tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5510214180361710142024-03-13T23:38:20.944-04:00Life With FandomUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-67002595399994215152019-05-10T14:42:00.002-04:002019-05-10T15:01:58.439-04:00The Calm Before the Phantom Menace <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTRhNjcwNWQtMGJmMi00NmQyLWE2YzItODVmMTdjNWI0ZDA2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTAyODkwOQ@@._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for Phantom Menace" border="0" class="irc_mi" data-iml="1557514579993" height="320" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTRhNjcwNWQtMGJmMi00NmQyLWE2YzItODVmMTdjNWI0ZDA2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTAyODkwOQ@@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="213" /></a>20 years ago from the day I am writing this, I was a ending my Jr year in high school and culture was different. We were 9 days away from a major change in pop culture, and little did I know I was 9 days away from the rest of my life ( but more on that later). We (the self proclaimed nerds and geeks of the world) were excited and were still naive and optimistic about what we would see in one weeks time! We were all looking forward, barely able to breath, to see Star Wars the Phantom Menace!</div>
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Back then Star Wars was how I met most of my friends. When I went from Elementary to Jr. High, to High School, I made my friends by having conversations about Star Wars. It’s how I found people who could speak my language. They were numerous, and for the most part are still my friends now. Star Wars allowed us to create a language of trust among us. The story was the same. It was something we all latched on to. We trusted in it, we liked it. It was a part of our lives we all shared. A jumping on point. </div>
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In elementary school vintage Star Wars figures were a playground currency, by the time Jr. High came around the Power of the Force 2 figures were on the shelf. The original 3 movies were re-released with their new versions into the theater again. It was a little bit of a renaissance. But it wasn’t new, and George Lucas was promising new. </div>
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He had been teasing in interviews for years. He talked about his whole saga that he had in his head. Anytime there was a magazine article that came up in one of the Sci-Fi or Pop Culture publications It caught my attention. We would get to see the Clone Wars - and see the Jedi, and see Obi Wan and Anakin Skywalker. It would be huge and amazing. I wanted to see this vision. We all did. We were young and we trusted in Lucas. Why shouldn’t we. His creations were part of us. Part of our past, and part of our story. </div>
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The year leading up to the Phantom Menace was was long and arduous. On a personal note a lot was changing in my life. A band that I had been in for 4 or so years leading up to that and had been a huge part of my life broke up. It was, on the surface, friendly - but underneath I think it was emotionally messy. I was trying to go through those emotions. I wanted to move on. During that year I also had 2 or 3 Girlfriends who came and went, as relationships in high school do. This was 1999, the same year the Columbine shooting occurred, and I don't care where you were or who you were, if you were in high school at that time- it hit home. All this was causing me to butt up against real life, and when I did that I usually retreated (escaped) with one of two things. Doctor Who or Star Wars. It was a good time to prep for a new movie coming out.</div>
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gdkMwj2mL._SY445_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for 1999 Phantom Menace Time Magazine" border="0" class="irc_mi" data-iml="1557514647675" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gdkMwj2mL._SY445_.jpg" style="margin-top: 66px;" width="243" /></a>Those original 3 Star Wars for me, until more recently, have been perfect. I could cast aside the flaws that they brought because of the nostalgia they held for me. They were, for the most part simple, or at least I thought they were. It wasn't until years later would I truly understand how Nuanced that original saga is. My Earliest memory of Star Wars is seeing Luke taking off Darth Vader’s helmet and revealing his face. I was probably about 4 years old. It was so simple - His dad was a bad guy - but in the end he made the right decision and saved the day! I remember asking a lot of questions. I wanted to understand. I’m not sure I did for years. But I was interested to see what led Darth Vader down the path he went down. Again, this is something we were promised.</div>
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Now back to 9 days before the release. I remember sitting under a tree outside the cafeteria at lunchtime, comparing rumors with a friend of mine. Sharing what we had heard. I told him I had read that Boba Fett would be Darth Vader’s brother (and Idea I still think makes way more sense than what we got) and how George Lucas’s wife had talked him out of it. He would tell me about how the Millennium Falcon would make an appearance in the movie. There was no question though, that it would be a perfect movie. We would love it. We would finally have more Star Wars. Again, we were optimistic and naive. We were not yet jaded old fanboys.</div>
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<a href="https://starwarsblog.starwars.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/Mace-Windu-SWEPI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for Phantom Menace Toys sneak preview" border="0" class="irc_mi" data-iml="1557514800387" height="320" src="https://starwarsblog.starwars.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/05/Mace-Windu-SWEPI.jpg" style="margin-top: 32px;" width="248" /></a></div>
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In those days leading up to the movie the toy shelves were already selling us new toys from the movies. The Power of the Force (or Power of the Jedi by this time) had already been giving us glimpses of characters and designs. At this point it could still all go any direction! </div>
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Those 9 days eventually passed. The waiting was excruciating. It is a day I will not forget. The Day that the Phantom Menace came out was on a Wednesday. May 19th 1999. This was also I was working that night. I worked on a cleaning crew at a corporate office for a nursing home ran out of my hometown. I didn’t go to see the movie that night. I did see Phantom Menace the next night. I went by myself (as all my friends had already seen it). That first viewing was magical. The opening Scene was everything I wanted. My heart raced. I was blinded by new Star Wars. by Seeing Obi Wan in action, by seeing real lightsaber battles. I left the theater and went across the street to get a toy Lightsaber, because I felt like that was what I should do. I wanted to go right back in and see it again. It felt perfect. It was more Star Wars.</div>
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<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--nK5FyPU_--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/1516105024242985106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for Phantom Menace" border="0" class="irc_mi" data-iml="1557514842100" height="225" src="https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--nK5FyPU_--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/1516105024242985106.jpg" style="margin-top: 64px;" width="400" /></a></div>
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It wasn’t until a while later that it all started to wear off. Maybe it wasn’t as good as it felt. The plot began to fall apart. Jar Jar began to be questioned. It was problematic. I got on that bandwagon eventually, but for a moment It was perfect. For a moment I got to relive a childhood dream - of seeing more Star Wars. It was good enough for that enjoyment. </div>
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Now we are expecting the final movie of the Skywalker franchise later this year. The Prequels are pretty much berated. The newest trilogy has gotten mixed reviews and toxic fandom has made its stance known about the Last Jedi. I, however have faith, that if. . . IF. . . a movie can suspend my disbelief for the amount of time I am in the theater and it can give me the childhood joy that Star Wars has always done, I am fine. The movie is fine. I love Star Wars - and while the phantom menace does not stand up these 20 years later. I have pleasant memories of the time leading up to it as well as watching it, and honestly still get joy out of it. </div>
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Fandom and Society changed the night that movie came out - so I have find memories of those days leading up to its release! </div>
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So Why didn’t I see the movie on opening night? I had a date with a girl who I had been pining for without even knowing it for years. It was the first available date we could get together. It was at a coffee shop and we just talked. I don’t know about what. I’m sure images of Star Wars were swimming around in my head. That was our first date. 20 years later we are married and have 2 kids and I get to show them Star Wars and tell them this story.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-92031499193304155752018-07-11T16:06:00.001-04:002018-07-11T16:06:36.218-04:00Kids on Bikes and Narrative RPGs <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently I had a chance to play Kids on Bikes a role playing game by Jonathan Gilmour and Doug Levandowski and put out by Renegade games. The game is created to mimic the “Kids on Bikes” genre of movies and TV such as the Goonies, The Sandlot, Eerie Indiana and more recently</span><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Stranger Things. It is rules light and focuses on collaborative narrative play where the rolls you make determine more about the level you get to effect the story than if you succeed or fail a role.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, this kind of narrative story game is different than a lot of other RPGs, specifically the games I have the most experience with. Games like D&D, or Star Wars historically work in a very different space. You roll the dice you succeed or you don’t and that success or failure drives the narrative. That is a far cry from a lot of the games coming out of the Indie game scene, more recently were there is a lot more emphasis put on drama and decisions than simple success. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is a different way to play, and narrative games do well to equip you with what to expect within the rules. But there is only so much they can provide you when the idea is to see how a story develops at the table. “Kids on Bikes” specifically falls into this as the game prides itself on the collaborative town building. The game truly begins as a blank slate and the players around the table create a town by answering a set of simple questions and having a conversation about the town. The same is done with character creation. It is truly a collaborative process that requires everyone to get involved.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Its not like the old days where you grabbed your rules and grabbed your module or your notes you as the GM had worked tirelessly on. You are at the mercy of the group imagination and your quick wits. It can be scary! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That said there are some thing I have noticed that may be able to help you as you jump into a game of Kids on Bikes or any narrative games for that matter. I want to share those thoughts with you and hopefully if you are going to try your hand at this you might be able to learn from these.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inspiration</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finding the inspiration for these games is a big part or prepping them. Kids on Bikes is a all about playing in an era before smartphones in every pocket. Sometimes it is hard to remember what that is like. Take some time to gather your inspiration as you get closer to running the game.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kids on Bikes is as much about the mood of the time as it is the game itself. I found that creating a playlist from the period was helpful to help prep as you begin to create a mood for the game - remember sound is one of the senses and it your job to help evoke a sense of place and time. There are few things that do that as easily as music. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The game offers several inspirations and each of the settings will offer their own as well, but I am creating a list here of a lot of inspirations from different media that could be inspirational to getting your creative energies flowing. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eerie Indiana</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stand By Me </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Goonies</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stranger Things</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paper Girls </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paper Towns </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Looking for Alaska</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Regular Show</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preparation</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As mentioned above there are few ways you can truly prepare for a game if you are playing the whole collaborative process, but there are some things you can to to assist the process in some cases. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The most obvious way to do this is to use a premade town, either one of your own or one of the towns that was included in the deluxe edition of the book. Even if you use this there are opportunities for you to have a collaborative process of setting up events and parts of the town, but it will help the process become more structured, and give you some interactions and hooks that will help you get things started.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another thing you can do is plan out some possible scenarios. There is a good chance (a really good chance) that you will not be able to use any of these, as your players will very likely take you for a loop in the town creation process - but it will at least get you thinking about where it could go. You may even be able to slide in some of your ideas as things get going.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A broader way of doing this is to create a GM playbook that you can pull from and can be plugged in for generic concepts like organisations. This could include plug and play places, ideas, hooks, maps - go to powered characters, organisations. Think of this as your own personal mythology within your games. If you need a secret government organisation have one worked up complete with symbols. If a local snack shack exists have a map that can quickly be pulled out. Have some characters ready for the game you are playing that will fit multiple roles. And as always, have a close at hand list of names that can quickly be dropped onto NPCs that might pop up. All of these things will make your job easier and will actually make for a more immersive play experience. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During the game</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your GM playbook, mentioned above, will go along way to help you during the game. But there are some things you may need that it and the game may not provide, remember players are interesting beasts and you have no idea where they are going to go so, know your surroundings within the game. . . as best you can. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The most important thing for game play of any RPG is to keep it going - once the game starts try your best to not reference the rules. This is accurate for any game but it is especially helpful with this game. Fake it to get through the game if there is something you can’t find in say 30 seconds. “Kids on Bikes” is extremely rules light, so it’s really easy to get the rules down quickly and navigate through the 60 or so pages of rules that are provided - but don’t sweat it if you forget or overlook something - the game will go on. As long as the game doesn't break - keep going.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That said it is also important to familiarize yourself with the book as a reference document. set the book up to where you can reference the parts you need quickly - specifically if there is any advice on monsters etc. . . Kids on Bikes does not provide a list of monsters, nor does it provide any kind of sample stats in the main book, (it’s not really that kind of game), but there are some included in the settings section of the deluxe version of the book. I found this super helpful to be able to turn to one of the settings and quickly be able to skin a Were Rabbit from one setting into a menacing Chicken Man in the setting that my players had created. This was super handy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The same thing could be done quickly with the Tropes that are the base that all of the created characters. Take advantage of this as you need NPCs in your games and quick stats. Having a few extra character sheets from the playbook could be helpful as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately don't be afraid to reskin and allow things to be fluid so that it can fit into the direction the players take you into. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep the story moving. even if the story is focusing on the players - there should be movement in the town - be that other towns people - or a shadowy government organisation as they put their plans in motion. remember the plans and schemes of the villains don't stop while the players are in motion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the game</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Every time we do anything as humans we want to improve. playing games should be no different. spend some time at the end of the game to wrap up. If the game was a one shot - allow the players to narrate how it ends. let them close it out. If it is a part of a longer game let them close out the scene and set up for the next game - perhaps a cliffhanger. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the game ends spend some time asking the payers how it went. What did they enjoy - but also what they didn't enjoy. This is important - I would venture to say perhaps the most important part of the game. This is the step that allows all of the other steps work. it lets you figure out what you need to improve the next game (or keep it how it is if you are running an awesome game).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately these things we play are games - so we should be having fun. We should be telling stories, and enjoy being with like minded people. Don't get too caught up in the ins and outs of the game and just enjoy. Once you get to the table you are there - and you are in as much control as you should be. If you are playing a narrative collaborative game for the first time - enjoy its gonna be a fun ride. If Kids on Bikes is just another narrative game in your repertoire - you are going to come at this from a very different place - but I still think this game will bring you a very different experience. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy and tell some great stories!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Check our Kids on Bikes at Renegade Games at <a href="https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/">https://www.renegadegamestudios.com/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pre-orders are being taken now! </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-66173309314379875622018-06-28T19:03:00.000-04:002018-06-28T19:03:47.531-04:00Its Not for you! - a look at rebooting your childhood.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW2S-GRoxAyYXtG8ZWwFx_kkrXlKZoq0vaW4fgnMmRsXBc7OTuys2Zb8nE1rdJNgn9L0io7SZqlrXgKIeZ4dAKP3gnIWBBcPEZB9OMWaVz3DLspfXWlAoUUV1CPFCMhdPL6pjj3iEQCw/s1600/itsnotoryou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW2S-GRoxAyYXtG8ZWwFx_kkrXlKZoq0vaW4fgnMmRsXBc7OTuys2Zb8nE1rdJNgn9L0io7SZqlrXgKIeZ4dAKP3gnIWBBcPEZB9OMWaVz3DLspfXWlAoUUV1CPFCMhdPL6pjj3iEQCw/s640/itsnotoryou.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are a lot of 80s cartoons being rebooted of late. Voltron started a while back. We have new TMNT ( again) new Thundercats, and new She-Ra cartoons all premiering later this year or next year. They all appear to be drastic departures from the versions so many of us grew up with, so its understandable that some of my fellow 80s kids have a hard time with this change. I did too for a long time, but in this post I want to to talk about how I became OK with the reboots and my new philosophy on Life, the Universe, and Cartoons.<br />
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Much of my life has been inundated with thinking about the things I loved as a child. The cartoons, movies, and toys of the 80s are all such a huge part of what I loved about growing up. They were important to me. I have fond memories of lounging around and watching the mid afternoon cartoons on my families woodgrain TV with very persnickety tuners. These cartoons were how the kids of the day formed a lot of their social interactions. It was the water cooler talk of Kindergarten and first graders. </div>
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Of course, watching the cartoons led to buying the toys and playing with those. The characters and the franchises were on the screens as well as down the toy aisle. I saw some of these characters more than I did some of my family members. You form connections unwittingly to these characters and franchises. </div>
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And this is where fandom gets tricky - you see, we love these things. We have supported these things for years - often when no one else did, we support them so much that we often feel like they belong to us, That we own them, and that the franchise owes us something for our support. We compare everything to that original version that we saw as kids. If it does't touch that nostalgia space in us - it sucks and had destroyed our childhood ( one of the worst phrases in this whole debate of reboots - also something a reboot can't actually do). It’s broken and it doesn’t deserve to exist. It is worth less than the value we have put on it in our minds.<br />
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But here is the thing- we don’t own it - and honestly what we think doesn’t matter. Let’s be real for a minute . The original Thundercats is excruciating to watch. The remake in 2012 - was good - but kids (still the target audience) - didn’t like it. So honestly what do we know anyway. Its important to accept these shows aren’t made for us - but - it’s still there and they represent a new way for us to interact with the franchise. These new shows are for our kids. It provides a new way for our kids to interact with the franchises we loved when we were kids. It is a way for us to connect. Our kids will love these - this will be their Thundercats or Ninja Turtles, or She-Ra. <br />
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The same ultimately goes for movies - for all of you who are disheartened about the direction of the new Star Wars trilogy. Luke Skywalker was your hero - he was mine - but it doesn’t mean he should be redirected in a saintlike stature - because our kids don’t have the co. Action to him. Like it or not these new movies aren’t for us. Once again they are for our kids - and those who did not grow up with warn out VHS copies of the movies. <br />
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It took me a long time for me to get to this place in my life. I was there, specifically with Doctor Who. Weathering the wilderness years between the classic and new series was hard. When I came out of the other side of it- it did feel like I was owed something. and in a way that I was superior. that I knew what was better for the series. As it turns out I didn't, and the BBC still owns it. Do I think they have made some odd choices - yes I do. do I think the show will go on. . . Yes I do. Do I still watch every single episode. . . Yes I do. You see that show - isn't made for me any more. it is made for a different audience, but it is still mine to support if I choose to. So, Bring on Jodi Whittaker and here is to her being the best Doctor yet!<br />
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Now don't get me wrong, we are all entitled to our opinion. you are perfectly fine to not like something. You should be proud of the things you don't like and you should be able to vocalize why you don't like it. That is what fandom is about. In the end though - say your peace and let those who like it like it. If you are able support it, because of what it was.remember most of those who are making these things now are like us. They grew up with it and are putting that lense on it as they are creating it.<br />
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Ultimately it is time for us 80s kids to appreciate that we have grown up and that we are no longer the audience for these cartoons - That these new versions are being made for someone else. You should watch these shows in support of what they once were and what they will be for the next generation. We owe them that support. Buy the toys for the kids in your life - and remember what it was like when your parents or loved ones bought them for you. Remember that feeling and be happy that you can share it with your kids. This will create the next generation of creators, animators, comic makers, and generally good people!<br />
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You can view images, trailers, or intros for some of the upcoming reboots below:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for Shera 2018 release date" class="irc_mi" height="358" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/V2tG-wAMvrA/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 61px;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new She-Ra upcoming from Netflix coming later this year!</td></tr>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ul879Tw7uvk" width="560"></iframe>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxelWoIndCY" width="560"></iframe>
(P.S. I'm secretly looking forward to all of these reboots - and the action figures that will come with them!)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-82790552525266316142018-06-14T12:24:00.002-04:002018-06-14T12:24:37.000-04:00Gateway Role Playing Board GamesI have a fascination with late 80s and early 90s gateway board games. That's what I call them at least. These were games that took on tenets of of role playing games without actually being role playing games. It was a way for the mass market Toy companies cash in on the popularity of Dungeons and Dragons and other fantasy role playing games without gaining as much of the Ire from the Satanic Panic backlash that Dungeons and Dragons (and the company that made it, TSR) had felt during the 80s.<br />
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These Games were were typically board games in which players took on the role of a character (or took a role in the game) often these were cooperative games, and sometimes they even had a "game master" to play the bad guys in the game. Typically these were Dungeon Crawl games, meaning the players were exploring dungeons or castles. The dice were typically more akin to the polyhedral dice used in Role Playing games at the time than other board games. Sometimes the dice were 6 sided but they had special symbols. The games also made use of miniatures as pieces. Not only were the players pieces represented by these, but so were the monsters and villains that they would fight. If anyone had glanced into a game store and seen miniature games being played before, these games would have felt similar to that experience. It was an easy way to experience something with a low buy in price.<br />
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These games also had fun components and looked complicated. While these games may have acted as a gateway to Role Playing and other thematic gaming experiences. They were also designed to combat the perceived immersion that video games were providing. That was definitely a factor in the development of these games as well. <br />
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The games I am going to talk about here, are mostly fantasy themed. In some cases it felt like the company was more interested in selling the theme than they were a game. Most of these games had boxes with paintings of warriors and wizards fighting dragons and other monsters. Right out of the gate they conjured images of heroic quests and mighty fantasy heroes. All of that was right on the cover. It was the promise of adventure. But it was still confined to the bounds of a board game!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBAM0dGUjYpRQw6PmqM9CJMolLNMQkP2T8scbnQIL5tJM6LGg1iNchlA0xerjI4pZMy9bjnxNoxOTHJl75Cb3pxWGhoNhpJzpOvwWP5_mbrJVxNBLhGzQnhnf1XRQ0-byCDZI8jjxkvw/s1600/heroquest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBAM0dGUjYpRQw6PmqM9CJMolLNMQkP2T8scbnQIL5tJM6LGg1iNchlA0xerjI4pZMy9bjnxNoxOTHJl75Cb3pxWGhoNhpJzpOvwWP5_mbrJVxNBLhGzQnhnf1XRQ0-byCDZI8jjxkvw/s400/heroquest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front box art for HeroQuest - Image taken from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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HeroQuest</h2>
The first of these games I am going to look at is probably the most popular and sought after. HeroQuest was a collaboration between Milton Bradley and British game company Games Workshop. The game focused on 4 generic heroes (Barbarian, Dwarf, Elf, and Wizard) as they traversed dungeons and fought monsters (such as orcs, Goblins, and Gargoyles) placed by Zargon (played by the another player)<br />
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The game is played on a board with castle or dungeon rooms. Zargon (the game master) places furniture, doors and other provided objects around according to previously laid out maps provided in the book. The players then move around the grid on the board into and out of rooms fighting monsters and finding treasure. <br />
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HeroQuest made use of special dice with Skulls and Shields printed on them. These were used by all of the players to make their attacks and to defend against other attacks. To hit, you were looking for skulls, and to defend you were looking for shields.<br />
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The HeroQuest setting was loosely based on that of the Warhammer property that Games Workshop produced. The grim world of that dark fantasy worked translated well into the game. The most specific tie to the setting were the Chaos Warriors that served as monsters in the game.<br />
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This game was a lot of kids first experience with fantasy gaming. I have heard more than one story of kids getting their start with RPGs with this game. Which makes sense as it could be purchased at retail and there was no need to go into a specialty store to purchase the game.<br />
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The game was also expandable as there were expansions released with more miniatures and new adventures to be added to the game. This was a fairly new concept to big box store games, and was pulled directly from the hobby gaming and RPG model. It created more playability and replay ability of the game.<br />
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Check out the amazing commercial that was inundating kids on Saturday morning! What kid wouldn't want to take a crack at this game! <br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wC2QJa8olUk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<b>Legacy</b></h3>
Milton Bradley and Games Workshop had another collaboration called Battle Masters which was a skirmish game made for a mass market. This game more closely resembled WarHammer in terms of set up, and theme. It was less role playing but maintained the thematic piece to connect to the modern RPGs of the time.<br />
Once HeroQuest ceased publication games workshop continued the game with "Advanced HeroQuest" it was a similar concept but with a more complex set up and rule system. More recently they brought a similar system and game back with Warhammer quest.<br />
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HeroQuest is still one of the most sought after games of this era. The game is often found going for over $100. It is a desirable piece for the collection, especially for those who want to relive the experience of their gaming hay day.<br />
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Dragon Strike</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon Strike Bx Art - Image from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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Dragon Strike is a little more on the nose. This game came out in 1993 and was TSRs attempt to bring people into the hobby (read bring people into playing Dungeons and Dragons). It was designed as an entry level game to get a younger audience interested into Fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons. TSR had the full force of its machine behind this game. First, the game was packaged with a VHS that boasts that it is made in "Hyper Reality", which basically means they hired some oiled up "actors" and set them up on a green screen and put some animation behind them. This was meant to demonstrate how a game of dragonstrike should run, and how the roles of the characters could be taken on. TSR also employed marvel comics to create a one issue comic to promote the game. Also the adverts for the game were extensive in the nerd culture of the time, including in comics etc. . . And don't forget the obligatory Saturday morning cartoon commercial.<br />
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Of course like all great obscure videos you can find the "Hyper Reality" video on youtube now for your enjoyment<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FF1_IHliRhI" width="560"></iframe>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/87/c2/90/87c290b3d8d4e59af4c0325c57878ca8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for dragonstrike board game comic" border="0" class="irc_mi" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/87/c2/90/87c290b3d8d4e59af4c0325c57878ca8.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvel Comics Dragon Strike one shot issue </td></tr>
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The setup is not unlike HeroQuest. The players take on the role of a Warrior, a Wizard, an Elf, a Thief, or a Dwarf as they take on monsters on boards that are set up by a player who plays the role of the dungeon master and controls the monsters of the game. These monsters include Dragons, A Scorpion Monster, Skeletons, and orcs. The setup and feel is very reminiscent of HeroQuest - with the biggest difference being that there is a timer for the game. After a number of rounds the Dragon will fly in and attack the players. This helps speed the game along for the players.<br />
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This game mechanics was an extremely simplified version of the basic Dungeons and Dragons rules. It used a D12, D10 and D8 that were color coded. Each characters card had a different colored die next to the different abilities, When the player wanted to use that ability, they simply had to find the die that corresponded to the color next to that ability.<br />
