When I checked my mail yesterday I found a slip for a package waiting for me at the Post Office. I'm expecting a copy of RockBoard I bought on Ebay, so I tucked the slip into my day timer and headed over to the depot. When I picked up the package I saw it was from my brother (who lives in Japan).

I wasn't expecting  a package from him. Ususally if he sends something he gives me a heads up so I can watch out for it (Not that I don't trust Canada Customs, but, well, I don't).

I opened it up, and guess what I found inside:

Yep, Genuine, Bonafide E-tanks. These were released (In very limited quantities) in Japan to celebrate the 20th anniversary of RockMan and the release of Rockman 9. One was empty on arrival (my brother said he had to "test one" to make sure they're ok.... sheesh!). I might drink one, not just for the experience, but to settle the debate over in the "What does an E tank taste like?" thread on the forums. :D

My hands are shaking, and I'm crying. I can't believe it! I just got a message from Snow confirming my press kit code!

Words cannot describe how I feel right now. It is truly an honor and a privilege! Thank you so much Snow and John D and S-Kill, and Unity, And Everyone!

I truly have found a great home here among the greatest fans and mods on the net!

I will do everything I  can to bring my best to the boards and the community!

Thank you Capcom for making this dream come true!

A true fan and friend to the end,

-Rob Thrift

Submitted for your approval:

I am one of MANY fans of the Blue Bomber on this site but I feel I deserve to win a press kit for some very good reasons.

I have been a fan of the Big Guy since the very first MegaMan graced our shores. The moment I dove into the heart pounding action of the Bomb Man stage, I knew this game was made just for me.

I used to get bullied a lot in school. I wasn't really popular, strong, or athletic. I tended to spend my time inside reading and playing games. MegaMan was the first game that gave me the power to choose my destiny, one master at a time. It was empowering and amazing! I still have my original copy of the game. It's not in fantasic condition, but that's because I've played it and loved it so much.

A few years later, I found a copy of MegaMan 2 for rent at a local video store. It was a good 15 minute bike ride from my house, and the guy at the counter said he couldn't reserve it for me. I have never ridden my bike so fast before. I got home and back in time to rent it (for a whopping $3.18, sign of the times...) and proceeded to play it all night.

In the intervening years I have travelled to Japan 3 times, and the highlight of my trips has been my mandatory troll through Akihabara to find those elusive "Import Only" Megaman Titles. (I even managed to do this while I was on my Honeymoon, did I marry the right girl or what?)

I've bought the soundtracks as well. And merchandise.

I know my collection isn't as big or complete as some peoples', but I've collected what I could as time goes on, and still do. One of the greatest highlights of my colletion is the MegaMan the Power Battle Arcade game. I used to volunteer for a local arcade operator, maintaining the machines and helping cash them out. I restored a Street Fighter for him in his garage, and he told me I could keep it. I was in tears of joy! About a year ago I won an Ebay auction for a CPS1 Power Battle board. The day it arrived, I put it in my Cabinet and haven't looked back. I intend to re-paint it in the classic light/dark blue and seek out a header, but here she is, my baby:

It's really every aspect of the games that drives me though. I love the music, the gameplay, the challenge, and of course, the Art. Capcom has the best art ever, and most specifically with the MegaMan series. For my birthday, a friend of mine gave me one of the greatest gifts a MegaFan could ever get, the rare, imported R20 art book!

I look at this thing every day! It's full of nostalgiac pictures and amazing artworks. He actually filmed the birthday party where he gave it to me and added it to the review of the series he let me do for his YouTube review show "The Happy Console Gamer". This video should also show my passion for this great series! I have to use a link as it's on YouTube and not my hard drive, but I hope you'll take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0UqYgi0ECU

I've also found a way to keep the Blue Man with me every day, everywhere I go. I had my wife design some tattoos for me. They're on my shoulders, not necessarily for every day viewing, because they're mostly for me. MegaMan has had such an impact on my life, and on how I see things. You always have a choice, There's more than one way to accomplish anything, and if you fall down, get right back up and try again. It's this passion I carry for the games, the series, and the people that make them that are contained in the ink in my arms. Some day these will grow into sleeves, one piece at a time, but for now, here's my personal way of keeping Mega with me all the time:

I really don't know what else I can say. If nothing else, maybe this will be proof enough that I can get a promo code so I can at least buy a kit. In the end of the day, though, I owe you guys a debt ot thanks for 20 years of inspiration, devotion, and great memories, as well as for helping me find my way here, to the community that I hope will keep me long after the contest is gone.

Thanks for your time, and for this great opportunity.

Your loyal fan, and lifetime devotee,

Rob Thrift, a.k.a Rob Man.

Everyone seemed to like the peek at Capcom Design works, an excellent book by all accounts, so I figured I might just keep on truckin'. Design works is fantasic for it's coverage of almost every major Capcom series. Now it's time to delve a little deeper into the more specific games.

I'll start of with Vampire Graphic File.

This was also released in North America by Udon with translations of all the text (I'd love to get one of those too, so I know what it says).

It opens with a look at some of the promotional art and other general images. The variety of styles is once again impressive and staggering. From the very realistic look from the SNK vs Capcom games to the more anime original designs, in everthing from pencil sketches to oils and pastels, the pictures are gorgeous and vibrant!

The next section is the majority of the book, and it looks at the individual characters in detal, from key animation frames of their moves, to early design sketches and production works, along with an overview of their stories and endings.

The book wraps up with some nice background sketches and concepts, and finishes with a great look at some of the merchandise that has been released for the game.

All in all, an amazing package. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Capcom's art, Darkstalkers (Vampire), or just really well made art.

Thanks for checking it out,

---Rob

Lets face it. Capcom makes amazing games. Those games always have awesome art and imagery. I recently started finding and purchasing Capcom art books, and thought I might review them for some of the folks out there that may not have had a chance to check them out yet. To that end, I present the first in a series: Capcom Art Book Roundup, Vol. 1.

I'd like to start with the first art book I ever got my hands on, Capcom Design works.  Released in Japan, this book was a compendium of artworks from all of Capcom's fantastic franchises.

This book has something from just about EVERY Capcom franchise out there (Some we've never seen on these shores). There are so many different styles and designs, but one thing is consistent: Every picture in this book is fantastic! Take a look:

I especially love the "Lego Strider" and the Megaman Legends concept art! If you have the means or the opportunity, get out there and find this book! (Or any other Capcom art books). Udon has been amazing lately with bringing a lot of the Capcom art books to North America and translating them, but I'll get more into that next time.