Fun with Photoshop: The Black Cauldron for the NES

A fake game cover for a release based on one of Disney's less know animated movies. While not the best Disney movie, The Black Cauldron looks very different from the usual offerings from that studio, it feels more like the animated Hobbit or a Don Bluth flick. As lots of games based on Disney's properties made in the 8bit era, this one would have been made by Capcom.

What I want for Christmas

It's that time of the year! Christmas is a special time, it makes adults feel like kids again. Decorate the house with thousand of lights, wear ridiculous clothes of accessories, care about each other and brainstorm what would you want to give... or receive as a present. Well, these are the things I would love to (but surely won't) receive on Christmas!

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring movie for free!

Taken from imdb.com

The movie is available now for free in Google Play. Check it out in your Android device and don't miss the first installment of one of the best cinematic trilogies. Enjoy!

MVC Origins leaving the PSN store

Taken from wikipedia.org

Source: Capcom Unity
Bad news everybody, the classic fighting game (well 2 actually) from the 90's is leaving the PSN and Xbox 360 digital store. MCVO or Marvel vs Capcom Origins is a digital only release that includes the original Marvel vs Capcom and Marvel Super-Heroes with on-line multiplayer and more features. If you love the genre and don't have this game, you may want to buy it ASAP since in a couple of days, it'll be gone.
Here are the dates:

 PSN (US): DEC 23, 2014

PSN (EU): DEC 23, 2014

XBLA (GLOBAL): DEC 31, 2014

Fun with Photoshop: Return of the Jedi for the NES

 Belive it or not, there is no NES game based on the third chapter of the original trilogy. It's kind of sad that the game was never made since it leaves an empty space in the NES library. Luckily the SNES has the Super Star Wars trilogy (as the 3 games, no a single game like the Indiana Jones Trilogy). This is how I think the cover for Return of the Jedi would look like using the previous 2 installments as reference.

Batman and Robin #37 Spoiler

The following post contains a panel (and spoiler) from the comic.

Most of the Green Lantern line cancelled!

All is not well. The march solicits are up and lots of titles are getting cancelled, including most of the Green Lantern titles (including GL: New Guardians) with only the main Green Lantern title and Sinestro remaining. It is unknown if the cancelled titles will relaunch, replaced with a weekly series of the characters will be featured in a new title.
Here is the list of titles that end in March:

• Aquaman and the Others
• Infinity Man and the Forever People
• Klarion
• Secret Origins
• Star-Spangled War Stories Featuring G.I. Zombie
• Trinity of Sin
• Worlds’ Finest
• Arkham Manor
• Batwoman
• Green Lantern Corps
• Green Lantern: New Guardians
• Red Lanterns
• Swamp Thing

Fun with Photoshop: Castlevania Symphony of the Night for the NES

 And NES version of one of my favorite games ever. I feels appropriate to do a cover for this game (3 games in the series were made for the NES) with the style of the classic Metroid box art (because of the gameplay). It was made with Castlevania 3 sprites, except Alucard which I used sprites from the very forgetful Castlevania Legends.

12 days of free Digital Comics @ comiXology!!!

Taken from takesontech.com

Starting December 11th, comiXology is giving an issue of a popular series free of charge for 12 days (it ends on December 22nd). There is a new comic each day so be sure to check every day because you may not be able get the book from previous days. If you're interested, it is better to check the website instead of the app since you'll find the link with the comic of the day faster. Check it out!

Spidey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

 Source IGN, following the Sony Pictures hack, some documents have surfaced that present some kind of deal between Marvel and Sony for the use of Spider-Man in the Captain America 3 - Civil War movie. In the comics, Peter Parker was essential to the Civil War storyline. Spoilers!!! After Peter develops a man-crush over Tony Stark, he choose to side with the Registration Act and unmasks himself. But later changes his mind, sides with Captain America. These events lead to the One More Day storyline, were Spider-Man makes a deal with the Devil so everyone forgets he is Peter Parker and  his aunt survives a fatal injury at the cost of his marriage (I really hope they don't include the last part in a movie).

