Tag: Reviews

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 156

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 156

carlocarrasco

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

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

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #18 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #18 (1995)

carlocarrasco

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

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

After 17 issues read, it is clear that the futuristic X-Men were destined to be separated from each other before getting back together against all odds. By having the team in disarray and the members separated with different situations that affected them, it provided the comic book creators opportunities to really develop each member extensively while expanding the lore of Marvel 2099 in creative ways. After seventeen issues, Skullfire has transformed into a more reasonable person who aligned himself with Shakti closely. Meanstreak meanwhile went to Las Vegas with Halloween Jack to do something that could alter the city seriously. Krystalin in California is on a quest to find her kidnapped brother.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #18, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Cover of X-Men 2094 comic book, featuring characters in dynamic poses with vibrant colors and the title prominently displayed.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins in Berkeley where Krystalin and her companion visit a ruined part of the city. She is told that it is best for them to turn around but Krystalin insists on finding the Free Radicals who are responsible for kidnapping her brother Zak. As they walk further, they both fall into a trap door only to find themselves in a very dark wind tunnel which caused their fall to slow down. After landing on the floor, gas is suddenly pumped on them. A very bright light followed which disoriented them both. A man and woman appear to take them in. Krystalin decides to fight and find her brother.

Meanwhile in the mountains of New Mexico, three intruders appeared inside a secret laboratory while Shakti struggles to sleep. The intruders analyze Zhao’s attempt to make analogs of the original 20th century X-Men members which ended in failure. One of them thinks that Shakti has finally halted and reversed the deterioration. Using technology, they have the three fossilized bodies teleported to the Theater of Pain.

Shakti, who has been unable to sleep, senses the presence of a mutant inside the laboratory…

Quality

A group of diverse, stylized characters in a comic book setting, gathered in a futuristic underground location. The central figure, wearing a yellow robe and holding a glowing orb, is flanked by various characters with unique features, including a woman in black, a man with a muscular build, and a child with colorful attire, all engaged in a discussion.
Krystalin and her companion meet the Free Radicals, a group of dangerous freaks.

As expected, this comic book continues the tales of the previous issue, specifically Krystalin’s quest and Halloween Jack’s takeover of Las Vegas. Things, however, turned for the weird and the wild.

Krystalin’s quest for her kidnapped brother Zack led her to facing off with the Free Radicals, a group of freaks composed of scientists who have been waging guerilla war against governmental and corporate oppression. Elements of politics were mixed into the narrative of Krystalin’s tale as it brings back memories of radicalized groups in America who engaged in crime, political activism and terrorism during the rule of President Richard Nixon (for insight, click here). As expected, Krystalin finds herself on a huge disadvantage and her will to get her brother (a highly prominent part of the Panthers) back really got tested here.

As for the other important tale, Halloween Jack (assisted by Meanstreak) pushed forward with his insane intention to take over the Synge casino and bring down the syndicate while Desdemona Synge is helpless. This tale easily reminds me of the Las Vegas legacy of crime, particularly with the establishment of businesses owned by gangsters many decades ago. As Marvel 2099 has a strong anti-corporate message (which confirms the Leftist bias and philosophies with Marvel Comics and creators during the 1990s), the boundary that separated good and evil got blurred away in this tale. While Halloween Jack believes he is doing something good and significant by bringing down the Synge empire and changing Las Vegas, he does not realize he himself is evil and is executing a plan of one evil force replacing the current evil force. This should remind you about the Black Panthers, the Palestinian terrorists, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and other wicked forces of the world who see themselves as liberators and went to the extremes with violence and coercion.

Along the way, Meanstreak assists Halloween Jack without any hesitation which made him a pawn of evil. As such, Meanstreak’s character and moral standing got compromised a lot which makes his membership of the X-Men questionable.

Indeed, there is a lot of symbolism in the tales of Krystalin and Halloween Jack here and the undeniable thing is that John Francis Moore implemented a good amount of depth within.   

