Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue N64

PowWelcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find.

I might be one of these people who thought Power Rangers were awesome back in its heyday, but all I can remember from the show is the PSAs, the first episode of the franchise sold into retail, the toys I used to have {The Zeo Megazord is the closest thing I can remember}, and a VHS copy of the first two episodes of the first Power Rangers spin-off that has anything to do with Mighty Morphin’ and beyond: Lightspeed Rescue.

I’m also one of these people who just watched it for the fights and Megazords. Sure, images of the morphing, Alpha 5, Rita, and even Zordon linger in my mind, but what I remember most about the show is violence; sweet, wonderful, bad-influencing violence.

Power's on its way? I don't think so.

Today’s subject is a weak attempt to recreate the fights as seen on the show. It’s a video game adaptation to Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue. Sometime during the year 2000, THQ released a video game based on the characters. The PlayStation and Nintendo 64 versions just focused on what made Power Rangers great to begin with: fighting, Megazords, and sweet colorful costumes, the Game Boy Color one was the same thing, but in 2D, and the PC version however is the equivalent of jingling your keys to a baby’s face. It’s just a click-anything-you-can-see activity center focused in the underwater base known as the Lightspeed Aquabase.

It would be fun to a kid about 3 to 7, but for an older kid, unless he’s got nothing to do, it’s boring! But that doesn’t mean the one I’m reviewing isn’t going to be better. I am reviewing the N64 version of the Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue video game. Now recently, I’ve been trying to get back to the Power Rangers in honor of the new series that’s coming to Nickelodeon next year {as well as the first series made by Saban for a while} by watching the episodes of Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. And to be fair, this spin-off does have some similarities from the original. So, let’s not waste any time to see if this game is from Diabolico.

STORY:

The story is divided into 3 episodes. Each of them focusing on a new monster Diabolico unleashes. The main storyline is that the Rangers must get all the Titanium Power Coins before Diabolico can get to them first. The villains Jinxer made {although he’s not into the game, I would tell you who is responsible for them instead of telling you that Diabolico just picked up from Limbo} are Whirlin, known as Typhonus in this game, and Magmavore, who is known as Lavaca, as well as two new demons: Lectron, a monster made out of Ooze, and Trembler, a monster made out boulders. In turn, they turn into a hybrid monster by the end of the game known as the Lectronic Trembler.

The main plot point is that the Power Rangers need to find 3 Titanium Coins scattered around Titan City {or Marnier City, for those who actually respect the show} to enhance the Lightspeed Megazord, which is like glitter from my perspective.

What would Linkara say?!

The cutscenes in-between levels aren’t animated, but in a comic book form that is no doubt created by an elementary school student with Microsoft Paint. And if you’re probably wondering if Vypra is in this game, well, she is not. Either is Jinxer, Loxi, or even Queen Bansheera! My conclusion is that developer didn’t know the back-story of the series so well and just watched some episodes from the show.

The story is little subpar, but it requires more research in order to make it a true Power Rangers experience!

GAMEPLAY:
The levels are in 4 different settings. Each varying from their suckitude to their appeal. The first is what you see almost every level: the walking levels. You play as a Power Ranger {They don’t give you what color, they just slap a color on them before you start playing it} and run around rescuing people, shooting lasers at the Batlings {Some are neutral, some shoot back, and some look like bees}, and getting stuff until the number of things you’re supposed to get reaches to zero. The characters are blocky; the design of the levels can get annoying quickly, and if you enjoy repetitive music and soundclips, well, you would enjoy these in the game.

Next up is the driving levels. You just spend your free time rescuing cars or avoiding ships that shoot lasers too. These levels also have time limits and it can very hard steering the car, either bumping into other cars {including the ones you’re supposed to rescue} or avoiding the lasers. You have a laser gun for defense against the ships and to put out the flaming cars, but it wouldn’t help since you got a time limit and the fact the road is like an ice rink! Oh, and you’ll be seeing those a lot too…whoop-dee-turbo-doo.

It's the only thing I can find for the
flying levels. It's bad that game can't
include the more fun things.

Then, there’s the most fun part of the game {why I’m not saying the Megazord levels, I’ll get to in a moment}, the flying levels! You just fly around the city, getting boxes or Rangers and avoiding ships. Although the controls to get the boxes once you find them are tenacious, this is the only vehicle level that’s in 3D! The driving ones are just in a 2D surrounding, but you can move around the city with the greatest of ease with the ability to go UP! UP UNTIL THE GAME LIMITS YOUR FLIGHT! Or when the time reaches to zero, whatever works.

Finally, there are the Megazord levels. They may be part of the multiplayer as well {In fact, the only part.}, but that doesn’t excuse the battles end quickly. It’s the same setup: you battle a monster until their health goes down, but all you have to do is shoot him multiple times and it’ll do down. And you can’t dodge while you’re doing that; the opponent’s health will slowly go back up as well as yours if it attacks you as well. I know this game is for kids, but look at the other demographics; older people watch Power Rangers and play Nintendo 64 as well! You need to respect all of your fans in order to get a better gaming experience as if you were a Power Ranger yourself! When you do a game based on the next Power Rangers series, I expect progress and effort! Simple-minded time-wasters like these do not make a good game! OK, Tetris and Pong are bad examples for this, but at least they came out when gaming was still in its youth!

But if you do make a game like that, put in the digital Market and lower the price a bit! This is the 21st Century, people! You need to start living with the times! Either way, most of these levels are boring, annoying, and NEEDS MORE EFFORT!

Oh, I almost forgot. When you press Z on selecting a walking or flying level, you get a secret bonus level! It’s not any different as the things are swapped to different locations and there might be different things as well.

OTHER STUFF {REPLAY, GRAHPICS, AND MORE}:
Everything else in the game isn’t anything to expect either. They’re blocky, low-res, and irradiating to play through. I know I’m lashing out on an N64 game, but let me do a little bit of comparing…with one of Nintendo 64’s greatest games!

Super Mario 64 has huge levels for the player to explore. Lightspeed Rescue has invisible walls at the most inappropriate places!

