Five Take-Aways: An Unexpected D&D 5E Adventurers League End of July Session

Tuesday night. The final Tuesday night of July. So Shadowrun Missions at my FLGCS Organized Game night, correct? Unfortunately, the misfortune plaguing Shadowrun during 2018 strikes again. Hopefully, next month we play once more... Emphasis on 'we' as I've missed several modules over the last year and a half.


Fortunately, the open RPG game night the final Tuesday of the month long since morphed into a replay day for D&D 5E Adventurers League Modules. Since we advance warning Shadowrun may very well be cancelled, I brought my D&D PCs. Meaning I got to play D&D for the first time in months. March 6th to be precise. Hadn't played Dungeons & Dragons in roughly five months! Feels good. Also means...


Here's another installment of my Five Take-Aways for D&D 5E AL! My third such during the year 2018. Wow, I have only played Dungeons & Dragons three times all year! Yep, no home games when not playing Adventurers League.


Five Take-Aways D&D 5E AL July 31st, 2018


1) Looking forward to Season 8 doing away with tracking experience points - The table I played at was Tier 2 (levels 5 - 10) with a potential of six players. One player hoping to advance a PC to Tier 3 dropped out and joined the Tier 1 table because with six PCs not enough XP would be awarded. A player hoping to advance to another TIER delayed PC advancement because a table of 6 deprives too much XP. Xanather's Guide to Everything introduces an experience point-less system of character advancement, old-timers would recognize it resembles the story award concept, and beginning Season 8 AL adopts a variant. A subject for another time; but tonight serves as another example why changes need to be made especially as regards mustering tables for AL events. The participants at my FLGCS aren't too picky; but still...


2) A party comprised mostly of a single class can be quite fun in an AL mod - Before the evening started, a regular remarked how fun having a table comprised of a single class could be. Coincidentally, my table comprised of four barbarians (granted none were alike but all shared the same class) and a sorcerer/warlock is fairly darn close to a table of all barbarians! Fortunately, the module didn't punish us for being mostly barbarians. A group of raging PCs was quite fun to play indeed. Furthermore, everyone got a chance to shine.


3) Appreciate sorcerers Twin Spell much more: Whether it was on Haste or Dragon Breath, the sorcerer player used Twin Spell metamagic to effective use. Other players have twinned spells quite a bit before. Just sunk into the ole noggin the tactic/ability is all.


4) Despite practically four or five months not playing D&D 5E, I didn't lose a step - Rather surprised I didn't forget much of what I knew about playing the latest iteration of D&D 5E nor how to play my Tier 2 PC after months not playing D&D. Yes, I've been a gamer for decades. Not what I am referring to. Sometimes you miss a step or two when you don't play a game for awhile. Didn't. Really speaks to the accessibility of the fifth edition rules. Once you grasp the fundamentals of the game and your PC you're golden. Sure, I had a hiccup with some rules. Not because I forgot but because I really haven't spent much time reading and mastering the rules. Kind of a throwback to when I started in the hobby when I didn't own a Player's Handbook. Does explain why I enjoy 5E so much...


5) The DM gradually revealing the "dungeon" was nice touch - The environment our PCs were exploring was such our characters would have no clue the nature of each location or how they relate to each. A dungeon exploration module in a nutshell. Just not framed that way. Rather than describing the dungeon or drawing the dungeon as we went along, the DM covered the map and gradually revealed portions as we explored. Don't see the approach often so it merits mentioning.


That's all.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

The Elusive Teen Titans Giant 100 Page # 1!



About a couple weeks ago, I accepted I wouldn't find a copy of it. After all, I heard over the grapevine, the quantity of Teen Titans Giant 100 Page #1 Wal-Mart Exclusive was shorted. Had collected the other three; but no luck with the Teen Titans inaugural issue. After checking and re-checking to no avail, I threw in towel. Blogged my frustration even.

Today I was informed there was a re-stock. How odd? I thought. We are mere days away from August after all. Heck, the initial wave was stocked ahead of its street date in some places. Clearly, it must be the second issue. Ahead of schedule. Again. Sigh...

When I do wander over to the TCG aisle where DC Giant 100 Page are stocked, I am shocked and stand corrected.

Look what I found!

If you guessed by the picture displaying a copy of Teen Titans Giant 100 Page #1 held in my hand home means I finally own a copy, you'd guess right.

Yep, I own a copy of all four #1's!