It seems that the deal is not going to happen, which is unfortunately since it  would have been a great opportunity to let someone else handle Spidey. The unnecessary need of cramming as many characters into a movie and not letting a director and writers do their job is what is killing the Spider-Man franchise. Since this deal involves a ton of money, it seems very difficult for the Wall Crawler to return to Marvel's hand, but the deal seems more likely now than it was a year ago. Having Spidey interact with the Avengers would be awesome. Nevertheless, Marvel can use another character to fill Spider-Man shoes (Ant-Man, Black Panther or even Daredevil). Whatever happens to Spider-Man, I hope it doesn't involve a reboot!

Green Lantern: New Guardians looses it's writer

 According to Newsarama, Justin Jordan will no longer write the book after issue #40. There has been no word if the title will have a new writer (after the Convergence event) or it is cancelled. I enjoyed Jordan's stories. He managed to inject fun in the title, even if the stakes were high for the characters. For me, this is the best approach to write science-fiction. Hope it doesn't get cancelled since Kyle Rayner is my favorite GL and this one of the DC titles I purchase each month (Grayson being the other).

Fun with Photoshop: Battle of the Planets for the NES

Another game I would have loved as a kid. I used to watch this series on Saturday morning (with a different title, G Force) and love it. I purchased some of the DVD volumes released of the Japanese original, Gatchaman, and holds really well for a cartoon made in the 70's. For the cover, I used the first title of the series when it was released in the US, because it would have been the most likely choice at the time. For me, this game should be a side-scrolling beat-em-up and Komani did an excellent job with The Simpsons, TMNT and X-men arcades.

Fun with Photoshop: ZZ Gundam for the NES

This week's entry is a fake cover for one of the few Gundam series that didn't have a video game based on it, Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam. I never watched this one (it wasn't released in the States) but I love almost everything Universal Century (the original timeline of the Gundam series). The main Mobile Suit appeared in various Gundam games later on (including Gundam vs. Z Gundam for the PS2). If the game was made for the 8bit console, it would have been made by Bandai (the make almost everything Giant Robot related).

Digital comics deals @ comiXology

Taken from takesontech.com

With Black Friday approaching, comiXology released lots of deals on popular series. This list has the offers available as of November 26. If there is any new sale within the same time period as these, I’ll try to update this post. Check the list of titles after the jump. Happy shopping!

Fun with Photoshop: He-Man for the NES

 The He-Man cartoon and toys were extremely popular in the 80's but he never got a game for the NES. There were a couple of video games based on his adventures (including a movie-based one) for computers, the Atari and Intellevision but not for the classic Nintendo console. He-Man spend the 90s in limbo, but returned in the 00's with a new series, toys and video games. One was released for the Game Boy Advanced and other for the Playstation 2 (in Europe only). Check the He-Man.org site for more info about games based on the saga of the champion of Eternia.

The Wally West mess

 When the New 52 was announced, it was advertised as a relaunch, not a reboot. A lot of readers (me included) thought that even if the Flashpoint event changed the past and the Wildstorm (former Image line turn into DC imprint) characters were going to be incorporated in the DC Universe, continuity was mostly the same. But when it was finally released, some characters continued their adventures from were they left off (the Green Lanterns and the Bat-Family), others changed more drastically (Superman and Teen Titans) and some very popular characters were nowhere to be found. One of them was Wally West, original Kid Flash and the Flash for more than 20 years.

Fun with Photoshop: Fatal Fury for the NES

 For this Friday, we have another SNK gem... Fatal Fury (餓狼伝説 in Japan). This game put SNK on the map as one of the big names in the fighting game genre with it's gameplay (two row arenas and arm wrestling bonus stages!!!) and memorable characters. While it never made it to the NES, it was ported to the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. Did you know that the creator of the original Street Fighter (or Fighting Street) Takashi Nishiyama designed this game?