Super Mario 64 has tons of enemies to fight. Lightspeed Rescue just has Batlings with different colors!

Super Mario 64 has replay value! Lightspeed Rescue just has a Multiplayer mode afterwards.

Super Mario 64 is beautiful to look at. Lightspeed Rescue’s graphics make Adventure on the Atari look like a masterpiece…A BETTER MASTERPIECE!

Super Mario 64 has annoying sound clips. Lightspeed Rescue has the same thing, but repetitive!

Super Mario 64 brushes and flosses regularly. Lightspeed Rescue had to be reminded to brush his teeth…but NEVER DOES!

In conclusion, which son would you sacrifice to the devil?

FINAL VERDICT:

If Saban was playing this, I'm guessing
their reaction for this was beyond low
expectations.

We need Lightspeed Rescue to rescue us from this game! This game isn’t anything an older fan would appreciate. The story’s stiff, the graphics are no good, and it’s just too short. I know I’m bashing on a kids’ game, but don’t forget, during the time, fans of the original series were 7 years older. They are more experienced, more observant, and more opinion-based.

Now, my hope is that the new series will be as respected as the spin-offs, but if you pull any crap like giant pizzas, cars, or Ninja Turtles, consider yourself a powerful enemy! And if you release a game similar to the garbage I suffered, IT’S MORPHING TIME!

RATING:
*1/2

OK, for those of you who are wondering, yes! The Titanium Ranger and Megazord appear in the game, but they’re not too different than the others. Besides, to get the Ranger, you must save the game after completing it, restart, start a new game, and you play as him! Nice effort, but not if he’s useless as the rest of the game!

But...since all of you are going to be angry that Power Rangers has spwaned this, let me give you a relief. Go on www.powerrangers.com/episodes! You'll find a new episode from Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers every since day. It's important that you must watch some of your favorites because they're only here for 24 hours. So, go on this site now and prepare to step back into the Morphing Grid!

The power lives on...for better or worse.

Good News/Requests for Future Reviews

Hey, minions! This is your leader speaking from the Interwebs.

I have been impressed by the small incline of views this month than supposed from last month. The most viewed is the Webs of Possibility with about 20 views! I even got my first comment from Condom {for those you who want to see his blog, check out http://dvdmoviemaniac.blogspot.com/} from the Look Around You DVD review I did last month. I advise you all to check them out and comment on what you thought of them. Your opinions will greatly please me as I continue chugging out reviews every Saturday!

Oh, and while you are commenting, feel free to give me a request for what I should review in the future. I can review from the following:
DVDs {Blu-Rays too, but that's only if I get the movie on that format.}
Video Games {Wii, DS, X360, N64, GC are examples, but I can review other games from the footage and reviews I find online.}
Movies {Give some underrated titles or some that are worthy for a review.}
Comics {Give me a title, any title, and I'll see if I can do that in the near future.}
Collectibles, or Other {This is from the first review. I need more interesting collectibles to give honest opinions on.}
Books {It's depends on how long or underrated a certain book is. I can't review Great Gatsby or Death of a Salesman, these books already have a reputation.}

Thanks for reading on the good news, and keep on coming to the site and giving me your opinions or requests. Remember, I post a new review on who-knows-what every Saturday. So, your request might be the next thing I find to be reviewed out of my mind

Comic Book Guy: The Comic Book #2

Last time {or more like, last month on} Random Fandom…

The Simpsons’ own Comic Book Guy. Geek, nerd, obese. These are the words that describe him.

Last issue, his adventures took him in such strange places. He entered a Lardlad contest, but lost to his doppelganger. He bid on everything at a movie prop auction, which made him go inside Superman’s rocket, fueled by rocket fuel, and flew up in the ceiling and exploded…

…and perished him.

I mean, what the Hello Dolly with Barbara Streisand?! You don’t make a mini-series focused on a character if you’re going to focus on killing him on the first issue! That is just ridiculous! This is now just a 4-part Simpsons Comics story, and you can do better by finding a copy of Simpsons Comics and just be satisfied on reading a single issue!



I guess guarantees make comics sell.

 By the by, welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find, and the beginning of the main-character-unfocusity epic known as Comic Book Guy: The Comic Book, Issue Number Two!

Now, I might be overeacting here, but not all {and by all, I mean ANY} comic book companies just go out of the way to kill off a main character in a comic book series directly from the first issue!

I mean, you got X-Men’s Jean Grey, DC’s Superman, and nearly every zombie in Marvel Zombies! But, they at least get some time to know the reader before their demise. And although Comic Book Guy had 20 years to be recognized from television, movies, action figures, books, et certa, before his “demise”, you don’t result in having a mini-series with the character that you and others loved so much and killed him in the not final, not penultimate, but the FIRST FRICKIN’ ISSUE!

But, you’ll never know. Maybe the characters’ reactions after the death of Fandom’s most recognizable losers will save it somehow and he will come back. They’re not going to absent him out of the new season without any explanation, can they? Let’s take a look!

STORY:

And there goes an exciting plot...

After the funeral for our formerly intact geek, hooked up with viral video praise and Stan Lee to make it more appealing for the sci-fi demographic, CBG’s last will and testament is displayed inside the confines of Android’s Dungeon. The only thing he left behind was his store, which to him is like his life’s work and offspring. He gives the lucky catcher of the Radioactive Man figure to become the owner of the comic shop, but Marge’s hair caught it and she’s now in charge. She’s determined to make this dusty place better than ever…or better for her.

She redone the store, removing everything violent and inappropriate {in short, everyTHING}, and make pink, girly, and full of Little Lulu and Little Dot comics. This does not go well with the other fanboys, especially Bart, who is now destined to find a new hobby now his mom made the Android’s Playground an unbearable place for people who want to escape home. The only person that doesn’t change is Nelson Muntz and that’s only because he views Marge as a mother figure since she scolded him for language.

But, that’s not even the beginning of Springfield’s problems. The internet forums were a more pleasant place because Comic Book Guy used any usernames he can think of to bash directors for making the movies intolerable. Now that’s he dead, the forums are full of positive reviews and possibility to directors to make self-righteous movies about themselves.