Must say I am pleasantly surprised this baby fell into my lap. Wasn't expecting any re-stocks of the inaugural DC Giant 100 Page #1 Wal-Mart Exclusives this late during the month. Let alone the shorted Teen Titans. Definitely boosts my optimism for the program.

Bring on the second issues!

Next time.

Price Seems Right For DC's New Subscription Service

Took the last couple weeks off from blogging. During that time SDCC occurred as well as the announcement of DC's new subscription service's, DC Universe, price point. The latter is the topic for tonight's entry.


If you recall, I expressed my excitement for the new subscription service. So much, I was probably going to give it a try. After reading what the price will be, it's practically a given.


For the curious, you can read up on prices along with DC Universe's contents here.


Not bad. Not bad at all. I already pay $7.99 a month for Hulu and $10.99 a month for WWE Network. So $7.99 is well within my comfort zone for the time being. Heck CBR did a price comparison with a streaming services, cause DC Universe is primarily a streaming service, here.


For the most part I agree with CBR. The depth of backlist isn't huge. Quite frankly, it's still unknown how much DC television and film will be available. However, all the other bells and whistles along with the possibility for no commercials improves the package.


Plus there's the comics and community forum. While the latter isn't important to me, the former is pretty much the deal maker for me. If DC Universe truly has a rotating selection of a thousand comics, it'll be worth it for the digital comics alone.


Heck, one could potentially make comparisons to Marvel's Digital Unlimited. The price is a little less than Marvel's monthly subscription but on par for the annual subscription. Which is kind of weird because the annual subscription for DC Universe is cheaper than its monthly... Goes to show Marvel Digital Unlimited is better purchased on annual basis as opposed to monthly...


Yes, Marvel Digital Unlimited has an ever expanding back catalog. While DC Universe's rotating catalog troubles me, the rotation may force me to actually read the comics as opposed to adding them to my watchlist indefinitely.


Plus, unlike Marvel Digital Unlimited, the meat and potatoes of DC Universe is the television and film media. One isn't just using DC Universe to read comics.


So all things considered, the price point practically secures my purchase of a subscription. In fact, the extra three months added to pre-ordered annual subscription calls to me. Fifteen months for annual subscription prices? Hello! I've had an annul subscription to Marvel Digital Unlimited on and off for years. Saves quite a bit of hassle; and I'm not pressure to "use a month's worth" each month to get my money's worth.


There you have it. Consider me a pre-order adopter of an annual subscription holder to DC Universe.


Next time.

WWE Extreme Rules 2018 PPV Thoughts

Today is WWE's 2018 Extreme Rules PPV; and I am watching it the day of! So I will be quasi-live 'blogging' my thoughts as the show proceeds. Quasi because technically the PPV has been on for an hour or two when I started watching. However, I am providing my opinions as the show proceeds; and it's before any 'replay'. Of course, I am not posting until the PPV finishes.


Spoilers...


Kickoff show

Sin Cara vs Cien Almas

Almas wins in heelish fashion. A decent opener. Would love to see these two given more time. Given Almas is ascending the card and Sin Cara isn't, I don't believe we'll ever get the match these two could bring. 2.5 out of 5 stars

Sanity vs New Day Tables March

Sanity wins when Young puts Kofi through a table. A meh match. I've seen both groups wrestle better matches. 1.5 out of 5 stars.

Extreme Rules 

Woken Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt (c) v Curtis Axel & Bo Dallas for Raw Tag Team Championship

 Marked out when both Bray & Bo were both inside the ring.  Bo pins Hardy. New champions! Solid match. 3 out of 5 stars because of the significance of the B Team not only winning a match but becoming champions. No longer jobbers!

Kurt Angle threatens to strip Lesnar of the Universal Championship!

Finn Balor v Constable Baron Corbin

Big man vs little man match. Corbin dominated the match in the early going. Balor wins with an inside cradle. Match slow plodding, which the crowd did not get into until Balor won. 2 out of 5 stars.

Carmella (c) vs Asuka for Smackdown Women's Championship with Ellsworth suspended above within a cage.

Ellsworth dropped items to Carmella... Match plods along as Ellsworth picks the lock and escapes... but is caught and suspended. Easy prey for Asuka. Match ends mercifully when Carmella KOs Asuka while Asuka's distracted by kicking the hapless Ellsworth. Terrible match. Only the suspended shark cage made it worthy of PVP. 1 out of 5 stars.