Conclusion

A comic book panel featuring a dialogue between two characters. One character, a shadowy figure in a black suit, speaks to another character, a woman with long dark hair, wearing a yellow top and black shorts. A glowing green container is present in the background, indicating a sci-fi setting.
Shakti, who has the ability to sense the presence of mutants, encounters the intruder.

X-Men 2099 #18 (1995) is clearly an attempt to shake the foundation of the series itself. Las Vegas has always been a key location since the beginning, and the Synge empire was the original enemy of the futuristic X-Men. Even as the mentioned two tales resulted in the weird and the wild, the creators succeeded in ensuring a cohesive read.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #18 (1995) is recommended.

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

A Look Back at Wolverine #50 (1992)

A Look Back at Wolverine #50 (1992)

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

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics universe to examine one of the many tales of the Wolverine monthly series.  

Before I start the review, I have to say out loud that the very woke and shameless game developer Insomniac Games ruined the superhero icon in the new Wolverine game on PlayStation 5. They inserted woke and homosexual elements into the game. That said, Insomniac Games never intended to make a Wolverine game that was fun and accurate to the source material. I urge you fans of X-Men and Wolverine to BOYCOTT the Wolverine PlayStation 5 video game!

Times like these, it is best to go back to reading the comic books published from the 1970s to the 1990s that featured Wolverine.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Wolverine #50, published by Marvel Comics in 1992 with a story written by Larry Hama and drawn by Marc Silverstri.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Wolverine forcibly going up a New York City skyscraper with his motorcycle. It turns out that S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Helicarrier is secretly floating by the top of the building and Wolverine – who caused a lot of disturbance along the way – used his motorcycle to leave on to the floating structure. Wolverine crashes through the Helicarrier’s window and makes his way to Colonel Nick Fury. Wolverine tells him that he is aware about El Tigre and Emilio Garra’s activities in Cuba and he wants him to hand over his security dossier.

Minutes after Fury makes a call to secure the dossier, pawns of Hydra inside a building nearby gets alerted and retrieves from the National Security Agency (NSA) files of S.H.I.E.L.D. that have not been pulled in over twenty years.

The next day in Washington, D.C., Wolverine arrives at the office of the Department of Agriculture wanting to talk to Professor Thornton who is behind the closed door of his office…

Quality

A barrage of images from Wolverine’s memories drawn in great detail by Marc Silvestri.

The best way to describe this particular story of Wolverine is that it is a mystery and suspense tale (with a touch of political intrigue) told in the form of a superhero tale. More notably, this one reconnects to Wolverine’s past with Weapon X and it strong emphasizes the sinister nature of Weapon X and how is ruined the memories and lives of its living objects (including Wolverine and Silver Fox).

As many fans are already aware, it was during the Weapon X project when Logan was held against his will, got heavily experimented on and had Adamantium installed into his skeleton (note: the sharp Adamantium claws were installed on Logan).

In this comic book, Larry Hama went further with the mysteries by focusing on the memories Wolverine remembers and how the people behind Weapon X cleverly staged scenes (complete with physical sets, props and movie cameras) and implanted false memories into their minds by having neuro-synthetic implants placed in the cerebral vortex.

The X-Men led by Professor X bring Wolverine to Canada where the Weapon X warehouse is located at.

That said, this comic book explores moments from Wolverine’s past which will challenge readers to think if such moments are real or somehow fabricated. Considering Wolverine’s legacy as an aged superhuman who could not figure out his own personal history, this tale offers readers a cerebral reading experience that is truly one of a kind.   

Of course, this comic book would not be complete with action scenes of the icon. Wolverine’s battle with Shiva is indeed action-packed and Marc Silvestri’s art style made it look dynamic and gritty at the same time. I should state that the action did not happen in a random fashion. Instead, the action happened within the context of the story complete with moments of intrigue and revelations (note: pay close attention to the dialogue and other details during the action scenes).

Conclusion

This page’s message is clear: never mess with the tough and rough Wolverine.

