the 2^nd issue of the 3-part comic book adaptation mini-series that it lacked the impact of issue #1. It was understood that the comic book team was limited by the source material they had and the movie’s comedic scenes showing RoboCop not being his normal self were adapted. Those scenes did not translate into humorous comic book moments. At the very least, the build-up achieved by the comic book creators in issue #2 (which includes several internal developments at Omni Consumer Products) sets the stage for the final issue.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at RoboCop 2 #3, published in 1990 by Marvel with a story written by Alan Grant and drawn by Mark Bagley based on the movie screenplay by Frank Miller and Walon Green.

Early story

The story begins in Detroit where OCP executives press RoboCop (Officer Murphy) for answers about the spying he recently did on his ex-wife. It turns out that his wife was so traumatized over his death, there were therapists, hypnotists and other treatments involved to help her recover. As a result of the spying, his ex-wife now believes her husband is still alive. In response to questions, RoboCop gave answers that the OCP guys wanted – he is no longer a husband, no longer human, no longer Alex Murphy and he is simply a machine. The private meeting between him and his ex-wife did not go well.

Meanwhile, the City Government of Detroit organizes a telethon in an attempt to raise funds needed to pay off the $37,985,300 they owe OCP. The mayor receives a very important call from former associates of Cain (RoboCop 2).

Shortly after, OCP realizes that the City Government could pay soon and if they fail to foreclose Detroit, their stock will plummet. With the approval from the corporation’s chief, Dr. Juliette Faxx proceeds to launch RoboCop 2 with the mind of Cain inside it…

Quality

*The battle between RoboCop and his bigger rival (Cain) is action-packed and fun to read.*

As it is clear that the imagery and plot developments of the movie screenplay were adapted by the comic book creators with their very own distinctive ways throughout the mini-series, this comic book succeeded in concluding its 3-part story. In fact, this is a huge pay-off to most of the build-up that took place in issues #1 and #2. The much-awaited big battle between RoboCop and the Cain-controlled RoboCop 2 lasted eight pages and it was indeed action-packed and satisfying. Before the said battle took place, RoboCop 2’s debut is short, stylishly obscured visually and yet vicious to see.

Considering the huge amount of details the movie screenplay had, the Grant-Bagley duo managed to adapt the most relevant content efficiently while also telling a literary tale that is cohesive enough.

*This scene did not appear in the movie.*

What I found very notable is the fact that this comic book opened with RoboCop getting berated by OCP executives for his spying on his ex-wife. The said scene actually happened very early in the movie itself and to have it as an opener of this comic book added depth to RoboCop’s character development in this adaptation.

When it comes to weaknesses, there were times when Mark Bagley’s drawing of RoboCop 2 were off. RoboCop 2 was visually huge and intimidating in the movie but in this comic book, the size and scale were clearly lacking particularly in the shot where he is standing near OCP’s chief. The lack of visual details on RoboCop 2’s body showed signs of rush by the artist.

Conclusion

*Is your local government leader making secret deals with criminals in real life?*

RoboCop 2 #3 (1990) is a nice pay-off to the build-up that preceded it and, more importantly, it was a satisfying mini-series conclusion. As a standalone comic book, it has a good amount of plot details, dialogue and action scenes that can delight RoboCop fans. As the conclusion of the 3-part adaptation of the 1990 movie, it has a stronger focus on RoboCop and the plot moved at a better pace than in issue #2. The storytelling is good and the spectacle was much improved.

Overall, RoboCop 2 #3 (1990) 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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 37

October 23, 2024October 27, 2024carlocarrasco

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 topics and the related videos I found.

#1 In-depth look at the making of Silent Hill – It has been over twenty-five years since Konami released Silent Hill on PlayStation. That horror-themed adventure game added to the evolution of horror gaming and it stood out differently from Capcom’s Resident Evil series of survival horror games. I recently viewed a very in-depth video by thegamingmuse who spent a lot of effort researching the game development history of Silent Hill, who the creators were and what challenges came along the way leading to the game’s eventual release. The video is over a hundred minutes long but I assure you it is full of details that will give you insight about how the game materialized.

#2 Electric cars are still very dangerous and deadly – I mentioned before that no matter how nice the promotions are, electric cars are still dangerous to have as they can spark fire randomly, damage properties nearby and even kill you. In recent times, there were these two electric cars in different locations that sparked into flames randomly. One of them was not even charging at all while being parked in a residential community’s parking area. That electric car suddenly caused a huge fire that destroyed many cars parked nearby while also forcing many residents to leave their units. The fact is electric vehicles are not safe and are not reliable. The future of the automobile is absolutely NOT electric. Watch and learn from the videos below.

#3 Star Trek: Generations reaction video by Popcorn in Bed (PIB) – Before I first saw Star Trek: Generations in the cinema in 1995, I was excited over the promised cinematic crossover between the iconic captain James T. Kirk and captain Jean Luc Picard. Having seen a mix of movies of the original Star Trek crew plus episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the concept of a crossover was really intriguing. After watching Star Trek: Generations, I left the cinema disappointed not only because the Kirk-Picard crossover (William Shatner and Patrick Stewart together on-screen) was not so great but also because the pacing and direction were not cinematic in execution. In fact, I find Star Trek: Generations’ concept more suitable in comic book format.