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Thematically it was very generic fantasy - The video that is included leads off with a very medieval esq castle with a jolly king having a feast. It is not really an established Dungeons and Dragons. Actually that is one of the odd things about this game. They game is very obviously an entry point into D and D, but the game is called Dragon Strike. No where on the cover of the box do the words "Dungeons and Dragons" appear. The only thing that connect the two products is the dragon in the logo is the same dragon that was appearing on the basic D and D sets at the time. At the bottom of the box it actually said it was part of "the Adventurevision Game Series," which doesn't appear to have actually become a thing after this, but this kind of thing was not uncommon for TSR at the time.<br />
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Legacy</h3>
While this is a game that I have pined after ever since I remember seeing the commercials on TV, I can't say the game itself has left much of a legacy. It was mildly successful and a few years after HeroQuest, so it is not remembered quite so fondly. Of the four games I am talking about in this post this is the one you find most inexpensively. Of course Dungeons and Dragons and the TSR properties have a huge legacy- this is a product that is part of that family, so the legacy is pretty astounding if you include that. <br />
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Key to the Kingdom</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Key to the Kingdom Box Art - Image taken from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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When Golden puts out a fantasy themed game you know there is something to the fantasy trend. Yes that "Golden" the same company that put out golden books. That is who put out "Key to the Kingdom." in 1990. While still very much a fantasy game that could lead to role playing it takes a slightly different track. There are fewer miniatures, actually just identical player pieces and a "Demon King" miniature. The game is also competitive as opposed to the collaborative play of the other games. Key to the Kingdom uses 8 sided dice, and the players have equipment cards that they will used to defeat monsters or traps that they meet along the way. While we are discussing "The Way" the pieces are move around on a board that appears to be something out of a traditional board game. There are squares and players move their piece along the paths not unlike you would in candy land. Then it gets interesting.<br />
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There are 6 parts of the board. there are the front two panels, then it opens out into 4 more panels. The board opens as players move their characters to one of two portals. Characters who have not reached the portal have 3 turns to do so. It is a fascinating point of game play. It literally turns the game upside down. This throws kinks into the other players plans, as you are all looking to find the Key to the Kingdom, but you still have to escape the board with the key before you win. <br />
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This is a fantasy trope that is not often picked up on for board games. the idea of planes, or dimension travel. It is worked right into the mechanics, an it is exciting!<br />
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This game is hard pin down. It walks a line of traditional board game and thematic fantasy game. There are elements of role playing like equipment management and fighting monsters, but it doesn't feel as ingrained on the experience as some of the others do. Still this is a game that I hear people talk about how it was their first experience with fantasy gaming and later got them excited about trying RPGs. It is also a great example of fun thematic game design.<br />
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<h2>
Dark World</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark World Box Art - Image taken from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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Dark World was put out in the US by Mattel in 1992. It seems like a direct response to the success of Heroquest. It feels as if tries very hard to be more than HeroQuest in a set of overproduced components. This game continues the thematic journey of dungeon crawler complete with a girded dungeon board, hero and monstrous miniatures, and dice with odd symbols on them. Similar to hero quest and dragon strike one player, called the "Evil Lord" plays the role of the monsters. That part is simple, but this game offers an oddity. It is extremely overproduced.<br />
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The game is full of moving parts. There are physical walls that are propped up on the board that are complete with hinged doors and secret passage ways. There are treasure chests that open to reveal weapons than can be added to the hands of the players miniatures to increase their ability. The end of the board represents the throne of the evil lord where he waits for the intrepid adventurers ready to attack. Speaking of heroes, their hit points are kept very similarly to how heroclix work. The base of the miniature twists to act as a counter for hit points. One of the strangest components of the game is a piece that sets up initiative order. It is a plastic sword with 4 colored beads inside. you shake it - then resolve turn order by moving the characters based on the order in which the beads line up in the sword. It is innovative for sure, if not a little odd. Under all of the moving parts however are extremely simple mechanics that do not benefit from the extra plastic included with the game. The characters move very linearly around that girded board. Once doors are open they are open and have no game effect. While it looks great it doesn't seem to add to the mechanics.<br />
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There is, however something to be said about immersion, and the immersion factor of the production of this game. These days it is nothing for D&D players to spend thousands of dollars on Dwarven Forge components to create the very experience that this game created out of the box. So, it is relevant to the conversations. Like the other games Dark World offered many a kid in the 90s an exciting entry point into role playing games. It had all of the thematic action that a 90s kid could want. In a very elaborate package.<br />
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Legacy:<br />
There were several expansions put out for this game over the next few years. While the game now has a cult following it did not have the popularity of staying power that heroquest has had. The pure amount of components made it slightly more difficult to allow it to stay together, so now finding complete copies is harder. It was a game that tried very hard - and it shows with the sheer amount of components. <br />
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Other Thematic Games </h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image taken from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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This era was rife with the big companies putting out very thematic games. While the games above were all firmly rooted in fantasy themes, there were other themes that were jumped on as well. All of these could easily have led to more in depth gaming.<br />
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I mentioned Battle Masters above, this game was all in fantasy war gaming. It was a great way to get your feet wet into that style of game. It was also very large and took up a lot of floor space as it had a 5ft X 5ft battle grid to lay out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/medium/img/aYe_X0qWmc6yYH-gaIvWI31Tq0Q=/fit-in/500x500/filters:no_upscale()/pic401239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/medium/img/aYe_X0qWmc6yYH-gaIvWI31Tq0Q=/fit-in/500x500/filters:no_upscale()/pic401239.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image taken from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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Omega Virus was a sci-fi themed game that dealt with a space station that was taken over by a bad mouthed computer virus. this was in the hay day of electronic games. There was a base in the center that codes would be typed into and the virus would talk to you and tell you what is happening as you entered different rooms of the space station. it was a little component heavy with key cards and droids, but for the most part it was quite fun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image taken from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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Space Crusade was another games workshop property that Milton Bradley brought to market. This time they were bring the world of warhammer 40K to a broader audience. This did not last quite as long as the HeroQuest success, but all the same it was a fin gateway into another type of gaming.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image taken from Boardgamegeek.com</td></tr>
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HeroScape is a game that came out a little later. It ihit in the early 2000s. It was highly produced with interlocking terain and was more of a skirmish game than a RPG. It was produced by MB and it had a very similar dice system to heroquest. I always felt it a kind of a distant cousin to that game. It lasted for about 8 years on the shelves to varying success with lots of expansions and new master sets available. <br />
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These kinds of games still come around from time to time, but most of them are now produced by companies that produce specialized games, and there are fewer thematic games sold at the big box stores (although that is beginning to change as the game specialized game industry begins to become more mainstream). Games like Decent by Fantasy Flight games seem like a direct relation to these games. These newer games owe a lot to these games that made their way into the game aisle back int he 90s. </div>
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These 90s gateway games informed a generation who would later become gamers. They would inspired them to continue telling stories, and to find the next game when they outgrew this one. They would lead these gamers to find Dungeons and Dragons, or WarHammer or the Star Wars RPG or some other game that would lead them to the next. It is an important part of the history of the hobby, and are still really fun to play now if you can find them!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-63209148677397862312018-06-12T16:52:00.000-04:002018-06-12T16:52:16.892-04:00Tom Baker and the Mortality of Heroes When I was young the Doctor was my hero. Not just any Doctor but Tom Baker as the Doctor. There was something soothing about his melodic tones. Something that reminded me that everything would be all right. He was in the universe defeating the monsters and the injustice so that I didn't have to. He inspired me to be strange and goofy if I wanted to, but also reminded me that I could be serious too. He convinced me that I should keep full pockets of trinkets because you never know when you might need one of them. He taught me how to make an entrance at the most inopportune time. He taught me there was a time to fight for what you believe in, but also to make the best decisions I could while doing it. He taught me all of that in season 12.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fourth Doctor - Image Copyright BBC</td></tr>
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Tom Baker defined the role of the Doctor in my mind when I was very young. He defined it in season 12. That is a near perfect season of the show. For me it is what I judge all other seasons against, and to be honest, all other actors who are in the role.<br />
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Last night I had the opportunity to watch the Directors Cut of "Genesis of the Daleks" at my local theater. The cut was put together in 1975 and it is rough, the edits seem hastily put together, incidental music is cut off, and the story is mostly able to be followed. That said it did take a story that is nearly 3 hours long and condense it down to 90 minutes, which is no simple feat. Its not perfect, but it was super fun to see it on a big screen. Its great that we live in a time that you can go to a theater and see a 43 year old Doctor Who serial presented in a way that hadn't been seen in some time.<br />
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The thing that has been bothering me though, is an interview with Tom Baker at the end of the production. We get the opportunity to see Tom be candid about the show, people involved in it, and more importantly, his mortality.<br />
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Tom drives home many of the answers to the interviewers questions with fun anecdotes from when he got the job and how the people around him reacted. He looks back at how much life he had - how exciting it was to be him at that very moment. He also mentioned mistakes he made toward the end of his tenure as the Doctor. It is clear he has thought a lot about his time on the show quite a lot over the last 43 years.<br />
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And that brings me to his thoughts on his own mortality. This is hard to watch. Tom is well into his 80s at this point, so he is not young. He knows this. It seems to be a part of his whole being when he speaks. It feels like he is jumping back in to the Doctor Who world long enough to get his feet wet and to enjoy some of that youthful exuberance that he once had. He has been pounding out the Audio Adventures with Big Finish over the last several years, and of course he made that beloved appearance in the day of the Doctor -<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Baker as The Fourth Doctor in the recent <br />
release of Shada- Image Copyright BBC</td></tr>
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Taking a step back and thinking about a much younger version of myself watching and re watching VHS tapes that were recorded off of our local PBS station. I watched Tom Baker story after story, week after week, fight tyranny and stand of what what was right. I realized then (and now) that these are stories, but it doesn't change the fact that it is difficult watching this fictionalized hero that walks in eternity age. and watch him be tragically aware of this own mortality.<br />
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Tom Baker defines so much of my character. The time I spent watching his adventures as a child and into adulthood is immeasurable. I was inspired by him. I continue to be a fan of Doctor Who, in no small part, because of his contribution to the show. So much of what I latched on to comes from him.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I think we have a lot more Tom Baker to come. But it is difficult to watch your childhood hero be so aware of his mortality, but I know there is a small part of me that is so heavily inspired by the man. I will always appreciate him for that! <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-5016237620503808172014-09-09T13:07:00.000-04:002014-09-09T13:07:00.592-04:00Overstreet: The Geeky Secret of My Hometown!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Last week I <a href="http://www.lifewithfandom.com/2014/09/cleveland-geekster-and.html" target="_blank">wrote about the show</a> I am helping to put on in my home town. This week I want to talk a little bit about the geeky secret of Cleveland, TN.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I live in a town called Cleveland, TN. Its small and quaint, but it has a strange connection to geek culture that most people don’t know. Cleveland, TN is the birthplace of the Overstreet Comic Book Price guide. That's right, Robert Overstreet created the standard price guide for comic books right here in my home town. Its one of those odd little facts that older men tell you when they hear you like comic books. “Oh well you probably know about Bob Overstreet” they say. They would tell me stories about how he used to ship the the price guide out from the company he worked at and get a laugh out of it. That is when I get to tell them the story that I am going to tell you, dear reader, right now.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOcfrB1aOnH60K-S4PqsMUyEpfclT8BQ8R6u6jxxRkYjnLiylEYpIEjp4TqrG0FVuRss3g1OheoIZHOmBLWf8vuqqeUUwMvlZrT1orNZeGjriLGMOzLDDO3viqPi0xPGhyRhqvADnpfM/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOcfrB1aOnH60K-S4PqsMUyEpfclT8BQ8R6u6jxxRkYjnLiylEYpIEjp4TqrG0FVuRss3g1OheoIZHOmBLWf8vuqqeUUwMvlZrT1orNZeGjriLGMOzLDDO3viqPi0xPGhyRhqvADnpfM/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back in 92, the comic book boom was in full force. This is the era when comic companies were printing things like “Instant collector item” right on their books, and putting things in poly bags to entice people who thought they could make a buck. My 12 year old self was into the comic boom deep. My dad, my uncle, my brother, and myself would each get our pull folders and drive all over the place looking for back issues. If we heard there was place that had comics, we went. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was during this time that I suspect an old man said to my day, “Oh you like comics huh, well you probably know about Bob Overstreet” I don’t think he did, I mean We had the guides but I don’t think he knew he lived here. My dad is never one to be afraid of a phone call so he did what my dad does, he looked Robert Overstreet up in the phone book. . .and he was listed! There he was in the white pages, the creator of the Overstreet price guide. His number was just there.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Overstreet was happy to sign our book!</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me break in here to put things in perspective, For me Robert Overstreet had his name on a book. This was fame to me. I had never been to a convention, I didn't know this was normal. Someone like this seemed like they were above humanity. . . (I was a very sheltered child). </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My dad called him. Had a nice conversation with him, and we were invited over to his house. Just like that. We set a time, It was a Tuesday if I recall. When the day approached my dad, my uncle, my brother, and myself loaded into the car to go to the Overstreet house. It was a big house, I can’t remember where it was in town now, but I remember it was in a nicer part of town. The house looked like a castle, It had a spiral staircase and everything. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we got there we were greeted by him and his wife, they were incredibly nice, they brought us in and took us to the living room, where we got to ask him questions. We talked about Comics, and artists and the history of comics. It was a great time. Then he did something amazing, he started pulling out his collection. Amazing Fantasy 15, Fantastic Four 1, He just kept showing us these comics that we would probably never see again (at least I thought so). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After he showed us these books he took us upstairs (yes up the spiral staircase) and up stairs there was a long hall with odd paintings of the Salem witch trials. To this day this still confuses me. But then he opened a door and let us see a huge room that was just filled with long boxes. This was a man where comics were his business. He knew about them, he lived with them, and he loved them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After this he signed our price guides and we left and it was a great experience. A few months later we went back to the house for Halloween, because he told us he gave out comics for Halloween (the publishers send so many of them to him). I think my brother and I both got archie books, but it was ok, it was from Robert Overstreet.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think more recently Robert Overstreet, has moved out of Cleveland, from what I gather, he does still work on the guide (though he has long since sold it off). During the 80's and even early 90's Cleveland was a hotbed for collectors, there were shows going on all the time. We had a regional distributor near by, and there were a really hoping comic book shops all over the region. Then it just kind of fizzed out, but I think a lot of that energy can be given credited with The Overstreet price guide.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So that is Cleveland Tennessee’s connection with geek culture. Does your city have a secret connection to geek culture? Tell me about it in the comments.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-84199441795256080022014-09-05T13:13:00.000-04:002014-09-05T13:17:03.776-04:00Is the Doctor a good man? Taking a look at morality in the Doctor Who Universe <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the latest episode of Doctor Who, the Doctor asked Clara a simple question. He asked “Am I a good man?” He asked the question in a way that was almost challenging the audience to answer the question as well as Clara. He asked us to reach back over the last 50 years and judge the character of the Doctor. Well. . .maybe I am reading a little too much into that, but I did begin to think about it. The morality of the Doctor is something that has always intrigued me.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-db4debd5-46b1-c6b6-8d7a-473c09c92eba" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the Surface the Doctor is a hero, and of course we relate heroes to good people. People who fight for truth, justice . . .and the way of the people they are fighting for. A hero is judged in the context of their own society. Thus I may think of a hero or a good man differently than say someone from England. We all have a different cultural definition of morality, and thus so should the Doctor and the universe he lives in.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The question of morality and the Doctor is not a new one. Back in the 70s when the Doctor as traveling with Sarah Jane Smith, he reminded her that he was different. He didn’t percive things the same way she did. . .He walks in eternity and is NOT human. So should we judge if he is a good man on the scale of human morality. In the same episode (Pyramids of Mars, 1975) the doctor is faced with Sutekh the Destroyer, who for all intents and purposes is an evil entity that is above humanity and even above Timelords (or so he believes). Sutekh tells the Doctor that “Your [the doctor] evil is my [sutekh’s] good.” This sets a landscape of the lack of a single moral code within the universe, and also tells us a little more about the doctor, because as he feels he is above humanity he is still willing to fight for it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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And Check out this out at about 4:48<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Doctor wants to be good. He wants to do the right thing, but he is torn. He finds himself with knowledge that does not always allow his let him follow the moral code that many of his companions have, but he does try to give the appearance of holding to that code. Many times that is by surrounding himself with companions who have no problem being morally gray. The best <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnzpN0ItVzfHk9x0mOSfUzyC11iYAd7IZv4iO2OT0FmLiwhCuTWBbH9QS-qgKVYMc3upRlCrwnxgEg8wauftBReSyL4q30-8NgPC6UsOdYTFvbu-nL5Ec76yb56sm4ku-GDSbogsaWYY/s1600/ace.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnzpN0ItVzfHk9x0mOSfUzyC11iYAd7IZv4iO2OT0FmLiwhCuTWBbH9QS-qgKVYMc3upRlCrwnxgEg8wauftBReSyL4q30-8NgPC6UsOdYTFvbu-nL5Ec76yb56sm4ku-GDSbogsaWYY/s1600/ace.png" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ace isn't afraid to use a weapon! </td></tr>
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example of this is Ace. At first the Doctor and Ace seem to have a typical companion/ doctor relationship, but while the doctor objects to her more violent ways he rarely does anything about it. Even to the point where he begins to anticipate that she is carrying explosives. She become useful to him, a means to an end to do the things he can’t. this continues on into the virgin new adventure novels. At this point he is becoming something more than a hero. He no longer believes a human moral code is any code to live a life. This is where it becomes apparent that the doctor is really only interested in the greater good. He has to be the champion of time he finds himself on a different level battling beings that have different scales by which they weigh morality. These are Beings like Cthulu, or the Celestial toy maker, and the eternals. He begins to place himself on their scale of morality.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cause of the greater good is something that has resonated throughout the series. Often <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w0q6biJucHI_W49grr57g9jgDKLOjP_isD8gdqkOCeLd2T6kxs2XIbT4VVpmIcuZQA_rvTOPVAjzzPZdMrW49cIYp0_FQcTUAu6Yxd91jveCFhSCW2WTCBpw94KnMXTagVy8A8f2heQ/s1600/tenthplnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-w0q6biJucHI_W49grr57g9jgDKLOjP_isD8gdqkOCeLd2T6kxs2XIbT4VVpmIcuZQA_rvTOPVAjzzPZdMrW49cIYp0_FQcTUAu6Yxd91jveCFhSCW2WTCBpw94KnMXTagVy8A8f2heQ/s1600/tenthplnet.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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times the doctor is fighting against monsters who for all intents and purposes know no better or who are doing what they feel is right. The cybermen are a great example. They felt (well not feel so much) they thought that they were doing a service to humanity by coming to convert them. They would make them better, stronger. Of course the Doctor saw it as a violation of humanities rights. The doctor chose a side that most resembled his moral code. He had spent time with humans at this point and decided that they were worth fighting for.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These concepts lead me to think about the other side. in season 5 of the new series we see the fight against the doctor at the pandorica, where all of the monsters ganged up on the doctor because he was their monster. He was charged with crimes against the daleks the cybermen and any number of other races. This, of course, is because he broke their moral code. So if you asked a dalek if the Doctor was a good man it may first say “WHAT IS GOOD” but in the end it would communicate the doctor is the opposite of what it stands for, because they have a code that they relate to . . . and that code is Evil. Or at least it is to us.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There may be a chance to ask an interesting question here though. Why does the doctor try so hard to meet the human moral code. Why does he want clara to answer this question? For this, we can take a several lines of thinking. First, he is with humans quite a bit, so perhaps it has just been easy to adapt to that for him. Next we could look at time lord society and I think it would be safe to imagine that the their society isn’t COMPLETELY dissimilar to ours. Perhaps there is a prevailing moral code that goes around the universe that mirrors ours. Or maybe it can be answered by the TV movie. . . perhaps the Doctor really is half human - and so he battles between this high flying universal code of morality and the deep humanity that he has running through his blood.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regardless of what we think I have a feeling that question is going to strive to be answered over the coming season, and I think it will be fun to see how it plays out. In the end the thing to remember is that the Doctor is an alien! While he looks like us, and sometimes acts like us, he is not human (unless of course you think he is) and therefore it is hard to judge him against our idea of what a “good man” is or what a hero is. Does he usually make the choice that we would make, yeah usually, but not always. Sometimes he comes from the side and chooses the greater good, because he is on a higher level. He believes at his core that sacrifice a few for the many is probably OK. He has made himself an equal of osirens, and old gods, and guardians, and eternals. He can’t be expected to share our morality!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do you think? Is the doctor a good man, am I over thinking morality in a fictional universe. Let me know in the comments!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-54487627135634847262014-09-04T15:43:00.000-04:002014-09-04T15:53:09.173-04:00Cleveland Geekster and doing things!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1zpBt7rB9_h8kIfBf7aQlDk7dEPkxj-5GTNI37oJ_b-9sq8aMkFV42-3elTuj8c9WqjFn4_Uwj9MHLkSxXaV-MXAZHZT91Cy_5GcV-JONpBqArGF38XAPcSb7kF3ZCxq9r6MFCN4xBc/s1600/10150013_10153983721435113_2022036030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1zpBt7rB9_h8kIfBf7aQlDk7dEPkxj-5GTNI37oJ_b-9sq8aMkFV42-3elTuj8c9WqjFn4_Uwj9MHLkSxXaV-MXAZHZT91Cy_5GcV-JONpBqArGF38XAPcSb7kF3ZCxq9r6MFCN4xBc/s1600/10150013_10153983721435113_2022036030_n.jpg" height="304" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been putting this post off for long enough. I have been quiet for a while on this blog, but rest assured I have not been idle! On October 4th exactly one month from today some friends and I are trying something new. We are putting on a toy and comic show in Cleveland TN. I have been vending at shows since 2011, and this has been something I have wanted to bring to my town since then.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-e0e179de-4219-2b78-b45f-ce11f5fdbb22" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The town I live in, Cleveland TN, is smallish. there is, however, a huge environment of collectors, pop culture addicts and comic shops but there are no local events for these people go to. We have to go the surrounding bigger cities for even small shows. I find this sad for the city that brought us the Overstreet Comic book price guide, and used to have such a vibrant community of collectors. To my knowledge there hasn’t been a collectors show here in at least 10 years. It has probably been even longer. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the last few years that I have been vending at shows I have watched carefully, asked questions, and made friends. This has always been something I have wanted to do and here it is. We are a month out from the (hopefully) FIRST ANNUAL CLEVELAND GEEKSTER toy and comic show! While we have been planning this for the last several months, we still have a lot to do, but to this point it has been a great journey. There is a lot that goes into an event like this. We have gotten some great vendors from the region and we should have a great set of stuff to look through. </span></div>
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This event that is something that is important to me for several reasons. As I have said I wanted to be involved with bringing an event like this in Cleveland because I love this town and I love this stuff. But more importantly it is something I am doing. At the end of the day I will be able to say I was involved with that event. I was with it from its infancy as an idea and saw it through to fruition. I'm excited to do that. This is something I have thought a lot about lately. most of my life I have had ideas, but I never acted on them. This year I have had the opportunity to act on these ideas in a way I never have had the chance to do before. That is the other reason I am excited!<br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope to add some updated information as we continue through the process, as well as get some images up during the event. Until then, I would encourage everyone who is interested to check out our facebook page at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClevelandGeekster" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">facebook.com/ClevelandGeekster</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and also our website at </span><a href="http://clevelandgeekster.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">clevelandgeekster.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, there you can find information about the show, and the vendors who have signed on. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the comments let me know about something you have planned and saw it through, and how that made you feel. . . Or just tell me a great story about going to a toy and comic show!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-1502701487031451042014-02-12T10:12:00.000-05:002014-02-12T10:12:48.631-05:00Breaking the Comfort Zone - The New Ms. MarvelIt is rare that I go out of my comfort zone and try something new, especially where comics, movies, and fiction in general are concerned. There is a set of things I go for. I love Laser guns, I love predictable cliche stories, and generally I like Doctor Who (but I think this goes without saying). When I do go out of that comfort zone I usually come back with a respect but not a . . . Can't wait for the next one. . . "<br />
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But this week I tried something new. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms, Marvel #1 (Marvel Comics)</td></tr>
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I have been catching articles for the last few months about the new Ms. Marvel that Marvel is bringing out. The articles kept talking about how groundbreaking it will be not just for super hero stories but for comics in general. It was being compared to those early issues of spiderman, you know back when Peter Parker was going through the angst of high school. Its a story we all know. The twist is that the main character is a young muslim girl who is making her way through high school in New Jersey while being an uber fan girl of the actual heroes especially Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers). <br />
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I had to give it a try. I'm going into this fresh in several ways. 1) I am not up to date on the Marvel Universe. I pretty much stay in the silver age. 2) I am not up to date on previous Carol Danvers versions of Ms. Marvel or Captain Marvel. 3) I am ashamed to say it but I don't keep up with many female characters. Its not for any reason but none of them have piqued my interest to this point.<br />
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I looked it up on comixology and downloaded it and it is worth the hype. The Art reminds me of so many of the independents that line the aisles at Heroes Con. It doesn't have the perfect lines that I have become used to in the modern marvel age of comics. It doesn't feel so mechanical. Actually it looks and feels very human! I am only familiar with Adrian Alphona's previous work in passing. I have seen his art in Runaways and it was good but beyond that I have not really paid attention. But I am glad I picked this up as now I am a fan!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmZtUAm1-9e5SoTCIcng0zQKWCOs7uIUkEaArplculo0McbK0h428zcLRjCn96y60czJK5TT5x67Lg9aqITfdPnf95pce3hef3-_lmJQV7bcR5q3CbLHKkuYQ9IvYZHKNBFnqAKgL1fA/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-12+at+9.58.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmZtUAm1-9e5SoTCIcng0zQKWCOs7uIUkEaArplculo0McbK0h428zcLRjCn96y60czJK5TT5x67Lg9aqITfdPnf95pce3hef3-_lmJQV7bcR5q3CbLHKkuYQ9IvYZHKNBFnqAKgL1fA/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-12+at+9.58.23+AM.png" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Alphona's art from Ms. Marvel #1 (Marvel Comics)</td></tr>
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Of course the art it part of the whole. G. Willow Wilson is the writer<br />
of this line. While the story is just starting and we haven't even seen what the our hero, Kamala Khan, can do yet, we do get a sense of where it is going. This story is going to deal with being a teenager in many of the same ways that Peter Parker dealt with it, but at the same time we are going to find the cultural ramifications that Kamala will deal with both in society and with her family all the while dealing with super powers.<br />
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This new Ms. Marvel is a part of Marvels move to strive to push strong female characters. I have to say I am excited to see where this is going. this is a strong book and I will come back. Hopefully it will break me out of my comfort zone and let me explore lots of other good comics that are out there.<br />