President Not-Wolfcastle isn’t pleased about the whole Internet-is-much-more-kinder business, so he shuts down the Internet for good. And getting off-topic for a moment, I have an alternate if the internet suddenly turned off forever. I would like to introduce to you the Random Fandom Pony Xpress! It’ll deliver any review by the 2nd week of the month and you’ll only have to pay a dollar for each review.

Our ponies are fit and ready for any review to be hand-delivered personally. We use scientific technology to enhance the horses’ abilities to run and leap through tall buildings with a single bound: Super-powered chocolate. Just like the anthropomorphic ray I made, it will give horses the ability to become abnormal, but so far, most of them are sleeping. I hope these ponies get up soon; flies are starting to get anxious for flesh!

So, remember, we review from our minds to make sure you get the review we find! Hold on. I got a fax from the pony cabin. “Dear, Mr. Fandom, Please stop feeding us chocolate and forcing us to deliver your reviews. The only time the internet will go down is when Hell breaks loose. Until then, we no longer need your services. –The Ponies” Let me get my telegraph to respond to these ponies. The chocolate must have given them a number on their brains, if you know what I mean. “Dear, the Ponies STOP, You will quit if I begin to do a hula-dancing contest with a chimpanzee STOP. In short, you are not leaving your post until we get your first job STOP. Begrudgingly, Mr. Fandom.”… “STOP” OK, let me put the letter into the tube connecting to the ponies’ chain and we’ll wait.

Meanwhile, back at Springfield, everyone in Fandom is distraught that the internet is officially dead {Pony Express, BTW.} Lisa suggests they just talk directly to each other, but all that did was start a nerd vs. geek war.

And so, the comic ends with the nerds and geeks, wearing cosplay costumes, getting ready for the fight of their wasted lives.

ART:

I got to admit, I did NOT expect
this.

The art style is just like the Simpsons Comics just like in the last issue. There are no inside variant covers since this is a second issue, AKA “Not a Big Deal” I’ll grade it just like I did for the first issue, but the art still isn’t horrible.

HUMOR:

This cameo is pointless, nuff said.

The humor is as usual as the last issue. This time, adding cosplay and children’s comics in the mix. The reactions of the Internet being shut down were expected, but funny regardless. I also appreciate the return of both President Not-Wolfcastle and Russ Cargill from The Simpsons Movie, but I wasn’t expecting somebody would be fine after a rock landed on his head. Only in Bongo Comics, where continuity means nothing to them {except for the important stuff}

Stan Lee was the only part I didn’t find OK. I don’t care he wrote his own part in, but I was expecting him to do a lot more stuff to give the middle finger to DC. For example, in the episode “I Am Furious Yellow”, Stan makes a guest appearance as himself, doing many funny things, such as fitting the Thing in the Batmobile and trying to become the Hulk, but no avail. The least you can do is having him piss all over Bob Kane’s grave or something because besides the eulogy, he was just one-dimensional as the ways different artists draw his creations.

FINAL VERDICT:
Yes, Comic Book Guy only made some appearances this issue, but I didn’t feel up to the challenge to kill off a headlining character in the first issue. Regardless, the story still fares up nicely, the humor works unless you aren’t a geek or nerd, and the artstyle still captures the show perfectly. All I can say, I hope the aftermath of the Death of Fandom’s Greatest Nerds do well next issue and beyond.

Until next time, I…hold on, I got another letter from the ponies. “Mr. Fandom, we are now revolting. Your blog will never be as famous as those other Internet reviewers. Come out and surrender yourself.” Oh, I’ll surrender myself. Surrender from sloth and taking action!

Five minutes later…

Folks, the ponies are invading my home as we speak. So, until I get that out of the way, look forward to the third issue of Comic Book Guy: The Comic Book next moth. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m having glue for dinner. It’s the only thing good from horses and…just show the rating.

RATING:
* * *

Better luck next time, Homie...

Webs of Possibility: The Spider-Men That Never Reached Fame

Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find.

Spider-Man is one of these people who needs no introduction. He’s a superhero, he swing on webs, beat up some bad guys, and learns the responsibilities of what his powers will bring, either good or bad. One bad responsibility is trading your marriage to the Devil to save your loving aunt, but that’s another spiral into the Marvel Universe.

No, we’re going to another Marvel Universe. Marvel is one of these companies who are willing to experiment beloved characters into new environments and situations. For example, the Noir Spider-Man. Taking place in the Noirsh 1930s, this Spider-Man relies on organic webbing and stealth in order to defeat his foes, oh, and he carries a gun and wears a trenchcoat, because says BADASS like a gun and a trenchcoat.

Another example is Spider-Man 2099, a successful alternate Spider-Man back in the early 1990s that takes place in the future. It was released during Spider-Man’s 30th birthday and takes place in a world where technology rules the world and product placement is the king. His alter-ego, Miguel O’Hara, got these powers not by a radioactive spider, but with addictive drugs and gene alternation…boy, we’ve come a long way from Spider-Man becoming a wrestler.

Why I am referring to these Spider-Men in particular? Well, most of you might have immediately found out that these characters will be in the new game, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. Basically, Spider-Man destroys a Tablet of Order and Chaos by accident during one of Mysterio’s robberies, which causes problems in Marvel Multiverse. Along with Noir, 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man, a Spider-Man that takes place in an alternate present where he’s still a teenager, Spidey Prime must get all the pieces back before the villains from this universe and others who got them use it to destroy Spider-Man once and for all.

And today, I’m taking a look at the Spider-Men that didn’t get to be famous or well-liked as their counterparts. Originally, I was going to look for Spider-Man 2099 Meets Spider-Man, a one-shot where Spider-Man is in 2099 and Spider-Man 2099 is in Continuity, but this thing is so damn hard to find! So, I’m resorting to find three Spider-Men people might have not of heard from and give my opinions of how superior or inferior they are to the real deal.

This is Webs of Possibility: The Spider-Men That Never Reached Fame.