Of course, the flawed movie has its fans and slowly it is being discovered by YouTubers for the first time in their lives. Popcorn in Bed (PIB) recently posted the reaction video of Star Trek: Generations and she previously spent months watching all the seven TV seasons of Star Trek TNG. How would she react to the movie and how it impacted her, you have to watch it below.

#4 Terrorist state Iran’s hatred towards Israel explained – With its evil regime that started in 1979, Iran is both a terrorist state as well as the center of evil in the entire Middle East. No matter how many times a Democrat-led United States bowed to them and made desperate deals with them, Iran’s top leaders kept cheering (in their local language) death to America, England and Israel. In other words, Western ideals and democracy are completely unacceptable to Iran’s evil regime. The Ayatollah regime of Iran is so wicked, their government even brutalizes Iranians who do not follow their ways.

For Iran, the existence of Israel (the land that God designated to the Jewish people) unacceptable and their hatred towards them is so powerful, they sponsored terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to launch waves of attacks to destroy the Jewish state. Terrorist state Iran is doing what Satan always wanted and the evil regime is still obsessing with dominating the Middle East with destruction and the imposition of their religious beliefs on others. Iran is also obsessed with world domination and they will also attack Europe and America. To find out more, watch TBN Israel’s compelling video explaining Iran’s hatred towards Israel.

#5 The high number of deaths caused by electric cars that went wrong – Going back to electric cars, I posted a video that discusses in detail a hot issue that electric vehicle fanatics and the mainstream news media do not want to talk about – the high number of deaths caused by electric cars that went wrong. Watch it now.

#6. Kamala Harris simply cannot be trusted – In recent times, Kamala Harris appeared in several TV shows to reach out to as many voters as she could as the US Presidential Election gets closer. Harris has huge problems: dishonesty, inconsistency and a distorted view of reality. In other words, the Democrats’ presidential nominee is very out of touch with reality and she does not seem to care much about the American people who have been suffering from rising crime, the higher costs of living, the deterioration of public order in connection with the rising number of illegal aliens in America, and much more.

In short, Harris is so woke, she has no real solutions for the American people. She cannot even define herself clearly as she is obsessed with identity politics, vibes and wokeness. She cannot even focus on policy and governance. Kamala Harris is clearly unfit to become President of the United States (the Democrats will have to CHEAT AGAIN to elect her). Watch and learn from the selected videos below.

#7. Understanding America’s Electoral College – In light of the US Presidential Election happening on November 5, 2024, now is a good time to learn about the Electoral College and how it works on electing the next President. Contrary to popular belief, the popular vote does not determine the winner of the election as there is a state-by-state mechanism and the ones who actually determine the winner are the electors. Confused? Watch the two PragerU videos below.

#8 Dragonslayer reaction video by You, Me and the Movies – I was a very young boy when I first saw Dragonslayer inside the cinema back in 1981 here in the Philippines. Being so young, I was not yet aware that the fantasy movie was a Disney-Paramount joint effort. The public word of mouth back then was that the movie was a visual spectacle as it had Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) work on the special effects while the Go Motion effects were handled by Phil Tippett. To make things clear, I am NOT a fan of Dragonslayer but I should say that YouTuber You, Me and the Movies recently posted their movie reaction of it which is entertaining to watch.

#9 The elimination of Hamas terrorist leader Sinwar plus the attempted attack against Israel’s PM Netanyahu – In recent times, I posted about the unexpected elimination of Yahya Sinwar who was the leader of the Iran-sponsored Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel. Sinwar was a mass murderer and a real-life demon who always hated Israel and the Jewish people. He was also one of the favorite terrorist allies of Iran. Apart from Sinwar, Iran had its Lebanon proxies Hezbollah attempt to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu only to fail. The war against Islamic terrorism continues and the TBN Israel news video explains the details for you all.

+++++

1,000,000 hits worldwide and growing!

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024carlocarrasco

Hello, everyone! A major milestone happened today and I am deeply thankful to our Lord for it.

I am delighted to share with you all that my blog and website (Author Carlo Carrasco) surpassed one million hits (page views) worldwide today and the count is only growing! More than 1,000,000 hits counted along with over 706,000 visitors from around the world counted by my service provider. For transparency, I posted below the screenshot I captured.

Surpassing the 1,000,000 hits mark is a major achievement for me personally and this made me look back at late 2018 when, after much research and getting advise from a close friend of mine, I decided to sign up with WordPress.com to start making my blog/website. After some struggling and learning the functions, I completed the general structure and officially launched my site on the afternoon of January 4, 2019.

