Here is a collective look at Israel’s strategic response against terrorist state Iran citing credible sources. Pay close attention to the details. Do not be misled by the Islamo-Leftist and wicked forces of the world. Remember that Iran launched not one but two massive attacks of ballistic missiles against Israel this year. This past weekend’s attack on military targets in Iran were very specifically done by Israel as the Jewish state did not target civilians. Rather they hit the said targets to bring down Iran’s defenses and to hamper their ability to launch ballistic missiles (which itself is good for Israel’s people and other nations).
George W. Bush’s war against terror has long been over and it is clear that Israel is leading the fight against the terrorists while defending Western civilization as we know it. Iran’s Islamic regime declared many times before it wishes death to America, Israel and England.
Lastly, I encourage you to pray to God in support of Israel. Learn to love and bless the Jewish people. Help them and other unsaved souls (including the Iranians who defied the Islamic regime) to come to Lord Jesus. Also pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
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. River Raid print ad
This River Raid print ad appeared on comic books and magazines long ago.
Decades before it became an industry giant with the best-selling Call of Duty games, Activision became a standout publisher in the early 1980s with River Raid on the Atari 2600. Designed by Carol Shaw, River Raid was a huge success ending up as the 2nd best-seller on the Atari 2600 as well as Activision’s best-selling game for the year 1983. Apart from showing one screenshot and the box cover of the game, the print ad of River Raid had this mesmerizing 3D image that caught many gamers’ attention and helped them feel like they will pilot on dangerous missions. The 3D image was futuristic in its own style became forward-moving 3D sequences in video games became reality many years later.
2. Galaga North American arcade flyer
The front of the flyer showing three Galaga machines that arcade operators can choose from.
Key details about Galaga were nicely presented on the rear of the flyer.
In the history of gaming, Namco’s Galaga was played by countless millions of gamers and it is still highly regarded as an arcade classic as well as one of the most enjoyable arcade games ever made. In preparation for the North American launch (October 1981), Midway prepared the arcade flyer showing the three types of machine on the front that arcade operators can choose from. On the rear is the really neat approach of explaining the details of the game, what kind of gameplay is to be expected, and how to play. Whether you are an individual player or the manager of an arcade joint, this flyer suits your needs.
3. Area 51 arcade flyer and conversion kit flyer
The front of this Area 51 flyer had an enticing message for arcade operators as well as other business owners/managers who are interested in having a machine to add value to their business joints. Atari was already in deep money problems by the time they started making this game.
The Area 51 arcade conversion kit is a cheaper alternative for businesses who want the game.
Moving on to the 1990s, Atari was already struggling financially and desperately needed a hit to lift them up fast. A light gun shooter project was approved as arcade shooters were in good demand and after overcoming serious hurdles during production internally, Atari hired independent team Mesa Logic to take charge of development. After being granted extra time and more creative freedom, the project under Mesa Logic’s handling became a sci-fi shooter titled Area 51. The game became a huge hit in the arcades for Atari resulting in sales of more than 20,000 arcade cabinets as well as a major financial boost for the company (note: Atari still exists today). Atari went on to release Atari 51 versions for PlayStation, Sega Saturn and PC in America in 1996. The Atari 51 flyers you see here are still captivating to look at and were crucial in generating buzz among arcade operators, business joints that had space for arcade cabinets and gamers.
4. Panasonic 3DO print ad
The makers of this print ad forgot to mention the 3DO is also a game machine.
Back in 1993, the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer console manufactured by Panasonic (a licensee of the 3DO Company) was launched with a CD-ROM drive, multimedia features and gaming capabilities (with a 3-button control pad). This print ad strongly emphasized the 3DO’s ability to play high-quality sound and full-motion videos using the Sea of Cortez software which functioned as an interactive movie. Obviously, this did not resonate well with people who loved to play games and by the time the 3DO Company and its partners started marketing games, they could not save the 3DO console from fading to obscurity. The console shown in the ad is specifically model Panasonic FZ-1 R·E·A·L 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. Panasonic was one of five companies that were licensed by the 3DO Company.
5. MechWarrior 3050 SNES print ad
If you were unaware of the 1994 game BattleTech, then this ad would have fooled you into thinking it is promoting a brand new game.
