Phronemophobia's art Reviews on Newgrounds

[Can u zip it?]

RIP Greg Martin. There are so many artists in the video game industry that will never receive the kind of love Martin got for his work. It helps that he contributed to one of the most dedicated fanbases, I suppose. His is definitely my favorite of the Sonic designs but that's partially because I never got a Sega console after the Genesis and the few times during my childhood that I ever drew Sonic characters was while referencing his style.

ICam2k responds:

There are certainly other artists that might've been just as striking, but Martin certainly stands out the most when it comes to Western video game art, especially from the way he paints the shading on characters and their surroundings. Some people nowadays tend to dismiss his interpretation of the blue blur because he looks "barely expressive", to which on one way I can undertand. But I still can't deny the charm that's provided. I still love that mohawk, to which it can shape up into a buzzsaw when he rolls into a ball. Obvious, but ingenious.

[Which way, Rayman?]

So one Plok wants to be your brother and the other Plok wants to be the brother of your child? Wow, I guess Plok is pretty cool regardless of which game he's in.

Mewx responds:

That boss music goes hard though.

[Mario is Missing! ...Show?]

The Weegee meme? in 2024?! What a truly blessed day (in this otherwise awful year) this has been! As a big fan of old, crusty memes, I thank you, Cami.

ICam2k responds:

I guess you're not the type of person to read descriptions then. This was made in 2021, so it's old news.
But, I guess it doesn't matter, I did technically post this on Newgrounds IN 2024, so you're not wrong.

[Pete's Pepper | 2024]

Should I assume Pete would like to be a pepper, too?

Bertn1991 responds:

Oh yeah. That's a spicy Pete ball.

[Say hi to The Eggman]

Did not know about Eggman having the same quirk of finishing his sentences with "yes" as Megatron in Beast Wars. Kind of neat to learn. It also works well for the doctor since it's basically him confirming his remarks before anyone else has a chance to disagree. Metal Sonic looks like he was taken from the Mania Christmas special and tossed right into Easter with a new, larger flower to give. Of course, it would be a sunflower. I'm guessing that's Sonic in the background rushing to participate in the festivities and... is that suppose to be an Easter bunny hanging in the air? You'd think he'd be happy to have a man as joyous as Eggman offering his assistance to pass out those normal, delightfully festive eggs to everyone.

ICam2k responds:

You would think so, but the "Easter bunny" that's being by the claw is actually Pocky, one of the many critters that Sonic rescues them from the badniks... or maybe it's the "Easter bunny" position that it's boring for him to death.

[Sonic Rolls minissue #? - I Am Max]

Isn't Sharps the Parakeet also named Max the Parrot? Looking it up, there's another Max in a band in Sonic Underground and it's also the name of main heroes in Streets of Rage and Shining Force which are two other Sega IPs. Either the company really likes the name or they're a little lazy. Not really sure on that but this definitely seems like a comic idea someone at Sega should have come up with years ago.

ICam2k responds:

(I have to say, you're quite observant, just saying)
Jokes aside, I admittedly forgot about that. I think Naoto Ohshima once made a tweet with the concept art attached that had Sonic, Mighty, Ray, Vector and Max the Parrot after correcting Sonic the Hedgeblog on Twitter in 2018 regarding a german documentary.
You can find it here. https://x.com/NaotoOhshima/status/975791068586233856
Although, he does strike to me as a bit of a different character given the clothes and accesories, but maybe I'm overlooking, epecially since the art isn't even colored. It is pretty funny knowing how many times Sega used that name though, including Ohshima.

[Miss Edith]

I'd be lying if I claimed to know anything about Miss Edith, but, after looking her up, I'd also be lying if I believed this deserved anything less than five stars. That is not only an impressive likeness of the woman but the stylistic choices behind the colors and glitter make it damn near impossible to ignore in a room.

Fabulous-fishstick42 responds:

She's my favorite actress in my favorite movie, she always performs the perfect level of tacky so I figured the glitter with the painted sparkle would be nice :)

[Here's the Cool Team]

I recognize Sonic the Spikey and Tanooki Mario, but I'm not sure on the third one. Is it Rex from Toy Story? Shenron from Dragonball? Hoppy from The Flintstones? Wait, is it Reptar? I bet it's Reptar. Yeah, it's gotta be Reptar because Reptar definitely belongs in the Cool Team.

Very cool fanart. Very cool team.

ICam2k responds:

Well, now I'm upset. >:(
It's supposed to be Croc cosplaying as Gex!
(nah I'm joking, it's Yoshi as Vector the crocodile in his classic look)

[The 3D Stars]

Oh. Now it makes more sense. Had this piece been posted before the previous one, I would have given your Paisanos work six stars instead of five. Too late now, I guess. Can't change the past as they say and so forth and such. It is a little odd to see the N64 version of Mario crying when he's the one who survived to still be available on the Switch.

ICam2k responds:

Nah, it's my fault. I am the one sharing most of my old work here after all. Some stuff tends to slip out of my memory.
Eh, I think five is good enough. The drawing's quality aged is a little mid anyways.
I did write the date that this comic was initially posted in the description, back when all of that craze was going on, juust to clear the confunsion here. Besides, I'm no psychic that predicts the future somehow.

[An Average Doc]

Robotnik looks bright, bulbous, and beyond brilliant! Not the biggest fan of Sonic (my favorite games are Spinball and All-Star Racing Transformed if that tells you anything), but I do love Eggman and appreciate any fan art he receives over the blue rodent.

ICam2k responds:

Eh, your tastes are quite something, albeit not enough to make me surprised. I've seen more absurd ones. Speaking of which, I do actually have All-Star Racing Transformed, just bundled with Sonic Mania. I do plan to replay it just a bit someday.
I remembered in this year on twitter of how everyone seemed to have gotten sick of celebrating the blue blur by the time the 32nd aniversary rolled around and instead vowed to give the birthday cake to the round scientist instead, so you're not alone here. He's my favourite as well. :)