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If you get a chance to pick this book up I recommend you do it. Even if this book is not the kind of thing you would pick up I think it is well worth it! Take the time to check it out.<br />
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What are some comics that may have been out of your norm but you picked them up anyway . . . and maybe even enjoyed them. I would love to hear some suggestions of what to pick up next.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-88907361024423964892014-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:002014-01-03T08:00:08.649-05:00Kickstart This: On a Roll: Level Up your RPG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKXE-z5JxfhDvLNFdzD0SYuo_FglozC7LCEA33dXBiq9gpcyeQ5KO-7HWbba8HzNsfEUUS8YKgBLS7IZsJD44skd25PMmxqX9XcbCdD8_bW5mGdN9VrhdZio2mJHa3iktgtaemhxJM9E/s1600/kickstart+this.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKXE-z5JxfhDvLNFdzD0SYuo_FglozC7LCEA33dXBiq9gpcyeQ5KO-7HWbba8HzNsfEUUS8YKgBLS7IZsJD44skd25PMmxqX9XcbCdD8_bW5mGdN9VrhdZio2mJHa3iktgtaemhxJM9E/s400/kickstart+this.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Over the past few months I have been jumping into some kickstarter projects. I jumped in on the <a href="http://coolandcollected.com/category/magazine/" target="_blank">Cool and Collected Magazine</a> project and my friend Scott Fogg's Comic project<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tsfogg/phileas-reid-knows-we-are-not-alone" target="_blank"> Phileas Reid Knows We're Not Alone</a>. I have enjoyed sponsoring dreams. In the case of Scott and his project is kind of local and it is always nice to help out locals. It helps that his comic also is amazing!<br />
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Another Kick Starter I am very excited about is another local friend of mine. Ryan Faricelli is putting together a book called "<b>On a Roll: Level Up Your RPG</b>" in which he is imparting tips and tricks on playing and running RPGs. The book will cover both the tabletop and LARP verity of games. Ryan has been playing these sorts of games for over 25 years and I think if this is something you are interested in this will be a great project to back. I think it will be especially good if you are new to the hobby or want to learn a little bit about it.<br />
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Check out the Kickstarter Page <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/103600696/on-a-roll-level-up-your-rpg" target="_blank">HERE</a> and you can watch the video below!</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/103600696/on-a-roll-level-up-your-rpg/widget/video.html" width="480"> </iframe><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 2px;">Playing these kinds of games is something I love but unfortunately I don't get the chance to play like I was once able to. I am looking forward to reading Ryan's thoughts on the subject. </span><br />
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Are there any Kickstarter projects you are looking or have already backed. I would love to know what some of you are looking at!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-71909402761486348312014-01-02T14:26:00.002-05:002014-01-02T14:57:07.151-05:002013 in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsGp9QO2vnnGleo4ht1g_gA2_DG_VlHvS67vB-humsHr6iBUC0LE8x6FEvjguKoUkdlIrJaSfAHwRbnFdYhXgrudVJYqee9-AFfc8orUtVgyjHFZNhbKlqCbMhM4OvJwPS3BUVZgR3tI/s1600/inreview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsGp9QO2vnnGleo4ht1g_gA2_DG_VlHvS67vB-humsHr6iBUC0LE8x6FEvjguKoUkdlIrJaSfAHwRbnFdYhXgrudVJYqee9-AFfc8orUtVgyjHFZNhbKlqCbMhM4OvJwPS3BUVZgR3tI/s400/inreview.png" width="400" /></a></div>
2013 wasn't quite the year I had wanted it to be. Instead of the year of doing I had anticipated this time last year, it was a year of learning. I'm ok with this as it made it equally as important to me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PvvXTX_KRo1WLh9KjLoz_9OYDtTNax5Ag40jaIjFkEDYauywuyGT_QHx48UFSnuQP1o6Neh3MjpprUDQuqgxI3xxhKHyz7ol_QwbgcytLznkK4v3FCnGf6hSHdgVR5rFYoaMtnFsT6w/s1600/quintonaction.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PvvXTX_KRo1WLh9KjLoz_9OYDtTNax5Ag40jaIjFkEDYauywuyGT_QHx48UFSnuQP1o6Neh3MjpprUDQuqgxI3xxhKHyz7ol_QwbgcytLznkK4v3FCnGf6hSHdgVR5rFYoaMtnFsT6w/s200/quintonaction.png" width="141" /></a>2013 had a good lead in from 2012 being a year full of projects. Toward the end of 2012 I had began planning my comic and doing some preparation for doing it. Practicing, learning how to set up pages, learning how to scan pages, learning how to decently ink. All of these things made up a huge part of 2013. These processes taught me more than the skill of comic making though. Through the practice I learned to sit back and make a good product instead of just putting it out. I learned how to do things in processes. I have, in the past, been one who just wants something finished with. I learned to control myself (with the help of some great friends) and let some ideas simmer and develop. While I am still not one for waiting too long and just sitting on an idea until it is dead, sometimes something you are making just isn't cooked through yet. Of course you can see the beginning of the comic <b><a href="http://chaosandlogic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JhDfYjiR_mc01O6K6NHnqi2Oa31TNh46aSHXL49SIHVSTYmMj5PhyphenhyphenEqzZGt7znyyz7wPG6JoArBbjj9QOL5FFfbhbvpVm85yZDNKVNiLRHZXoq9oRrl9htXRA0iAiSQFX_-RD0EbeuA/s1600/photo+(91).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JhDfYjiR_mc01O6K6NHnqi2Oa31TNh46aSHXL49SIHVSTYmMj5PhyphenhyphenEqzZGt7znyyz7wPG6JoArBbjj9QOL5FFfbhbvpVm85yZDNKVNiLRHZXoq9oRrl9htXRA0iAiSQFX_-RD0EbeuA/s200/photo+(91).JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Twistoid I only need one more<br />
figure to complete my collection.</td></tr>
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While the comic has taken up a large part of my year its not the only thing I have done. I have continued doing toy shows, although I have done quite a few less this year. We did three shows this year to some success. Through this though, I have focused my collecting a bit. I am literally one figure away from finishing my Masters of the Universe figure collection, and I think I might actually have one of those coming. I have found other great things to add to my collection as well, but I have also cut it back to make it more focused. I am cutting out the clutter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx5U3_wbBgNLlqPWfmMLUfxtRr2GkD7oPj-vD4_nvitWlxIqcNML-94m7I7_24NBE0c8o8FdBnrWnmtLZY2tk53RkAxZJroGoun-AFZ_Evb4hvxY7Jaouz3CxAFLEscjNyyQENOR0HNE/s1600/thors.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx5U3_wbBgNLlqPWfmMLUfxtRr2GkD7oPj-vD4_nvitWlxIqcNML-94m7I7_24NBE0c8o8FdBnrWnmtLZY2tk53RkAxZJroGoun-AFZ_Evb4hvxY7Jaouz3CxAFLEscjNyyQENOR0HNE/s400/thors.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the Thor issues I have gotten this year while building the collection!</td></tr>
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As for collections I have also had the opportunity to flesh out my Thor collection. I have<br />
been slowly completing a collection that my dad started years ago. I am down to needing 56 issues to complete the original run of Thor comics! It has been a really exciting adventure to go on. I've learned a lot about an scene I have really been away from for some time! I am really excited about getting even closer to finishing this collection in 2014.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkRHTbcf0OfCDrqregT3Zi-SUVJQ9kAzZh1qOHosd1D5h42K7sHzU-oe4XU2-HwvjzvnGw0lj78xHBHQ74p8Mgx6ANnPoo70gQi71IYMVwbgc528XbMUsMT-059tNfSW8yNxN4t5V8Uo/s1600/photo+(92).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkRHTbcf0OfCDrqregT3Zi-SUVJQ9kAzZh1qOHosd1D5h42K7sHzU-oe4XU2-HwvjzvnGw0lj78xHBHQ74p8Mgx6ANnPoo70gQi71IYMVwbgc528XbMUsMT-059tNfSW8yNxN4t5V8Uo/s200/photo+(92).JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on my sweet ride while<br />
my leg was broken!</td></tr>
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In the middle of the year I had a few bad experiences. Now the great things about bad experiences is that you learn how to become stronger through them. One of the big things is that I broke a leg. Now, this seems kind of menial as people break legs all the time. Mine wasn't really that bad, but it helped me learn to let go and realize some things will go on even if I'm not around. I was out of work for 2 weeks and off my leg for 6. I learned to depend on people. We stayed at my in laws or my parrents house for most of that time and they all helped me get through it. I have to admit they were saints because I was a bear during most of the time! It was a dark period.<br />
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During that time Timegate occurred. Without me. For those of you who don't know <a href="http://timegatecon.org/" target="_blank"><b>Timegate</b></a> is an annual Doctor Who and Stargate convention that happens over memorial day weekend. I am the co-director of the the Doctor Who Track. It was really tough for me to miss. I got the play by play and of course I took part in the planning. But I was super excited about this year and I had to miss it due to my leg. But I powered through and now I have this year to look forward to.<br />
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After this I did get to go to heroes again this year. and I traversed it with a broken leg. Its not something I would want to do again, but I am glad my wife encouraged me to go! It was another great year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-f0Zfzjkbey551O9wZSNR9Jndp6ta75eAsyK7wxKvk3hdVEBPM6vL480Rmdx9tEtIbnL6-cYBGT0v9m1hyrf38U33mZIHHFrVVUDomWZvvTCWnqiwBnSHmcpfwGAncxwvxUmH8UIvxc/s1600/NewMonster1200.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-f0Zfzjkbey551O9wZSNR9Jndp6ta75eAsyK7wxKvk3hdVEBPM6vL480Rmdx9tEtIbnL6-cYBGT0v9m1hyrf38U33mZIHHFrVVUDomWZvvTCWnqiwBnSHmcpfwGAncxwvxUmH8UIvxc/s320/NewMonster1200.png" width="320" /></a>2013 was kind of a dead year for the<a href="http://www.newmonsterproject.com/" target="_blank"> <b>New Monster Project</b></a>, which is a pop culture, geekery, video group that I am involved with. We brought on a new member and have been planning a fairly major relaunch that involves my comic, videos, and even some podcasts. I'm pretty excited about where we will be going over the next year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1snHimSdK4pcaBxa7a3uP-39IIUsj9H0yXsmBrl1xTmAoaUy3Jw1CshLoLRj7tewRREHu7ic5Ma1gFPujJvmYhVmIpNBb9odS16VqIVQV1PnWV1EuUv4rJQuifvtnvrPUCk2E-fT7VM/s1600/TOS_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1snHimSdK4pcaBxa7a3uP-39IIUsj9H0yXsmBrl1xTmAoaUy3Jw1CshLoLRj7tewRREHu7ic5Ma1gFPujJvmYhVmIpNBb9odS16VqIVQV1PnWV1EuUv4rJQuifvtnvrPUCk2E-fT7VM/s320/TOS_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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In 2013 I continued working on "<a href="http://theoncomingstorm.libsyn.com/" target="_blank"><b>The Oncoming Storm</b></a>" podcast, which is a Doctor Who Spinoff media podcast. Because of this I have read lots of books, comics, and ebooks, and listened to lots of audios. Actually I would say I have read more this year that I have in any other year. I'm proud of that, I'm really happy that I have been able to be a part of that podcast! <br />
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Speaking of Doctor Who I would be remiss if I did not mention the fact that this was the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, and while I am not directly involved with Doctor Who, anyone who reads this blog will know it is a huge part of my life. So the 50th anniversary was a big deal. It was a great time to reflect on the show that I love and get a lot of new insight on it. and through the process I may have even become a little more tolerant of new fans, which an't be a bad thing, can it?<br />
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Looking back on all of these thing I see that it probably has been a busier year than I really thought it was. All in all its been another Whirlwind of a year. How was your 2013.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-69538299205355028292013-12-23T12:23:00.000-05:002013-12-23T12:24:04.462-05:00Introducing Quinton Harrison the Man From Earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo-GpJkY_C6i5QC8uPrAh-HryrG02Pg3WcOUS53n5_vBeoeevGOWrxr55QlWDqm8ziLt5ayHH6wss4g7t6o8-tjc_hlnZkMjO_5bF3kD7fuKUr5XXIbI0-kMx2BvsjNMcSw_x5tOuUWY/s1600/Untitled-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQo-GpJkY_C6i5QC8uPrAh-HryrG02Pg3WcOUS53n5_vBeoeevGOWrxr55QlWDqm8ziLt5ayHH6wss4g7t6o8-tjc_hlnZkMjO_5bF3kD7fuKUr5XXIbI0-kMx2BvsjNMcSw_x5tOuUWY/s400/Untitled-2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been giving cryptic messages about a secret project for the last few months. Well, it is time to make it real! This weekend I launched a comic called Quinton Harrison the Man from Earth. I have been working on the world and the character for the about 12 years now. I never exactly knew what to do with him and then after getting back into comics a bit decided to try my hand at making a comic!<br />
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Quinton is kind of a love letter to all of the adventure stories I grew up on. Star Wars, Doctor Who, Indiana Jones, James Bond, all of these influences are there! I have been partaking in these stories all of my life and decided it was time to throw my action hero into the mix. With a bit of action hero, throw in a little space opera, and add a pinch of 60s and 70s camp TV and you have the universe of Quinton Harrison.<br />
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The biggest challenge was that I had to learn all of this. While I have fiddled around with sketching and drawing I do cont consider myself an artist, but I really had no one else to fall back on so I decided to do the first few stories on my own. I spent time learning techniques and the best way to draw things to be manipulated in photoshop later. I have a stack of books and list of websites that have been incredibly helpful through the process of getting me up to speed. That said I stand by what I said, I am not an artist and I have no misconceptions that the art is fantastic Its not. But at the same time I am proud of it, and I am equally as proud of where it has gone to for the first proper issue.<br />
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None of this would have happened however if it wasn't for an old High School friend that I got back in touch with. He is the one that made this happen. He took my ideas and made them make sense. He made sure I got things done and he helped me see my ideas through. I owe a lot of this to him.<br />
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Quinton Harrison the Man From Earth has launched over at <a href="http://chaosandlogic.blogspot.com/">chaosandlogic.blogspot.com</a> you can go there and see the five page prologue issue. We are in the process of finishing the first full length issue which will be available in print as well as online! We are taking these issue by issue so we hope to begin to get on a more regular schedule, but until we do we hope to have information for you in the mean time!<br />
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Now that the cat is out of the bag I will begin posting some sketches and images that are relevant to the comic as well. Of course you can also be sure to find my discourse on fandom as I typically do as I get time to do it. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-72681973496346002332013-11-23T09:11:00.001-05:002013-11-23T09:11:53.760-05:00Doctor Who - Celebrating the Underdog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_HpQPsfgghyphenhyphenm3160272DJyG2OaUUuKsdKTXigUKMMT1TWufBDL8WBJRSHKzpEAkhOZo3mynMlC3jaBGR6Ws-8jvXsrtH77u8mgyk7hFoMu09wiRoRBbruy5ntUFhlaROgUZvS5X3xSI/s1600/Doctorwho_50th-anniversary-thumbnail_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_HpQPsfgghyphenhyphenm3160272DJyG2OaUUuKsdKTXigUKMMT1TWufBDL8WBJRSHKzpEAkhOZo3mynMlC3jaBGR6Ws-8jvXsrtH77u8mgyk7hFoMu09wiRoRBbruy5ntUFhlaROgUZvS5X3xSI/s320/Doctorwho_50th-anniversary-thumbnail_01.jpg" width="320" /></a>So this is it. The day that my fandom has been building up to for . . . well 50 years. Today marks a momentous occasion, not only for Doctor Who and it's fans, but also in a way fandoms everywhere. Today is one of those days that you will be able to answer the question "Where were you when the 50th anniversary special aired. Not only is it a land mark for a sci-fi show in terms of longevity, of course it also marks the occasion of an amazing around the world Simulcast. People all over the world will have the opportunity to see the special at the same time. Now, I want you to think, when was the last time you can remember this happening for a sci-fi show. . .(Other than the announcement of Peter Capaldi). I mean movies are even released at different times around the world, so it must say something about the shows raging popularity. <br />
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The best part about Doctor Who, though, is that it is an underdog story. Not the fiction but the story of how it even happened in the first place. Everything was against it. The producers and directors were often (from the very beginning) set up for failure, but they pulled through. Its amazing that the show made it the first 26 years, but now it comes back and it is literally at the top. This is important, because it has effected so many people in so many different ways.<br />
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The show means so many things for different people. For many of my friends it has encouraged them to be courageous in the face of adversity. Thats a big deal. Others see it as a inspiration as to how to treat others. Still there are others who it has taught to hold their temper and how to use your mind in tough situations. For me, though, the show is an old friend who has been there for me, never changing, through good times and bad times. Growing up there was a story for every situation. This show has been like a comfort food for me. It has been there for me when the day hasn't gone right. it has celebrated with me when things have gone swimmingly. Its also been there to help wind away a boring day.<br />
