Phronemophobia's art Reviews on Newgrounds

[The prophecy]

I love how Wario and Waluigi were designed with exaggerated aspects of the Mario brothers and the only opposing factor was that they were not good guys. Both are much more refined now with their personalities and abilities though I guess Wario did become a little more opposite of Mario (less about jumping power and more about regular power) in his own platformers. Maybe Fake Luigi also became more refined and turned into who we now know and fear to be Weegee.

ICam2k responds:

That less about "jumping power and more regular power" actually serves as an another neat contrast between Wario and Mario, at least to me. Mario is a skilled athlete (according to some games like Donkey Kong for Gameboy by the introduction cutscene, but I'm not sure if that still holds up to this day) and while he can punch or even swing a giant Turtle Dragon King by his tail, I feel like his skills are more about running and jumping. How else did he get the name "Jumpman"? Wario meanwhile focuses more on brute stength, plus the way he deals enemies seem to be more erratic compared to how Mario does. Even the transformations show this, Mario gains some power-ups and masters the abilities given to him without much sweat, while Wario has to get these by just... harming himself. (getting crushed by heavy objects cause to transform into Flat Wario for instance)
Oh so that's where he's been up to! Good for him.

[Two sides of a croc]

Vector looks like he's trying to create a profile pic for a dating app.

ICam2k responds:

Some crocodiles got to get along.

[Leap up, Brothers!]

They're not only adorable but both do a fantastic job of setting up their personalities without needing to say anything. Your cartoon version of Luigi looks to be a kind, humble fellow ready to lend a helping hand while your cartoon version of Mario has a more confident and daring appearance. Overall, it's a really simple piece of art, sure, and you could have given them something to do outside of existing in a white void but I am a sucker for expression. If I can form an idea of what this version of the Mario Bros is like, then I don't really need that extra stuff included in the piece, do I?

If you were to design Peach outside of DiC entertainment, would she still go by the name "Princess Toadstool"? Would she still have tan skin? Would she still love Milli Vanilli?

ICam2k responds:

Thank you! It wasn't much of pain to figure their personalities really. That's pretty much how they act nowadays, so gotta go with that.
You forgot to mention her brown hair and her spunky attitude. I do have a piece of Princess Peach "Toadstool" along with other buds ready, just a little patience is required before I get there. But who knows, she probably still loves Milli Vanilli with other additions coming in the later years like Army of Lovers.

[Booming sounds]

There's not much to say about this. It's simple, but his expression is so good. Seems like the sort of image I would post as a reaction to someone's comment on Discord.

This may be the first drawing for an indie, but I'd love to see more from your favorites (which I may end up wishlisting, as well, out of curiosity).

I have seen the trailer for this and I am interested but I also drained the majority of my bank account on repairing my new home, so AntonBlast (along with other indies) is going to be on that wishlist for a good, long while.

ICam2k responds:

Could also fit in as a Twitter meme given how similar the format is. I plan to take things easy right now after churning tons of complete artworks in the last months. I do get a bit of burnout indeed.
I'll see if I can do more these, even though I'm more into cartoony ones that are running out in the wild nowadays with some slight of chaotic energy. Exactly my kind of thing.
No worries, there's no rushing needed. And besides, it is often better to get the the game once everything calms down and just enjoy it afterwards.

[Rip the Calendars]

This got me to check out Man of the Year and it looks like animation from an episode of Tiny Toons taking place in a world that belongs in an episode or ReBoot. Was there no part two? Is this another unfinished cartoon alongside the last episode of SatAM? Why does Sega do that?

Anyways, I adore two aspects of this - For one, Eggman is front and center and far more expressive than everyone else here. He is the best and should always look his best. For another, the little detail about Metal Sonic who may be loyal to the doctor, but never seems to bother helping him when it's just Eggman embarrassing himself... while still being the best, of course.

ICam2k responds:

Given that TMS's experience with these shows (among others like that that I don't know of), that's a pretty reasonable comparison. Granted, the only parts I did like about this short are Sonic and Eggman really. Eggman especially, he easily steals the show given how much energy he oozes with these expressions.
Nope, there's no part two. This short was found only in Sonic Jam and nowhere else. 30 years means too much time for them to continue a series that would've otherwise lasted 2-3 parts.
Sega only gives stuff to what they think people want. That's how it is.
Really goes show how flexible the doctor is, which is impressive. Eggs are pretty fragile.
What can I say, sentient robots do be like that.

[Don't knock the door during night]

Oddly similar to the winter piece provided two days ago what with the placements of the flyer, Vector, Sonic, and tiny Eggman in the background. A Christmas tree is a great excuse for tossing in all sorts of obscure references and eye candy into a holiday work, so it was a missed opportunity to only feature the doctor (though he is the best Sonic character). I am going to make the assumption now that Vector might be your favorite and, if so, I respect the Hell out of that. I love the power-based characters in most games. If he's not your favorite, then you clearly need to make more fanart featuring him until you change your mind.

