Eldritch Evolutions is Coming
This spring Chaosium will be releasing a collection of short stories by the talented author Lois H. Gresh. It’s a pretty decent sized book and definitely always up for more Lovecraftian stories.
Anyone see the new White Wolf site?
Not sure if anyone noticed as of late but the White Wolf website has undergone a change for what I can attest as being ‘for the best’. The site seem’s to be more community oriented with forum posts and threads showing up below. I have to say I loathed the old site. It was a bit of a clunky mess but now we can breathe a bit easier now. So I recommend going on over and checking it out.
Interview with Eddy Webb
World of Darkness News got to have a nice Q & A with Eddy Webb. It’s interesting to get an idea of things that are going on over there at White Wold and with their products.
A look at Mansions of Madness
Here is a video that Fantasy Flight Games have posted on Mansions of Madness. It’s a very good look into how it all works and comes together. It seem’s like a very story centric board game. I am very excited about this now as it seem’s take the Cthulhu board gaming to a whole new level.
For those who may not have watched the Super Bowl this past sunday you missed a little spot the had for Captain America: The First Avenger. So for those that did miss it, here you go, enjoy.
For those who may have missed last weeks threat report, Green Ronin released number 4. The threat reports are 99 cents each and has a new baddy to add to your game. It’s not a bad deal at all if your looking for a quick idea.
For more click here
Comic Review: Detective Comics 857
Boy do I love Detective Comics especially since Batwoman has taken over the series on a temporary basis and this issue lives up to the high standards we have seen over her run.
Alice continues to cause havoc for both Kate and Gotham as she not only kidnaps their father but also is trying to kill all of Gotham. Now that is ambition and it works as the catalyst in this issue. Alice as the High Madame is a great villain as I have mentioned before. It’s great having new opponents and it being Kate’s sister it works as an extra point of interest and conflict. While we have mostly seen Alice as a crazed villain we have a glimmer of an internal conflict with her while she battles her sister.
The other part of the issue being the continuation of The Question: Pipeline where Montoya continues her investigation into human trafficking. With the spots being as mini as they are I find that we will have more of an idea of how good it is as a whole when the story has run it’s course. Things do move along and we are getting closer to the truth but we’re always left with a sense that we need more otherwise we are left we a flat feeling.
If there is one thing that Batwoman has excelled at aside from the storyline has been the art of JH Williams III. It has really given an identity to the Batwoman: Detecive Comics series. However I find that sometimes with how stylish the panels can be with it’s unique art that sometimes I have to double back to see if I maybe missed something.
Comic Review: Zatanna 5
After the last issue which I found somewhat less to be desired I was hoping for a big turnaround this issue and I am glad that it did. While the last issue didn’t have much building of anything aside from introducing the Royal Flush Gang who were handled in no time, some banter between Zatanna and her brother and being introduced to our new villain Benjy Raymond we pick up during the attack by the three fire elementals.
The elementals managed to put up a little of a fight by almost killing our favorite magician however she manages to survive and vanguish them. Zatanna’s brother also came to help however he is not as refined in his magic and thus, not much help at all. But we have some jealousy on the side of Zatanna’s brother which was hinted at last issue and he want’s Zatanna to be at his latest show. It’s a little side plot in her personal life which can be interesting if developed right and we have a catalyst later on. Benjy realizes that he has bitten more then he can chew in dealing with a demon after realizing his hotel and casino is home to many demonic visitors not to mention the added pressure of delivering Zatanna or loosing his soul. Zatanna of course puts on her show and is drugged shortly after by Benjy. The drug turns her hormones upside down and she is hankering for some Benjy which makes her miss her brothers show. She manages to fight her way out of effects of the love potion however Benjy has a undead zombie hord that captures her.
This issue was pretty action packed suffice it to say and that’s a good thing. I am enjoying the jealousy the brother is showing while Zatanna is just caught up in her own world. While she tries to make amends she is diverted by Benjy which is going to cause even more of a conflict. Maybe he will turn on her down the line. It would be an interesting twist. The duo of Benjy and the demon seem’S to be working out a bit more now. While it was a bit loose last issue we see more of the predicament Benjy is in.
The art I found was better but still had a classical look to it. Even though with every review I mention the good writing I still have to come out and say it’s very good. The cover also in this issue is much better compared to the last issue. In all it was very good to see things turn around quite nicely. By the way, if you haven’t picked up any Zatanna issues yet, get to it. Your really missing out.
Comic Review: Zatanna 4
After I managed to catch the two previous issues and building up some excitement, this particular issue came along. Now I am not going to say it was a bad issue. I was basically a filler issue which is a bit disappointing when you are on issue number 4.
In this issue we start off with Zatanna already in action in Las Vegas battling the Royal Flush Gang. Suffice it to say they don’t put up much a fight and they are quickly taken care of. Zatanna is preparing for her Las Vegas show and were introduced to an old family friend who is the man who runs the hotel where Zatanna is performing. But he is not as he seem’s as he is under the rule of the devil. He has gotten himself into his fair share of problems and the devil is giving him a chance, deliver Zatanna or lose his soul. The rest of the comic is Zatanna running into her brother at the hotel who turned her room into party central and upon clearing everyone out is attacked by three flame elementals.
I guess this issue is what it had to be but in my opinion there just needed to be more to it. Zatanna’s brother is rather undisciplined and not totally sure where he figures in right now. He just seem’s to be there. I think if there was more focus on developing something between brother and sister or more on our conniving villain of the issue then this would have been a much better issue.
Despite the not so great issue we have some good dialogue. Zatanna’s personality is always enjoyable and Paul Dini has it down perfectly. Compared to the previous two issues I am also a bit less fond of the cover by Stephane Roux. The interior art is also different this issue sporting more classic comic art rather then the new leaning towards anime-ish art that has been used so far. I have my fingers crossed for issue number 5 to pull things through.
Comic Review: Zatanna 3
The ongoing series of Zatanna continues but I have to admit that I was a tad disappointed on this issue and you will see why. But first I have to say that so far the comic series is turning out ok. I am usually very apprehensive with new series. It’s like I hope for the best but have a nervousness if they falter. So far though I am just oozing confidence.
Last we left off Zatanna had vanquished a Nightmare Imp that tried to imprison her within twisted dreams but there was someone who had sent the imp. That man was Brother Midnight. This issue starts off very quickly with Zatanna being attacked by effigies of her crew and it’s up to Zatanna to rescue them from Brother Night. Zatanna not only rescues her cue but then battles her fathers spirit as well as Brother Night. It’s a pretty action packed issue but it’s laid out in a simple panels. You would think with so much going on that parts might get lost in the storytelling but it all manages to hold up. My only complaint that I would say of the whole issue is that the conflict with Brother Night could have drawn out over a few more issues. He was built up as being pretty badass but seemingly was torn down faster then he was built up and that is a bit of a shame as he was a pretty good villain. Maybe it was his overall look, cockiness or whatnot.
I was pleased with the writing by Paul Dini as Zatanna has so far carried on very consistently. Again the writing and the panel layouts work well in telling the story. I have to say yet again that I am very pleased with the cover by Stephane Roux. I seriously want some of these as my backgrounds. Inking as well is also well done. I am totally digging the art style. I am hoping this team stays together for a long time.