ideas and assistance with these graphics

[philjohns]

Im assuming you ment to bevl and emboss both images?? I definately think its imrpved from the start but dont like the rough grungy look youve apllied instead of a colour tint.

Try a faded red tint turning to black at the bottom....

[SuperSmash]

I'd stay away from the Outer Glow on the text; generally, it looks amateur. stick to a Stroke or something of that sort. The Outer Glow makes it look like you just discovered photoshop text blending options, kinda like a lens flare makes it look like you just discovered photoshop filters.