The most epic trailer in the history of epicness!!!

Excellent fan made movie mash-up with an awesome 80's soundtrack!!

Big Convergence New!!!

Over at CBR and Newsarama, DC revealed some heavy details about their next event. Spoilers ahead!!!

Evil Dead TV series to begin next year

 Have your boomstick ready! Accordion to Hollywood Reporter Starz greenlit a TV series that continue the saga of Ashley Williams. The series (Ash vs The Evil Dead) will consist of 10 half-hour episodes. Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell are set to return. Truly awesome news, Ash is a unique character and nobody can imagine someone other than Bruce to play him. Very few can switch from confident  “leader of men” to a cowardly douche-bag. The series may start airing next year.

Um Conto De Batman: Na Psicose Do Ventríloquo movie review

 Between Dark Knight Rises and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, there is Um Conto De Batman: Na Psicose Do Ventríloquo (A Batman's Tale: In The Psychosis Of The Ventriloquist). Brazilian director Elvis Delbagno offers a new vision of the Caped Crusader, featuring an obscure villain and projecting social concerns from Brazil.This film is a great example that you don’t need millions of dollars and huge stars to make a good Batman movie. And yes, the film is in Portuguese.

Fun with Photoshop: Pocket Monsters for the NES

Pokemon is one of Nintendo's most beloved franchises, and with good reason since the games are insanely fun. But the first Pokemon game debuted in the original GameBoy and never made it to the NES. But what if Pokemon was published 10 years earlier? Well, this is how the game box would probably looked like. And yes, it would have been called "Pocket Monsters" because in the 80's nobody would understand what Pokemon means (plus, it sounds more rad!)

No “Clone Saga” Teaser, Marvel?? I’m insulted.

In the last couple of week, Marvel released multiple teaser images from past events with a “Summer 2015” date. People speculate it has something to do with a multiverse crisis (hey, that’s DC’s department!). But they missed this gem from the 90’s. Love or hate it, The Clone Saga is one of the most controversial Spider-Stories ever. Marvel, you also missed Annihilation, Mutant Massacre and The Dark Phoenix Saga.

Fun with Photoshop: Army of Darkness for the NES

 Happy Halloween! To celebrate the occasion, today's fake game cover is for a non existing NES game based on the excellent movie, Army of Darkness. The movie came out within the lifespan of the classic 8bit console but a game never came out and there were games based on horror of more adult movie franchises (such as Friday the 13th, Terminator and Nightmare on Elm Street). Ash (the main character of the movie) would have to wait until the year 2000 to star as the main character in a video game (Evil Dead: Hail to the King).

Public Domain Halloween Feature: Nosferatu

This is the last full horror movie for this year. As with the others the film is in public domain (you can download it legally). The feature film for Halloween is Nosferatu (1922), one of the first vampire movies.

Public Domain Halloween Feature: White Zombie

Each day until Halloween I'll post a full horror movie. All movies featured in each post are public domain (you can download them legally). The feature film for today is White Zombie (1932), starring horror legend Bela Lugosi.

Public Domain Halloween Feature: Frankenstein

Public Domain Halloween Feature: Frankenstein
Each day until Halloween I'll post a full horror movie. All movies featured in each post are public domain (you can download them legally). The next film is Frankenstein (1909).

Sale of the Dead @ PSN

There is a new sale at the PSN Store with video games and movies at discount prices. The theme of the sale is horror and monsters. This is week 2 (oops! didn't post the first one)

Public Domain Halloween Feature: Horror Express

Each day until Halloween I'll post a full horror movie. All movies featured in each post are public domain (you can download them legally). The second movie featured in these posts is Horror Express (1972), starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

Public Domain Halloween Feature: Night of the Living Dead

Each day until Halloween I'll post a full horror movie. All movies featured in each post are public domain (you can download them legally). First stop, Night of the Living Dead, directed by George Romero.