In 1995, the popular BattleTech entertainment franchise arrived on the Super Nintendo Entertainment (SNES) system with MechWarrior 3050 and its print ad had a really blazing artwork of an armed mech in fire which gave readers the illusion of a new and original game. In reality, MechWarrior 3050 was actually a port of BattleTech which was released on the Sega Genesis in 1994. The Genesis game was published by Extreme Entertainment Group while the SNES game was published by the more famous Activision. If you look closely at the MechWarrior print ad, you can tell how hard they tried to sell the game like it was brand new and all-original.
6. Cliffhanger video game print ad
This print ad had Sylvester Stallone hanging on a cliff to be relevant with the title of both the film and the game. They could not show images of Stallone in hard action scenes.
For fans of Sylvester Stallone, 1993 was a big and exciting year as the Hollywood icon appeared in two major action films – Cliffhanger and Demolition Man. Cliffhanger was released first and there were video game adaptations of it released on game consoles, handhelds and computers. This print ad of the Cliffhanger video game had an image of Stallone hanging on a cliff to emphasize the title. The ad makers cleverly posted selected gameplay screenshots and quoted GamePro and Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) to make the game look credible and worthy of purchasing. The marketing led to nowhere as the game received mostly negative reviews from critics and it faded to obscurity. Lastly, the Cliffhanger game ad had a noticeable amount of space wasted. They could have made the screenshots and text look somewhat bigger to sell the game.
7. Ballz: The Director’s Cut print ad
I never got to play this game on the 3DO.
Here is another ad of the video game released on the failed 3DO console. As its title made obvious, Ballz: The Director’s Cut is an enhanced version of the original Ballz game of 1994 that was released on other consoles. The print ad had an eye-catching piece of artwork and posted beside it were selected shots of the gameplay. Strangely enough, the creative writing on the lower part of the ad does not make any sense and did nothing to convince gamers to play the game. As Ballz: The Director’s Cut was released in 1995, this ad shows the revised 3DO console from Panasonic (model: Panasonic FZ-10 R·E·A·L 3DO Interactive Multiplayer).
8. NFL GameDay 2000 print ad
Did you find this ad funny to look at in 1999?
To promote the PlayStation-exclusive NFL GameDay 2000, Sony publisher 989 Sports and the ad makers decided to implement a humorous look at football TV coverage by having two sportscasters wearing shorts in front of a TV camera that was only showing their heads and upper bodies. The TV sets on the side show screenshots from the game to emphasize the sports gaming experience. Ultimately the game scored mostly positive review from the critics.
9. WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams print ad
WildC.A.T.S. art by Jim Lee was used to promote the SNES video game.
When Image Comics launched in 1992, WildC.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams was Jim Lee’s creator-owned comic book franchise and its launch issue was a big seller. Years later, WildC.A.T.S. grew in popularity with comic book fans and the franchise achieved multi-media status by venturing into TV (with an animated series) and video games. This print ad promoting the video game adaptation had no screenshots to show which kept fans and gamers guessing how the game will turn out in terms of gameplay and game design. It was obvious that the people who made this print ad had to rely on the best WildC.A.T.S. artwork they could find drawn by Jim Lee. This ad made me laugh back in the old days because if you did not look closely, it might fool you into thinking it was more about comic books than the game on the SNES.
10. Cutthroat Island print ad
Exciting imagery without Geena Davis and Matthew Modine was used to promote the video game adaptation.
I never saw the Hollywood mega-flop Cutthroat Island nor have I ever played any of its multiple video game adaptations (released on SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear and Game Boy). The video game print ad, however, caught my attention back in 1995 because the ad makers cleverly used a photograph from one the many expensive movie sequences filmed and the hard, physical work by the filmmakers was clearly visible. Then the ad makers had four screenshots placed on the lower-left part and inserted descriptive text that sounded exciting. Lastly, the ad mentioned a sweepstakes promo.
Without using any images of stars Geena Davis and Matthew Modine, this ad was a strong attempt to get gamers excited for the video game adaptation. Like the movie itself, this game flopped and has faded away to the land of the forgotten.
11. AH-3 Thunderstrike print ad
Captivating artwork, vibrant colors and orderly text descriptions made this an effective ad.
AH-3 Thunderstrike is one of the better games that was released on the Sega CD add-on (requires the Sega Genesis console) in 1993. Similar with MechWarrior 3050, the game was actually a port of Thunderhawk which itself was released on the Amiga and MS-DOS PC in 1992. The print ad showcased a captivating artwork (which was also used on the game’s box cover), a few screenshots and strategically placed text descriptions to sell the game. This ad still looks good.
