Look Back: Watchmen, by Alan Moore (1986)

A retrospective graphic novel review

Does this seminal comic/graphic novel require introduction. I don't think it does, it is now so ubiquitous to the general comic-book reading, film-going audience. Even if people don't always like it.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLt45wNlw9SvQpnYFXWlJwnI3rPZddUejka_TfsyKXMkQxXVkC-30nbRz79iy-Uqka_kAceBqvExnGG8Nj8q-P_NMrutu7w0NQP0RpmioeI82O190YGI-rvT6gEWyfWhYc2HSI0CGDJv4v/s1600/Watchmen_Graphic_Novel_cover.jpg

Look Back: Deadly Creatures (Wii , 2009)

A retrospective videogame review

Developed by Rainbow Studios, published by THQ

Deadly Creatures is a third party title for the Wii. A lot has ben written about supporting Third Parties in computer games, as these are the studios that take more creative risks with gameplay or premises. Rainbow Studios, part of THQ, took a big creative risk with Deadly Creatures, and it, mostly, paid off.

Look back: De Blob (Wii, 2008)

A retrospective videogame review

Developed by Blue Tongue studios

de Blob is a deceptively simple game. At first glance, it appears to be a game designed for children, with its cartoon graphics and humour and simplistic gameplay based, of all things, matching colours. But beneath that is a deep subtext examining the effects oppression, governmental controls, imperialism and censorship upon a society consisting of Liberal values... not that the games target audience of the "3+" will quite appreciate this.

Look back - Serious Sam: the Next Encounter (PS2)

A retrospective videogame review

Serious Sam; the Next Encounter was made available for the ps2 and gamecube. It was made by Climax studios, not Croteam, who made the original PC version. The differences are notable. Climax's version seems slightly more cartoony and the comedy isn't quite as good, although Sam "serious" Stone is still quiter the quip master. In addition, the reduced memory and output capacity of the console, means that many of the levels are smaller or more contained. When the levels do become larger, the game becomes prone to freezing or crashing. But despite these differences and flaws, it still maintains the Serious Sam feel.

Look back - Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (PS2, 2003)

A retrospective videogame review

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, is a platformer for the PS2. The gameplay revolved around gravity-defying, Parkour-style, free-running platforming, allowing you to run along and up walls, in rder to climb high up and avoid murderous traps. Due to the likelihood of dieing repeatedly, time-reversing mechanics where introduced via the "dagger of time." The game also involved sword-fighting with sand zombies in a huge arabian palace, and it is, simply one of the best games ever made.

 

What I've Been Watching: Southland (2009)

A month ago, I picked up Season 1 and 2 of NBC cop drama Southland from Amazon. I’d seen snippets from a random episode late one night on Channel 4 which seemed good, and the fact it starred Ben McKenzie (whom I’m a big fan of from his performance as Ryan on The O.C.), made me decide to get it.

Originally aired April 2009, the show is about the Los Angeles police force, and the show follows patrol officers as well as detectives from the gangs and homicide divisions. Having now watched the first season, which consists of seven episodes, I thought I would share some thoughts on it.

The art of John Romita Jr.

For a recent job application, I was asked to write a 200 word critique of an artist. Having never critiqued art, the work of an artist or styles of art, I thought I'd take a punt on something abit more left-field.

So I talked about one of my favourite comic-book artists of all time, John Romita Jr.