Wolverine #50 (1992) is indeed a very compelling read and it still is a great, standalone Wolverine tale to follow from start to finish. The story has a good amount of intelligence, mystery, political intrigue and twists carefully blended. In my experience, the tension gradually built up as Wolverine’s quest for answers and the truth went on. I can also say the payoffs are rewarding. More notably, this old comic book will make you think deeply about Wolverine and his past, and how Weapon X violated him to the point of ruining his memory. This comic book could also make you sympathetic towards the tough and violent Marvel icon in ways that other forms of media (notably the movies) could not.

Overall, Wolverine $50 (1992) is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH 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 155

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 155

carlocarrasco

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

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

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 You, Me and the Movies react to Swordfish – Let’s be clear here. No matter how much the movie critics rejected it, the 2001 film Swordfish remains very entertaining to watch and the creativity behind it made it memorable. I still remember the sudden impact the movie had on the public shortly after it opened in cinemas twenty-five years ago…a lot of moviegoers were stunned by the elaborate explosion early in the story and many people were so impressed with John Travolta’s performance as Gabriel, they forgave him for his involvement in the super bad movie Battlefield Earth. Considering how entertaining Swordfish really is, there are still too few movie reaction videos of it on YouTube. Fortunately, You, Me and the Movies posted their Swordfish reaction video and I encourage you all to watch it.

#2 Totally Whatever reacts to From Russia With Love – My favorite among all the James Bond movies of the late Sean Connery is still From Russia With Love. I enjoyed the film’s approach on espionage storytelling laced with Cold War political influence mixed with thrills and misadventures that are grounded that were believable. Some people find it boring while others enjoyed it for what it is. That said, I encourage you to watch Totally Whatever’s reaction video of the 1963 James Bond movie.

#3 The Dream Team of 1992 and their Impact on the World– In the history of basketball, nothing can ever be more groundbreaking than the Dream Team of 1992. I’m talking about the American basketball team that played in the Olympic Games with NBA legends like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, John Stockton, Chris Mullin, Karl Malone, and Charles Barkley to name some. Behind the scenes, getting the NBA legends to work together as a true team was challenging due to egos and, fortunately, serious adjustments were made over time. To rediscover the Dream Team and how they impacted the whole world through basketball, watch the video below.

#4 Traditional and Popular Edo Cuisine in Japan – When it comes to Japanese food, have you ever heard of Edo cuisine? Edo cuisine refers to the style of cooking that developed in the city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period (1603–1868). Unlike the refined, slow-paced banquets favored by the imperial aristocracy in Kyoto, Edo cuisine’s development was shaped by a booming population of hasty merchants, construction workers and the samurai. As such, Japan’s original street food culture came to be. In modern Japan, there are places where visitors can find and enjoy Edo cuisine. Watch the video below and pay attention to the details.

#5 Arcade Games Made to Suck Money from Players – If you were fond of playing games in the video arcades, chances are you may have felt like you spent too much money on playing one or two particular games that did not reward you enough in terms of fun. Indeed, there were arcade games that were design to absorb as much money from players, especially those who are obsessed with completing them or getting satisfied from the gameplay. Watch and learn from the video below.

#6 Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64 – Console gaming in the second half of the 1990s was indeed a wild period. While the PlayStation eventually outsold the competition, there are indeed very distinct features and unique gaming experiences that the Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64 offered to gamers. The two said consoles also have unique game designs as the people behind Sega and Nintendo’s respective offices had their own approach on designing them. For another round of retro gaming, watch the video below.

#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to Rhinestone – Have you ever seen the 1984 comedy film Rhinestone? The first time I saw it was on local TV and I was really laughing at the scene wherein Sylvester Stallone started singing so wildly in a rural community whose residents love country music. This movie has a colorful performance by the late Dolly Parton (who died recently) and there is indeed chemistry between her and Stallone. By today’s standards, this comedy is considered by Stallone fans an anomaly given his huge success in 1980s Hollywood cinema with action films. If you really want to see comedy from Stallone and Parton, I encourage to watch Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video below.