12. James Bond 007 print ad
This print ad appeared in many comic books in 1984.
This is a print ad I saw many times while reading comic books in 1984. James Bond 007 for Atari 2600 was an ambitious licensed video game as it featured levels that were inspired by missions in the James Bond movies Diamonds are Forever, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker and For Your Eyes Only. Keep in mind that programmers back then had to deal with memory limitations and primitive tools to make games.
To promote the game, original art of Agent 007 was used which did not resemble the James Bond star of the time – Roger Moore. Strangely enough, the illustrated James Bond slightly resembled Timothy Dalton whose debut as 007 happened in 1987. Adding further zest to the add was the use of fictionalized quotes pointing to fantasized critics as sources (example: Vincent Can’tbe is a reference to real life critic Vincent Canby). The use of a pink background made this catchy ad look really odd.
13. Choplifter III: Rescue Survive print ad
A captivating print ad that brought gamers’ attention to the Choplifter series again.
This print ad of Choplifter III: Rescue Survive has a striking look showing a military officer who needs your help as he has been stranded behind enemy lines. The presentation reflects the long-time tradition of the Choplifter game franchise which has been about piloting an armed helicopter to the opposition’s territory, shooting at bad guys and then rescuing the hostages or prisoners-of-war (POWs). The game eventually gathered mostly positive feedback from video game critics.
14. Defender of the Crown print ad
Cinemaware took a gamble with the visual concept of this print ad.
Released in 1986 for home computers, Defender of the Crown was made with a high level of quality backed with solid artistry. To capture gamers’ attention, Cinemaware came up with this print ad showcasing a pretty model looking somewhat seductive which reflects what happens in the game when players rescue a damsel in distress. The selected screenshots showed what the game looked like on different platforms, and the lower part of the ad made the game feel like it was a historical epic waiting to be discovered. Defender of the Crown eventually became a big hit with computer gamers.
As some of you are already aware, I fully stand with Israel which is very connected with my uncompromising faith in the Lord. I keep on praying to Him for Israel to overwhelm its enemies, rescue the hostages and recover from the effects of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks committed by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas which is sponsored by terrorist state Iran. I can assure all of you that nobody from the evil Islamo-Leftist mob, nobody from the pro-Palestine radicals and nobody from any evil society would stop me from supporting and loving Israel.
Now, on with the news…
Very recently inside the Gaza strip, soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated the Hamas leader and mass murderer Yahya Sinwar who happens to be the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on Israel. It has also been verified by DNA testing and physical examination that Sinwar’s dead body is genuine and already Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech about this major breakthrough.
Sinwar was not just a Palestinian terrorist sponsored by terrorist state Iran. He was a demon who lived with pure hatred towards Israel and always called for violence against the Jewish state. Sinwar has a history of murder and genocide. As such, the elimination of the Hamas leader (which happened unexpectedly) is a tremendous achievement not only for Israel but also in the war against terrorists. To see more precise details about what happened, click https://looking4theblessedhope.com/2024/10/17/they-got-him-yahya-sinwar-mastermind-of-the-october-7-massacre-is-dead/
Very clearly, George W. Bush’s war on terror has long been over and Israel is now the leading the fight against terrorists while also defending Western democracy and freedom in the region. Sinwar’s death is the latest following the elimination of Hezbollah’s top leader Nasrallah and that of Hamas’ other leader Ismail Haniyeh (who was eliminated inside Iran) made 2024 the year of the fall of terrorist leaders.
For added insight, watch the YouTube videos below…
There is no doubt about it. God is on Israel’s side and already the tide is turning against terrorist state Iran (whose wicked government continues to brutalize Iranians who don’t agree with them) and the terrorist groups who are doing their dirt works. Iran already launched two barrages of missiles at Israel and God defended the nation. The war with the terrorists will still go on but Israel has God to keep on striving, winning and achieving justice for the victims of terrorists.
Before ending this post, I want to reach out to all the people out there who hate Israel, the people who were brainwashed by Islamo-Leftist forces and others who are living with evil, violence and hatred.
My message to the evildoers, the lost, the violent and unsaved is this: Stop being evil. Stop your terrorist activities. Stop being the terrorists’ pawns and useful idiots. Stop being a pawn of Satan and start purifying yourselves with the Word of God so that you can come to Lord Jesus to repent and submit willingly. It is your decision to make the right moves and head towards the light of Lord Jesus (Savior and Hope of all nations) while you still have time.