Spider-Man: Unlimited

Alias: Peter Parker {Earth-751263}

Issue Example: Spider-Man Unlimited #½

The first one that didn’t reach the ritzy lifestyle that the other Spider-Men are known for, {well, one if you count other medians,} is Spider-Man Unlimited, a short-lived animated television series.

He is Peter Parker, but his adventures and costume is far more different than the one we know of him. After being blamed for the supposed death of J. Johan Jameson’s son, John, who was inside a space capsule to Counter Earth, by being defeated by Venom and Carnage {together at last!}, Spider-Man is being hassled by the public as a bad image and decides to let things right by going to Counter-Earth to save John from what horrors what Venom, Carnage, and Counter-Earth will bring.

As long as you don't dance,
we won't have any problems.

Sporting a new costume made the leader of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards, which emits nanotechnology, Spider-Man discovers that Counter-Earth has Beastials, who look like the Animorphs gone butch, as the dominant species. Spidey Unlimi-tay finds John as a part of a gang of non-furry Freedom Fighters and decides that under John’s request that they’ll go back to Earth only after all of the Beastrils are defeated for good.

And that’s not the least of Spider-Man’s worries; Venom and Carnage have survived the flight in the space and also has to face off the leader of the Beastrils, The High Evolutionary, which their battles usually end in a draw.

It was a very different Spider-Man series, bringing Spider-Man into the world full of animal warriors who turn out to be antagonists. And it’s a very good reason why Spider-Man Unlimited is labeled as an alternate universe, the show only lasted 13 episodes! It doesn’t end on a high note too; it ends on a cliffhanger which symbiotes rule the planet.

The reason why it was cancelled was for low ratings, possibly because of the success of Pokémon. Yes, hundreds of little monsters capable of battle defeat a concept idea of Spider-Man if it was a B-Movie.

But, at least, the series had its share of propaganda to show how damn awesome it is. The only major thing I could find is a comic book series, that lasted for a short run too…but while the series had 13 episodes, the comic had 6 issues, including a Wizard ½ issue, and the last three are original storylines only!

Venom and Carnage are the only
alien things Spidey has witnessed...until NOW!

The topic on Spider-Man Unlimited #½ is just a retelling of the story’s pilot episode, including the fact that Flash Thompson was hanging around as Spidey for a little while after the controversy brewed. The issue ends on Spider-Man going into the space shuttle to retrieve John. It’s only a prologue to the first issue of a 2-parter, and it ended with some decent concept art from Andy Kuhn, who did the art for other Marvel books as well, such as Marvel Adventures and Marvel Team-Up.

It’s a good addition to the story, but it’s a lot to pay for a backissue. It was about $10 when I got it and it was during a 50% sale. Still, it’s highway robbery. It even includes a certificate of authenticity, or as Linkara from Atop the 4th Wall fame would call it, proof that you have a copy of this garbage.

But unlike Doom’s IV, this was actually a spin-off to a well-known, well-loved character. It’s awesome, but treated. It’s extreme, but only when Spider-Man reaches to Counter-Earth. It’s makes no sense, but in the world of comics, what do you expect?

And we hope that this story will reach a conlcusion.

It does give me a good explanation of why Peter-A is going to Counter-Earth and I’m excited to see what the Beastials will be like, but is it worth your hard-earned money? Well, here’s the thing, why don’t you see the first episode of Spider-Man Unlimited on YouTube? It will give you an opportunity to see if the series is a well-watch, then you can get issues #4-6 and watch the other episodes to see the further adventures of Spider-Man Unlimited!

I would give it a one star, but since this is a prologue and a short-lived series on TV and comic, I would up it up a bit, but for goodness sakes, continue the franchise!

Spider-Man Unlimited, it deserves another look-through in order to revive the character to continue the story to make sure Counter-Earth isn’t ruled by Venom and Carnage’s babies! I’ll give you a second to stomach that.

RATING:
* *

Spider-Man: The Spider-Man

Alias: Unknown {Presumably monster}

Issue Example: Marvels Comics Group Spider-Man #1

This character isn’t part of a spin-off TV series and it isn’t part of a satire. This character is turned out to be one of the lost works of Marvel.

There’s no human under there, it has no other emotions besides devouring its enemies, and it doesn’t like publicit, which turns our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man into the sinister alleyway verison. That thing is known as The Spider-Man.

The Spider-Man doesn’t take any sympathy from those who surround it and spawned from a crashed space capsule many years back…what most people think how it came here.

Just a main idea on what you'll expect.

But before I tell you about the mysterious beast, let me tell about the world it’s based on. This is known as the Marvel Universe within the Marvel Universe, or comics made in the Marvel Universe, where a comic company does its best to portray the heroes that surround them by creating new characters based around public media. This was known as Marvels Comics Group.

In July 2000, Marvel released some of these one-shots, including variations of Daredevil, who is literally a devil, the Fantastic Four, who have a 4x4 vehicle, and Captain America, which the one-shot was written by Steve Rogers, the former REAL Captain America. They were bizarre, but yet they try their best to make sure these comics are made as if a team of super-mutants wearing spandex existed.

Now, the whole story of this one-shot is a newspaper company known as the Clarion trying to get more information about the Spider-Man, which its publisher, T.T. Thomas, is desperate to learn about the creature as it was the only thing that emerged from the space capsule during a failed mission his son, Jay, was on. The staff finds more pictures of the monster eating a crook before they did interrupted by the Doc Ock from the Marvels Universe, Professor Squid. He has a bone to pick with T.T. covering his escapades and not even a SWAT team can prevent him from murdering this Jameson clone.

Thye even have a verison of the Marvel
Bullpen, including a comic strip.

The Spider-Man crashed through the skylights and battles Squidward into the printing the room, which turning the machine crushes the Squid’s tentacles. The Spidey then flees to get some photos of itself from a stranger that took them during the melee. The final panel had it wearing the J necklace Jay got from his late mother before going on that failed mission.

It deserves some speculation for this as well as emerging out of the space capsule. Did Jay become the Spider-Man? Did the Spider-Man eat Jay once it entered the shuttle? Did a radioactive spider alien bite Jay during his trip in space? Either way, Jay is screwed.