I can say that my website is a part of my life. Since launch, I published lots of posts about the following:

Sharing my observations about what happened locally and overseas.
Magnifying local developments of South Metro Manila as well as news updates (both local and foreign) that I find relevant to share with you readers.
Publishing mostly retro reviews of comic books, movies, video games and other entertainment stuff.
Preaching the Word of God through bible teachings, through my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) posts and through certain features or news developments (notably about Israel) that I posted.
Emphasizing the state of Israel, the truth that God designated the land of Israel to the Jewish people, the truth that the ties between Jews and Christians are biblical, the truth that Lord Jesus lived as a Jewish man and made ways for people to find salvation, and sharing the significance of the Holy Land through my Israel 2023 tour special features.
The occasional sports events and the developments that are significant with regards to our nation.
YouTube videos that need to be seen.
Local community developments from the local government units (LGUs) down to the residential communities.

My website and blog will keep continuing with updates for you and for readers from around the world. It is my intention to keep blogging until the end of my natural life. I will keep preaching God’s Word, post relevant updates, blog about my Holy Land experience, featuring something or someone new, and more.

I thank you my readers for coming back for more. My thanks also to others who supported me in varied ways through the years – the sponsors and donors (note: donate by clicking here), my business clients, the local community entities, the LGUs, local churches/ministries, community groups, the members of my South Metro Manila and the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook groups, fellow faithful followers of Lord Jesus, and more.

In closing this, I want to remind you all that Lord Jesus is the Savior God (the Heavenly Father) sent to us. No matter what happens to you in this twisted world we live in, never get separated from Jesus as He is the hope of all nations! Learn from the holy scriptures below…

Jesus said to him,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

John 14:6-7 (NKJV)

Jesus answered and said to him,

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3 (NKJV)

Thank you for your attention and keep on visiting and revisiting https://carlocarrasco.com/

+++++

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 36

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 Antonio P. Antonio story featured by Dark Asia with Megan – I previous made a blog post about this (click here). Even before this blog and website of mine started, I had been following the crime story of the late Antonio P. Antonio (APA) who was killed by his own son in 2013. The son even stayed overseas for years before getting caught and brought back home to be tried in court. Eventually, justice was served for the victim’s family and I should say that YouTuber Dark Asia with Megan did a really good job explaining and emphasizing the details in an episode launched on YouTube on September 25, 2024. This is a must-see video for anyone who is interested in true crime stories as well as events related to the famous BF Homes subdivision in the Philippines.

#2 New cars are spying on drivers and violating privacy – Be very careful with what you wish for when it comes to buying a brand new car with the latest in technology. There is this disturbing trend growing in which drivers/owners of cars equipped with highly advanced technologies ended up getting violated by car companies who collected not only their personal data but also other types of information about them such as immigration status, race, facial expressions, weight, health and even genetic information. This is because the highly computerized cars can spy on drivers by capturing videos of them, recording sound, monitoring their use of car apps, and collecting data from smartphones or computers that got connected to the car’s system. Watch the videos below and pay close attention to the details.

#3 In-depth look at the elimination of Hezbollah’s top leader Nasrallah – I previously blogged about the elimination of Hezbollah leader and murderer Hassan Nasrallah and it contained relevant videos about the topic. For a new and in-depth look about his elimination and what lies ahead for Israel and the rest of the world, watch the TBN Israel and CBN News videos below. Pay close attention to details.

#4 Hunting legendary animals in Red Dead Redemption II – In the blockbuster video game Red Dead Redemption II, hunting is a huge and engaging part of the game. The game developers set up opportunities to find and hunt what they refer to as legendary animals. There is a variety of rewards that come with hunting the said animals and to find out where they are located, watch this video by Reptac.

#5 Last Action Hero videos – While it is a known fact that the movie Last Action Hero (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger) was a huge commercial and critical disappointment in 1993, there are still lots of people who enjoyed watching it and even do research about it. That being said, it is not surprising that there are lots of YouTubers out there who made videos about it and you can watch a variety of videos I selected for your viewing.

6. How terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah got eliminated

Going back to the eliminated Hezbollah leader and murderer Hassan Nasrallah, posted below is a video that explains (to the best of the YouTuber’s ability) what happened and how the powerful strike happened there in Lebanon.

7. Multiculturalism is truly bad

We live in a very twisted world. It is so twisted, illegal aliens are violating the sovereignty and cultures of nations. Like diversity, inclusion and wokeness, multiculturalism is a disease and it is destructive. Watch and learn from PragerU’s video below.

+++++

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 33

September 25, 2024September 10, 2024carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 Google in legal trouble in America – Did you notice how overwhelming power Google really is in business as well as in your daily lives? Are you aware that Google made multi-billion Dollar deals with its competitors to ensure its dominance on search, online advertising and other forms of business? Google is now in legal trouble with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in America and ColdFusion’s video below is a must-watch!

#2 Games to look forward to while subscribing to Xbox Game Pass – In recent times, there were changes on Xbox Game Pass (XGP) implemented by Microsoft which I did not like (click here and here to learn the details). If you own an Xbox and you still have not yet subscribed to XGP, you should decide first based on how much you can afford to pay the new rates (note: there are different tiers to subscribe to in Game Pass), what kind of games you really like and how much time you can spare for playing in the comfort of your home. If you are into adventure gaming, then the video by YouTuber Skycaptin 5 below is a must-watch for your reference. Take note that one of the games shown has yet to be released and a few of the games may require the Ultimate tier of XGP.