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.
#1Antonio P. Antonio story featured by Dark Asia with Megan – I previous made a blog post about this (click here). Even before this blog and website of mine started, I had been following the crime story of the late Antonio P. Antonio (APA) who was killed by his own son in 2013. The son even stayed overseas for years before getting caught and brought back home to be tried in court. Eventually, justice was served for the victim’s family and I should say that YouTuber Dark Asia with Megan did a really good job explaining and emphasizing the details in an episode launched on YouTube on September 25, 2024. This is a must-see video for anyone who is interested in true crime stories as well as events related to the famous BF Homes subdivision in the Philippines.
#2 New cars are spying on drivers and violating privacy – Be very careful with what you wish for when it comes to buying a brand new car with the latest in technology. There is this disturbing trend growing in which drivers/owners of cars equipped with highly advanced technologies ended up getting violated by car companies who collected not only their personal data but also other types of information about them such as immigration status, race, facial expressions, weight, health and even genetic information. This is because the highly computerized cars can spy on drivers by capturing videos of them, recording sound, monitoring their use of car apps, and collecting data from smartphones or computers that got connected to the car’s system. Watch the videos below and pay close attention to the details.
#3 In-depth look at the elimination of Hezbollah’s top leader Nasrallah – I previously blogged about the elimination of Hezbollah leader and murderer Hassan Nasrallah and it contained relevant videos about the topic. For a new and in-depth look about his elimination and what lies ahead for Israel and the rest of the world, watch the TBN Israel and CBN News videos below. Pay close attention to details.
#4 Hunting legendary animals in Red Dead Redemption II – In the blockbuster video game Red Dead Redemption II, hunting is a huge and engaging part of the game. The game developers set up opportunities to find and hunt what they refer to as legendary animals. There is a variety of rewards that come with hunting the said animals and to find out where they are located, watch this video by Reptac.
#5 Last Action Hero videos – While it is a known fact that the movie Last Action Hero (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger) was a huge commercial and critical disappointment in 1993, there are still lots of people who enjoyed watching it and even do research about it. That being said, it is not surprising that there are lots of YouTubers out there who made videos about it and you can watch a variety of videos I selected for your viewing.
6. How terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah got eliminated
Going back to the eliminated Hezbollah leader and murderer Hassan Nasrallah, posted below is a video that explains (to the best of the YouTuber’s ability) what happened and how the powerful strike happened there in Lebanon.
7. Multiculturalism is truly bad
We live in a very twisted world. It is so twisted, illegal aliens are violating the sovereignty and cultures of nations. Like diversity, inclusion and wokeness, multiculturalism is a disease and it is destructive. Watch and learn from PragerU’s video below.
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.
#1The disappointing 9th console generation – If you are a long-time gamer who owns a PlayStation 5 (PS5) and/or an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console, you might have noticed how disappointing the 9th console generation (started in late 2020) has been when compared to the previous four generations.
Apart from the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic deeply altered the games industry on the sides of gamers and game developers, the 9th console generation has seen lots of unfulfilled promises from the console makers, Xbox Game Pass (XGP) changing for the worse, great gaming experiences not being realized, consumers getting screwed, the lack of focus towards the fans, woke garbage involved in game productions and a lot more. To understand what is going on in the 9th console generation, I urge you to watch the selected videos below.
#2 Illegal immigration in America is the new slave trade – More than ten million people illegally entered the United States through the US-Mexico border since 2021, resulting in rising crime, increased taxpayers’ money spending on illegal aliens, and more hardship for America’s own citizens. That’s not all. There are cartels taking advantage of the open border in the south that kept thousands of people – including children – flowing into America and those illegal aliens themselves are forced to repay the debts to the cartels. These should remind you how bad immigration became in America under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (border czar who loves criminals and terrorists). This PrageU video is a must-watch.
#3 Retro gaming reported by KTLA 5 – It is not every day you get see retro gaming reported on mainstream news outlets. In America, KTLA 5 made a video news report about the resurgence of retro gaming and it’s not limited to gamers buying collected editions of decades-old games for their modern game consoles. In fact, the video game store in KTLA 5’s report is selling old games in physical copies as well as old game consoles at affordable rates. Watch the video below.
