Spectrum Computing

I believe that we need such topic

First submissions from recent days:

1.
Abu Simbel Profanation from MAC:


an original for comparison:


2. Robocop from Bill Harbison:


It appeared on Facebook in this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spectrumforeveryone/
I don't know how to give the direct link to the post so I'll quote Bill:

I've now been in the games industry for 30 years and my first piece of work to be published was the loading screen for Robocop. I decided to redraw it and give myself loads more time than the original to add more detail and colour.
Hope you like it.

So If I understood correctly Bill is the author of the original loading screen from the 80ties, this one:

The Abu Simbel screen is amazing (I've always loved the original one too).

MACs loading screens are jaw dropping. His updated Space Harrier screen is basically witchcraft.

MAC is a superb artist.

Yea that Abu Simbel Profanation is really something.

MAC’s is amazing as usual. The way he’s used the limited colours available makes it even more striking than the inlay. I don’t know how he does it.

I don’t think Robocop is an improvement. I like the addition of ED209 but the magenta specks and “presents” font look cheap and I'm not keen on the extra red and shading.

Sorry Bill!

Yes, I'm also not convinced about Robocop. For me the biggest problem are attributes. The picture tries to do a transition from dark white to bright white but you cannot do it with dithering on Spectrum so it ends with ugly big neighbour squares of different colour.

Great to see Bill Harbison's return to Spectrum drawing but I would say he's a bit out of practice. I hope he'll remind his old tricks and we'll see it in next pictures

The original Robocop screen is good, the problem was too much text on the screen. So the new one is a better version.

Ocean did something similar (too much text) with Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge.

It seems Bill wanted to stay more true to the source material with the red tint and purple 'flares', as seen on the box art above.

The red I don't mind, with the purple 'flares' I'd probably go with cyan, dark-blue or even white and maybe add some dithering to soften them. The 'presents' text and ornaments looks a little out of place. It's a really great picture either way, nothing wrong with the original either.

And MAC's work is bloody brilliant as always.

I think the best change in the Robocop image is that he's a little less Vegas Elvis...

Is MAC a member here at SC?
If its not, it might be a good idea to invite him, so that he can personally present his masterpieces.

Pegaz wrote: ↑Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:35 pm Is MAC a member here at SC?
If its not, it might be a good idea to invite him, so that he can personally present his masterpieces.

I don't think he is a member but it would be cool to see him. I don't have any avenues to get in touch with him, if you do please feel free to let him know...

Alternative screen for Highlander:


https://zxart.ee/eng/authors/s/simon-bu ... ghlander4/

To be honest I don't know the story of this picture, is it created recently or found on some old cassette.

Batman by MAC:


https://zxart.ee/eng/authors/m/mac/batman3/

I'm not so sure about several Batmans (Batmen ? ) on screen but the execution is great !