Fun with Photoshop: Justice League of America for the NES

 This is another game I would have loved as a kid. There aren't many NES games with DC characters, only Batman and Superman that I remember (and The Flash for Sega Master System). The characters in the cover were drawn by José Luis García Lopez, one of my favorite artist of all time. He is so good rendering the Heroes that DC keeps using his illustrations from the 80's.

First Teaser from Avengers Age of Ultron Movie

Looks really impressive. Sadly May 2015 feels like an eternity away.

Puerto Rico Horror Film Fest begins today!

The first and only international film festival in the Caribbean (devoted to horror, Sci-Fi and Bizarre films) begins today. It includes short films and features from many countries (including USA, Spain, Argentina, China, Puerto Rico and more). This year, celebrating Nightmare on Elm Street 30th anniversary, the festival will have a special screening of the movie. I really look forward to watch  Falling Star, Bell Tower Enigma, Batman's Tale and Biodegradable (the first Sci-Fi movie from Dominican Republic). The festival also has an Online selection, which can be found here. Puerto Rico Film Fest closes on October 29. For more info (movie selection and schedule), check the official website.

Fun with Photoshop: Dino-Riders for the NES!

Harness the Power of Dinosaurs! This is a game I would have loved as a kid, it had aliens, lasers and dinosaurs. Originally a toy line from Tyco, Dino-Riders appeared on TV (watched the first episode on VHS) but it never became popular. The premise of the show was simple, space warriors from the future travel back in time and use dinosaurs as battle vehicles in their ongoing war. The concept would have worked on video game form, but as other games based on cartoon, it would have sucked (nonetheless, I would have begged my parents to buy it).

The cartoon may have failed, but the toy dinosaurs looked amazing. They all had an action features, some of them walked on their own! After the TV series failed, the toys were re-released (without the weapons, alien figures and action mechanics) as part of a line approved by the Smithsonian Institution. With all the recent remake craze, maybe it's time for Dino-Riders to return.

Fun with Photoshop: MetroidVania for the NES

 This faxe game box was also suggested by Prof. Dutch Bag, an epic crossover between Metroid and Castlevania. I decided to use the design style from the classic NES games (such as Super Mario Bros. and the original Metroid) because the style of both games would merge well (the game sprites are almost the same size).The term "MetroidVania" is used for games that contain lots of exploring and backtracking. While the classic Metroid games used this formula, the Castlevania games were action / platformers, it wasn't until Symphony of the Night that the exploration mechanics were introduced. Some games that use the "MetroidVania" game style are: Strider (2014), Guacamelee (2013), Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (2013), Green Lantern (2011 for the Wii) and more. Later.

P.S. Nintendo, please hire IGA (from Castlevania Symphony of the Night) for the next Metroid game.

A street named after James Bond

After years in the British Secret Service, a street was named James Bond... in  Carolina, Puerto Rico (there's a Costco nearby). This street (calle in Spanish) was called James Bones (possibly a spelling error) but a couple of years ago it changed to the name of the famous fictional character. The directions to get there (from San Juan International Airport) is here.

The Fash Digital Comics Sale!

 To celebrate the release of the new TV series, DC is having a massive Flash sale. This includes issues from the New 52, Pre-Flashpoint, FlashPoint mini, Flash Rebirth mini and even tons of issues from the classic Wally West series (Yay!!!). Each issue is at $0.99 and the sale ends next Monday (10/13/2014) at 11 PM. Check here for more details. There is also a Walking Dead and Transformers sale.

Uncanny Avengers Digital Comic Sale

 With the AXIS event fast approaching, Marvel is having an Uncanny Avengers (the series leading up to the event) sale with each issue at $0.99 each. Sale ends Monday at 11PM. Check here for more details.

Fun with Photoshop: The Running Man for the NES

As Requested by Prof. Dutch Bag here it is, the cover for the NES version of The Running Man ( Power Pad required!) As Prof. Dutch Bag informed, the was a video game adaptation but not for the NES. If you have any suggestions for a box art, please leave a comment.