We never find out more about the creature as well as the others in the Marvels Universe because Marvel never did a sequel series for the one-shots! I don’t know why Marvel decided to move on as if nothing happened, but it’s worth to see the other Marvel Heroes and Villains into a citizen of Earth-616’s eyes. It’s not the Amalgam Universe where everybody from DC and Marvel are like Resse’s Peanut Butter Cups; these are newly-constructed characters as if the characters actually did exist.

My conclusion? The story was a breeze, the characters are well-liked, and we love to know more about the mystery of the Spider-Man. They also do a news bulletin along with a Marvel comic strip based on the characters. It’s much better than Clone Saga books or even One More Day, but I’m only comparing it to regular Spider-Man books.

I’m giving it an Epictude of Fandom guarantee and a four-star rating only because I want The Spider-Man and the Marvels Universe to return. It could be a crossover with the real and fiction worlds, it could be a new line of characters and villains that people like nowadays, or it could be a sequel to the previous one-shots. All I know is that the world needs The Spider-Man and I am the first one to say to Marvel to “MAKE MINE MARVELS!”

RATING:
* * * *

Spider-Man: Magna

Alias: Yu Komori

Issue Example: Spider-Man the Magna #3

1970 was the year most Spider-Man fans didn’t realize because it the Japanese Era of Spider-Man. Marvel Comics decide to give the rights to Spider-Man in the country of Japan to Ryoichi Ikegami, who would later be known as the creative force of Mai, the Physic Girl, and then came a Spider-Man for a new country to love.

Out was New York, out was Uncle Ben, and out was Peter Parker. Instead, Yu Komori, who suffers the same characteristics Peter had, gets the spider-bite in the world known as Tokyo, Japan…Earth.

Electro vs. Spider-Man! Who will win?
Well, this is Spidey's first battle.

Yu finally figured out these powers will make a superhero and makeshifts a costume as well as web shooters for him to defeat foes. His no-name Aunt then tells him that his penpal, Rumi, is coming to Japan to meet Yu face-to-face.

On that date, the Japanesque Electro, who looks like a teenager rather than an adult, robbing a bank, using his electric powers to knock out guards and blasting open the safe. The people think he’s a cyborg {Why? Maybe superpowered villains are officially robotic.} and Yu doesn’t become Spidey right away as Electro escapes in a getaway car.

He then meets Rumi, who’s brother has been missing for six months, and decides to help her without any acknowledgement of the robbery made by the lightning bolt in tights earlier.

Yu then finds out that Rumi needs money, or yen wherever she’s from, to pay for the hospital bills for her mother. She is suffering from heart problems and in a world where Rumi hasn’t established from, they suffer from loss of money as well…Earth.

Hearing that the Tokyo version of the Daily Bugle is going to give the lucky person $10,000 for the capture of Electro, Yu finally decides to make a difference and heads out as Spider-Man for the first time to fight him.

That’s the back-story from the first 2 issues, or the Electro Arc, and today I’m reviewing the third and final issue of that arc. So, let’s not waste any time and go right ahead to find out what happened to Japanese Spidey!

You know, right person, the lyric "Does whatever a spider can"
meant that he has the powers of a spider, not a super-spider!

Spider-Man fails to beat Electro and doesn’t think he has a rematch in mind. Our hero, ladies and gentlemen.

Meanwhile, a man who looks like Master Roshi if he was a sharp-dressed man was escorting Electro to the banks all along. He finally feels that being recognized for his research for high voltage engineering to get money and using the Man Currently Known as Electro to do his work was a terrible idea, as he thinks the robberies got people killed. He decides to give Electro a choice to become normal again, but Electro is greedy to let that stop him.

Electro then decides to rob a department store, where Yu is giving Rumi the bad news that he can’t go through with paying off for her mother. Before Tokyo 90210 can break out, Electro begins his crime of snatching yen and Yu decides to become Spider-Man again to stop him. He lures Electro outside where less people will get hurt, but that turns out to be a bad idea when Electro accidentally zaps the High Voltage Man.

His death will never give Electro the chance to be normal again and does the most reasonable thing he can think of. Blaming Spider-Man for his actions. Once on the rooftop though, Spider-Man punches Electro {Yes, he’s gone from web-shooting to physical violence now.} into a block of cement.

Japanese Spidey removes the mask to find out it’s…Rumi’s brother! Oh my god, this is more shocking than I found out that Darth Vader was Luke’s father…after seeing Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith all in one night!

That's what Peter thought too, Yu. Now, he uses his powers for
good and later, gets six arms. You might want to think about that.

Anyway, Rumi’s brother crippled a child by a runaway car and forced to pay a settlement of $50,000. He found his luck on the High Voltage Man, who is apparently the father of the child he hit, and decided to become a human guinea pig for his experiments. As he expires, Spider-Man learns the power of responsibility.

He may be a success, but Rumi now feels a hatred for Spider-Man for killing for her brother as well as calling him an unfortunate person. So, Yu must learn to use his powers in way that will make him and others happy.

It’s a different take to the whole Spider-Man learning “With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility”, but the story seems fast-paced, the characters’ translated speech is usually padding, and the art, while it is good to look at, can be annoying at times.

But, who am I to diss another country for being different? I’m giving this magna a 3 out of 5, because Magna needs to be respected and loved. Although, it doesn’t make any sense, but we must learn to check out other medians of entertainment every country offers. Spider-Man: The Magna; love it or hate it, it’s one country’s art is another country’s garbage.

RATING:
* * *

And that concludes my Spider-Men That Never Reached Fame. Some were weird and some were too awesome by words, but either way, we need to see these Spider-Men back again sometime. So, if you’re reading this, Marvel, bring these Spider-Men back for a short time! You can ditch some of your Deadpool books to do more Alternate Spidey, because what I can tell, one group of Deadpool Corps is enough!

Do me a favor and enlarge this. Find the J
and I'll give you a cookie.

