Month: April 2007

I hate the thought of leaving all of you beautiful bastards alone on Easter, so I’m dropping in to give some hot word on the Monster World collection.

Actually, I just want to mention how incredible Monster World IV is. I’ve already made bold claims about it that you’ll hear whenever I post the podcast that I just recorded with Joe Shieh, but it really is a phenomenal piece of work, and I can’t believe that it was never released outside of Japan.

Think Metroid, or a similarly exploratory platformer/adventure that conveys a real sense of progression in the powers that you get throughout. Everything is stellar; the graphics, enemies, music… oh man, the music. Buy it. ROM it up. Whatever. Just play the damn thing.

Check out what just arrived in my sexy casa:

Sega Ages 2500: Monster World Complete Collection. Here’s a tidbit from the rad instruction manual for you all to enjoy!

I don’t want to get started about the differences between Japanese and American instruction manuals, but it’s tempting. More on this game later.

Today at Target I saw that their Xbox 360 display unit was sportin’ the infamous Red Ring of Death, or at least a Red Quarter-circle of Death. On the screen above was the warning, proudly emblazoned for all to see, that this 360 was indeed “fucked in the ass.”

I tried to take a picture of it with my phone-cam without looking like some flea market James Bond, but it turned out really blurry and you can’t even see the red. Though I don’t know that I’d be too inspired to worry about it were I an electronics department wastoid at Target, I can’t shake the feeling that this isn’t a very good promotion for the system.

Note that I posted the worthless picture anyway because I think it’s funny/sad that I’m nerdy enough to take it in the first place.

In this sub-series, we will begin deconstructing the artwork of Brent Duncan; wise to the pen-thrust of the power galactic. In this first entry, let’s check out his satirical look at the life of a young Pat Sanders, as he develops a stern allegory through the use of aviation and the inclusion of his recurring foil character, Gordon Chiu.

Page One
Page Two

Is there a punchline? Perhaps. Is it remotely legible? Not really. Truly, scholars will be debating his work through and beyond our lifespan.

I am not the type to play silly jokes on my readers, so you were all spared the humiliation of April 1st!

This post is a good start for a new week and a new month, and is probably most beneficial to any newer readers we may have with us. Extend to them your experienced hands. Guide them through my kingdom; bathe them and treat them nicely. Do not mock them for asking who I am!

I am Joseph Luster. I am a writer and fancy myself somewhat of a dandy! This is where you can find me:

Kung Fu Cult Cinema: Semi-regular contributions as a reviewer/editor; Asian Cinema and such. Full Metal Tracksuit is a very irregular column I do on KFCC, but I like writing about this stuff a lot. Tokusatsu is among every cool person’s most favourite things in life.

Got Next: TV game writing. I’m the “home video” editor or something? I’m supposed to write about anime, but I like writing about games even more. You should play some with me sometime on the Xbox 360!

Animerica: I am the Features Editor for the Best Buy and Borders issues… which are the only issues, but I felt I should specify that they physically exist in the wild. Please pick one up and read my words. You may then do whatever you like with it.

Come June you will see my writing in the future hit magazine Otaku USA! I am excited, are you!?

I like to draw comics. This is but one of them.

Bigwig Productions: I make movies. My friends and I are very awesome and we work hard to entertain you. I have also been writing for the screen and maybe I’ll talk about that stuff in the future?

Rabies Babies: I am in a rap group.

More to come!