Peruvian supremo specialised in monsters, muscular beings, erotica and spectacular colour.
Unsurprisingly, he was commissioned to illustrate numerous video game covers, film posters and comics.
Observe how iconic works made several 'unofficial' appearances.
European Vacation is similar, but...
First off, note stance of Chevy Chase and arm raised aloft.
Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Mega Drive) and Death Brade (SNES)
Now focus attention on Beverly D'Angelo clinging to leg.
Smash T.V. (Spectrum title screen) and Stormlord
Detector and Commando (1988)
Cobra (Amiga) and Phantasie III: The Wrath of Nikademus (PC-88)
Ninja Master (Spectrum) and Fighting Warrior (C64)
Highly controversial this one, as Lucio Fulci's Conquest was released in the same year, but I'm including it anyway.
How do I know?
Draconus, Fears and Kobyashi Naru¹
¹Possibly done on purpose, but title is suspiciously similar to Kobayashi Maru test that debuted in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
For the record, game was a text-based graphic adventure.
The Magic Candle II: The Four and Forty and The G.G. Shinobi II: The Silent Fury
Probably nothing in this, but...
Hmmm.
Now things come full circle.
Curse of Babylon and Dragon Lord (aka Dragon Breath)
Cadash and The King of Dragons
Miscellany
Realms of Arkania: Star Trail and Bionic Ninja
Wrath of the Demon and Monkey Magic
For shits and giggles, Eternal Champions is a respected Mega Drive fighting game, with comic book veteran Ernie Chan providing majority of character design.
Oh, there's also this.
Space Gun (1992 home computer ports) vs Unicorn (1991)
The late and great Bob Wakelin was a little tinker.
Storm (1986) vs Barbarian Opening Wine Bottle (1983)
WTF?
Pirate Adventure (1982) vs I Am a Barbarian (1982)
Amaurote vs Tarnsman of Gor
Shard of Inovar (1987) vs Heavy Metal (1985)
Oh, woman is stolen from European Vacation.
Rings of Medusa vs The Bride
Now shit gets serious.
Prince of Persia³ (Genesis/Mega Drive) vs Dream Snake (1978)
Holy SHIT!
³To make things complicated, North American Tengen version was different to European Domark cousin.
NA - extended intro (albeit static), 12 stages and no in-game music.
EU - has a more animated intro, 16 stages and features in-game music.
Back to Tengen game.
Princess vs 1982 drawing
UN...FUCKING...BELIEVABLE!
Gotta chuckle at subtle 'alterations'.
The Bard's Tale Construction Set rapes Conan, Eternal Champion, and flying creatures are lifted from Last Stand.
Golden Axe III vs Silver Sword
Although Sega hired main man to create cover for second exclusive Mega Drive sequel, publishing restrictions prevented them from using it.
Instead, Sohhei Oshiba cobbled together a piss poor imitation.
Game did come to America in 1995, but could only be downloaded via the Sega Channel.
Unsurprisingly, he was commissioned to illustrate numerous video game covers, film posters and comics.
Observe how iconic works made several 'unofficial' appearances.
 |
| National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) |
First off, note stance of Chevy Chase and arm raised aloft.
Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Mega Drive) and Death Brade (SNES)
Now focus attention on Beverly D'Angelo clinging to leg.
Smash T.V. (Spectrum title screen) and Stormlord
 |
| Conan the Magnificent (1983) |
Ninja Master (Spectrum) and Fighting Warrior (C64)
Highly controversial this one, as Lucio Fulci's Conquest was released in the same year, but I'm including it anyway.
 |
| One thing's for sure, it's not a Boris. |
 |
| Because artist's signature (Alexander) is located towards the bottom right. |
¹Possibly done on purpose, but title is suspiciously similar to Kobayashi Maru test that debuted in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
For the record, game was a text-based graphic adventure.
The Magic Candle II: The Four and Forty and The G.G. Shinobi II: The Silent Fury
Probably nothing in this, but...
 |
| Gremlins (1984) When Mogwai are fed after midnight, evil critters do kinda resemble dragon. |
Now things come full circle.
Curse of Babylon and Dragon Lord (aka Dragon Breath)
Cadash and The King of Dragons
Miscellany
 |
| Eternal Champion (1979) |
Wrath of the Demon and Monkey Magic
For shits and giggles, Eternal Champions is a respected Mega Drive fighting game, with comic book veteran Ernie Chan providing majority of character design.
Oh, there's also this.
 |
| Castlevania (1999) In franchise's first 3D outing, pose of Reinhardt Schneider looks remarkably similar. |
The late and great Bob Wakelin was a little tinker.
Storm (1986) vs Barbarian Opening Wine Bottle (1983)
Pirate Adventure (1982) vs I Am a Barbarian (1982)
Amaurote vs Tarnsman of Gor
Shard of Inovar (1987) vs Heavy Metal (1985)
Oh, woman is stolen from European Vacation.
Rings of Medusa vs The Bride
Now shit gets serious.
Prince of Persia³ (Genesis/Mega Drive) vs Dream Snake (1978)
Holy SHIT!
³To make things complicated, North American Tengen version was different to European Domark cousin.
NA - extended intro (albeit static), 12 stages and no in-game music.
EU - has a more animated intro, 16 stages and features in-game music.
Back to Tengen game.
Princess vs 1982 drawing
UN...FUCKING...BELIEVABLE!
Gotta chuckle at subtle 'alterations'.
The Bard's Tale Construction Set rapes Conan, Eternal Champion, and flying creatures are lifted from Last Stand.
Golden Axe III vs Silver Sword
Although Sega hired main man to create cover for second exclusive Mega Drive sequel, publishing restrictions prevented them from using it.
Instead, Sohhei Oshiba cobbled together a piss poor imitation.
Game did come to America in 1995, but could only be downloaded via the Sega Channel.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story vs Taurus, the Bull Fantasy (1987)
Parody? My ass.
And finally, the big one.
La Bimba di Satana (Satan's Baby Doll) vs Vampire's Kiss (1979)
I hunted high and low for poster credit of Mario Bianchi's 1983 horror porno but found nothing, absolutely NOTHING.
 |
| Unlike poster (which employed whisp of smoke to hide booty), lurid embrace is uncensored in Shameless Screen Entertainment's 2010 UK DVD. |
 |
| Whoever designed German cover art obviously had source to hand. |
Vallejo didn't give permission for distributor to edit and recolour gothic masterpiece.
So not wanting to blow one's shiny trumpet, but I could be the first to join plagiaristic dots.
Does this mean I'm more powerful than the internet?
Maybe.
That artist is Renato Casaro. And yes, it is a blatant rip-off of Vampire’s Kiss by Boris Vallejo. I actually wrote to Julie and Boris. They were surprised and said it is very disappointing.
ReplyDeletenice. it makes you wonder how Casaro got away with it.
Delete