Sam and Max: The City That Dares Not Sleep

Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find.

Sam and Max, the canine and rabbity thing freelance duo, has been around for many years, whether in comics or TV or gaming. Either solving mysterious situations such as cockroaches on the moon to a rampaging robotic Lincoln statue or hitting the road in their Desoto, they’re always here with their different brand of humor and surreal type of imagination.

And boy, was this game a surreal type of imagination. Once Telltale Games began distributing new Sam and Max episodic games, they have been delighting fans and game critics with their graphics, humor, and puzzles. After going forward in Season Two by sending the Freelance Police to the North Pole, Space and Time, and even the depths of Hell, Telltale decided to set the weirdness level up to 11 and gave us The Devil’s Playhouse.

In the time between Sam and Max Season 2 to The Devil’s Playhouse, Telltale grew up with Strong Bad, Wallace and Gromit, and more nobly, Monkey Island. This game really shows that the past two games were made in the late 1990s!

But before I discuss the changes, let me tell you a story. Max, the rabbiy thing, discovers one of the Toys of Power, a View Master, and activates its full potential as he has the power to see into the future. He, as well as his canine buddy, Sam, peer into the future where they are trapped and then foiled by the power-hungry space gorilla, General Skun-ka’pe. They not only have to fulfill their victory once Skun-ka’pe arrives, but uses the other Toys of Power as well. Once Skun-ka’pe is the dimensional prison known as the Penal Zone {tee hee}, it shows that it’s only the beginning of their toy troubles as not only they find a movie featuring their ancestors using the Toys of Power, trapped in the alternate dimension where a kid pharaoh rules all, and get ambushed by millions of Sam clones, they uncover the source of the toys: The Devil’s Toybox, predicting the one who uses the Toys of Power will bring about the End-Times.

Since I moved out of the way with exposition of the last 4 episodes, the gameplay is usual when you play a Sam and Max game. You move Sam around, talking to people {or beings}, picking and using items, and just observing the background for added humor. This game has a new feature where you can play as Max to access the Toys of Power with the power to shapeshift, hide for a short time, mind read, or even throw your voice into something {or somebody} else. It’s amusing to add to the story, but it does add for the more difficult that Sam alone can’t solve, so it’s not a waste of space.

To talk about today’s game, I must tell you about the spoilers of last episode. So, if you want to play the game, SPOILERS ARE AHEAD! Yes, I know I spoiled a lot of people on CBG: TCB #1, but this is going to make up for it.

After the last chapter where the Devil’s Toybox is finally destroyed, Max turns into a huge slimy creature after infusing himself into the seed of Yog Soggth Junior and proceeds to rampage the city of New York, giving a story a twist by destroying the toybox prematurely and adding to complete unexpectability!

So, is this game what all Sam and Max fans looking forward to? Let’s find out, as I review Episode Five of Sam and Max: The Devil’s Playhouse…THE CITY THAT DARES NOT TO SLEEP!

Fake inspirations are a trademark for the series.

STORY:

As expected, the story takes place one week after the events of the last episode. Sam must devise a rescue team to enter into the body of the beast to save his formerly little buddy. That’s just the short version, because inside the body is retro-kitsch as each body organ interior looks like a living room, exercise room, kitchen, and game room.

Recurring characters from the season return such as Skun-ka’pe, the Stinkys, Paiperwaite and the C.O.P.S. as well as some characters we didn’t see all season such as Mr. Feathery, Sybil, and Satan, who is proving to us that this season’s events has nothing to do with him or the depths of Hell.

GAMEPLAY:

I can say that Demon Max
 is the best thing Telltale whipped out
EVER.

The game is a point-and-click adventure, in case, most of you people didn’t get that. You move Sam, talk to people, get and use items, yadda yadda yadda. The big difference in this episode is that Max is too grotesque and powerful to use his psychic powers.

However, you can move Demon Max once you can get the arms and legs under control. It lagged a little bit on my computer, but I don’t care. A beast of epic proportions can do that to an electronic.

You can use the keyboard or mouse to move them around. I recommend the keyboard because it’s more useful to get to the inventory quickly as well as switch to Max.

GRAPHICS :

Now I’m going out of the way of saying that the graphics of The Devil’s Playhouse, this episode included, makes the previous two seasons look like they made in the N64 era! The buildings are detailed, there are now shadows and shade on some of the characters, and for the first time ever, you can clearly see how Sam is feeling by facial expressions!

THRILL at the details
on everywhere you go!

I thought it was a good reason why Telltale did other games during the hiatus, to improve on the stuff they do best to make people happy.

The game had a few glitches, but at least for the game like Sam and Max, you need good writing to make the story sell.

SCRIPT:
I didn’t want to expect the ending or the big villain reveal, so I tried to get away from these details until the game came out after this long wait.

It was worth the wait because not only the humor was fresh, the writing at times were emotional, including the ending. The big villain reveal is probably what everybody playing this game thought it would be, but at least Telltale managed to twist it further.

With a cast with this, you're not expecting some
big names behind some of them.

The voices from the previous two seasons return. Oh, by the by, kudos on bringing Roger Jackson to play another super-intelligent, evil monkey. I really want to give David Nowlin a big hand for playing Sam this season. He was kind of bland on the first two seasons, but by the third season brings the consequences of Max’s psychic powers that proves that Sam can’t live without Max by his side.

One more thing, the ending of the series is the best in Telltale’s gaming history. Just wanted you all to know that.

FINAL VERDICT:
This is an excellent conclusion for one of Telltale’s best series yet. The graphics are great; the writing is great, the whole aspect to make this series weirder than it was supposed to be? Great.

If you are familiar with Sam and Max, get the game. If you’re not, what are you waiting for? They came out with comics, cartoons, and even games! It’s not hard to check there two out.

All and all, The City that Dares Not Sleep is funny, action-packed, and full of drama! That is why I’m giving this game a 5 star rating, a first for this review series, as well as a newly-christened Random Fandom Epictude of Fandom guarantee!

Congratulations, Telltale, you deserve that to gloat to the other companies by having another rave review.