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Through this show I have also gained such good friends (real friends) :). When I was in knoxville I decided it was time that I did something to meet other Doctor Who fans locally. This connection is something I had never had the privilege of having before. This was during the last days of the wilderness years so doctor who fandom was not as prevalent as it is today. I decided to start a fan group, and to advertise I made flyers (this is something you used to do) and a website. There were a few responses here and there, but one of them, Martin, became a lifelong friend and now we co direct programming a t a doctor who convention together. <br />
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This idea of a fan group never really died, and I kept doing with it, doing local conventions with the idea that I could meet other fans. . and it paid off. in 2008 (or 9 I can't quite remember), I did a panel at connooga, and struck gold. There were a few other fans, Jan, Kim, and Rachel. Together we formed a group called the TWA (Tennessee Who Authority) and as of this writing the facebook group has 593 members. IT has been a wild ride. <br />
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Sometime after that meeting, though, I met Alan, the director of the timegate convention and We became fast friends as well. I got involved with the convention and the rest is history. I've been really blessed with all of these fantastic friends and so many more that I can't even name. Its really because of this show and the incredible community that is built around it.<br />
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I think this 50th anniversary special is a landmark for so many things. For me it is the celebration of old friends and new friends! It is the celebration of becoming better people. It is a celebration of underdogs. It is the celebration of an old man who was brave enough to leave his home to have adventures and help people.<br />
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Happy birthday Doctor Who!<br />
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- Check out the Doctor Who Anniversary special today (November 23) at 2:50pm and again at 7:00 pm on BBCA<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-35993595592010580222013-11-14T21:06:00.001-05:002013-11-14T21:08:18.825-05:00Let The Celebrations Begin! Familiar Faces, Docudramas, and mystical sisters! In about 8 days the world will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor who. I suppose that since this blog was originally created to talk about my travels through Doctor Who Fandom, it is a little odd that I have been mum on the subject of late. I also suppose it is time that I break that celebration, at least enough so that I can celebrate this momentous occasion.<br />
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In terms of Doctor Who this has been quite a year, There has been the regular season of Doctor Who, 50th Anniversary ebooks, rereleases of older books, 50th anniversary Audios, Comics, and a wonderful 50th anniversary special from big Finish. We even had some old stories unearthed! But of course the one thing that every one is still talking about is the Official special that we are all waiting on. Its been teased for a long time now. Today part of that came to fruition. There have been murmuring for over a year that Paul McGann may be making some kind of appearance, probably on a minisode. Today those rumors were put to bed and they turned out to be true! Today McGann once again graced and official BBC production of Doctor Who, and it was perfect.<br />
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For those of us who braved the wilderness years and survived it was not a disappointment because in one line, 15 years of or so of audio cannon was legitimized. While many of us already knew it was cannon - and could prove it - Today the BBC gave the nod. That is important. Not 2 weeks ago I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheOncomingStormPodcast?hc_location=timeline" target="_blank">posed a question</a> on the facebook page for a podcast I am part of asking if "Spinoff Media should be celebrated as part of the history of Doctor Who." Today it was, I feel like we have a new life.<br />
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McGann had a great energy and in a way reminded me what I love about Doctor Who. for the first time since 2005 we see a Doctor who has not been through the ravages of the time war. While this doctor is portrayed as trying to avoid the war, he has not been involved in it. He still feels carefree. He seems untainted by the idea o the time war. He is portrayed as an explorer and an adventurer, which is the way the McGann doctor, from the earliest drafts, was supposed to be. They hit it, right down to the new updated costume. Moffat nailed my image of the 8th doctor. I only wish we were going to get more of him, he was truly amazing in the less than 7 minutes that he was on screen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McGann's new costume in "The Night of the Doctor"</td></tr>
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Of course while I think McGann was the best part there is more awesomeness. The Sisterhood of Karn, who first appeared in the brain of Morbius, makes an appearance as well as the harbingers of the the John Hurt "War Doctor". As much as Moffat says he hates to do it, he is playing a lot of fan service right now. Bringing back fan favorites and little bits of cannon. Seeing the sisterhood was a lot of fun to experience, especially opposite McGann's Doctor!<br />
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I think we still have a few surprises in store for the actual special, but even if we don't, I think we just witnessed the most importance 6 minutes of Doctor Who since 2005. Perhaps it will bring some new who fans to the fold of spinoff media and then we will be fending them off of that as well.<br />
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So, Thank you Stephen Moffat! You made a lot of fan's day, while making a lot of new who fans scratch their heads in confusion. For that, I thank you!<br />
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And of course in the tradition of when it rains it pours, we were also granted a first look at a trailer for the docudrama Adventures in Time and Space! It looks very swinging and I'm probably just as excited about that as I am the special that is coming up!<br />
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And just for good measure in cas you haven't seen it the trailer that was released last weekend:<br />
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What are you most excited about for the 50th anniversary! I'd love to hear your comments. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-83434734602879753792013-08-06T10:52:00.000-04:002013-08-06T13:22:36.454-04:00The League: Nightmares from the cold war<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpkCdaaftM0rkbrkDWN3kVGHPM4OTFpXZRwX2cFK8fk1Brxp9YmC_BNlpyT5m3-0h1lW5x2knz4LCxHfeO210Hdh9pFgXV3QTnmAwYXz3fBDG2iKBDiujhAXTmIxYxirVBs9GpOiEMU4/s1600/leaguelogo_small3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpkCdaaftM0rkbrkDWN3kVGHPM4OTFpXZRwX2cFK8fk1Brxp9YmC_BNlpyT5m3-0h1lW5x2knz4LCxHfeO210Hdh9pFgXV3QTnmAwYXz3fBDG2iKBDiujhAXTmIxYxirVBs9GpOiEMU4/s200/leaguelogo_small3.png" width="200" /></a>This weeks challenge from the league is "What a Nightmare." I have delved back into a dream that still haunts me from when I was little kid<br />
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I usually don't have dreams, and nightmares even less. I do however have a vivid memory of a nightmare I had a kid, about 5. The odd thing is that I recall having the dream twice.<br />
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Its's strange because it is a dream that was so in line with the times. This would have been in the early 80s toward the end of the cold war (to give you some perspective) I was somewhere between 4 and 5 years old and, like now, didn't pay too much attention to current events! I was much more happy playing with my toys.<br />
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The dream horrified me. I was in my house with my mom and my grand mother. I looked out the window and saw tanks and infantry turning into my drive way. My mom and grandmother freaked out and grabbed me and ran out into the woods behind our house and told me to be very quiet, and then we hid. All I knew was that the Russians had invaded.<br />
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That was it. To this day I haven't figured out what triggered the dream. I'm sure it was based on conversations of my grandparents and my parents or other grown ups. I hadn't seen red dawn so that wasn't it. It is interesting to me because it seems that my young mind just soaked up the current events of the time and created into a horror story and made me dream about it.<br />
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To this day that kind of hopeless feeling of capture/invasion horrifies me.<br />
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So what are your thoughts? What is a nightmare you have had? Leave some comments, and feel free to psychoanalyze my 5 year old self!<br />
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<a href="http://coolandcollected.com/introducing-pop-culture-pundits/" target="_blank">The League of Extraordinary </a>bloggers is a fantastic group to be a part of, you should get involved!<br />
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Also Check out some other posts from the league!<br />
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The Goodwill Geek remembers the horror movies that gave him nightmares: <a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-league-of-extraordinary-bloggers.html">http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-league-of-extraordinary-bloggers.html</a><br />
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Chrisloc also remembers some scary movies: <a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-league-of-extraordinary-bloggers.html">http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-league-of-extraordinary-bloggers.html</a><br />
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George Talks about the nightmare of having his Star Wars figures stolen. <a href="http://gijigsaw.blogspot.com/2013/08/league-assignment-what-nightmare.html">http://gijigsaw.blogspot.com/2013/08/league-assignment-what-nightmare.html</a><br />
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Cold War Tank Image from <a href="http://www.thefeeherytheory.com/2011/06/15/collapse-of-cold-war-consensus/">http://www.thefeeherytheory.com/2011/06/15/collapse-of-cold-war-consensus/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-11337852889845896492013-08-05T15:32:00.000-04:002013-08-05T22:10:53.875-04:00Capaldi and the art of purging fans!I feel like I have to write this post. I know after yesterday everyone even remotely associated with Doctor Who has posted, or tweeted, or somethinged about the announcement of Peter Capaldi (I've got to get used to spelling that), but I wanted to put my two cents into the ring. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxF6tJqLkmcQO8z2QGKsi3BT8Tq1YLzMZJrJXwumHWXqBHXRaLeBxMlAP4qgLENCVr_lQO56KEYfNU7mIwiVm28LQrPPQzZBP8yfSq17VZ0b8hdl1bpRx0XbLMeWASUfdM-ft_C2BOV8/s1600/peter-capaldi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxF6tJqLkmcQO8z2QGKsi3BT8Tq1YLzMZJrJXwumHWXqBHXRaLeBxMlAP4qgLENCVr_lQO56KEYfNU7mIwiVm28LQrPPQzZBP8yfSq17VZ0b8hdl1bpRx0XbLMeWASUfdM-ft_C2BOV8/s320/peter-capaldi.jpg" width="198" /></a>I'm not going to say much about the choice of Capaldi other that I think it was a great choice. I am 100 % behind this decision (at the moment) I think this is a dream job for Capaldi as he has been a documented long time show of the franchise, he has a history with it, and I think he will treat it well. I am excited to see what he does with the character.<br />
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The big thing that I feel forces me to post on the topic is this. Peter Capaldi is the same age that William Hartnell was when he played the doctor, which puts him as being one of the oldest actors to portray our favorite timelord. This has been a point of contention. I think It always has. When Doctor Who was created they didn't really know what it was. The titular character of the doctor wasn't really the hero, that was left to the lead male companion (Ian). But the role changed over the years and the character of the doctor became more than just the catalyst for the companions to go from crazy adventure to crazier adventure. So finding and actor that could be a bit more versatile began to be an important part of casting decisions The doctor began to be a bit younger, but still in their forties and they were semi established actors.<br />
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When Peter Davison took over he was young, there was a lot of concern about having a doctor that was so young. Then the doctor got to be a bit older again as the next two incarnations came and went!<br />
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Then the new series hit. Christopher Eccleston was solidly in his forties and then David Tennant got a bit younger in his thirties, and then Matt Smith in his twenties. All of that is OK! The actors did their job perfectly, but with the younger actors came the change in the fanbase. The old fans still, for the most part, supported the show and enjoyed the fiction that was being created. Much of the new fanbase was also enjoying the show as well! There was, however another contingent. The contingent who could care less about the stories being told. The people who watched the shoe primarily for the personalities, the actors who were playing the parts. Perhaps for the "Eye Candy!"<br />
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This is the group of fans who are saying "IF they go with an older doctor I'll stop watching" A statement which I find shallow and insulting. A statement that proves my point, that people were not interested in the fiction being created. They were not interested in the stories being told, but were concerned only about who they were watching. You can't honestly tell me that you love a show and are willing to drop it as soon as someone you don't approve of gets the job.<br />
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Here is an example of one such disgruntled fan:<br />
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The point of this post is really an observation that there are a lot of fans of the new series who are in the fandom, going to conventions, dressing up, and they don't even care about the franchise. They don't care about the stories, they are petty and shallow. What do they add? Do they care about the harritage of the show? Do they know/care about the wilderness years? <br />
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I want to point out that I am generalizing a bit. I honestly believe this is a small part of new Who fandom. And I recognize that the new show can not survive on classic series fans alone. I love new series fans, but what I don't appreciate are the people that are so shallow that they won't stick around long enough to give an older actor a chance.<br />
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Yeah there is a chip on my shoulder! <br />
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What are your thoughts about this kind of fandom, about Peter Capaldi being cast as the next doctor, or anything else related, let us know in the comments below!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-89852160845522576362013-07-26T23:16:00.001-04:002013-07-26T23:16:45.135-04:00The "Better Late Than Never" HeroesCon Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow, has it really been over a month since we returned from HeroesCon in Charlotte? All this talk of San Diego Comic Con reminded me, "Hey, stupid. You need to write about HeroesCon!" (Life has really been getting in the way of my writing.) Honestly, it's probably a good thing there's some distance between this and my leaving HeroesCon. True story--I've cried like a baby the past two years leaving the show. A lot of it has to do with the vibe of HeroesCon. It's like Comics Summer Camp. Shelton Drum has been putting on this convention for a little over 30 years, and it's his dedication and that of his staff that make Heroes a must stop on the convention circuit.<br />
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<span id="goog_1131314845"></span><span id="goog_1131314846"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>Like last year, I split my time between hitting the convention floor and helping set up/run the <a href="http://battlebabies.storenvy.com/" target="_blank">Battle Babies</a>/ <a href="http://manormonsterstudios.com/" target="_blank">ManOrMonster? Studios</a> table in Artists' Alley. Arriving early on Thursday afternoon, we were able to start setting up. Seeing a convention before it opens is a fun experience because it's an amazing transformation from a floor filled with half-erected wireframes and closed longboxes to a full-fledged bustling convention floor. This year, Shelton made the decision to make the convention double the space. Seeing it on Thursday, it seemed vast and empty, but by late Friday morning, we were thankful for the breathing room. (Having walked it several times each day, I can tell you it was still vast.) The extra space seemed to be a mixed bag--some artists and retailers said it helped their business, while others said it hurt them. From both sides of the table, I would say it was better overall. Artists had more breathing room, and convention-goers had more space to move.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Hairston, Jr.'s incredible art</td></tr>