#3 A look back at Amazing Spider-Man movies of Sony Pictures – Do you have any fond memories of the two movies that had actor Andrew Garfield as the cinematic Spider-Man? I saw The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) in the cinemas and I can say that they never thrilled me nor satisfied me as much as the first two Spider-Man flicks of Tobey Maguire. Those movies directed by Marc Webb were not terrible actually but flawed works. Whether you loved or felt disappointed with the two Amazing Spider-Man movies, I urge you to watch the analytical video by YouTuber Owen Likes Comics below.

#4 25 years of the American launch of the Sega Dreamcast – It has been over twenty-five years since Sega launched the Dreamcast console in America. In gaming history, the date of September 9, 1999 is still remembered as the time when Sega really made a very serious effort to re-establish trust with American gamers and they made record-setting numbers in the first 24 hours. As such, it was no surprise that “25 years” or “25^th anniversary” videos about the Dreamcast suddenly appeared on YouTube and posted below are videos I selected for your viewing.

#5 You, Me and the Movies’ video reaction of Clash of the Titans (1981) – Whenever I search YouTube for movie reaction videos about the 1981 film Clash of the Titans, not too many pop out for some reason. If you are interested to see the film but don’t have the time or money to watch it in full, then the reaction video by You, Me and the Movies should entertain you.

#6 The fall of Circuit City explained – Way back in 2001, I visited a branch of Circuit City in California. I visited because I was curious and also interested in video games and also movies on DVD format. What I found was a variety of consumer electronic products and the presence of TV units with built-in DVD drives caught my attention. It was my one and only Circuit City visit and many years later, their brand re-emerged when there were these widespread news reports about its bankruptcy and liquidation. If you want to learn about the rise and fall of Circuit City, watch the video below.

#7 GoodBadFlicks’ comprehensive video about The Blob (1988) – The Blob remake of 1988 has always been very entertaining to watch. Not only does it have a really solid story to tell, it has a fine blend of spectacle with well-crafted action/stunt scenes and top-notch practical effects. On 4K Blu-ray, the movie looks better than ever and it is worth purchasing. When it comes to the making of The Blob (1988), the best video to watch online is the one from YouTuber GoodBadFlicks which is posted below for your viewing pleasure.

+++++

A Look Back at Action Comics #456 (1976)

September 20, 2024August 20, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1970s arts and culture enthusiasts, DC Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1976 to take a close look at a part of the DC Comics universe through a tale of the Action Comics monthly series.

If you know your entertainment history, you should be aware that Steven Spielberg’s Jaws made a tremendous impact on millions of people who saw the film in cinemas in the mid-1970s. The massive success of the movie caused some people to become afraid of sharks which in turn convinced them to avoid swimming alone at sea. Over at DC Comics, it just so happens that they have a super villain who is actually a highly evolved shark called The Shark (Karshon).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Action Comics #456, published in 1976 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and illustrated by Curt Swan.

*The cover inspired by Steven Spielberg’s Jaws.*

Early story

The story begins inside the Metropolis Aquarium where Captain Strong, young boy Jayson, young girl Jill and others closely watch a tiger shark swimming. What the viewers do not realize is that the tiger shark they are watching is a super shark (The Shark) whose evolution jumped by eons as a result of a freak nuclear accident from the previous years.

The Shark is a highly evolved mutant (half-fish and half-human) endowed with fantastic mental powers. The Shark previously encountered Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) who caused him to devolve back to his primitive form as a tiger shark.

At the aquarium, The Shark moves closely towards Captain Strong and Jayson with strong glass separating them. Suddenly, Jayson is turned into a pool of jelly on the floor and The Shark uses its power to form a large stream of water to break the way out of the Metropolis Aquarium and into the air.

Meanwhile, Lois Lane and Clark Kent are riding the metro-island ferry. A giant water sprout emerges near them…

Quality

*The struggle between Superman and The Shark starts.*

While it was clear that DC Comics took a creative stab on people’s awareness of the movie Jaws, the Bates-Swan duo came up with a rather fantastic way of having Superman deal with The Shark. For one thing, the creators efficiently came up with exposition to keep readers informed about who The Shark is, why he exists and what his background was within the DC Comics shared universe. Next, the creators managed to make The Shark an actual threat to the people of Metropolis which serves as an efficient build-up for the inevitable conflict with Superman. The good news here is that Bates-Swan combined efforts turned out to be gripping and believable.

When compared to the many battles Superman had against the other powerful villains, the traditional collateral damage is pretty light in this story. This is because the creators used science fiction concepts and a little bit of real-world science to explain The Shark’s powers, how the water streams used by him got formed and why he has key advantages over Superman. These creative methods more than made up for the lack of hard action and there are explanations that made sense just before the story ends.

This comic book also contains a short, standalone Black Canary tale that ultimate served as added amusement that is not related with the Superman story at all. It should interest fans of Green Arrow.