Next time, in honor of Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, I’m going to look at the three other alternate Spider-Men!

RATING:
* * * * *

As the sun rises, so does our expectations for a fourth season
for the Freelance Police.

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk

The title sounds like a cheesy blaxploitation sci-fi film.

Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find, and let me begin this review with “I love Captain Underpants!” The books by Dav Pilkey were popular with children because not only you have silly superhero scenarios and off-the-wall potty humor {before the days that potty humor was annoying}, these books literally make novels look like picture books, giving each page a picture as well as a passage of text, whether long or short.

His book series spun-off in 2002 when The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, a graphic novel based on the comics inside each book, came out. It got controversy for being too filthy…poo filthy, not smut filthy, but it was an enjoyable read by any Captain Underpants fan.

Now, the first book after Dav’s hiatus, which came after he published the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty, was not a sequel to Super Diaper Baby, rather than a new graphic novel focusing on two cavemen who travel to the future and learn kung-fu. The idea seems a bit far-fetched, but is such a plot this stupid still be good? Let’s find out. This is The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future.

STORY: This comic book, created by George Beard and Harold Hutchins; the two main characters of the series, is about two caveboys named Ook and Gluk. They live in the town of Caveland, Ohio back in 5,001 B.C., always getting in trouble messing with Big Chief Goppernopper.

That changed for Big Chief one day when his great {repeat 20-to-22 times} grandson comes through the time portal from the future where they rely on cutting down trees for his company because the future is without plant life! He gives his grandson Ook and Gluk for slaves for his non-environmental strategy!

After their escape, they meet up with Master Wong, a martial arts instructor who lives in the future. He trains the boys how to use the art of Kung-Fu to stop the Goppernoppers’ reign of dystopia and bring Caveland back to peace.

The story is a bit one-dimensional, but what do you expect from a masterpiece by George and Harold? They’re not William Shakespeare and F. Scott Fitzgerald, their stories don’t have deep meaning, just good guy and bad guy battles and poo jokes for brief giggles from the absent-minded…and child-minded. In short, these two aren’t perfect, even if they are fictional.

ART:
The art is as expected for two fourth-grade boys, it’s very childlike. It’s crude, but manages to still be enjoyable. The speech balloons also have various misspellings, but that will be easy to ignore.

Just flip...

...and enjoy the cheese!

Also in this book, is the Flip-O-Rama! I believe this is some of the fans’ favorite part on the Captain Underpants books. These take place during the fight scenes or for added humor. You grab the page’s corner and begin flipping it as fast as you can until you can see it animate. It’s simple and you can do it at home too.

However, I got a review to do, but if you’re all really good, I’ll show you how to make your very own Flip-O-Rama animation.

In conclusion, the art isn’t too bad and either is the speech balloons for that matter. You just remember that kids took over Pilkey’s job…kids that apparently live inside him. Gross.

HUMOR:
And speaking of gross, almost all of the jokes in these books are pee, poop, or potty related. I mean, in the last graphic novel the boys did, the main antagonist in a piece of crap! Now, I see why this book got a lot of trouble.

Slamming the segway is always
a step up in my book.

This book, however, is different. It rarely uses the potty humor only to the billboards and their pet dinosaur Lily throwing up. This is a first for Captain Underpants. A book that’s based on anything else besides things that happen in your body.

And surprisingly, this book wasn’t one of George and Harold’s punishments. It’s their take that scientists don’t always get facts right and since they still have the Purple Potty time machine, they discovered things never before seen by intellect. Yes, because in the 23rd Century, a power-hungry moguel will get trees in the past since all plantlife is extinct.

At the end of the book, there is a language Pilkey made up to annoy parents everywhere. It’s called Cavemonics and it guarantees you will be speaking like a caveman in 8 easy steps! {Steps 5-to-8 are available online on Pilkey.com} It’s a cute idea for kids to how to talk like Neanderthals, but it’s just a little side step if you liked the book so much, you would want to live in it.

In conclusion, it’s humor kids can enjoy, but it’s a huge step up to Pilkey to downplay the potty humor. Maybe he did grow up with his fans.

FINAL VERDICT:
Ook and Gluk isn’t what I was expecting for Dav Pilkey’s return, but I can take it. This is just the beginning for the renaissance of Captain Underpants! The graphic novel was enjoyable to read, the script and humor was good at times, and the Flip-O-Rama remains cheesy and extra crispy in milk.

But more questions are at stake…Will Captain Underpants return? Will Super Diaper Baby ever get a sequel? And why, oh why, are you advertising an Ook and Gluk sequel?! We might be finding out about these questions because the fight for Truth, Justice, and all that is Pre-Shrunk and Cottony will continue to live from now to the future!

RATING:
* * * 1/2

Look Around You: The Complete First Series

Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find. And welcome to a new segment of the show known as Random Two.

This segment of the show will focus on everything from Great Britain, such as BBC or foot football. I’ll admit that I’m in a British phase right now, but your love of this review might increase it. So, let’s get into the real reason it was created.

Just look around you. It’s basically what if Monty Python did their line of educational films and school board reactions were negative because the experiments and facts displayed are nonsense and false.

Running on BBC2 in the UK as well as Adult Swim in America for a short time, it was a parody of those movies you had to watch in class back in 1970s to 1980s. Movies that were educational, informative, and above all, tiresome. This ignores that and makes sure it wrecks your brain by watching all the content on this disc. So, have you found out what I’m looking for?

That’s right. I’m reviewing the first series that just came out of America on DVD recently, the loverly educational satire known as Look Around You.

This programme is discussed in Chapter 24.95 in your textbook
which accompanies this series.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Is it a feast of randomness or is it a trashbin of ergodicness? These experiments will prove to us how well this disk is. Let us find out right now.


EXPERIMENT ONE: SUBJECTS

An experiment was carried out to demonstrate the results when Look Around You is shown in a classroom. Specifically, a classroom in the school in the forests of Walpole, MA. Find that location on your maps now.