Dragon Force: An awesome game that you probably didn’t play

 A lot of games are released each year and sometimes, great games fall into obscurity. In this series of post we’ll explore of gaming’s forgotten gems. None of the games appearing in these posts are imports. Also, these are based on my impressions of the game, which can be different from other people so feel free to comment your opinions of the game. Our first entry features Dragon Force, the real time strategy-game released by Working Designs in North America for the Sega Saturn in 1996.

Cyclops #5 Review

This series is a real treat. It has the main character (Cyclops) completely taken from his element. No X-Men, Jean, Professor X, timeline  (he’s from the past), in space and with his father (Corsair) who he though was dead.  Over the course of the previous issues, Greg Rucka showed us how different both characters are (Scott is insecure and uptight while Corsair is confident and lay back) but how much they need one another. This issue continues the father and son dynamic but also touches themes of loyalty and honor. I’ll try to keep the spoilers to a minimum.

Konami Sale @ PSN

Konami is having a digital sale on the PSN, including games from the Metal Gear and Castlevania series (why Castlevania Chronicles Lament of Innocence are not included is beyond me). Check the Playstion Blog for more details and full list of the games for sale

Earth 2 comiXology Sale

ComiXology is having an Earth 2, Word Finest (current series) and JSA. It's a great opportunity to catch up with the current New 52 versions of the characters or enjoy the classic late 90's to mid 2000's classic. Sale ends next Monday at 11 PM. Check here for more details.

Fun with Photoshop: Over the Top for the NES

Another Friday, another cover (sorry about last week). This week we have what could have been an interesting movie-tie-in game. Over the Top is a movie starring Sylvester Stallone where he plays a trucker who tries to bond with his son while he competes to become an arm-wrestling champion. Why this game never happened? An arm-wrestling game compatible with the relic of motion controllers, the Power Glove (it's so bad). The original version of the logo was uploaded to this page by Rominator.

Capcom games for sale @ PSN!!!

Lots of Capcom games are for sale on the PSN, including Capcom vs SNK 2 (a favorite of mine). It's an excellent game that shouldn't be missed (and with a price tag of $4.99 it's a steal). The sale also includes: Darkstalkers Resurrection, Devil May Cry games, Resident Evil games, Super Street Fighter II Turbo Hd Remix, Street Fighter X Tekken, Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (awesome mix of SF with Tetris), etc. Check the Playstion Blog for more details and full list of the games for sale, including the ones not from Capcom (like the great Soul Reaver).

Live Action Titans series on the works?

 After taking over the big screen, the comic book superheroes are going to take over the small screen. With Arrow, The Flash, Constantine and Gotham, DC's Titans are the next project heading for TV. According to newsarama, TNT cable network could order a pilot episode with Akiva Goldsman writing the script. The series could star Raven, Starfire and Nightwing. I don't think the series will feature Cyborg because it seems he is attached to the Justice League movie. The series could work but we have to wait for the pilot and see.
One last thing, put Danny Chase on the series (red head kid bellow Raven). He was a really cool character from the comics that never got a chance to shine.

Fun with Photoshop: Resident Evil for the NES

This week we have a cover for the survival horror classic, Resident Evil. I tried to use a title font with the style of 80's horror movies. The first Resident Evil game was released in 1996 (long after the NES finished it's life span) for the Playstation, but the is an unofficial version for the classic 8-bit console. Here's the video.

Grayson: Future Ends #1 Review

This issue presents a possible future for Dick Grayson and Helena Bertinelli that takes place 5 years from now (he’s not Nightwing again). After the war with another world, Dick and Helena are heroes, and the KGBeast becomes the president of the newly reformed Russia. But the Russian people are still suffering, and it’s up to Dick to set things right one last time. The issue asks for the reader’s time and attention, and it will deliver a great tale about responsibility, loyalty and love.

Marvel, bring Nova (Richard Rider) back!!!