Conclusion

*The Shark’s menacing face and power overwhelms Lois Lane.*

Do not let the Jaws-inspired cover art fool you. Action Comics #456 (1976) is actually an entertaining read thanks to the combined efforts of the Bates-Swan team. The Shark was a believable threat and the story was well written. To say that this comic book was just a cheap way of exploiting the popularity of Jaws by coming up with shark-related tale of Superman is not true. This old tale is a fun ride free from the politicized science and woke garbage that dominate modern-day entertainment.

Overall, Action Comics #456 (1976) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Universal Soldier #1 (1992)

September 13, 2024August 18, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back comic book readers, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, movie fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1992 to take a close look at the official comic book adaptation of the action movie Universal Soldier.

Universal Soldier stood out among Hollywood action films in 1992 as it had Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as the main stars and both of them were established action movie stars each with huge followings of fans. As it grossed almost $100 million worldwide on a budget of less than $25 million, the movie was successful and eventually sparked its of franchise of movies, TV shows, video games and comic books. NOW Comics was in-charge of making and publishing the comic book adaptation of the 1992 film.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Universal Soldier #1 published in 1992 by NOW Comics with a story written by Clint McElroy and drawn by Lenin Delsol. This was the first chapter of a 3-issue mini-series.

*The cover showing a photographic image of star Dolph Lundgren.*

Early story

The story begins in Vietnam in 1969. The American soldier Luc Deveraux arrives at a village that was secured by the U.S. Army. To his shock, he finds several dead bodies of his squad members and villagers, then encounters Sergeant Andrew Scott with two Vietnamese individuals (male and female) tied together near him. It turns out that Scott, who made a necklace composed of severed ears, has gone insane and executes the Vietnamese man. As Deveraux refuses to follow Scott’s order to shoot the Vietnamese female, the sergeant kills he. Deveraux and Scott shot each other to death and eventually their corpses were recovered by another squad to be cryogenically frozen.

A few decades later in Nevada, the elite counter-terrorism unit of the UniSol (Universal Soldier) arrives and among the members are Deveraux (identified as GR44) and Scott (GR13) who have been reanimated by the government with their past memories fully suppressed. Their team gets deployed to the Hoover Dam (Mackinley Dam in the comic book) to resolve a hostage situation…

Quality

*Operating very much like robots, two Universal Soldiers take down terrorists and manipulated their communication as they make their way through to save the hostages from the remaining terrorists.*

As an adaptation, I find this comic book a surprisingly accurate translation of the movie’s early part of the story (note: the literary narrative ends when Deveraux leaves with the female reporter). While not 100% of the film’s plot and visual details were captured, this comic book still succeeded in replicating the look, feel and tone of the movie. It is clear that the comic book team had access to the footage of the film and a copy of the screenplay (written by Richard Rothstein, Christopher Leitch and Dean Devlin).

Clint McElroy really stuck close to the film’s plot, the dialogue and the way the characters were portrayed. Again, not 100% of the relevant details were adapted and some liberties were taken but McElroy managed to craft a comic book narrative that was solidly structured, had sufficient details to keep readers oriented and engaged, and ensured the story moved at a satisfying pace. By the time I reached the end of this comic book, I got oriented with the story, the characters and the details shown in between.

*Like in the movie, this comic book emphasizes the government’s very cold and heartless approach on handling their Universal Soldiers who are treated more like tools instead of people.*

Lenin Delsol’s artwork here is really good. It is clear that he had access to the film’s production footage as several images of locations and characters here very closely resembled what was shown in the movie most of the time. When it comes to the action scenes, Delsol did not go for visual dynamism (note: the dynamic action style was common with superhero comics of the 1990s) but rather he portrayed the action with realism and varying degrees of brutality.

When it comes to visualizing the characters, it is clear that the creative team was not authorized to use the likenesses of the actors. Luc Deveraux looks absolutely nothing like Jean-Claude Van Damme while journalist Veronica Roberts does not look like Ally Walker. Ironically, there are a few images of Scott’s face that somewhat resembles Dolph Lundgren. The way I see it, it is not problematic to see the characters not resembling the actors from the film. In fact, I like the new character designs Delsol came up with for the characters.

Conclusion

This early scene sets the tone of the entire comic book. As for the characters, Deveraux look nothing like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sergeant Scott does not look like Dolph Lundgren (note: in other images of Scott shown later in the comic book, he looked a bit like the actor).

Even though I was not a fan of the 1992 movie, Universal Soldier #1 (1992) succeeded in keeping me engaged and entertained until the end. This is a really good adaptation of the early part of the film and I like the approach the Elroy-Densol team took on establishing the literary experience. Of course, if you want more dynamic visuals of the Hoover Dam scene or if you want that strong rated-R vibe when it comes to hard action, you should watch the movie. As of now, I am convinced to look forward to the next issue of this 3-part mini-series adaptation.

Overall, Universal Soldier #1 (1992) is recommended.