#4 The history and American origin of the Lawson convenience store enterprise – Here in the Philippines, the convenience store chain Lawson has been gradually growing and becoming more competitive with the likes of 7-Eleven and Uncle John’s. Not only that, Lawson is gaining a following of customers who keep on returning because of the variety of food and beverage items offered plus convenient ways of doing financial transactions. While it is common knowledge that Lawson is from Japan and is a Japanese enterprise, not too many people are aware of its American origin. To learn about the history of Lawson, watch the video below.
#5 Israel’s intensified campaign against Hezbollah – After the recent attacks against several members of the Iranian-sponsored terrorist group Hezbollah through their pagers, Israel’s military campaign against the terrorists intensified. This happened even as Hezbollah kept on firing at Israel (in response to the pagers attacks) and even hitting Nazareth which itself has many Arabs and Muslims in its local population. Don’t let the pro-terrorist, pro-Islamist mainstream news media fool you with their persistent lying. Watch the videos from credible news sources below to realize the truth. Lastly, keep praying to the Lord to support Israel and bring down the forces of evil.
6. Kamala Harris’ dishonesty and pathetic acting about border security explained
In recent times, the Communist Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris visited the US-Mexico border to check on the situation there as illegal immigration added so much to crime. The problem here is that Kamala was simply acting to be responsible and working, and it is not a secret that the Democrats hired Communist Hollywood people to stage it behind the scenes. Sky News Australia’s video below is a must-see and remember that Democrats always love illegal aliens, criminals, abortion and terrorists. Kamala herself publicly declared her support for illegal aliens and defended them.
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.
#1Minty Comedic Arts’ trivia video about V: The Original Miniseries, V: The Final Battle and V TV series – If you are a fan of the V sci-fi entertainment franchise that made big waves on television in the 1980s, then you must watch Minty Comedic Arts’ video which covers V: The Original Miniseries (1983), V: The Final Battle (1984) and the creative mess that was the V TV series. The video also includes the 2009 V TV series which makes it a complete package for all V fans. If you are a long-time V fan, now is a good time to test your knowledge by watching the video below.
#2 Moneymaking locations in Red Dead Redemption 2 – If you have been struggling to make big money in the realm of the 2018 blockbuster video game Red Dead Redemption 2, then this video by YouTuber MrBossFTW must be seen. In RDR2 there are indeed places where you can find gold bars, sets of Dollar bills and other valuables that can sell in-game. There are indeed challenges to find the riches but they are worth doing.
#3 Hezbollah terrorists and allies hit hard by as their communication devices blew up – Recently several Hezbollah terrorists and some allies got hit hard because the pagers used turned out to be bombs which blew up and crippled their communication network. The initial attack even injured the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon himself got injured because he was also using the same pager that Hezbollah uses. The high-tech attacks not only happened in Lebanon but also in Syria where some Hezbollah terrorists were present. Unsurprisingly, the Islamic terrorists blamed Israel. Watch and learn from the videos below.
#4 Wokeness of Dragon Age: The Veilgard exposed – I really don’t like when the woke activists working in entertainment deform video games, movies and comic books as they turned them into vehicles promoting their pathetic agenda. Simply put, whatever the Satanic Left touches, they ruin it. The same can be said about the upcoming video game Dragon Age: The Veilgard. Already it can be seen that there is indeed a lot of woke stuff in the new game and YouTuber Ryan Kinel – RK Outpost posted a video explaining what was found and why the gamers heavily rejected the new Dragon Age game. Watch and learn from the video below.
#5 Kamala Harris’ dishonesty and lying – There is no doubt that the Democrats in American nominated a very dishonest candidate for US President with Kamala Harris. Harris is truly a Communist and she will do anything bad to gain power. That being said, her lying is clear and the corrupted mainstream news media just let her get away with poisoning people’s minds. Watch and learn from the videos below.
#6 PS5 Pro reactions – In recent times, Sony unveiled the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) which is the upgraded version of the PS5. Apart from the flawed console presentation by Sony, PS5 Pro is overpriced at $699 for America and it does not even have an optical drive and no vertical stand is included. For your reference, posted below are selected videos about the reactions and analysis of the PS5 Pro. Things are not really looking good for the upgraded PS5.
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 comic book readers, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, movie fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1992 to take a close look at the official comic book adaptation of the action movie Universal Soldier.