After an excellent comic run, Nova a.k.a. Richard Rider (or Ryder) was banished in an event called The Thanos Imperative along with Star Lord and Thanos. Two of the came back (the ones attached to Marvel Cinematic Universe), but Nova didn’t. Fans have been asking for answers and the next couple of Guardians of the Galaxy issues will answer what happened to Rider (or Ryder).

Fun with Photoshop: The NeverEnding Story for the NES

A game that never happened, based on one of my favorite movies ever. The NeverEnding Story has a lot of video game potential but I don't think the NES could handle it and with the games-based-of-movies track record from those years it's probably for the best that this game doesn't exist. And yes, Milton Bradley made games in the late 80's to early 90's.

Fun with Photoshop: Nova for the NES

This week's entry is for one of Marvel's most popular cosmic characters, Nova. While Nova was created in the 70's, he became really popular almost 10 years ago with the excellent Annihilation mini series (seriously, check it out) Like a lot of Marvel games back in the NES years, this fake one is made by LJN. Enjoy!

Guardians of the Galaxy movie review

Sometimes a studio is so comfortable with an impressive streak of successful movies that takes risks with and idea so bizarre that might destroy their entire reputation, luckily this was not the case with Guardians of the Galaxy.  This movie has  excellent dialogue, acting, chemistry and soundtrack. It balances genre such as sci-fi, comedy and action. to deliver a true summer blockbuster experience that fells like a mix between Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Peter Quill finds and ancient orb and gets stuck in the middle of a war between two civilizations. Joining him are a band of misfits that will help him raise to the top, if the can survive one another.

Two decades of The King of Fighters

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Kyo and the gang first clashed in the arcades. King of Fighters is one of the most recognized fighting game series in the world. Players were amazed by the series solid game play mechanics, colorful and a variety characters, awesome music and voice acting and insanely difficult boss battles. Like some sports events, each year there was a new entry for the series, some characters were remove, others were introduced and some were changed (according to the story). It was truly a great time for fighting game enthusiast.Sadly, the last couple of years were difficult for the series. Let’s have a small look back at the beginning of the KOF series.

New Flash Sale @ PSN

Taken from logonoid.com

It's bargain extravaganza at the PSN with the newest Flash Sale with 20 games for $9.99 each. The sale includes Street Fighter X Tekken, Persona 4 Arena, Bioshock Infinite and more! Sale ends on Monday 25th.

Fun with Photoshop: The King of Fighters 94 for the NES

It's been a while since the last post (sorry), but fun with Photoshop continues with a new fake cover. With King of Fighters 20th Anniversary around the corner, it's KOF 94's turn. The famous fighting game series debuted in arcades in August 25 1994 but it never made it to a Nintendo home console until a couple of years ago for the Wii. This is what I think the cover would look like if it was release to the famed 8-bit console. Enjoy!

Fun with Photoshop: Berserk for the NES

Another design for a game that doesn't exist, this time, it's Berserk's turn. The first volume of the manga was released in 1990 (in Japan) that means it happened within the NES lifespan. But if you read the manga (or watched the anime releases) you'll understand why a game like this would never have been released in the West.

Robin Williams passed away

Image taken from wikipedia.org

A little bit late but as you may know, Robin Williams passed away last Monday. Truly sad news since he was a very funny comedian and an amazing actor. Sometimes is hard to imagine that someone with so much energy can suffer from depression. Robin Williams had an impressive variety of roles over the years. A magical genie, a grown up Peter Pan, a teacher, a homeless man of an obsessive photo technician. He could pull off any any role. He will be missed. Thanks you Mr. Williams for so many fond movie memories. Rest in peace.

Cine Campus opens tomorrow!!!

Cine Campus, a film student festival, open tomorrow in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Besides a collection of feature and short films from over 30 countries, there will be special classes from companies such as 20Th Century Fox, Dreamworks and Nickelodeon. Most of those classes are free of charge! Also,the festival will have the first film Olympics in the world. Check the website for more info.