+++++

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 17

September 9, 2024July 18, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks 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. Sega Dreamcast launch print ads

*This cryptic Sega Dreamcast American launch print ad has an image that emphasized that gamers are being watched.*

*This one has an image emphasizing emotions, impulse and excitement.*

By the time Sega launched their Dreamcast console in Japan in late 1998, the company was already bleeding from back-to-back years of financial losses. The Dreamcast was their big bet to regain the trust of consumers and business partners, to sell a lot of consoles and games, and somehow survive.

For the North American Dreamcast launch, Sega of America organized an intriguing series of ads emphasizing the September 9, 1999 launch date in very stylized and cryptic ways. As seen in the two selected ads above, the Dreamcast name was not even mentioned but the console’s trademark swirl was present. Anyone who was obsessed with video games – even if one was not a Sega fan – could tell that the print ads made clear that the Dreamcast was going to launch in America. Ultimately, Sega sold roughly $98 million worth of Dreamcast consoles, games and peripherals in the first 24 hours in America.

2. Point Blank 2 print ad

*This ad appeared in comic books and magazines.*

When Namco released the first Point Blank game, it was commercial successful in both arcades and on the PlayStation console in different parts of the world. To keep on succeeding, Namco made the sequel Point Blank 2 and their confidence in it was made clear with the above PlayStation version print ad that promised it to be multiplayer-oriented and ensure enough content to give players sufficient bouts of fun whichever game mode they pick. The ad’s image of the lady with a gun (Namco’s Guncon peripheral) and the animal trophies were done with humor in mind.

3. Pac-Man arcade flyers

*This ad showed that arcade operators can choose which type of machine of Pac-Man they could order.*

*Midway issued this flyer when Pac-Man was already successful.*

In 1980, Namco released Pac-Man in Japanese arcades and it became a big hit in a short span of time. This prompted them to bring the game overseas, especially in America which already had a growing arcade market. In November that year, Namco brought Pac-Man and their other arcade game Rally-X game to a tradeshow and only got mild attention from attendees and distributors. After being turned down by Atari, Namco signed a contract with Midway to distribute Pac-Man and Rally-X in America, and they were formally released the following month.

Upon release, Pac-Man became a strong attraction in American arcades with weekly sales surpassing $8 million per week. When it comes to the presentation, Midway’s arcade flyers above gave arcade operators and gamers a clear view that Pac-Man is fun and available in three physical units (emphasized in the first flyer) and that it made a positive commercial impact (emphasized in the 2^ndflyer). Ultimately, Midway went on to sell over 100,000 Pac-Man arcade units resulting in a massive gross of over $1 billion in quarters (coins of twenty-five cents in American currency).

4. Silent Hill print ad

*A clear atmosphere of psychological horror in this ad.*

Made by a certain team within Konami, Silent Hill on PlayStation turned out to be a surprising and intriguing hit game in 1999. It was a polygonal survival horror game that drew a few comparisons with Capcom’s Resident Evil but ultimately stood out with its gameplay features and psychological horror concept.

The people at Konami must have anticipated that gamers in America would be attracted by the game so they came up with the creepy print ad above which promoted the game with a clear touch of psychological horror. If you look closely, the 2^nd screenshot (in the middle) even showed blood in digital form. This Silent Hill print ad was clearly aimed at adult gamers and PlayStation gamers who craved for more horror gaming.

5. Tomorrow Never Dies game print ad

*The use of the image of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in this print ad was the right move to inform readers that the 1997 movie’s video game was coming out.*

Believe it or not, there was indeed a video game adaptation of Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and the weird thing was that it was released for PlayStation in November 1999. In fact, the game was released eight days after the American premiere of the James Bond film The World is Not Enough (1999). The game development was unusually long and the release was delayed several times going into 1999.

To really capture the attention of James Bond fans and gamers, MGM Interactive and Electronic Arts (the co-publishers of the game) came up with a Tomorrow Never Dies game print ad showcasing Pierce Brosnan as the iconic Agent 007 in a dominant fashion leaving a minor space for the text description, two screenshots and other details displayed. While some people might look at the ad as an act of desperation to sell the long-delayed game, I find it eye-catching and engaging to look at. It also was a lively reminder back then that Brosnan was James Bond of the 1990s.

6. Wipeout 64 print ad

*This is still cool and sleek to look at.*

Wipeout, the series best known for its very futuristic portrayal of high-speed anti-gravity racing, showcase of dynamic visuals and the use electronic dance music, made its way to the Nintendo 64 console with Wipeout 64. This 1998 release was significant because at that time developer Psygnosis was already owned by Sony and most Wipeout games of the decade were released on PlayStation. Wipeout 64 was released before the PlayStation-exclusive Wipeout 3 came out.

The above print ad had this very sleek display of two anti-gravity racers moving at high speed and on the side are five screenshots showing what the game looked like on the N64. If you look very closely, one of them shows the 4-player split-screen mode identified with the Nintendo 64’s capabilities. Overall, the Wipeout 64 print ad captured the vibe of the Wipeout series and remains very cool to look at.