Universal Soldier stood out among Hollywood action films in 1992 as it had Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as the main stars and both of them were established action movie stars each with huge followings of fans. As it grossed almost $100 million worldwide on a budget of less than $25 million, the movie was successful and eventually sparked its of franchise of movies, TV shows, video games and comic books. NOW Comics was in-charge of making and publishing the comic book adaptation of the 1992 film.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Universal Soldier #1 published in 1992 by NOW Comics with a story written by Clint McElroy and drawn by Lenin Delsol. This was the first chapter of a 3-issue mini-series.
The cover showing a photographic image of star Dolph Lundgren.
Early story
The story begins in Vietnam in 1969. The American soldier Luc Deveraux arrives at a village that was secured by the U.S. Army. To his shock, he finds several dead bodies of his squad members and villagers, then encounters Sergeant Andrew Scott with two Vietnamese individuals (male and female) tied together near him. It turns out that Scott, who made a necklace composed of severed ears, has gone insane and executes the Vietnamese man. As Deveraux refuses to follow Scott’s order to shoot the Vietnamese female, the sergeant kills he. Deveraux and Scott shot each other to death and eventually their corpses were recovered by another squad to be cryogenically frozen.
A few decades later in Nevada, the elite counter-terrorism unit of the UniSol (Universal Soldier) arrives and among the members are Deveraux (identified as GR44) and Scott (GR13) who have been reanimated by the government with their past memories fully suppressed. Their team gets deployed to the Hoover Dam (Mackinley Dam in the comic book) to resolve a hostage situation…
Quality
Operating very much like robots, two Universal Soldiers take down terrorists and manipulated their communication as they make their way through to save the hostages from the remaining terrorists.
As an adaptation, I find this comic book a surprisingly accurate translation of the movie’s early part of the story (note: the literary narrative ends when Deveraux leaves with the female reporter). While not 100% of the film’s plot and visual details were captured, this comic book still succeeded in replicating the look, feel and tone of the movie. It is clear that the comic book team had access to the footage of the film and a copy of the screenplay (written by Richard Rothstein, Christopher Leitch and Dean Devlin).
Clint McElroy really stuck close to the film’s plot, the dialogue and the way the characters were portrayed. Again, not 100% of the relevant details were adapted and some liberties were taken but McElroy managed to craft a comic book narrative that was solidly structured, had sufficient details to keep readers oriented and engaged, and ensured the story moved at a satisfying pace. By the time I reached the end of this comic book, I got oriented with the story, the characters and the details shown in between.
Like in the movie, this comic book emphasizes the government’s very cold and heartless approach on handling their Universal Soldiers who are treated more like tools instead of people.
Lenin Delsol’s artwork here is really good. It is clear that he had access to the film’s production footage as several images of locations and characters here very closely resembled what was shown in the movie most of the time. When it comes to the action scenes, Delsol did not go for visual dynamism (note: the dynamic action style was common with superhero comics of the 1990s) but rather he portrayed the action with realism and varying degrees of brutality.
When it comes to visualizing the characters, it is clear that the creative team was not authorized to use the likenesses of the actors. Luc Deveraux looks absolutely nothing like Jean-Claude Van Damme while journalist Veronica Roberts does not look like Ally Walker. Ironically, there are a few images of Scott’s face that somewhat resembles Dolph Lundgren. The way I see it, it is not problematic to see the characters not resembling the actors from the film. In fact, I like the new character designs Delsol came up with for the characters.
Conclusion
This early scene sets the tone of the entire comic book. As for the characters, Deveraux look nothing like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sergeant Scott does not look like Dolph Lundgren (note: in other images of Scott shown later in the comic book, he looked a bit like the actor).
Even though I was not a fan of the 1992 movie, Universal Soldier #1 (1992) succeeded in keeping me engaged and entertained until the end. This is a really good adaptation of the early part of the film and I like the approach the Elroy-Densol team took on establishing the literary experience. Of course, if you want more dynamic visuals of the Hoover Dam scene or if you want that strong rated-R vibe when it comes to hard action, you should watch the movie. As of now, I am convinced to look forward to the next issue of this 3-part mini-series adaptation.
Overall, Universal Soldier #1 (1992) is recommended.
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 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. A-Jax North American arcade flyer
Another one of Konami’s arcade flyers showing a pretty fashion model with a touch of militarism.
A-Jax (also referred to as Ajax) is another one of the many military themed games Konami released for the arcades in the 1980s. It was a 2D vertically scrolling shooter in which players use aircrafts to shoot enemies both in the air and on the ground. The game was a hit in Japanese arcades and Konami came up with the North American arcade flyer showing three screenshots, an archive footage shot of a military helicopter and a sexy lady (with a light military look) with a machine gun. The style of presentation was similar in style with the North American arcade flyers of Contra and M.I.A.: Missing in Action.
2. The Combatribes print ad
The short comic book approach was used to emphasize the setting and concept of the video game.
Technos, the Japanese company behind the wildly popular Double Dragon games franchise, proved to be successful with the arcade release of The Combatribes. In an attempt to keep the wave of success moving, Technos released The Combatribes on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992 and someone involved with the North American marketing came up with the idea of creating a comic book-style presentation for the print ad. Creatively speaking, the comic book approach was done to emphasize the story and visual concepts of the game, and entice readers to play it. By today’s standards of video game marketing, this print ad’s approach is both unusual and notable.
3. Dead or Alive 2 Dreamcast port print ad
This was a wide print ad that appeared on magazines and it sure was eye-catching. It was an effective way to promote the game and inform people of the Sega Dreamcast’s presence in the market.
When Dead or Alive 2 was released in the arcades in 1999, a lot of gamers were astounded by it as developer Team Ninja (led by Tomonobu Itagaki) made it much bigger and a lot better than its 1996 predecessor. Team Ninja really went all out making the sequel utilizing Sega’s NAOMI arcade technology, inviting martial artists to do motion-capture, and having a very ambitious game design. Since the game was developed with the NAOMI hardware, porting the game for the Sega Dreamcast was reportedly convenient and smooth for the developers who went on to add more gameplay features and modes. Publisher Tecmo came up with this wide print ad (promoting the Dreamcast release) showcasing three characters, six screenshots and text descriptions emphasizing the universal acclaim the game received. The promotional approach was simple yet effective.
4. Jet Moto (PC version) print ad
From PlayStation to PC.
In November 1996, the futuristic all-terrain hoverbikes racing game Jet Moto was released on the PlayStation which went on to sell well and attract mostly positive reviews. Sony Computer Entertainment eventually released a version of the game for the personal computer (PC) in November 1997. As seen in the above print ad, the network play option and compatibility with Direct3D video accelerators were emphasized as such features resonated with the interests of PC gamers of the era. This print ad showed how willing Sony was to release PlayStation hits on PC back then.
5. Elevator Action Returns Japanese arcade flyer
Great looking art on the front.
The rear of the flyer.
When Taito released Elevator Action Returns (also titled as Elevator Action II in other nations) in the arcades in 1994, it became a hit as gamers enjoyed its action-packed gameplay, ambitious 2D visual presentation and varied level designs that clearly went beyond its 1983 predecessor. The front of the Japanese arcade flyer has really nice art showing the three playable protagonists on an elevator on their way to do their mission. The back of the flyer shows screenshots (which emphasized the varied level designs), text descriptions explaining how the game played (English version printed), and what the features are. Another text description confirmed that terrorists are the antagonists that players will be dealing with which was reflective of the rise of Islamic terrorism in the 1990s. Oh yes, if you look closely you will the word “item” misspelled as “items”.
6. Sunset Riders print ads
The Sunset Riders arcade machine, the SNES version, screenshots and a can of pork-and-beans on this ad.
This print ad appeared in some comic books I read long ago.
After enjoying a lot of success in the arcades with their 1991 game Sunset Riders, Konami went on to release ports of it to the Sega Genesis in 1992 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1993. With regards to conversions and procedural/artistic changes between the arcade and console ports, the SNES version had few changes implemented compared to the one released on the Genesis. As seen in one of the print ads of Sunset Riders on SNES, it came with 7 arcade levels, 2-player mode and additional shooter stages. What the print ads did not reveal were notable replacements of specific characters in key parts of the game such as the dynamite-tossing female bandits getting replaced by male bandits, North American Indian villains getting replaced with outlaws, etc.
7. Jackal Japanese arcade flyer
Whoever was the artist Konami hired truly delivered great-looking art!
Konami’s military themed game Jackal (Japanese title: Tokushu Butai Jackal) debuted in Japanese arcades in October 1986 and became a hit. The Japanese market arcade flyer had great looking artwork on the front that strongly emphasized the very concept of the game (players move military jeeps to shoot at enemies as they move into enemy territory). One of the characters (the one wearing the red beret) somewhat resembles the late Sean Connery which only shows that someone within Konami’s development team took inspiration from movies. This arcade flyer’s front still looks great.
8. Aliens North American arcade flyer
A good amount of effort was done to truly capture Aliens’ concept using hired models (as Ripley and Newt), a Xenomorph physical model and a suitable background.
The key details presented on the rear of the flyer. The Xenomorph’s presence adds tension.
In 1990, Konami released their ambitious arcade game Aliens which was loosely based on the 1986 movie that starred Sigourney Weaver and was directed by James Cameron. As Konami’s Aliens license was only temporary and the movie was so highly regarded, the Japanese company’s marketing team really had to exert extra effort to truly capture the film’s sci-fi horror concept in order to make a strong presentation towards arcade operators and their paying customers (the gamers).
Apart from showing screenshots on the front, the creative team hired a blonde model as Ellen Ripley holding a gun and a young girl as the character Newt, and have them pose convincingly in front of a Xenomorph model (darkened in the foreground). On the back of the flyer, the team heavily revealed the details using the text description to emphasize the gaming experience and story concept. The technical details, meanwhile, were presented in simplistic, easy-to-follow fashion. Aliens was a smash hit in the arcades and there are long-time gamers who regard it as one of the best game adaptations of the 1986 movie. This arcade flyer is a strong reminder that the featured game was never ever ported to any game console nor to any personal computer.
As some of you are already aware, I fully stand with Israel which is very connected with my uncompromising faith in the Lord. I keep on praying to Him for Israel to overwhelm its enemies, rescue the hostages and recover from the effects of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks committed by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. I can assure all of you that nobody from the evil Islamo-Leftist mob, nobody from the pro-Palestine radicals and nobody from any evil society would stop me from supporting and loving Israel.
Now, on with the news…
In case you missed the news, the enemies of Israel were shaken hard very recently as two key terrorist figures – Palestinian terrorist group Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s Second-in-Command Fuad Shukur – were eliminated in two different locations within a very short span of time.
Israel took responsibility of eliminating Fuad Shukur with a precise strike in Beirut, Lebanon. The Hezbollah leader was not only responsible for the murderous attack that killed lots of children in Northern Israel, he was also responsible for killing many victims (including attacking the United States Embassy in Beirut in the 1980s) for decades. As for the termination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility as of this writing.
To start with, watch the selected news videos below. CBN News and TBN Israel are the most credible sources for news about Israel and the war with the terrorists. Other news outlets like CNN, Al Jazeera, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Reuters, Associated Press and many other mainstream news media sources cannot be trusted as they collectively support Islamic terrorists. The Islamo-Left union is pure evil. Now watch the videos below…
Since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel, the Jewish State has been working overtime defending their people while fighting the enemies on different fronts. Terrorist state Iran has obviously been supporting terrorist groups to do their dirty work against Israel. Qatar meanwhile supports the Palestinian terrorists mainly through the terrorist news network Al Jazeera.
As of this writing, Israel’s forces eliminated many Hamas terror officials and commanders. The termination of Hamas billionaire leader Ismail Haniyeh is a very significant blow to the terrorist group although Israel did not confirm nor deny taking responsibility. The leaders of Hamas are obsessed with causing genocide and murder against Israel and its people. As seen many times, Hamas even used their fellow Palestinians as shields and assets against Israel. Hamas leaders profited and enriched themselves from all the humanitarian supplies that entered the Gaza strip which also explains how Ismail Haniyeh got so rich.
As for Iran and Hezbollah, they are pure evil and they are determined to keep on fighting knowing that the union between Islamists and Leftists around the world will keep on making waves on social media and the news to condemn Israel endlessly.
As some of you may be aware right now, I will always stand with Israel and reject all forms of evil. Learn from what God declared in the holy scriptures below.
Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV)
Again God said to him, Your name is Jacob [supplanter]; you shall not be called Jacob any longer, but Israel shall be your name. So He called him Israel [contender with God].
And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall be born of your stock;
The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and to your descendants after you I will give the land.
Genesis 35:10-12 (AMPC)
No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.
Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)
Also, let me remind you that Lord Jesus is the hope of all nations. Never allow the forces of evil to bring you down. Never let the wicked ones pull you away from the Lord. Learn from the scriptures below.
For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5 (AMPC)
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NKJV)
“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you. So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.
“I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. If a person is separated from me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned. But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done. When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!
John 15:1-8 (TPT)
Always pray to the Lord in support of Israel, its government, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its stakeholders. Learn to love and bless the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Author Carlo Carrasco 