*reads the last line* No, you can't just bribe people on NG to be friends by offering them high-quality art. You have to make friends the same way as everyone else here - providing an awkward first-impression followed by a friend request that causes you to suffer from anxiety and regret the longer it takes for the recipient to respond even though they are probably taking forever to respond because they're also typing up an awkward reply and are constantly rewriting it because they are too embarrassed to just send it already.

Merry Christmaugust, by the way. Sorry, I didn't get you anything (back in 2021). I hope another one of my dull, long-winded comments will suffice.

ICam2k responds:

Is it a sequel to that drawing??
Yeah, looking back on it, I clearly should've put more cameos through Xmas decorations, even though it's already an old piece by now.
Normally I would provide the anwser given how many times I've drawn him, but I won't. I'm just gonna say Croc from "Croc Legend of gobbos" and pretend that I care about him, thus not elaborating anymore than that.

Trust me, I would love to, but you and I know that I can't please the whole world, even with my high quality art. Besides, it's a fine excuse to limit my offers and myself.

Merry Christmaugust to you too! That would do just fine. I already gotten over gift fever for a long while now.

[Cue the Jive]

They look even more vibrant than they already did within the games. Also, an interesting choice to have Tempo utilizing his Sega Saturn attack with the violin while retaining his second pair of arms from the 32X that just disappeared from both him and Katy by the third game. Tempo went from kicking and shooting musical notes to, uh, Bubble Bobble while Katy now turns into a tall, busty boxer once in a while. The series is charmingly weird at times but it is also kind of confusing and inconsistent with its presentation. I guess it never really found a solid identity. At least we got to keep the yodeling.

ICam2k responds:

I think I originally intended to have him play that record player while drawing this, but ultimately settled on the violin. I think it's one of those tools that's somewhat integral to him. I would argue that all of the incosistency is part of that nonsensical cartoony feel that the game is trying to achieve (I'm pretty sure that's how they went with Bonk/PC Genjin since there are the same same people who worked on these games) although I feel that this "talent show" (?) theme makes the game stand out a little more (the first one at least). Makes me wish they kept that in the Saturn sequel.
This is music to my ears!

[Ski Blast]

Not a fan of winter (or pickles). I've always lived in the southern parts of the US, so I've barely experienced snow in my life. I'll wear a jacket in 84°F (29°C) weather and feel fine, but I struggle below 70 (21). Winter stages in video games tend to feel rather dull, as well, and a lot of music relies heavily on sleigh bells even though there's more to winter than sounding like Christmas.

Love the characters here, especially those in the background. I'm shocked Vector made it out as far as he did being a lizard and all. What is the flicky planning to do? Dump water on him and turn the croc into an ice cube?

Oh, I remember SkiFree. It was on our 133mhz computer back in the 90s along with some bland pinball game that I also played far too much of for what little the two games offered. Once we finally had internet, I was almost always on battlenet playing SC and D2 so those freebie games went largely ignored thereafter.

ICam2k responds:

How DaRe Ye!? PiCkLeS aRe GrEaT!!!
I still like winter, but I won't ignore that it can suck sotimes. Especially when a blizzard can kick in and destroy a bunch of cable poles. (that did in fact happen just a year ago and maybe a decade ago)
Some of the snow themed levels are boring, but there are a few diamonds every once in a while. Like that level from Jazz Jackrabbit 2 literally called "Hell freezes over" and it has these grotesque human looking trees and skeletons walking by. Not much, but pretty interesting concept.
Granted, I think I like the spring a little bit. It has the best of both worlds, pretty flowers, plant growth and a balanced temperature.
Chances are he's gonna turn into crocsicles. Or if that was boiling water, then a croc soup. Both of these sound disgusting indeed.
That bland pinball? I think I remember playing that. What was it... SpaceBalls?
The last two games sound pretty fun though.

[Wham!]

Wow! This is so much more expressive than your usual stuff. That art block of yours must have been chiseled from the last remaining piece of Nintendium to break even Wario's near-indestructible skull. Glad he broke through though. Imagine a world where Wario failed and Cami was stuck in 2021. She'd be stuck playing Balan Wonderland and listening to Beiber's "We're In This Together" forever and ever and ever and ever.... Wario's a true hero!

ICam2k responds:

I feel like I don't do enough justice for the garlic muncher. Truly a saviour.

[Harley | 2024]

No, Harley, that is not a pigeon. Please stop looking at old Tumblr memes and finish your dinner.

Bertn1991 responds:

"Pigeon! Pigeon!!"