7. Ehrgeiz print ad

*You want a 3D polygonal fighting game that has Final Fantasy 7 characters in it? Ehrgeiz was the answer.*

In 1999, the landscape of gaming really changed. More gamers played 3D polygonal fighting games over the 2D fighting games, and demand for Final Fantasy and Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) were in high demand in the West arguably because of the massive commercial success of Final Fantasy VII on PlayStation. That being said, Squaresoft released their own 3D polygonal fighting game that had Final Fantasy VII characters in it – Ehrgeiz.

After achieving success in the arcades, Squaresoft brought Ehrgeiz to PlayStation in America in 1999. Unsurprisingly, the print ad had Final Fantasy VII protagonist Cloud and his signature sword in a prominent position which was obviously done to attract the millions of FFVII for potential sales. The screenshots on the ad were presented not for showing off but to give readers a clear view of what kind of gaming experiences they could expect. Ehrgeiz on console even had a standalone RPG mode.

8. Driver print ad

*The art used for the muscle car and the police car was a tribute to the car chases of movies from long ago.*

Even before it was released on PlayStation and PC in 1999, publisher GT Interactive knew they had something big for gamers to engage with. That game was Driver and developer Reflections Interactive made it with a lot of inspiration taken from cinematic car chases. This particular ad emphasized car chases, the exploration of four real-life cities in digital form, and engaging in a variety of missions. As it successfully delivered what it promised, Driver went on to become a big commercial success on PlayStation and PC, and spawned sequels in the years that followed.

9. Eidos Interactive games print ad

*From the time when Eidos Interactive was at the top of its game and Lara Croft was its most popular character.*

By the end of the 1990s, Eidos Interactive became a major game publisher which is the result of the massive success they achieved with the Tomb Raider games which collective sold many millions of copies worldwide.

Along the way, they acquired developer Crystal Dynamics which was already a prolific team with many games released and new projects in development. Under Eidos’ banner, Crystal Dynamics went on to release Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver in 1999. That being said, this print ad shows the ambitious offers Eidos Interactive had with the Tomb Raider, Gex and Legacy of Kain franchises. It is a reflection about success and confidence about the future of video games.

+++++

A Look Back at The Last Starfighter #1 (1984)

September 6, 2024August 15, 2024carlocarrasco

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 take a close look at the official comic book adaptation of the classic sci-fi movie The Last Starfighter.

The Last Starfighter is highly memorable for its extensive use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) which brought its science fiction concepts of war and space travel to life. Directed by Nick Castle, the film is also remembered for its unique storytelling (note: with scenes set on Earth and in space) as well as the solid performances by Lance Guest, Robert Preston, Dan O’Herlihy, Catherine Mary Stewart and Norman Snow.

I should also state that the movie was released during the golden age of arcade games in America and its narrative has video game elements within. The Last Starfighter, which had unreleased ports for Atari consoles and an actual game released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), clearly has a place in retro gaming culture. To know more about the movie, watch the retrospective video by Oliver Harper by clicking here, the retrospective video by GoodBadFlicks by clicking here and the movie trivia video by Minty Comedic Arts by clicking here.

Marvel Comics was in-charge of producing and publishing the comic book adaptation of the movie. In fact, it was released as issue #31 of the Marvel Comics Super Special (AKA Marvel Super Special) series and also in the form of a 3-issue mini-series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at The Last Starfighter #1, published in 1984 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by Bret Levins. This is the first chapter of the 3-issue mini-series.

Early story

The story begins on a sunny day at a trailer park filled with residents who know each other. Maggie Gordon searches for Alex who is busy playing The Last Starfighter arcade game inside the local store. Alex’s little brother Louis was told to inform him that a neighbor’s electricity problem needs fixing.

Alex is laser focused on playing the arcade game which has an immersive space shooter game design. As Maggie tells him that their friends had arrived, Alex decides to let Louis play the rest of the game as he moves out.

Just as Alex and Maggie are about the leave, his mother tells him that he the neighbor’s electricity problem needs his repair service making him miss the trip.

In the evening, Alex resumes playing The Last Starfighter and shortly after scoring over 900,000 points, many members of the local community flocked inside the grocery to watch him play…

Quality

*There is nothing like being inside a very futuristic place and getting involved in a galactic conflict.*

Considering the limited scope of the narrative – which ends with Alex already far away from home – and the creative liberties committed by the production team, this comic book is faithful for the most part and it does a good job replicating the vibe and tone of the movie.

Bill Mantlo’s script focused on the more important dialogue from the film and it did a good job following Alex Rogan (the protagonist) who is a video game achiever who happens to be striving to move forward with his life. He is a likable guy facing great odds as well as the harshness of reality, and he has hope with Maggie who just might become an integral part of his life in the years to come. Centauri is clearly the 2^nd most notable character after Alex and through him, the narrative moves forward a lot leading to the greater science fiction stuff sourced from the movie.

As it is clearly not a 100% replica of the movie’s screenplay, the script Mantlo made ensured that this comic book has a whole lot of relevant details, notable moments and characterization that readers can immerse themselves into.

For his part, Bret Blevins (note: his name was spelled as Brett Blevins here) did a fine job replicating the movie imagery that includes the locations, the characters, and the sci-fi elements. While it is not clear if the comic book team was authorized to use the actors’ likenesses when drawing the characters, there were a few instances in which Alex somewhat resembles actor Lance Guest, and Centauri looking a bit like the late Robert Preston.