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<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/9374702008_2dfab5406f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/9374702008_2dfab5406f.jpg" width="240" /></a>Artists' Alley is my favorite part of the show. Shelton, Rico Renzi, and crew always select a nice variety of artists and writers, from the tiniest of small press cartoonists to big current names like Amanda Conner to industry legends like Neal Adams and amazing artists like John Hairston, Jr. (his work is the colorful amazingness on the left). It's fun to walk around and meet people whose names you see every week in your comic shop. You can always snag prints, have them sign your comics, or even get a sketch. Most of the artists will do tiny scribble sketches in a sketchbook for free. Of course, if you want something more complex, each artist has his/her own rates. The sketches are great, but the fun part is actually getting to say, "Hey, I really dig this part of your work." It's definitely nerve-wracking sometimes, but it's also cool to see how artists/writers respond to that. One thing I'll say about Heroes--people are genuinely in good moods for the most part. I don't know if it's the vibe of the show or what, but most everyone I've talked to has been really cool.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Clowes Picture Disc</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'70s Marvel Hand Puppets</td></tr>
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Of course, like any convention, there's a ton of merchandise to peruse. Vendors were selling everything from vintage comics of every condition and price, new comics and graphic novels, and vintage and new toys. One toy line that seemed to be everywhere was Funko Pop! I was beginning to think that was a requirement for vendors this year. Seriously, the majority of vendors had those things. It was a lot of fun to see. Things that stood out to me were things like this Daniel Clowes picture disc. Sadly, it was out of my price range to bring home, but it was incredible. Another booth had some great vintage items, like the vintage hand puppets. This guy's booth was amazing--he had 7-11 Slurpee cups, these hand puppets, tiny Marvel comics, and Dr. Doom and Darkseid vintage costumes. (I managed to grab the Darkseid, some Marvel finger puppets, a tiny Thor comic, and a Red Sonja cup from this booth.) Of course Heroes is also a great resource for comics, and the selection was incredibly varied this year. My collection is random, and I was able to find some Thor comics, some vintage underground comics, Masters of the Universe, even a New Kids on the Block comic!<br />
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Every year I've attended, HeroesCon has had some kind of comic-related exhibit, and this year was no different. This year it was "The Art of Akira" and featured art related to the famous manga and anime. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Adora was awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skelly was a lot of fun.</td></tr>
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Just like any geek convention, Heroes had its share of cosplayers. You couldn't go very far without running into a Harley Quinn or a Captain America. Though I appreciate the comic-related cosplay, my favorites this year were TV/movie related.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/9374663890_7c8cda07ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/9374663890_7c8cda07ef.jpg" width="240" /></a>In addition to all the convention goodness, HeroesCon had a lot to offer at night. On Friday night, we attended the Drink and Draw. All proceeds from this event went to Team Cul de Sac, a charity related to Parkinson's Disease. We got drenched trying to get to the event, but that wasn't enough to dampen our spirits. We bought a few pieces drawn at the event, but I had more fun watching artists crank out sketch after sketch. The atmosphere at the event was very relaxed and lighthearted. Then we headed to the Westin bar, where many guests of the show head to unwind after a long day on the convention floor. Saturday night was the annual art auction, which is always a lot of fun. Sunday after the show ended, we were lucky enough to make it to the Dead Dog party and hobnob with our artist friends (and make some new ones). </div>
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All in all, this year's HeroesCon was my favorite thus far, and I think a lot of it has to do with actually venturing out and doing things. In the past I've missed the Drink and Draw and never headed to the Westin bar, but doing so led to some pretty awesome conversations and great memories. </div>
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Special thanks to Rico Renzi and Shelton Drum for allowing me to attend the show. I promise I'll do my write-up sooner next year! :)</div>
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Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515591951322831587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-46059400255780457782013-07-24T15:10:00.000-04:002013-07-24T15:10:30.154-04:00The League: Swords colors and Plastic. . . My first experience with Ninja Turtles! <div>
It has been FAR too long since I have done a league post. I have been on a kind of indefinite hiatus, due to a larger project I have been working on. I am not going to say I am back, but I will try to be a bit more proactive about posting. </div>
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This Week The League has charged us to "Write about your first experience with something." I will try to not disappoint. I thought about it and couldn't think of anything all that memorable or important (especially pop culture related) then it struck me. . . and that story will follow!</div>
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It was probably 1989. My aunt and uncle took my cousin and I out to the next city over to go to the new mall with the big theater. Before the movie we made our way into a toy store (probably KB but it may have still been a K and K). They told me I could pick something out so I looked around and I decided on something I had been hearing about. A Ninja Turtle. Leonardo. I still remember it. The figures hung there is a relatively small part of the shelf. There were the turtles and shredder and the foot soldiers. But Leonardo spoke to me. He had swords and his bandanna was blue. That blue of his bandanna worked perfectly with the green of the body. He had swords (being an avid He-Man fan I knew that if he had swords he must be important). It seemed like the perfect toy to pick, and pick I did. <br />
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Throughout the movie all I could think about was being able to get home and play with the turtle. On the way home I opened it and was fascinated by it. While it was still basic it had extra articulation, and it didn't just come with its one accessory, but instead it came with a full arsenal. It was a kids dream come true. It was easy for me to forget about the Masters of the Universe figures that were sitting in my room. (Of course the fact that Masters of the Universe was already on their way off toy shelves didn't help.) </div>
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That one figure lead to the next 4 or so years of what I was into. Its because of that figure that I eventually found The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics and which probably lead me to get into independent comics years later etc. . . It is a figure that I don't think about a lot anymore, but it is something I hold dear. </div>
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Years later (probably about 1995) my cousin broke that Leonardo's leg, and I never really forgave him for that, although I think I still have it. </div>
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Its one of those memories I hold dear. So much so that when the new line of Ninja Turtles came out and when I finally found some on the shelf, the one that I was drawn to was Leonardo! It was the closest thing I could have to reliving that moment. I wasn't disappointed with that one either. It was great to relive the nostalgia like that! </div>
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That is how I remember the first time I got a Ninja Turtle figure. What about you, do you have a memorable first, tell us about it. </div>
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Also be sure to check out the league and other bloggers and what they have to say about their first experience with something!<br />
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Las Vegas Yankee Remembers when he first visited Yankee Stadium: <br />
<a href="http://jathniel.com/journal/7/24/2013/lpg0kmx8tvz2ne4c7j2jvn2bc0b1p5" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #ed702b; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">http://jathniel.com/journal/7/24/2013/lpg0kmx8tvz2ne4c7j2jvn2bc0b1p</a><br />
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Eric Johnson writes about his first job: <br />
<a href="http://erikjohnsonillustrator.blogspot.com/2013/07/loeb-famous-firsts.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #ed702b; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;">http://erikjohnsonillustrator.blogspot.com/2013/07/loeb-famous-firsts.html</a></div>
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Crhisloc1701 Remembers his first trip to Disneyland:<br />
<a href="http://www.randomnerdness.blogspot.com/2013/07/this-weeks-assignment-from-league-first.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #ed702b; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;">http://www.randomnerdness.blogspot.com/2013/07/this-weeks-assignment-from-league-first.html</a> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-19363364247748157922013-04-11T09:47:00.000-04:002013-04-11T09:47:08.396-04:00Loving the Enemy or my fascination with the Ice warriors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is an exciting year for Doctor Who fans, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention it. So I'll be remiss, because I want to talk about something else happening to Doctor Who this weekend, something that is very exciting for me. The Ice Warriors are back.<br />
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Those of you that know me or have read any of my Doctor Who Posts on this blog know that I have an unhealthy liking for the Ice Warriors. But I don't believe I have ever taken the time to explain why. In this post I am going to do that, In celebration of the return of the Ice Warriors I am going to let every one know why I love these second tier icy bad guys of the Whoniverse.<br />
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I got my introduction to the Ice warriors when I was very young with the Pertwee story the Curse of Peladon. This story has all of the elements I love in my sci-fi. A vast Space operatic federation, with intrigue, alien races, schemes, murder and a big fury monster. Within all of that though is a morality tale about racial discrimination. This story includes the Ice Warriors (or more accurately Martians) as part of the grand Galactic Federation. They are pitted to be the bad guy throughout most of the story, and the Doctor doesn't trust them, because he has encountered them before. But these Ice Warriors are not the bad guys, and in a way they even turn out to be the heroes by saving the Doctor.<br />
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The story was great and had a great atmosphere but what I took away from it over 25 years ago is that the Ice Warriors (and Ice Lords) are awesome. I had never experienced a story, at least in Doctor Who, where the monster turns out to be the good guy, where the Doctor misjudged someone based on his past history with their race. Now that is not to say that it hadn't happened but I hadn't thought about it like that at my age. The story really spoke to me and so did the Ice Warriors.<br />
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Unfortunately this is the only time (on TV) that the Ice Warriors have been treated like this. They were the villains in their previous 2 stories, and again in the sequel to Peladon, and unfortunately we never saw them again on the show. They have however shown up in novels and Big Finish audios and they have shown up as both the villains and the allies of the Doctor, and this is always exciting. <br />
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This Idea that an alien race can have the same sensibilities as the human race really captured me as a kid and still does now. The idea that there are good Ice Warriors and Bad Ice Warriors is stunning to me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45Bch70mK19mIl54q9jzzXsrC81Nbps5rgXl13L9-U_wNCiXyClx9HELe8_gC63bSVXNUuZVK6f0UPNjFTTck4HZJX0ckZUW6uHcJiz50GVDcTErwpYO_rweCX49cMhGz-jXJ2tYfvQQ/s1600/doctor-who-new-ice-warrior-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45Bch70mK19mIl54q9jzzXsrC81Nbps5rgXl13L9-U_wNCiXyClx9HELe8_gC63bSVXNUuZVK6f0UPNjFTTck4HZJX0ckZUW6uHcJiz50GVDcTErwpYO_rweCX49cMhGz-jXJ2tYfvQQ/s400/doctor-who-new-ice-warrior-2.jpg" width="178" /></a>Now all of that leads me to mention "Cold War" which is going to air this weekend and bring back the Ice Warriors after nearly a 40 year absence from our TV screens. The images of the Ice Warrior that we have seen so far are pretty amazing. They are really going back to the roots of making them viking like with some of the small designs in the costume, while at the same time staying very true to the design. The story, however is what I am most curious about<br />
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This story is a historical and appears to be taking place on a submarine. I have a feeling it is going to harken back more to the Second doctor's encounters with the Ice warriors, in which there is an ancient Ice warrior who came to earth from Mars during our Ice age and has been rediscovered and hence re awakened. The Ice Warrior will be the villain in this story. While it is not the way I would bring the Ice Warriors back (I would bring back the Galactic federation and all of it's space opera glory!) I feel it will not let us down as being a good trapped inside with a monster story. <br />
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I look forward to this story and hopefully it will be successful enough to bring the Ice Warriors back the way they should be brought back, with their honor in tact!<br />
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Just as a note for those of you who don't know my name of the internet has been Izlear for about 15 years now. This of course hearkens back to Izlyr, the Ice lord from the Curse of Peladon. <br />
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Why do you love the monsters you love in Doctor Who or any other show you love. Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-20895213752477706302013-04-02T19:28:00.005-04:002013-04-02T19:28:57.612-04:00Life With Fandom Updates and welcomes!It has been an incredibly long time since I have updated the blog. I have found myself working on a project (which should eventually be for the blog) that has taken me a lot longer to get finished than I thought it would, but on the bright side it is indeed coming along, so look for that in the upcoming weeks (hopefully).<br />
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In the meantime I want to let you all know about some changes that are coming to Life With Fandom. Since the very beginning of the blog I have always wanted it to be about more than just me. It started out about my life in Doctor Who fandom, and then evolved into a toy and 80s nostalgia blog. All of these are things I love and am deeply involved in. That, however still hasn't really scratched the surface of what I wanted to do. I wanted to include others. I wanted Life With Fandom to be many people's lives with fandom. I wanted to document things people like! I am able to say I am doing that.<br />
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It will be a slow rollout but Life with Fandom is growing. There will be more than just me writing on the blog. To begin with we are adding Brad and Stacy Rader, the creator of Battle Babies and the Geekyvixen herself. They will begin posting pictures and blog posts here on Life with Fandom as we begin to join forces and build the next version of the site. Other posters are also ready to come on board and will be introduced soon.<br />
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We are also planning on expanding even more and we are going to be jumping into podcasts etc. The videos from New Monster will continue and will continue to be featured here, and of course my new project will be brought to you here soon too. So I hope I can actually live up to these promises this time.<br />
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Hopefully you will hear from us all more often and soon! So be sure to welcome our first new contributors to the site!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-12717581329369094812012-12-31T11:20:00.002-05:002012-12-31T11:20:52.884-05:00The end of 2012 and beyondThere is so much I want to say to round out 2012. This year had been a mixed bucket. On one hand it has been amazing with projects I have been involved in such as new monster, The Oncoming Storm Podcast and even this blog. I have made some of the best friends I have ever known and I have tried vending at toy shows, which is something I have always wanted to do. It has been a very fulfilling year. <br />
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On the other hand it has been filled with odd little tragedies. My parents house got hit by a Tornado, my grandfather had a pretty bad heart attack (he survived). But in the end every one was ok and every thing worked out. So all of those personal tragedies worked out in the end.<br />
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Almost a year ago I posted on this blog that I wanted to do stuff in the new year. I wanted to finish things and be proud of them. I have done that. I am extremely proud of the accomplishments I made this year. I was tired of having tons of ideas and not following through. I began to follow through and I feel great about it. Could I improve? Yes. I already have a box full of projects to be worked on next year. In the mean time I have been taking a step back enjoying everything that happend in 2012.<br />