#8 EOM Reacts to early X-Men movies – Were you able to watch the first three live-action X-Men movies as they were released within a 6-year period? I did. I saw X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) in different cinemas in two cities. Each cinematic experience was entertaining but as a long-time X-Men comic book reader, I could tell that liberties were taken on the characters, settings and other elements. In recent times, YouTube EOM Reacts posted his reaction videos of the three mentioned X-Men movies and they are fun to watch one-by-one. I encourage you to watch them now.

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #17 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #17 (1995)

carlocarrasco

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

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

I like the way the direction of the series went with issue #16. The X-Men are in disarray and they are not even complete nor are they stable enough for any opposing force that could come their way. As Krystalin went to California for an uneasy reunion with her brother, Meanstreak has the past catching up to him. Firstly, he is not comfortable with Luna (Skullfire’s former tormentor and romantic partner) being part of their team. Secondly, a friend of his from Alchemax returned but in a radically different form.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #17, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Meanstreak and Halloween Jack (Jordan Boone who previously appeared as Loki during the Fall of the Hammer storyline) arriving in Las Vegas. Halloween Jack tells his pal that they benefit a lot from Las Vegas once they reshape it to their desires. For Meanstreak, trusting Jordan Boone (his friend since their days at the Alchemax academy) is very tough as he has changed so drastically into a dangerous psychopath as Halloween Jack. Jordan tells his fast friend that revenge is motivating him to take over Las Vegas.

Deep inside the Synge Casino & Hotel, Desdemona appears to her fallen brother Lytton who is paying the penalty of having murdered their late father Noah Synge. Even though he is in prison and has been isolated, Lytton remains addicted to shriek

Quality

A civil talk between Krystlin and her extremist brother Zak.

This comic book has two main plot threads – one is about Meanstreak and the obsessed Halloween Jack tackling the top of the Synge empire by confronting Desdemona personally, and the other follows Krystalin in California. Thematically, the two main plot threads are about dealing with the past and doing something with the future in mind.

In the case of Meanstreak (now separated many miles away from his teammates), his uneasy reunion with Jordan Boone puts him into a direct encounter with the head of the Synge empire which itself has a powerful grasp on Las Vegas. Meanstreak is witnessing Halloween Jack’s move to take over the city which effectively puts him in a very awkward position and none of the X-Men could help him.

As for Krystalin, she has the burden of dealing with her brother Zak who is obsessed with the ways of Wakanda and still lives with the obsession that everyone – including his sister – has to follow the Wakandan ways and agenda even if it means betraying the X-Men and their mother’s legacy. In fact, Zak here is pretty extreme and there are hints of racism and discrimination in his beliefs. This comic book also reveals the conflict of beliefs between Krystalin’s own parents which remains in effect between her and Zak.

Conclusion

Desdemona is the head of the Synge empire.

With its two plot threads, new sub-plots and character-driven focus, X-Men 2099 #17 (1995) moved this series to a direction that can be described as suspenseful, intriguing and also uncertain. That said, the current state of the X-Men looks even bleaker and more uncertain. Still, this comic book has set up something about Las Vegas and Krystalin’s personal struggle, and I am interested enough to discover more.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #17 (1995) is recommended.

+++++

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #16 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #16 (1995)

carlocarrasco

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

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Having read the first fifteen issues of the monthly series, the X-Men have so much uncertainty ahead of them. Their leader Xi’an not only left them, but he also joined the sinister Theater of Pain which is led by the demonic Brimstone Love. The twisted Skullfire returned to the X-Men with a renewed purpose, but Kystalin had to leave them to settle a private matter. In Las Vegas, something is brewing within the Synge empire.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #16, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Cover art of X-Men 2099 #16 featuring a character in a blue and red outfit with a serious expression, and a ghostly figure looming menacingly behind. The title 'X-Men 2099' is prominently displayed at the top, with 'Halloween Jack' as the subtitle.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins in Las Vegas when operators of the Synge empire attempt to kill a man. The man successfully avoids getting hit then jumps off the building and transforms into an eagle. Using their flying vehicle, the operators chased the eagle and successfully knocked it out cold using the neural scattershot.

In Oakland, Kystalin attends the grand funeral of Andre Daniel Ogada, one of the founding soldiers of the panther who helped rescue a community from violence. There, she is reunited with her brother Zak who is addressed by others s Minister Ogada. Krystalin could not believe that Andre Daniel Ogada is gone as she always thought he was invincible. Zak tells her she should have been at his side. Kystalin suddenly finds herself in a conflict between being with her family and being one of the X-Men as Zak tells her that her duty is with the family instead of the mutants…

Quality

A comic book page featuring a dynamic action scene with a character, a woman with white hair and a dark outfit, fighting and using a whip in a confrontational pose. The dialogue includes playful banter and expressions of defiance.
Luna got slashed from behind by someone with serious business with Meanstreak.

To begin with, this comic book really moved a lot of developments forward involving the X-Men members in creative fashion. This one has four plot developments that even include Desdemona Synge and her empire’s struggle with one very notable gang that gave them a lot of trouble.

Among the four plot developments, the one involving Meanstreak – who appeared on the cover art – is the closest thing to being the most important one to follow. This is because each plot development has a lot of depth and John Francis Moore ensured character developments would happen along with intrigue and surprise sprouting from the narrative. The part about Desdemona and the Synge empire is very compelling to read on its own and there is something new to discover about how it operates as it combats individuals perceived to be crooks or terrorists. The plot thread about Kystalin reuniting with her brother carries a lot of emotional weight as the legacy of her family was well defined. To see Krystalin getting conflicted between two families – her biological family and the X-Men – is absolutely intriguing and you might end up speculating about what lies ahead for her.

Conclusion

A comic book scene depicting a fight between characters, with dynamic action lines showing impact. One character receives a kick, while another character is poised for a strike. Speech bubbles reveal dialogue about teamwork and combat skills.
At this stage in the X-Men 2099 series, Skullfire and Shakti are focused on keeping the team together while knowing fully well that the Theater of Pain is one powerful enemy to deal with.

The best way to describe X-Men 2099 #16 (1995) is this…it sparked a wave of emotions from the X-Men members while creatively reconnecting this series to what was told in the early issues (specifically issues #1 to #5) and even paving the way for an uncertain future that awaits the team. This is the kind of comic book that builds up anticipation for the next issue and if you are an X-Men 2099 reader who cares a lot about the characters, then this one will resonate with you.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #16 (1995) is recommended.

+++++

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

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 154

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 154

carlocarrasco

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

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

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Ashleigh Burton reacts to A View to a Kill – It has been over a year since Asheigh Burton made a Roger Moore-led James Bond movie reaction video. That said, she recently posted her reaction video of A View to a Kill and that film happens to be Moore’s final movie as Agent 007. In my honest opinion, Roger Moore was at his best as Bond in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only before everything went downhill with his last two 007 flicks. As such, I can say that Ashleigh Burton enjoyed A View to a Kill more than I did and her reaction video is fun to watch. Go watch her reaction video now!

#2 Sega Lord X examines Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Sega CD – When Bram Stoker’s Dracula (directed by Francis Ford Coppola) was released in cinemas worldwide in 1992, there was a lot of marketing for it and its presence through local media was felt. The same cannot be said about the official video game adaptations which was limited to video game-related publications. Among those video games was the Sega CD game of Bram Stoker’s Dracula which was somewhat ambitious in design connected with its use of full-motion video and digitized elements for the 2D side-scrolling gameplay. In his retrospective video, Sega Lord X offers viewers a close look at Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Sega CD which is engaging to watch.

#3 When Michael Jordan taught the Orlando Magic a big lesson – Remember back in 1995 when Michael Jordan came out of retirement to significantly boost the Chicago Bulls? The Bulls won 13 of the 17 remaining regular season games with Jordan and they reached as far as the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 1st-seeded Orlando Magic. While the Bulls got stronger with their NBA legend, the fact was Michael Jordan was still far from recovering 100% of the basketball greatness he had in 1993 (the year he had a sudden retirement after winning another NBA championship and losing his beloved father). The series with the Orlando Magic has always been remembered for Nick Anderson’s remarks of “45 is not 23” which eventually led to a huge consequence later. This is about trash talk that compelled Jordan to react with action not only within the 1995 series against the Orlando Magic but also beyond it. Watch and learn from the video below.

#4 A look at Hong Kong – Have you ever visited Hong Kong? There is this YouTube video about the city and there are many real-life elements and locations that are unique to see. Back in the 1990s, Hong Kong was also known for its neon lights shown during nights and the city itself became the visual inspiration for the fictional New Port City in the Ghost in the Shell anime feature film of 1995. There is a lot to learn about Hong Kong in the video below.

#5 Nuclear Fusion in Japan – What is nuclear fusion? It is the reaction in which two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a massive amount of energy in the process. As of now, nuclear fusion is being developed in Japan and the Japanese are investing a massive amount of over three trillion Yen on it. With said investment, the government of Japan aims to achieve fusion power generation in the 2030s and capture 30% of the global market. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#6 You, Me and the Movies react to Hudson Hawk – If you enjoyed watching Bruce Willis in Die Hard films, do you enjoy watching him in action-comedy movies? Way back in 1991, Willis starred in Hudson Hawk which was an expensive action-comedy film that ended up as a huge critical and commercial failure in America. Even though it flopped big-time, it did not n necessarily destroy Willis’ career and the film somehow gained a cult following. There are also some film buffs online who admitted even enjoying it. Perhaps there is something within Hudson Hawk that was good and misunderstood. To learn more about the movie, watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.

#7 Totally Whatever reacts to Predator and Predator 2 – I enjoy watching the reaction videos posted by Totally Whatever. I took time to watch their reaction videos of 1987’s Predator (a true action classic which has Arnold Schwarzenegger and a memorable cast) and the 1990 sequel Predator 2 (which starred Danny Glover). Considering how different each movie was and how unique the presentations and characters were, the reaction videos to the Predator films are fun to watch. I encourage you watch the videos below.

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

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 153

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 153

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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 Reaction Videos of The Transformers: The Movie – I can hardly believe it has been forty years since The Transformers: The Movie was first released. Following its disappointing theatrical run, the animated feature film became highly pursued by Transformers fans as soon as it was released on home video, and me and my friends enjoyed it a lot. It’s theatrical disappointment never stopped it from becoming a classic for Transformers fans and its importance in pop culture has been established solidly. By today’s standards, The Transformers: The Movie is a showcase of not only high-quality animation and a great lineup of characters, it also has the fine vocal performances of entertainment legends Orson Welles, Peter Cullen (who died recently), Leonard Nimoy, Scatman Crothers, Robert Stack, and Frank Welker. That said, it is not surprising that the 1986 animated film is featured in many movie reaction videos and I found the most entertaining ones for you to enjoy.

#2 Summer Bargains in Japan – Are there a lot of bargains offered by your local grocery or department stores during the summer season? In Japan, as captured by Nippon TV, a grocery store organized “all-you-can-stuff” events that offered customers the golden opportunities to accumulate as many fresh vegetables (sourced from the summer produce of local farms) as they can for a fixed rate per attempt. Watching this Nippon TV video is entertaining and informative. I encourage you all to watch it from start to finish.

#3 1978 Interview Clip of Ingrid Bergman – If you have seen the classic movie Casablanca, you would remember the radiant beauty of Ingrid Bergman and her on-screen romance with Humphrey Bogart’s character. A few years before she passed away, Bergman was interviewed on TV and I posted below a short video excerpt for you to see. Not only will you learn from Bergman a notable revelation about her co-star’s presence behind the scenes of Casablanca’s production, you will see how intellectual and insightful she was. Go watch the video below.

#4 The Indiana Jones Game Konami Was Never Allowed to Make – Time for retro gaming! Back in the 1980s, Konami was a very prolific producer of video games for both arcades and consoles. In 1987, Konami released Arumana no Kiseki for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) disk system. What struck me when I first played the game was the many creative elements it shared with the 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The playable action hero was designed with close resemblance to Indiana Jones (complete with the fedora). The game even had locations that looked like they were ripped off from the 1984 movie. To learn more about Arumana no Kiseki, who created it and why it had lots of Indiana Jones-related elements in it, watch the video below.

#5 Roger Moore Technically Played James Bond in The Cannonball Run – Released in 1981, The Cannonball Run was an all-star comedy film with an emphasis on racing and stunts. It was heavily inspired by a real-life illegal cross-country motor race that happened in America in the 1970s and the movie had the very popular celebrities of the time like Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Farrah Fawcett and Roger Moore. Moore, who was already famous as the cinematic James Bond, technically played Agent 007 in The Cannonball Run. If you are curious and you want to know more, go watch Calvin Dyson’s retrospective of the movie and Moore’s presence.

#6 Jerusalem Walk Video – During the day-off of the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined in 2023, I took the rare opportunity to explore the city of Jerusalem on foot. I started the day at the Old City of Jerusalem where I visited the Temple Mount, the Western Wall and other holy sites before marching all the way to the modern part of Jerusalem going as far as the famous Mahane Yehuda market. This Jerusalem walk video brings back memories to me and if you love world travel, I encourage you to watch it.

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #15 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #15 (1994)

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

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Looking back at how early the members of the futuristic X-Men got separated and lost their leader Xi’an (who became sinister, pursued a quest of his own interest and joined the Theater of Pain), I can see what the creators did to develop the characters, tell new stories, introduce new characters and expand the lore of the 2099 in another part of the United States. That said, this series became consistently entertaining and intriguing at the same time.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #15, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in the Keewazi Nation in Oklahoma. Eddie/Metalhead is unconscious with Hurricane and her friend accompanying him. Their pregnant companion Rosa has been missing since Glitterspike (the man who impregnated Rosa) took her away from them. Metalhead wakes up and immediately asks where Rosa is.

Far away, Rosa tells Alexi/Glitterspike to let go of her even though they are flying high above ground. Glitterspike tells her that he will do the best interest of her and their unborn child to become one big happy family. Rosa rejects him stating that the Freakshow is her family.

Even with the tremendous risk present, Rosa uses power of producing static interference on them. Soon enough, they start losing altitude…

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Serious talk between Shakti and a changed Skullfire about the X-Men and the situation they have now that their former leader Xi’an joined a gang of evil.

The story crafted by John Francis Moore here is strongly focused on the Freakshow with emphasis on former X-Men member Metalhead who at this point of the series has gotten very close with the pregnant member Rosa. This comic book marks the first time that Metalhead became a true major player in the series as he gradually adjusts with becoming a new member of the Freakshow.

Unsurprisingly, Rosa became a major player in the story too as she has no choice but to deal with someone from her past who is not just stubborn but also a cybernostra hitman who was genetically bred to process light into energy. Glitterspike went ballistic when Rosa left him some time prior and his obsession with her only grew.

A major part of this story involved the presence of a fabled monster called the Shadow Dancer which has been lurking in the hills of the wasteland and already a lot of people got scared of it. Creatively, this monster serves as the obstacle that Metalhead, Rosa, and the others have to deal with.

What Moore and Ron Lim accomplished in this story is deeply developing the Freakshow, Metalhead and Rosa while expanding the lore of 2099’s American wasteland even further. They also gave readers a quick look at the remaining X-Men team members who are now dealing with the new reality that their former leader turned evil by joining Brimstone Love’s Theater of Pain. In addition, Skullfire – once a weak and unsure new member of the X-Men in the beginning – not only returned to Shakti and the remaining team members, his personality and view of reality have changed which reinvigorated his passion for the team.

Conclusion

Rosa does something very risky as Glitterspike carries her in the air.

X-Men 2099 #15 (1994) was crafted to be compelling with strong focus on Metalhead and the Freakshow. It clearly marked the next phase in the life of Metalhead and it made the Freakshow an even more interesting team within the X-Men 2099 series. The story has lots of strong and intriguing moments, and character development is consistently strong. The tale also has some science fiction inspiration from the 1979 movie Alien mixed in. This is a good read.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #15 (1994) is recommended.

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #13 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #13 (1994)

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

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

I enjoyed the way John Francis Moore put things into motion in issue #12 and other previous issues of X-Men 2099. During the 3-part storyline at the start of the series, the Synge business empire and its wing of enforcers looked like the definitive force of evil for the mutants led then by Xi’an. As the series progressed, the Theater of Pain (first introduced comprehensively in issue #4) and its leader Brimstone emerged as the new force of evil while the X-Men lost Xi’an and Skullfire became more unhinged and got more involved with Luna (the one who messed with his mind and emotions). Xi’an, who reverted back to his sinister mindset, is obsessed with finding the Driver. It should be noted that these characters are all in the middle of the wasteland in 2099’s America (for 2099 historical reference, click here).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #13, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Brimstone Love making his way into the Garage, a secret high-tech facility of the Driver. He finds it interesting that his hunt for Luna led him into the strange structure in the desert and he know that she and her companions are inside.

Inside the structure, Junkpile is bound and tortured on a chair with Adamantium restraints holding him. With Junkpile is the Driver watching him while Xi’an, Skullfire and Luna are trapped nearby by a laser grid. Skullfire, who is aware that Xi’an has been pursuing the Driver ever since he learned key details from Hurricane, implied to the former X-Men leader that the Driver is more of a problem and antagonist while Luna added her own comments about their situation. Xi’an tells them they need to determine the severity of their situation.

Xi’an tells the Driver that Hurricane described him as a part of the mutant underground during the Purge. It turns out, the Driver has not heard about Hurricane for a long time and insisted to Xi’an that he mistook his actions as hostile.

The Driver begins to explain what he has been doing, why he continues to fight and protect the sacred mutant tribe and why he sought out hundreds of mutants to give them sanctuary…

Quality

A lot of intriguing developments happened here and it concludes Xi’an’s pursuit of the Driver.

With regards to storytelling and revelations, I can say that the intensity from the previous continued smoothly in this comic book. While the Theater of Pain was first revealed in issue #4, it was in the previous issue and in this particular story that its actual scope was made clear, and the presence of Brimstone Love – obviously 2099’s walking symbol of Satan – added great tension and a new evil presence for the X-Men to deal with.

What I enjoyed most in the story crafted by John Francis Moore are the revelations. The Driver, who came close to death and witnessed the plight of mutants, has a personal mission of providing sanctuary to mutants who are still living in danger in 2099’s America which has been dominated by mega corporations (MegaCorps). Still, his specific methods of achieving his goals for mutantkind are intriguingly questionable and in someways they made him looked even sinister. That said, Xi’an’s pursuit of him (which started a few issues prior) really resulted in some shock value that has to be seen page by page.  

Very notably, Moore made the script even more dramatic which is clearly reflected in the dialogue of the characters and the art done by Ron Lim. I should also state that flashbacks of the mutants struggle for survival under the Driver and Hurricane are included and they are worth seeing.

Considering what this comic book has, it will make readers think deeply about the essence of X-Men 2099 as a team and the comic book series itself. At the same time, new mysteries about the direction of the series will be realized in ways that readers don’t expect.

Conclusion

The Driver himself was part of the effort that saved desperate mutants decades prior and he came close to dying. This comic book heavily defines his existence and his mission on providing sanctuary to any mutants he finds.

If there is anything significant about X-Men 2099 #13 (1994), it is the fact that it changed the trajectory of the series and reshaped the concept of X-Men 2099 as a whole in dramatic fashion. The build-ups, the pay-offs and revelations in this comic book are powerful. Along the way, this will make you question even further the intentions of Xi’an (former X-Men leader) and Skullfire (the unhinged X-Men member who used to be so weak and unsure of himself). As for the Driver, he is very well defined by the Moore-Lim duo in this comic book and he has gotten even more significant by the end. If there is anything severely lacking here, it is the spotlight on the surviving X-Men team members (with Shakti as their new leader).

Overall, X-Men 2099 #13 (1994) is recommended.

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