It was shown on a Tuesday afternoon on 13 o’clock, but for some reason, the small hand was on 1. It is a very stupid clock. The following modules that were shown are…

MATHS


WATER


GERMS


GHOSTS


SULPHUR


MUSIC


IRON


BRAIN

After the showing of each module in production order, the results were in and each of them worried about the existence of God, but that was another experiment. So, it was useless. The second part of the results was mixed, depending on how smart the student is. Here is a review from a girl student with the IQ of 145 named Susan Threman.

“It was highly ridiculous. Everybody knows sulphur can’t be attracted to magnets! And what the hell is Embenzalmine nitrotomine anyway? It’s definitely not whiskey!”

The more you know...

And I would say you are wrong, Susan. Whiskey is called that. Why, if you can go on uncyclopedia.wikia.com, you would find out that Embenzalmine nitrotomine is in fact whiskey. Also, you would find out it’s good with Rice Krispies and flows like spring water in the Scottish Highlands. Maybe those IQ test results are wrong, Susan.

Now, here is a review from a boy student who is a high school dropout, drank beer at the age of 2 months, and enjoys watching the Teletubbies constantly. He has no name, but we gave him one from the sound he made when we asked: “GEEuuuHH”

GEEuuuHH would also know he had ghosts
in his house one day. We don't know if it is true
or that he is crazy.

“Uh, I like sody pop. Ghosts are made of…dead people…s bodies. I hope…Little Mouse…will be OK.”

Then, I asked him for the result.

“It was…it was…it…zzzzzz…”

I decided to move along after that.

So, in conclusion, if you dumb, you will like Look Around You. If you are smart, you might question it. And if you as dumb as GEEuuuHH here, you shouldn’t be living anymore.

EXPERIMENT TWO: SUPPLEMENTS


An experiment was carried out to show a group of fans of the special features that came with the DVD itself.

First off, we got a bonus module entitled Calcium. It is much rougher than the previous modules on the disc. It’s what we called a Pilot, or Plain Idea Landed On Television. It is decent, but for those of you who watched the modules beforehand, it’s going to be a long one. About 21 minutes, you could use that time to make a dinner, watch football on the telly, or whack a person in a dark alleyway. It’s dark I know, but not if you do it to a neighbor you hate and imprison him in your house.

We look forward to Jack's new hits that you
will download as well.

Next is an extended musical video of Little Mouse, the song that was in the Music module on this DVD. It’s has grainy, entertaining, and full of nail polish as you can expect. If you want to get the MP3 of that song, illegally download it online. If the cops find out, well, don’t blame me, only thank heaven.
THAVEN.

Then, there is a test card for the DVD…it is very useless. Moving on.

And finally we got Ceefax. Ceefax is the internet of the 1970s, but to make sure BBC doesn’t replace them, they get pages of it instead. It’s scanned on the computer in order to make new text writings from the guys who brought you Look Around You. It’s amusing, but just go there for the music. Classical Guitar is going to rule the world someday.

In conclusion, a mixed set of extras. Not to disappoint fans of the show, but it’s best to remove the test card. It is very unappealing.

Oh, and the fans? They slept during the test card and missed the Ceefax. Again, very unappealing.

EXPERIMENT THREE: AMERICAN OPINIONS


Now, I like I said before. Look Around You was on the US channel known as Adult Swim, which wasn’t much of a channel to begin with since it was on the Cartoon Network at night. It had shows like Aqua Teen {it had food, not teenagers made of the water,} Robot Chicken {it had stop-motion, it only had a robot chicken in the opening,} and Venture Bros. {I would say how wrong the title is, but it’s too damn awesome.} It also had Family Guy and King of the Hill. It even has the British Office, which is like The Office, but without Steve Carrell.

The reason I bring it out is for the US-only-exclusive commentaries on this disc. In Britain, there were only
creator commentaries. It’s more educational than interesting.

These commentaries are from the USA fans of the show. Each twoster tackled two modules. Here are the guys who did it, Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric from their Awesome Show {Great Job, by the way,} the guys who did South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, actor Nick Frost and director Simon Pegg for their works of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and Michael Cera and Jonah Hill, the guys who were in Superbad. We could not find pictures of them because you might have remembered their images.

They each talk about their opinions on the show and why it had a cult following of the States. It’s interesting, but it’s an excuse to have big names be in an underrated series, which is awesome.

All and all, the experiment was decent…the last two people were in Superbad, get with the frickin’ program!

QUIZ: HOW MUCH I LIKED IT


Now that you have learned about the contents of the Look Around You Complete First Series Digital Versatile Disc in America, it is time to make sure you all know how much I like it. So, I made a pop quiz for you all to guess wrong at. Now, let’s begin.

1. How did I like the modules?
A. Great
B. Good
C. Bad
D. My God, please throw it in the fire

If you guessed C, you don’t know me very well. The correct answer is B. Some are good, but some that are boring might have funny parts.

2. Were the special features good?
A. Yes
B. Maybe
C. No
D. Throw it in a dollar store

If you guessed B, well, you would be right. The test card is a bit of an off-putter. You're probably tired of me mentioning the test card. Well, to those who are, mind your own beeswax.

3. The commentaries? Is star quality important?
A. If you are big
B. If you are getting to be big
C. As long as people know you
D. I can’t believe you didn’t pick B, not say it’s the right answer or anything

If you guessed C, thank me for turning things around on this test. These guys you might have not heard of, but as long as you know them, you’ll listen to them.

Now for those of you who got them all wrong, welcome to the Dunce Corner. But, for those of you who got them all right, you win a free loaf of bread planted in the gardens of Italy with the finest of chefs watching it overnight. Expect your delivery of it never.

It’s not over yet, for the people who didn’t win or have a brain, get a bonus question, What are the correct answers short for?

The first one was B, the second was B, and the final turnabout was C.

What does that stand for?

STOP WRITING NOW

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The correct answer is the Brainy Branch of Culture.


If you were expecting something else, you have become a fox…stupid.

This concludes my review of the hit Look Around You First Series. I’ll give a 4-star rating. Next time on Random Fandom, we look at the hit movie, Dentist on the Job. G’night.

RATING:
* * * *