#90s commercials

[peteneems]

[adriantheanimator09]

This WB Kids Promo from the 90s is SOMETHING ELSE 😭

This is why I love 90s cartoons, stuff like THIS was normal back then 😭😭😭 WHY THE BATMAN VILLAINS PLAYING POKÉMON CARDS???? WHY IS ASH IN GOTHAM?????

[throwbackblr]

Pinky and the Brain "Meet John Brain" (1994)

[snazzywafflezzz]

anyone tryna pull up to the 90s taco bell with me? :P

mild sauce maxxing while forever baja blast pilled 😤🤨

[fruitcage]

[90s-2000s-barbie]

L’Oréal Kids Shampoo

[elliespectacular]

Tell of Vision

A YTP of various commercials that aired in April of 1996.

Full video with captions here

Thanks <3

[appleangelz]

britney x skechers, 1999 ✰

[sirfowlman]

Found this wonderfully animated ad for the first Dinotopia book.

It was directed by the late C. Martin Croker of Space Ghost Coast to Coast and Brak Show fame. Seeing this ad makes me wish there was a proper animated adaptation of the Dinotopia books.

[radiodormouse]

Johnny the Homicidal Maniac attempts to walk a fine line between satirizing revenge fantasies and indulging in them, but this duality often leaves the book feeling muddled. Vasquez introduces us to Johnny, the titular homicidal maniac, as a socially alienated, self-pitying character whose violent outbursts are triggered by trivial slights or perceived offenses. His victims are exaggeratedly vile, unrepentant individuals, seemingly crafted to evoke a sense of dark catharsis. Yet this makes it difficult to discern if Vasquez is critiquing Johnny’s outlook or, rather, inviting us to revel in the violence he enacts. The satire is further muddied by the fact that Johnny’s perspective and violent tirades aren’t challenged or balanced by the narrative; instead, they risk validating his nihilism.

Although Johnny briefly expresses disgust at a rapist’s crime and hints at awareness of his own monstrous nature, his moments of reflection come across as self-pity rather than genuine remorse. These half-hearted attempts at self-awareness fall short, making it difficult to sympathize with him. In other stories about morally flawed or self-deluded protagonists—like Taxi Driver’s Travis Bickle or American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman—there are layers to the characters’ actions and motivations, often tied to social or psychological commentary. For instance, Bickle’s flawed quest to "save" Iris is revealed as self-serving, and Bateman’s violent fantasies serve as outlets for his existential torment. In contrast, Johnny’s killing spree feels more like a visceral but empty reaction to everyday irritations, lacking depth or nuance.

Vasquez seems at least somewhat aware of the protagonist’s lack of appeal and attempts to inject self-parody through liner notes that poke fun at Johnny's self-aggrandizing tendencies. However, the satire is undermined when even supposedly sympathetic characters, like Devi (Johnny's ex-girlfriend) or Tess (a victim Johnny encounters), display the same arrogant contempt for others that Johnny does. Lines like Devi's, “I think it’s so sad when monkeys don’t know that they are the simple ones,” reveal a similar smug superiority. Tess, who is rescued from certain death by a stereotypical “jock” character, Krik, offers nothing but disdain for him, even as he risks his life to save her. Rather than fostering complexity, these characters’ shallow hostility only reinforces the comic’s bleak view of humanity, failing to provide any contrasting perspectives or empathy that might deepen the satire.

Visually, the art style leans on exaggerated grotesque imagery reminiscent of Ren and Stimpy with a dash of H.R. Giger, but lacks the craft of either. Characters are often drawn as claw-handed semi-stick figures, and the over-the-top grotesqueness feels like a cover for weak composition and inconsistent line work. This style occasionally suits the manic tone of the book but detracts from the visual storytelling, making it hard to take the violence or characters seriously.

Despite these issues, there are moments in Johnny the Homicidal Maniac that hint at an intriguing horror premise: Johnny, as a former artist whose creativity has been drained by a supernatural force, killing in a desperate attempt to regain inspiration. This concept, if further explored, might have lent more depth to Johnny’s motivations, creating a compelling horror story about the consequences of lost artistry and self-destruction.

Additionally, Vasquez shines in the one-page newspaper-style strips, where the comic’s dark humor and over-the-top violence are distilled into short, self-contained gags. These segments play to Vasquez’s strengths in absurdist humor and quick punchlines, making it clear that Johnny’s rants are overreactions to trivialities, rather than statements on society.

Ultimately, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac struggles to reconcile its satire of revenge fantasies with its indulgence in them. The comic has moments of humor and originality, especially in its shorter gag strips, but as a whole, it lacks the coherence and character complexity necessary to deliver a satisfying satire. Vasquez may have created a more engaging experience if he had leaned fully into a twisted comic strip format, focusing on humor over inconsistent attempts at social commentary.

[peteneems]

[summerof85]

📺 Magnavox || 1994

[pjclappworld00]

like fine wine

[aiyo-archive]

‘Girls Night Out’ for Vodafone (2001, UK)- directed at Studio AKA by Mic Graves

Directed by Mic Graves at Studio AKA, this animated commercial captures the humor and unpredictability of a night out. The ad follows two women navigating the social scene each with different expectations of romance conveyed through playful thought bubbles. Their visions of the perfect man take an unexpected turn when his Vodafone ringtone plays the iconic song YMCA leading to a comedic twist.

Studio AKA is a renowned London based animation studio known for its distinctive storytelling and innovative visual style. The studio has produced award winning commercials short films and animated series blending artistry with technical excellence.

Mic Graves a talented director and animator has worked on various animated projects including the critically acclaimed series The Amazing World of Gumball. His ability to craft engaging narratives with humor and visual flair is evident in this Vodafone commercial.

[stone-cold-groove]

Aliens. The invasion is on. Snippet from a Kenner Aliens action figures commercial - 1992.

[imstuckin1999]

Jazzy Jewelry commercial featuring Melissa Joan Hart