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But as I did last year I want to set some goals for myself. The goal I set for myelf last year was open ended and a bit vague (I tend to do that so I can't categorize my failure to comply :) ) This year I am willing to state a few more specific goals. I want to add an addendum here though: These are not resolutions - I don't believe in resolutions, instead they are goals. That worked last year and It will work again. . . I hope.<br />
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1) and this has been a secret priority for some time. I have been developing a fictional world for about 12 years, it has just been sitting in my head and on paper and in notebooks all of this time. Earlier this year I decided to try to do something with it. I have been developing a comic to get some of it out. I have been fighting weather or not to draw it myself OR to find an artist. At the moment I am drawing it myself. . . that might change tomorrow. . . but regardless I am putting at least one issue out this year!<br />
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2) More new monster! Last year I said that it was the year of the new monster and for us it was. We had a blast. in the new year you can expect to see more Collecting Nostalgia, more convention coverage and maybe even more vlogs!<br />
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3) One things that viewers of this blog will see is more stuff for sale online. I hope to be doing a kind of online "purge" of some of my stuff. so keep an eye out for that and you may find some incredible deals on things.<br />
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4) Starting a local show. I have been in talks with some other locals in this area and we are on target to get some local toy/comic shows going hopefully they will be goos.<br />
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5) LAst but not least This blog! I have neglected this blog for the second half of the year, but I hope to get back to it. I did such a good job updating at the beginning of the year and then I let it go, I hope to be back to normal soon.<br />
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Those are the things right on top, of course there are more, but a few of those are taking a lot of my time and thought at the moment. SO be on the lookout for some of these things coming soon.<br />
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Als, Thanks to every one who has read this blog and have been supportive of me. I kind of stumbled into this collecting/ popculture/ blogging community and you guys all really let me be part of it. I have tried other communities before and it felt so hard to break in. I am extremely happy to be part of this community!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-28040875597493570802012-12-26T01:21:00.002-05:002012-12-26T01:21:31.239-05:00Doctor Who The Snowmen . . . Thoughts Christmas means many things for so many different people. For Doctor Who fans for the past 8 or so years it has meant a new Christmas special, a slightly longer episode that holds us over un til the next season (or season half) begins. This year is no different and the good doctor returns to us in a christmas special that, in my opinion, stands apart from the rest.<br />
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I have made no secret that I have not been a huge fan of the first two seasons of the Moffat produced, but I have also said the last half season has been my favorite of the Moffat produced offerings. He is taking the character of the Doctor and the show in direction that I fully approve of, and in a direction that is fitting for the upcoming fiftieth anniversary. I have to say this special continues that trend for my viewing pleasure. </div>
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Lets start with the intro. I could make this whole post about the intro. I have actually kind of kept radio silence with this episode and had heard no rumors or anything of the sort, but as the transmission began and the intro began rolling I felt an energy in the air that I hadn't felt in a long time. The colors swirled and if I'm not mistaken I saw throwbacks to just about every past intro in the shows history. And then there it was! Matt Smith's face subtly in the stars. I had been waiting for this since the show came back. It is one of those things that in the early days of nu-who us old timers thought that once we got that we would have arrived. Well, we have arrived. Watch the new intro below.</div>
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As the new intro finished the story began to unfold and we are introduced to snowmen and villains, and more interestingly the new companion. . . or should we say that we were introduced to her again. Yes Jenna Louise Coleman first played Oswin Oswald way back in Asylum of the Daleks and she met a strange demise. There has been tons of speculation as to what her role may be, but now we begin to get some clarification.<br />
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I have to say I love the character of Clara, She is intriguing, and fun, and cheeky, and I am inclined to say Not the Ponds. Now, I'm honestly not meaning that as a criticism of Amy and Rory, as I feel I made amends with my feelings toward them in the last half season, but the character that was presented tonight is the character I have been wanting to see in doctor who for a long time. While she actually does share some traits with Amy, she is a go getter, and very adventurous. I find her more believable I can't say why, I just do. I really feel like it is a case of Moffat having the ideal companion in his head for most of his life, and finally getting the chance to put it on paper. for me that character came out as juvenile, now we are getting a more well developed character that has been developed by a 40 something professional writer and not the 12 year old mind of the same writer. It will be interesting how he develops Clara. I will try and keep this spoiler fee so I will not comment on any more than that!. . . for now.<br />
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I will say this. We are once again introduced to the TARDIS again through the eyes of a companion. and Oh what a sight it is. While Clara goes in and back out and does the traditional run around the box and lets us all know that it is indeed "Smaller on the outside" (see what Moffat did there?) We are introduced to a shiny new TARDIS console that is very reminiscent of the gleaming space age console so many of us grew up with. Gone is the steam punk cobbled together TARDIS and once again are we introduced to the SPACE AGE. I love it. I love the controls behind the console. I love the white and blues. I love the rotating pieces above the rotor. This is the TARDIS, for me, more than any other new who design. As I am introduced to this room all I can think is "Welcome to Doctor Who"<br />
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The story brings in Madam vastra and company and they play, in my opinion, a fantastic role in this story. Her story is expanded a bit and her role for the doctor himself is very interesting. I have a feeling that we will see her quite a bit more. These characters do tend to be more comic relief than they could have been, but, in my opinion there is not a word misused when they are on the screen. I also like the fact that I feel like they are creating a new home base time for the doctor, He is carving out a home for himself in victorian Londen instead of a more modern London. Madam vastra and crew have become a small family unit for the Doctor. I'm intrigued by where they could go with this.</div>
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The story itself acts as a prequel to a story from 1967, the Web of fear indicating that the events of this story leads to the events of that story. i love it when they do that and do it reasonably well. I feel they did that.<br />
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Now I realize I am glowing about this story. There were problems with it, but I don't feel the need to pick it apart, in the end I liked it and I choose to overlook the faults. IT is the first time I have wanted to do that in a while so I will just honestly say that and let that be the end of it. <br />
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The Doctor is becoming more shrouded in mystery every time he steps on screen, all for a build up to the 50th anniversary, but this time we are given a companion that may be even more mysterious than him. </div>
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I am excited to see the second half season for season 7. The direction they are going is somewhere I feel is very good I am excited to see where it leads us to november 23 of 2013. I have feeling we have a great year to look forward to in terms of Doctor Who! Check out the Snowmen, because I feel like it is the episode we will look back on and say that is when Doctor Who went into a new era. I have a feeling it is a good era to be in! <br />
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Of course I was disappointed to not see anything I recognized as an Ice Warrior in the trailer.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-51559542173777825892012-11-12T13:41:00.000-05:002012-11-12T13:41:28.821-05:00Media Dissection!?!? Last night my wife and I went to see the New James Bond movie. It was a decent enough movie but that is not the purpose of this post. When the movie was over, I wanted to talk about it, analyze the pros and cons of the movie, debate weather the villain was a good bond villain. My wife didn't tO the point where she said "I just want to watch a movie and enjoy it, I don't want to analyze it." So then that got me thinking, have I become such a fanboy that I can't watch a movie, enjoy it, and then simply turn it off. I'm not sure!<br />
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For me, talking about movies has always been just as important as watching the movie! When I was young and my parents would take me to the movies when we walked out I wanted to talk about the movie we just watched. That might be me talking about a fight scene I liked or it might be talking about how a character was, but I always talked abut it. Heck it might have been ralking about a trailer I had seen. That interaction was important to me.<br />
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I think as I have grown up, the concept of talking about the media I consume has become even more important to me. I suppose in a way it seems like a waste of time to simply watch a movie, TV show, or even read a book if you can't analyze it with friends. This dissection has become the pivot point of my fandom, and maybe fandom in general. The concept of discussion and analyzing the things we consume is. for me, the central idea of fandom. <br />
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I have said it before, that my favorite part of a convention is sitting on a panel and talking to the other people on the panel, and people in the room about what they think about something. The whirl wind of opinions give credence to the concepts and stories that the writers put forward. As fans isn't it kind of our job to dissect these things? I'm honestly don't think I react to anything else as much as I react to a good discussion of the merits (or flaws) or somethuing that I really like (or don't like)<br />
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Take the wheel of time (or any epic book series) for instance. I could not imagine reading those books in a vacuum. It would be impossible for me to read that last word and then just put it down and be happy that I had read it. The act of reading and consuming these media has been about building community for me. I can't imagine reading the last "Wheel of Time" book (that will be coming out in the early part of next year) without the community that has become something akin to a support group to me. The community becomes just as important (if not more important) than the media itself.<br />
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And that idea of fan community of course has evolved from people sitting in living rooms discussing things they love to doing it at conventions and gatherings, but of course then it moved to the internet. Forums and facebook pages, and even blogs like this one has become a way for me to express the things I like and talk about them with a much larger community. The idea of consuming media without a community is almost foreign to me now. <br />
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How do you consume media and participate in enjoying it, do you watch and consume in a vacuum, being happy that you had the opportunity to have that media and then leave it at that? Or do you dissect it and let it become more to you than just something that is turned off. Let me know I really want to know how the media you consume effects you! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-19829729800573864222012-10-31T09:31:00.000-04:002012-10-31T09:31:12.866-04:00Star Wars and the Disney Empire!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Like many within the sub-culture of fandom, yesterday I read the news that Lucas was selling most of his assets, including Star Wars to Disney for 4 billion Dollars. I was on a roller coaster of emotions. Star Wars is something I love. It has been almost as important to me as Doctor Who over the years. Disney however has, for some reason in my mind, represented oppression. I don't know why it just has, so it is hard for me to rectify my emotions with this. <br />
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Initially the news really bothered me it was one of those things where I needed to back off a bit and consume the news. I thought about them sterilizing the franchise, killing it with Disney marketing etc. . . But then I thought about it and and realized it really wasn't any different than what Lucas had done to the property himself. He has already sterilized the movies that I grew up with. changing them, and never being happy with them. Disney could actually be one of the best things to happen to the franchise in some time! <br />
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There are a few things to look at though, that are going to be very important to the fan community. Disney believes in being very proprietary with things that they own. I mean they own it that is their right. There have been a lot of law suits over copyright issues with Disney properties. Shutting down fan projects etc. . . Lucas has been very fan friendly, allowing fan films, using 501st people for events etc. He understood the value of fans. I'm not sure Disney is going to do that! I think it will be a lot harder to do a lot of the things Lucas has allowed to happen under the eye of Disney and it's lawyers.<br />
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Another thing that is bothersome to me is that Disney now owns a huge chunk of my childhood. Marvel, and now Star Wars. It is a surreal experience to go into a Disney store and see Marvel merchandise. To be fair that is all this is to Disney, something else to merchandise. These characters mean a lot to so many fans. Iron man and Thor are symbols just like Yoda and Luke Skywalker are symbols to so many people and to see them as a property is hard to fathom. To see these characters relegated to Disney stores is also hard.<br />
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Of course, I say that and understand that Lucas has been doing this for as long as the Star Wars franchise has been around, but for some reason it feel worse to me when it is Disney doing it it. I mean, are we going to see Leia lined up with the other Disney Princesses? I truly hope not.<br />
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Out of this deal does come a new movie. It has always been said that the best stuff that has come out from star wars is the stuff with the least amount of involvement from Lucas himself, so I suspect 2015 will bring a great movie. The 7th installment and probably the beginning of a new trilogy. The thing to watch is if Disney will make this an event, where they run Star Wars into the ground by constantly inundating us with movies! the other thing to watch is how they treat Extended Universe stuff. Will the extended universe stuff be thrown out, or will it be immortalized on the big screen. Time will tell! <br />
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So keep an eye on the news and gear up for a couple fun years of watching this all unfold. Watching where Disney will take the property. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-551021418036171014.post-9029987658033129622012-10-25T10:45:00.000-04:002012-10-25T10:45:05.832-04:00New things Bog-Nar commercial!Once again I have been busying myself with bits and bobs but there are really things happening from my time at this point. The most obvious and the easiest one to share is the Warlords of Wor Bog-nar Commercial that I have just finished with the rest of the New Monster Team.<br />
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We had a GREAT time working on this. and each of us got to do the part we liked best. what we have really found though, is that we really like shooting in this small scale! I am a big fan of 80s toy commercials and I am really glad to be doing something in that tradition. We hope to do more so if any one reading this would like us to make a commercial of your product let us know we would love to do it!<br />
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so now the Commercial! <br />
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Other things I have been doing includes working on some art. Its one of those things I've really been trying to get back into and it is coming. I think I will be able to post a draft of the first page of my comic up soon. Yes it looks like it might be happening.<br />
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