Conclusion

*Have you ever experienced attracting a lot of people while playing an arcade game?*

Even though there were no battles within its narrative, The Last Starfighter #1 (1984) is a good comic book adaptation. Having seen the movie a number of times in my life, I can say that this comic book recaptures the feel and tone of the film in varying degrees. Of course, the illustrated literature format can only go so far with adapting the movie’s greatness. That being said, if you truly want mesmerizing imagery, strong thrills, great music and the dramatics of the characters, watching the movie is the clear option (note: The Last Starfighter 4K Blu-ray is available). This comic book is a worthy partial companion and I can confirm that it has convinced me to read the next issue.

Overall, The Last Starfighter #1 (1984) is recommended.

+++++

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 31

September 4, 2024August 28, 2024carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 HolyLandSite’s comprehensive videos about the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel – I love Israel and I will always stand with it in accordance to my uncompromising faith in the Lord and His Word (the Holy Bible). During the one and only day-off of the Israel 2023 pilgrimage tour I joined, I visited the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem and it is truly one of the most significant places to visit in the entire world. The Dome of the Rock (the Muslim shrine) occupies the space where the two Jewish temples used to be and inside it is the Foundation Stone (preserved layer of mountain top rock) which is the spot where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac before God sent the angel to intervene. Be aware that during the time of Lord Jesus, the 2nd Jewish temple was established.

HolyLandSite produced the most in-depth and most informative videos about the Temple Mount and I encourage you to watch them now.

#2 The #10 billion Apple Car disaster – You ever heard of the Apple Car? Such a project from the very same company behind iPhone actually existed and it ended up as a disaster worth an estimated $10 billion. What happened behind the scenes at Apple? Did the technology giant really believe it could make a positive impact on the automobile industry? You can find out more by watching ColdFusion’s video below.

#3 Venom: Lethal Protector revisited and explained – I should mention first that I am not a fan of the Marvel Comics super villain Venom. For the newcomers reading this, Venom emerged in the late 1980s as Spider-Man’s deadliest enemy and went on to become a murderer who somehow helped Marvel Comics sell a lot of comic books. Because comic book fans wanted more of him so much, Marvel went on to publish the Venom: Lethal Protector limited series in the early 1990s and it led to even more comic books showcasing him as an anti-hero (specifically a killer helping the powerless people). If you are interested to learn about the Venom: Lethal Protector limited series without having to go through all the trouble of finding the comic books, watch the video below. Better save your money.

#4 You, Me and the Movies’ reaction videos of the first three Jaws movies – YouTube channel You, Me and the Movies recently posted their movie reaction videos of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975), Jaws 2 (1978) and Jaws 3-D (1983). Having seen all three movies before, I enjoyed these reaction videos. The first movie from 1975 is a true cinematic classic directed by a very young Spielberg and if you have not seen it, I encourage you to watch it entirely first before seeing the related reaction video. I cannot say the same about Jaws 2 and Jaws 3-D (AKA Jaws 3). Once you are ready, enjoy the videos below.

#5 Retrospective videos of Suikoden and Suikoden II – Recently, Konami announced that it will finally be releasing the anticipated collection Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars on March 6, 2025 for varied game consoles plus Steam. The said collection was supposed to have been released in 2023 but a delay happened and Konami was very silent until recently. Now that fans of the first two Suikoden games have something to look forward to in 2025, here are some retrospective videos that will help you understand what the games are and why they are still popular among Japanese RPG (JRPG) enthusiasts.

#6 The wickedness and wokeness of Rachel Zegler exposed – Actress Rachel Zegler is not worth trusting as she went ballistic while promoting the new Snow White movie from woke Disney. Not only did she go against the legacy of the classic Snow White animated movie, she sided with the pro-Palestine movement and their terrorists. While her tweet could encourage pro-Palestine believers to watch the new Snow White, it is a fact that there already a movement of people who hate Israel telling people to boycott the said movie simply because it has Israeli actress (and Wonder Woman star) Gal Gadot. By being woke and reckless, Zegler is only turning off people from watching the new Snow White and if the movie fails, it will cost Disney a lot of money. Watch and learn from the selected videos below.

#7 Popcorn in Bed reacts to King Kong (1933) and Godzilla (1954) – I really enjoy watching the movie reaction videos of Popcorn in Bed (PIB) and recently she posted new videos about two very significant movies…the original King Kong of 1933 and the original Godzilla (Gojira) film of 1954. As the two mentioned movies are cinematic classics, I encourage you to watch them first before watching Popcorn in Bed’s reaction videos. To those who saw classics already, watch the reaction videos below.

+++++

	Rich on What To Watch On YouTube Right…
	Hey Japan! on What To Watch On YouTube Right…
	FediBoard Travel on What To Watch On YouTube Right…
	#LGBTQ on What To Watch On YouTube Right…
	#sciencefiction on What To Watch On YouTube Right…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: