What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 71

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 President Marcos talks about troublesome Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy – It has been weeks since Russian vlogger and live streamer Vitaly Zdorovetskiy caused trouble and harassed people here in the Philippines which resulted in his arrest. While he is in prison as the local authorities prepare to press charges against him, no less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., noticed Vitaly during an official vlog via the Bongbong Marcos YouTube channel. Marcos begins to talk about Vitaly during the 2nd half of his video. The mere fact that the President of the Philippines notices and shares his views about Vitaly should send a strong signal to troublesome live streamers/vloggers overseas that they will be punished here in the Philippines if they cause trouble for the sake of entertaining a live audience.

#2 In-depth analysis of the interrogation scene in 1984’s The Terminator – The Terminator from 1984 is the subject of multiple video reviews, reaction videos, retrospective and film analysis on YouTube. After digging through several analysis videos, I found one that is very focused on the interrogation scene of Kyle Reese and the YouTuber shared some really compelling views about it. Watch the video below.

#3 Why Tron still looks great explained – I saw Tron many times in my life from the first time seeing it on home video in 1983, on cable TV and on DVD. Even until now, the 1982 film – which used computer-generated graphics mixed with other forms of cinematic visualizing – still looks great and has aged like fine wine. The video below explains exactly why and it is a must-see.

#4 VKunia and Ashleigh Burton react to Captain America: Civil War – Back in 2016, there was a local cinema that actually organized an unusual gimmick to accommodate moviegoers…by playing Captain America: Civil War on a 24-hour basis. I saw the movie at a 5:30 AM showing back then. While it definitely was the third Captain America movie (note: I will not count the fake Captain America movie subtitled Brave New World), it was actually more of a mini-Avengers movie which clearly took some of the spotlight away from the titular character. It was fun to watch and I encourage you to see how it impacted VKunia and Ashleigh Burton in their respective reaction videos below.  

#5 PatmanQC examines the history of Batman Returns video games – Batman Returns was a big hit in cinemas around the world, although it never came close to matching the global ticket sales of its 1989 predecessor. Regardless, there was a lot of merchandising related with the movie as well as several video game adaptations. I played the Konami-developed Batman Returns game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) but never got to play the movie-based games on the Sega Genesis and Sega CD. To know more about the games based on the 1992 movie, watch PatmanQC’s in-depth video below.

#6 Minty Comedic Arts’ trivia video about What About Bob? – Back in 1991, the  comedy film What About Bob? was released in cinemas and it attracted mostly positive reviews from the critics. Many people were impressed by the performances delivered by Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. Recently, Minty Comedic Arts posted a trivia video about the film which you can watch 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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 69

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 Val Kilmer remembered – In case you missed the news, actor Val Kilmer passed away at age 65. He contributed a lot to the art of cinema for decades and had many memorable performances in films like Top Gun, Heat, Top Secret!, and Tombstone to name a few. He appeared in a very touching scene in Top Gun: Maverick. In memory of him, posted below are assorted videos of his past works.  

#2 PatmanQC examines Galaga – Originally released in arcades in 1981, Galaga is a classic 2D shooter game that consistently provided gamers bouts of fun, unique challenges and an immersive science fiction feel. Through the decades, I played it in the arcade and on game consoles, and the fun was always there. The production history of Galaga is pretty interesting and it includes developmental challenges connected with hardware limitations, revision of creative ideas and the like. PatmanQC’s examination of the history of Galaga is a must-watch!

#3 The entire Terminator film franchise examined – From 1984 to 2019, a total of six movies of the Terminator film franchise got released. If you ask me, only The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day are the ones worth replaying and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) made them even more socially relevant. Then there are those who really liked Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines as it was a very expensive follow-up to its predecessor. Terminator Salvation attracted moviegoers with its portrayal of the future war between man and machines. In recent times, YouTuber Outside Intel posted its in-depth retrospective of all the six Terminator movies, and it lasts over an hour. If you are feeling nostalgic about Terminator films, this is a must-see.

#4 Fictional TV news reports and commercials from RoboCop (1987) – Remember the first time you ever saw RoboCop inside the cinema way back in 1987? If you did, do you still remember how you first reacted when you saw the fictional TV news reports and commercials that were played within the context of the film’s story? In case you have forgotten, posted below is a YouTube that conveniently collects them all for you to see.

#5 James Gunn’s Superman looking super bad right now – There is a brand new Superman movie directed by James Gunn coming out months from now. While the first teaser of the film looked interesting, the newest teaser made the upcoming movie look bad. Among all the reactions towards the latest Superman 2025 sneak peak, Ranting for Vengeance and Ben Shapiro have the most opinionated and most analytical reactions of them all. Watch the videos below and ask yourselves this – do you really want to see James Gunn’s very own take on Superman and the DC Comics characters?

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

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 29

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. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero arcade flyers

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero arcade flyer for the Japanese market.
The North American arcade flyer of G.I. Joe.

Back in the 1980s, my friends and I saw lots of episodes of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero on TV and there were lets of toys of it available. I also read some comic books of G.I. Joe. While there were G.I. Joe video games, I never got to play its early 1990s arcade game from Konami. By comparing the two arcade flyers of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, the American flyer excels visually showing the characters with a powerful war-themed background. The Japanese flyer had smaller space for the same artwork and displayed the arcade cabinet (take note of the controls laid out to accommodate up to four players). Between the two, I prefer the American arcade flyer.

2. Alien 3 Japanese arcade flyer

With this arcade flyer, Sega clearly showed arcade operators what to expect when ordering machines of Alien 3: The Gun.

Watching Alien 3 inside the cinema in 1992 was one of the worst moviegoing experiences I ever had. By the time video games based on the movie were released, I was surprised to see how action-packed and entertaining they looked. The one Alien 3 game that captivated me was Sega’s Alien 3: The Gun in the arcades as its design and concept contradicted the essence of the film. The Japanese arcade flyer has this aggressive approach on laying down the details, displaying the arcade machine and displaying carefully selected screenshots to excite both gamers and arcade operators. This arcade flyer still looks good today.  

3. Super Cobra arcade flyer

A great artwork emphasizing the concept of Super Cobra.

First released in Japanese and America arcades in 1981, Super Cobra is a 2D side-scrolling shooter in which players pilot an armed helicopter through tight caverns while facing enemies capable of firing. The American arcade flyer has great artwork that almost perfectly captures the essence of the game. This is another old arcade flyer that has aged well.

4. The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin print ad

Back in 1993, animated sequences included in video games were still new and even exciting.

Moving forward to the year 1993, gamers in America who owned a Sega Genesis console were being motivated by Sega to upgrade their gaming experience with the Sega CD add-on. Along the way, Sega really ramped up efforts to have more games supporting the Sega CD and one of them was The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin. The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin on Sega CD was actually an updated version of the original 1991 game and Sega’s team included several improvements to take advantage of the CD-ROM technology of the add-on. This print ad showed Sega’s hard work on selling the game.

5. Soulstar print ad

The artwork of this print ad has very strong sci-fi vibes.

Released in 1994 for the Sega CD (Mega CD in other markets), Soulstar was sci-fi 3rd-person shooter that delivered amazing visuals, fun gameplay and an immersive experience of space travel to gamers. This European market print ad is a very effective way to promote the game using carefully selected screenshots, amazing artwork and a cleverly written text description. Still a fine print ad to look at.

6. Batman Returns print ad

This print ad effectively promoted both the game and the movie. In retrospect, the line “Our new Batman game is anything but tame” turned out to be true as lot of parents who brought their kids to the cinemas for Batman Returns were turned off by the adulterated elements.

In 1992, Batman Returns played in a lot of cinemas but its very dark tone and adulterated elements prevented it from matching the huge box office success of its 1989 predecessor. Regardless, a lot of licensed video games based on the movie were released and in early 1993, Konami released a Batman Returns video game on the aging Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). This print ad used a photograph from the filming of an scene that actually had Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, dominating over the iconic Batman. Also displayed were screenshots, the game’s box cover (showing Pfeiffer, Michael Keaton and Danny DeVito as their respective characters) and the text description. Even if you did not like the movie, this old print ad is a solid way of promoting both the game and the movie. The line “Our new Batman game is anything but tame” strangely turned out very true.

7. The Terminator games print ads

The Terminator for Sega Genesis.
The Terminator for Sega CD.

Released in cinemas in 1984, The Terminator was a surprise hit as well as a career-booster for Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron. What is very notable is the fact that several video game adaptations of The Terminator were released on consoles in the early 1990s. I can only guess this was done to capitalize on the resurgence of the Terminator franchise in connection with Terminator 2: Judgement Day’s much-anticipated release in cinemas. The Sega Genesis version print ad features a digitized close-up of Schwarzenegger’s Terminator while the 2-page Sega CD version print ad used a lot of the space for large text (with an incomplete shot of Schwarzenegger’s Terminator on the edge of the 2nd page) emphasizing “He’s Back” and “The Terminator” while leaving little space for text descriptions and screenshots. Between the two, I find the Sega Genesis ad more effective with its promotion of the game.

8. Defender arcade flyer

More choices of a very successful game for arcade operators also means more ways for players to play it.

Even though it had a soft start in the early 1980s, the classic game Defender went on to become a massive commercial success in the arcades. Being a major attraction in America’s video game industry, Williams unsurprisingly went on to release this particular arcade flyer to sell to operators different types of Defender arcade machines that could fit into their respective joints while providing gamers choices on how to play the game. Some players preferred to stand in-front of a tall arcade cabinet while others prefer to play the game looking down on the screen. This flyer is an example as to how a company can keep their biggest success moving on while offering business clients more choices.  

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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 67

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 The next Xbox will include Steam and PlayStation? – The vibe of the next-generation of console gaming is only intensifying by the day. When it comes to Xbox itself, there is speculation that the next-generation Xbox will not only be a hybrid PC console but also include access to Steam games and even those of PlayStation. I know it sound crazy but if it is clear that Microsoft is doing its own approach on the next-generation Xbox in radically different way compared with PlayStation and Nintendo. If you want to know more details, watch Colteastwood’s video below.

#2 PatmanQC examines NBA Jam – Were you able to play basketball videos in the arcades way back in the 1990s? Back then, NBA Jam was a massive excess attracting so many players and generating lots of income for arcade operators. The game also sold a lot on many game consoles as well. NBA Jam is a 2-on-2 arcade-style basketball game with emphasis on fast-paced scoring without the hindrance of normal basketball rules. To discover more about the history of NBA Jam and who were the people behind its production, watch the video of PatmanQC.

#3 Slope’s Game Room examines the Strike games franchise – Remember back long ago when Electronic Arts (EA) released a series of military themed shooter games on game consoles? I’m referring to the Strike series of games that include Desert Strike, Jungle Strike, Urban Strike, Soviet Strike and Nuclear Strike. Those games were released across two console generations in the 1990s and the series has not been revived until now. To look back at EA’s Strike games, watch the video by Slope’s Game Room.

#4 VKunia reacts to Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice – I recently browsed through the many videos of YouTuber VKunia and took time to watch her reaction video of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The film directed by Zack Snyder is significant not in a positive way but because of its very dark approach on storytelling and spectacle involving DC Comics’ icons Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. The way it was presented, not even the combined talents of Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck and others could spare the film from negative reception. I think by today’s standards, this is a superhero film that can only entertain a limited type of people. Still, I find VKunia’s reactions to it a must-watch.

#5 Woke garbage in comic books exposed and explained – As a geek, I really hate it when these modern day Leftists – Communists, socialists, Marxists, liberals, diversity zealots, inclusion zealots, LGBTQ activists and Islamo-Leftists – ruin movies and video games by emphasizing their radical agenda through them. The same has happened in comic books and it is clear that the Leftists working for the publishers made established superhero icons look terrible. These unfortunate developments will remind you that comic books are meant for escapism and not political agenda which comic book legends Jim Shooter and Stan Lee confirmed long ago. Watch and learn from the video of YouTuber Ranting for Vengeance right now.

#6 The free speech solution against DEI poison – In this John Stossel video I recently saw, the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was discussed and it turns out there is a free speech solution against the woke virus. This is about the ongoing information war between the Satanic Left and the ones who believe in common sense and reality.

#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Breakfast Club – Were you able to watch any movies written or directed by the late John Hughes? A lot of people considered Hughes’ works collectively defined the cinematic American teenagers of the 1980s. One of the more popular works of Hughes was The Breakfast Club and Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video is a must-see.

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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 64

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 Popcorn in Bed reacts to Planet of the Apes sequel – Following its reaction video of the original Planet of the Apes which gathered over 136,000 views, YouTuber Popcorn in Bed posted its reaction to the sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes, and it is entertaining watch. This could inspire you to watch the 1970 film eventually.

#2 The Democrats keep on getting more pathetic, desperate and unhinged – When Donald Trump first took office as US President in 2017, the hatred, dishonest and wickedness of the Democrats (and their supporters) got exposed. Now that Trump is back in the Oval Office, today’s Democrats have turned even worse as they have turned more evil and more reckless. Not only that, the Democrats themselves have failed the American people as seen through the four years of the pathetic Biden-Harris administration. Watch the videos below.

#3 VKunia reacts to Jaws – Recently, YouTuber VKunia posted her reaction video about Steven Spielberg’s classic film Jaws. While there are indeed a lot of Jaws reaction videos on YouTube, this new video manages to be entertaining to watch. As this is a classic film, it is advisable for you to watch Jaws if you still have not seen it. Otherwise, watch VKunia’s video below.

#4 Gene Hackman remembered – As of this writing, the late Gene Hackman is already being missed by not just his fans but also by film buffs. For those who missed the news, Hackman and his wife were found dead which was shocking. In memory of Hackman, posted below are some video clips and reaction videos about his contributions to cinema.

#5 PatmanQC examines the Terminator 2 arcade game – Back in 1993, there was a time when I played the Terminator 2 arcade shooter a lot. No matter how chaotic the visuals and gameplay were, I still went on to have fun with it. Thanks to YouTuber PatmanQC, the details behind the making of the arcade smash hit are revealed in detail in his video. Watch it now.

#6 Plant-based meat in America fails – When it comes to food, the natural meat sourced from animals will always remain the best not just for meat lovers but also for people who enjoy food for their taste, satisfaction and organic state. That being said, it is not surprising at all that the plant-based meat brands like Beyond Meat are failing and the consumers made their choices very clear. People have seen how pretentious, dishonest and manipulative the media partners-in-crime of the plant-based companies have been for years and the quality of those products (example: burger patties made from plants and lab-produced materials) are not good and also not worth paying for. Watch and learn from the 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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 62

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 VKunia reacts to The Terminator – The first time I ever saw The Terminator was on home video way back in the mid-1980s. I could not forget how the film blended elements of action, detective story, film noir, horror and science fiction together smoothly. Recently I viewed VKunia’s own reaction video about the 1984 movie and it was entertaining to watch as she felt its impact. I encourage you to watch her reaction video.

#2 Oblivion tested across multiple Xbox game consoles – Recently, I started replaying the 2006 fantasy role-playing game (RPG) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on my Xbox Series X console via Xbox Game Pass (XGP). But before doing that, I saw YouTuber Ramnexus’ video of Oblivion which he tested on Xbox 360 up to the more modern Xbox consoles. His video is loaded in-depth technical analysis and explanations which I really enjoyed watching.

#3 You, Me and the Movies react to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – If there was anything odd about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, it was the fact that it was actually made and released so long after Mad Max: Fury Road’s impact faded away. Directed by George Miller, the 2024 movie starring Anya Taylor-Joy was actually entertaining given its status as a spin-off and prequel, but I never felt any urge to replay it. If you want to discover what the movie is about without having to spend too much of your precious time, I encourage you to watch the reaction video by You, Me and the Movies below.

#4 The struggle of ramen restaurants in Japan – If you have been traveling overseas over the past five years, where you able to visit Japan and eat inside a ramen restaurant? Ramen restaurants there have been struggling with unfavorable economic factors and there is a growing number of them closing down. Watch and learn from the video below.

#5 Oliver Harper examines The Terminator video games – Believe it or not, there were several video games based on The Terminator that got released in the early 1990s. I myself never got to play any of them but thanks to the Internet and YouTubers who had the resources, several videos about the Terminator games have been uploaded on YouTube in the forms of longplays, retro reviews, reactions and more. Oliver Harper’s own video conveniently examines all the Terminator games and it is a fascinating retro gaming viewing experience.

#6 Basic Instinct trivia by Minty Comedic Arts – Remember how controversial Basic Instinct was when it was first released in cinemas in 1992? It was controversial for its intense approach on violence and sexuality under the direction of Paul Verhoeven, and also for the notorious short scene of Sharon Stone crossing her legs. Not only that, mobs of homosexuals protested the film and some of them even harassed people who bought tickets to see it. Recently, Minty Comedic Arts posted a trivia video about Basic Instinct which you should see.

#7 Avalanche examined by GoodBadFlicks – In the history of cinema, the 1970s was the decade that saw a slew of disaster movies from Hollywood studios. It was typical for a Hollywood disaster flick to have a large cast of actors playing different characters who are struggling with the disaster. In 1978, Avalanche was released and it was produced by low budget movie king Roger Corman. As the film was not successful, it became forgotten until GoodBadFlicks made a video about it. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves disaster films and the 1970s.

#8 Ashleigh Burton reacts to X-Men: First Class – Back in 2011, I saw X-Men: First Class inside one of the old and original cinemas of Festival Mall here in the Philippines. The film was entertaining and cleverly done but back then, I did not find the new actors who played Charles Xavier, Magneto and Mystique convincing (note: they proved themselves worthy of their roles in X-Men: Days of Future Past in 2014). At the same time, the movie was a soft reboot and a prequel together. Some people really enjoyed while others not so much. Regardless, I encourage you to watch Ashleigh Burton’s X-Men: First Class reaction 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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Superman #292 (1975)

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 20th century pop culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1975 to take a close look at one of the many tales published through the original Superman monthly series (first launched in 1939).

When I first read the literary rivalry between Superman and Lex Luthor, it was before Crisis on Infinite Earths happened. The pre-Crisis Luthor was a criminal mad scientist (as opposed to the tycoon Luthor of the post-Crisis age) who had to use technology and smart moves during his encounters with the Man of Steel. The pre-Crisis conflicts between the two were often dynamic and fantasy inspired. Of course, there is a lot more between Superman and Luthor starting with a shared past in Smallville.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman #292, published in 1975 by DC Comics with a story written by Elliot S. Maggin and drawn by Curt Swan.  

The cover.

Early story

The story begins at the ruined Metropolis International Airport with Superman helping with the huge repair efforts. It turns out, he and Lex Luthor just had an encounter there. When Mr. Hales of the airport authorities asked him why Luthor was always evil, Superman begins to remember the friendship he had with his rival when they were both teenagers in Smallville…

Quality

Yes, it is all true. Lex Luthor and Clark Kent were students in the same high school in Smallville when they were teenagers.

To make things clear, this comic book has two stories and the first one – titled “The Luthor Nobody Knows” – is clearly the main story.

The main story has this unusual format of storytelling that resulted in an abundance of flashbacks dominating the present-day tale. In connection with the tale’s title, this is a dramatized look back at the time when Luthor and Clark Kent (then Superboy) were high school students in Smallville. The creators took their time portraying young Clark Kent as the mild and ethical student and the teenage Lex Luthor as the daring student who truly believes he can make great achievements through science.

For those who might have heard the fabled start of the rivalry between Luthor and Superboy, you will see that in this comic book as well as the negative impact the former made as time went on. Along the way, you will see the stark differences between them which were nicely dramatized by the creators. Notably, you will see a more human portrayal of Luthor in his younger self.

The 2nd story of this comic book – titled “The private life of Clark Kent” – is just a 5-page additive geared towards Superman fans wanting more of him in his civilian identity.  

Conclusion

This battle between Superman and criminal mad scientist Luthor should resonate with comic book fans who love the pre-Crisis era of DC Comics.

Considering the way the main story was crafted, Superman #292 (1975) is technically an origin story of Luthor who went from an ambitious young student into a criminal mad scientist. This should surprise readers who remained unaware of the shared past between Luthor and Superman before Crisis on Infinite Earths happened. In relation to what was mentioned earlier in the review, the Superboy-Luthor conflicts here looked dynamic. There is a good amount of entertainment here to see and it should resonate with long-time comic book readers who miss the pre-Crisis era of DC Comics.

Overall, Superman #292 (1975) is recommended.

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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 61

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 The Beastmaster revisited – I find it curious that there are not too many movie reaction videos about the 1982 fantasy film The Beastmaster starring Marc Singer. The film was not a big hit in cinemas but it was viewed by millions of viewers on home video and cable TV which resulted in a dedicated following. When it comes to searching for video reviews of the movie, there are more available for viewing on YouTube. For the Beastmaster fans reading this and for those who enjoy the fantasy genre, I posted below a reaction video by You, Me and the Movies, and a video review by Decker Shado.

#2 Misha Petrov’s inspiring testimony – Being a Leftist is not only a terrible way of living as it includes living with a very distorted view of reality, rebelling against family and order, and being twisted. YouTuber Misha Petrov was once a Leftist and she eventually left the Satanic Left to be liberated. Very clearly, being liberal means being foolish and wokeness is a disease that truly ruins those trapped by it. Learn from Misha Petrov’s inspiring testimony in the PragerU video below.

#3 Do not be fooled by socialist influencers – I like watching the videos of John Stossel as there are often informative and engaging. Recently, Stossel posted a video about what the many socialist influencers get wrong. It is a reminder that no matter how powerful the words spoken and no matter how unique the presentations looked like, socialists do not want you to know the truth that does not back up their claims. That being said, I encourage you to watch Stossel’s explanatory video below.

#4 Why the playable hero of Oblivion starts inside a prison – If there is anything consequential about the release of the current Xbox-exclusive fantasy role-playing game (RPG) Avowed, it is the renewed public interest in two well established games that have similarities with the Obsidian-developed game – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. My previous blog post had a comparative video featuring Avowed and Oblivion. More on Bethesda’s 2006 RPG, it is remembered that the hero gamers got to play as started inside a prison whenever they begin the single-player campaign. As to why the playable hero is already behind bars, watch the analytical video below from YouTuber A Bard’s Ballad.

#5 VKunia and Ashleigh Burton’s respective Captain America: The Winter Soldier reaction videos – Back in 2014, I saw Captain America: The Winter Soldier on opening day in a local cinema here in the Philippines and it was a very thrilling and engaging experience. Back then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was still expanding its lore during the Phase 2 stage, and the Captain America movie itself was really a superhero tale told in the form of an espionage thriller. It was a bold creative direction that really paid off for Marvel Studios. When it comes to the YouTube reaction videos of it available, I find the ones from VKunia and Ashleigh Burton the most entertaining. If you have not seen the movie yet, I urge you to watch it first. Otherwise, enjoy the videos below.

#6 PatmanQC examines R-Type – When it comes to sci-fi themed, 2D side-scrolling shooters in video games, Japan a lot of them and arguably the most popular game franchise related to the sub-genre is Konami’s Gradius. There is, however, another sci-fi 2D side-scrolling shooter series that started in Japanese arcades – R-Type. Like Gradius, R-Type went on to have sequels and many of its games were released on many platforms through the decades. To find out how R-Type started and what were the inspirations behind it, watch PatmanQC’s in-depth video below.

#7 Baywatch revisited by Minty Comedic Arts – Back in 1989, Baywatch was launched on television and it went on to become a massive hit with TV viewers around the world. The series about attractive lifeguards working at beaches lasted more than ten seasons and ultimately became a pop culture phenomenon. It was also the sexiest show on TV during its time. Of course, there are lots of interesting details about the series and I urge you to watch the trivia video of Minty Comedic Arts below.

#8 Palestinian clerics openly call for genocide against Jews – As I mentioned before, the Palestinians have stake in the land of Israel and they as a people have destroyed their credibility a long time ago by following the their terrorist leaders and brainwashing children to hate the Jewish people. In recent times, religious leaders of the Palestinians used sermons calling for the extermination of the Jews. That being said, it is not surprising that the mainstream news media (which have not only a liberal bias but also Islamo-Leftist beliefs) does not even bother to cover the recent Palestinian campaign of hate targeting the Jewish people and Israel. While those corrupted news media outlets are staying away, CBN News covered the very issue. Watch their news video below. Keep on standing in support of Israel and push back against evil acts of the Palestinian terrorists and the wicked Palestinian Authority.

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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 60

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 Forza Motorsport (2005) revisited – The first time I ever played first-ever Forza Motorsport video game was on a rented original Xbox console in 2005. Right from the start, I was very impressed with how realistic yet accessible the game played even as it was designed by Turn 10 as a simulation. Years later, I played the succeeding Forza Motorsport games and became a fan of the series on Xbox consoles. It was delightful for me to watch the Forza Motorsport retrospective video by YouTuber Camp Xbox which you can view below.

#2 You, Me and the Movies react to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies of 1990 and 1991 – Here in the Philippines, I saw the films Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in local cinemas in 1990 and 1991 respectively. Each viewing experience was in a fully packed cinema which was not surprising because the TMNT franchise – specifically the animated series on TV – was already very popular among Filipinos and there was excitement to see the live-action versions of the popular turtles, Splinter, Shredder and April O’Neil. That being said, you should see You, Me and the Movies’ reaction videos of the two films.

#3 Israeli Air Force flies over the funeral of Hezbollah’s late leader – Several months after the successful elimination of Hezbollah leader and terrorist Nasrallah, a funeral for him was held in Lebanon and there were officials from terrorist state Iran who attended. And then something happened…fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force flew over the funeral and literally took the thunder away. The terrorist group of Hezbollah got very humiliated. Watch the analytical video of Hananya Naftali below.

#4 In-depth look back at the “DCEU” movies – Remember the DC superhero movies of the so-called DCEU (DC Extended Universe)? This year, Warner Bros., DC and director James Gunn will release an all-new Superman movie and now is a good time to look back at the previous franchise of DC superhero movies released from 2013 to 2023, and I found a very comprehensive video from YouTuber FilmyHead for you to watch.

#5 PatmanQC examines Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters – I never got to play the late-1980s game Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters in the arcade nor any of its ports. Being curious, I took time out to watch PatmanQC’s video about the game. It turns out, the game itself is an inspired piece of work and it was made by Atari. I urge you to watch the video below.

#6 Popcorn in Bed reacts to Starship Troopers – When it was first released in 1997, a lot of movie critics and moviegoers did not fully understand the themes and meaning of Starship Troopers. While many viewed it as a big-budget, loud and action-packed sci-fi flick, there was a minority of people who realized director Paul Verhoeven’s (RoboCop, Total Recall) use of irony within the narrative. Months ago, Popcorn in Bed posted her reaction video and you should see how the film affects her.

#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Thomas Crown Affair – Remember watching The Thomas Crown Affair in 1999? Some people perceived it as a clever remake of the 1968 original while there were others who found it to be Pierce Brosnan’s most notable non-James Bond role of the 1990s. Recently, Ashleigh Burton saw the film and you must watch her reaction 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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at The Man of Steel #4 (1986)

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1980s to explore a part of the DC Comics shared universe through a tale of the iconic Superman.

Shortly after the end of the original multiverse of DC Comics, the publisher organized a massive reboot of its superhero franchises and universe. To reboot and modernize the iconic Superman, DC hired John Byrne and backed him up with a solid creative team. The result was the 6-part comic book mini-series The Man of Steel. Previously, I reviewed The Man of Steel #1 and #2 which collectively established Superman and Lois Lane as the iconic superhero and the definitive supporting character of the post-Crisis age respectively. Of course, the super villain opposite the post-Crisis Superman had to be established.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at The Man of Steel #4, published in 1986 by DC Comics with a story written and illustrated by John Byrne.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins when a daringly dressed Lois Lane arrives at the apartment of Clark Kent who has not even fully prepared himself for their trip to an extravagant gathering. It turns out, Lois’ ride picked her up earlier than expected which explains her early arrival.

After entering Clark’s apartment, she slowly begins to discover what he looked like in school and who his parents are. By this time, it has been almost eighteen months since Clark beat her to the first-ever Superman news story at the Daily Planet.

Afterwards, Lois and Clark took a surprising helicopter ride going to the luxurious ship of the powerful tycoon Lex Luthor…

Quality

Superman intervenes to protect Lois Lane from one of the terrorists.

To make things clear, this issue is all about John Byrne presenting a new version of Superman’s definitive rival Lex Luthor with the 1980s in mind. Instead of a mad scientist, the post-Crisis Luthor is a billionaire whose corporation (Lexcorp) has an interest in virtually every business in Metropolis and his immense wealth makes him a very powerful figure. This new version of Luthor was clearly done to be more grounded with reality, specifically with regards to the rise of tycoons in America in the 1980s. In short, Luthor was the ruthless and powerful businessman before Michael Douglas even got to play Gordon Gekko in 1987’s Wall Street.

While the effort of making a really new version of Superman’s arch-rival is clear, Luthor here does not appear too menacing at first. The story and impact of Luthor’s evil really started to materialize as soon as the South American terrorists appeared, but not in a way that you might expect. As mentioned above, Luthor here is more grounded with reality and that means you won’t see him oppose Superman with science and technology. Instead, Luthor simply has wealth, the power and resources to go against the Man of Steel. The tycoon also knows that the American-born Kryptonian would not dare attack him as laws already exist.

Having read lots of Superman’s encounters with Luthor in the pre-Crisis era – particularly the 1970s up to the mid-1980s – it is clear to me that their first post-Crisis encounter turned out underwhelming and never dynamic. In fairness, I really enjoyed reading the 2nd encounter between Superman and Luthor as the words of the latter were filled with anger and tension. It should be noted that Byrne’s visual approach on showing the city and the people as Luthor’s dialogue went on was a great touch.

When it comes to the storytelling, it is quite simple which is not surprising because it was crafted to make way for post-Crisis Luthor to be introduced and dramatized. As for the character development, there is indeed progress with regards to the chemistry between Clark Kent and Lois Lane who are portrayed as friends living with a journalistic competition between them. It was also in this comic book where you will see Superman follow the law and the command of Metropolis’ highest official.

Speaking of law, you will notice what kind of impact Luthor has on others when he really does things his own way. This is something you should read in this comic book.

Conclusion

This is John Byrne’s version of Lex Luthor in the form of a powerful tycoon. A complete departure from the mad scientist Luthor of the pre-Crisis era of DC Comics.

While the first-ever conflict between Superman and Luthor in the post-Crisis age was indeed underwhelming, it was John Byrne’s in-depth writing and portrayal of events that made The Man of Steel #4 (1986) a worthy read. Don’t expect to see a lot of action here nor anything spectacular with Superman. Clearly, the tycoon Lex Luthor is the feature character of this tale and the start of his hatred towards Superman is really worth reading. In retrospect, Luthor’s ruthlessness and evil got stronger and clearer after the end of this comic book (for reference, click here).

Overall, The Man of Steel #4 (1986) is recommended.

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