Jeff Hardy (c) v Shinsuke Nakamura for U.S. Championship 

Before the match begins, Nakamura low blows Hardy. Hardy waves okay and Nakamura nails his finisher to become the new U.S. Champion! Can't really call it a match... 2 out of 5 stars for its historical significance although it'll be replayed enough (for storyline reasons) that one doesn't need to watch the PPV for this match. Crowd cheered. I like the outcome...

Randy Orton is back! Attacks Hardy! Three way feud?

Braun Strowman c Kevin Owens - Steel Cage Match

Strowman breaks out of handcuffs and then chases KO up the cage to chokelsam Owens onto the announce table! Holy Toledo! Technically, Kevin Owens is the winner... Because of the big moment leading to an unusual steel cage victory I give 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Bludgeon Brothers (c) vs Team Hell No (Kane & Daniel Bryan) for Smackdown Tag Team Championship 

Storyline-wise there was pre-match ambush leaving Team Hell No in poor shape. Bryan arrives alone... followed by the tag champs. Not a squash as Daniel Bryan holds his own. Then the numbers game reverses the match not in his favor. Kane limps out. Not enough. Bludgeon Brothers retain. So far the best match of the night. Hopefully the match quality continues improving in quality. 3 out of 5 stars.

Roman Reigns v Bobby Lashley

Lashley begins by putting on a wrestling clinic. Nice to see. Then, the usual WWE striking style asserts itself. Roman then plods along... Lashley is carrying the match. Too soon for him to be wrestling Reigns as the crowd simply isn't into him much. They dislike Reigns though. Lashley suplexed Reigns onto the announce table to counter Reigns charge! Superman Punch to Lashley while standing on the top rope! Then Lashley counters a charging Reigns with a spear for the win! Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Alexa Bliss (c) v Nia Jax Raw Women's Championship under Extreme Rules

Jax snaps Bliss's kendo stick. Tosses all weapons Bliss attempts to use into the ring. Alexa slams Nia repeatedly with a trash can lid! Natalya beats up on Mickie James. Then Alexa takes out Natalya. Rhonda Rousey runs in and unleashes on Mickie James! Later, James takes out Rhonda with a kendo stick. Alexis Bliss retains by DDTing Nia Jax into a chair! The carnage saved and made this match. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

A.J. Styles (c) v Rusev Smackdown WWE World Heavyweight Title

My attention was riveted to the match. Nothing resembling play-by-play here. Excellent action, story-telling, and ring psychology. A.J. Styles retains in a competitive match. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars although on this particular card I could easily give the match 4.5 out of 5 stars - a 5 rating within reach.

Dolph Ziggler (c) v Seth Rollins 30 minute Iron Man match Intercontinental Championship 

Drew McIntyre is at ringside. At the 25:20 mark - Rollins first pinfall. Rollins achieved a 2nd fall by pin at around the 22 minute mark. Then acquires a 3rd fall at the 21 minute mark by DQ when McIntyre assaults him. Afterwards, Drew devastes Rollins until the referee ejected. No DQ though. Ziggler gets a fall by pinfall at around19 minute mark then a second at the 18:48 mark with superkick followed by pin. Tied 3 for 3 when Dolph scores a pin following the Zig Zag at roughly the 18:00 mark. 15:45 Dolph score a 4th fall with feet on the ropes. Done counting falls as they happen now. Ziggler demonstrates excellent endurance! The time runs out when both men are tied. Match is draw. Ziggler retains!

As Ziggler struts victoriously, GM Kurt Angle walks on stage and invokes Sudden Death rules. McIntyre runs in from ringside distracting Rollins. Ziggler with the Fameasser for the win!

Excellent match dampened because I've seen better Iron Man matches. However, I am a sucker for the Hart-Michaels Iron Man match homage. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.




Overall: Extreme Rules 2018 is a byproduct of the WWE Network. Combined with the Kickoff show, Extreme Rules ran for roughly four hours. Four hours of wrestling isn't too shabby especially considering thousands saw it the day of. Who knows how many will watch the PPV on the WWE Network? So there's the extra gravitas that comes from such a shared viewing experience. However, if you rate Extreme Rules 2018 on its own, a different story. Why was it called Extreme Rules if only a minority of matches fit the theme? A sad of affairs in today's WWE wrestling environment when an Iron Man match as the main event could only be slotted for this PPV. We'd have to wait months for similar space on a PPV card. Match quality? While Extreme Rules 2018 improved with the Team Hell No tag match on, many matches would have to rank in the four-plus star category to balance out the earlier portion of the card. The booking was mediocre. I would've been angry if bought this during the old PPV days. If you come upon it as a rental, sure. Own on DVD/Blu-ray? Only if you're a completest, a fan of the wrestlers who hit milestones, and/or greatly enjoyed the later matches. Otherwise, not worth the shelf space.


Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars. Feeling my WWE Network subscription cost was satisfied influences me greatly.


Next time.

My 2018 Christmas in July Palladium Surprise Package Arrived!

Last Christmas I hyped the Palladium X-Mas Surprise Package heavily. If you recall, I lamented how I hadn't ordered one in years. I also, ahem, missed out and didn't order a Surprise Package for another Christmas once again...

Every now and then, Palladium will do a Christmas in July Surprise Package. Sporadically. Not an annual event by any means. When I ordered Surprise Packages regularly, they didn't offer autographs for the July special. Autographs are the primary reason I order them.

Well, this year, they offered the Christmas in July Surprise Package - and there were autographs. Honestly, I wasn't going to order. Took advantage of the Drive Thru RPG deal (topic of a later blog - maybe?); but it wasn't until literally the midnight hour I made my decision.

Ordered my first Surprise Package in YEARS.

A handful of days later, I arrive home and there it is. Waiting for me.

Took pictures of course. Including the autographed page. They're a little blurry
...

Palladium Fantasy is my favorite setting. Wouldn't normally order the mouse pad. Hey, look at that! The Old Ones cover mouse pad. Will have to try my new mouse pad out some time!

 The latest book for the setting. Love the 'Ice and Fury' sig!

Plus, I received the longest-held contender for newest Palladium Fantasy title. Didn't get it the last time I ordered. Years ago.

Second most recent issue of the Rifter. Been years since my last Rifter. Don't recall the issue.

A grab bag wouldn't be complete without a couple Rifts books. One detailing the Coaltion States defending Rifts Earth against hordes of the Minion War (Think demons and devils) and a book containing a script for a Rifts movie (and stats).

Not bad for roughly $100 worth of product plus autographs for half the price!

This was blogged via smartphone.

Happy Gaming!

Next time.

Hope the Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #1 Isn't A Trend

Back on the first of the month, I expressed my excitement over finding three out of the four initial issues of the DC/Wal-Mart 100 Page Giants that harken back to 100 page Super Spectaculars during the 70s. In fact, July 1st was supposed to be the street date for these magazine-like compilations of three reprints and an original 12 page story. In order to find them, you'd go to where the collectible card games are located by registers. They even have their own display box!


Unfortunately, I heard on the grapevine not all Wal-Marts followed the effective street date. Some displays were on the shelves as early as the Thursday prior!


Worse news, of the four titles (Superman, Batman, Justice League of America, and Teen Titans), the Teen Titans 100 Page Giant was shorted. Thus, they were quick sellouts. Alas, I was one of those who missed out of a copy of Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #1.


Bummer.


Now, I decided not to cruise nearby Wal-Marts in the vain hope I'd find the issue in question. Three of the stories were reprints after all. Heck, they've been reprinted in trade paperback format, hardcover format, and whatchamacallit format. You name it. I can buy a digital copy or track down the back issue itself. Sure, there's the twelve page original story. However, publishers not reprinting stories via trade is a rarity nowadays. If you're patient enough, you'll get ahold of what was exclusive upon release. There's no way DC is NOT reprinting the upcoming twelve-part twelve-page increment Batman story written by Brian Michael Bendis!


Plus, I heard there were re-stocks.


Over the course of twelve days, I would periodically check the diminishing stock. Today, the display was refilled! Not up to full. No Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #1.


Sad.


Hope future quantities are upped when subsequent issues are released.


As I said on July 1st, I am not buying these 100 Page Giants for their collectability and have a complete set. Nostalgia. Plus, perusing my copies, I like the format. Really wish the European album format (of which this mimics) was more prevalent here. Would easily reduce the number of titles I buy at my local FLCGS. Since I don't keep up with reading what I do collect, the reprint nature doesn't bother me as it would've when I was younger. Technically, I own stacks and stacks of comics waiting to be read whom one would dub back issues now.


So I would buy Teen Titans 100 Page Giant #2.


When this project was unveiled, I feared comic book collectors would flock to Wal-Marts and buy up all the stock as many would during the speculator bubble of the 90s. Doesn't appear to be the case as I haven't heard of displays wiped out after a mere day.


However, there are reports of people flipping sets of all four for $60!


C'mon! These are partially intended for NEW readers. Also, there were no Marvel nor DC comics available on newsstands period until this! You read that correctly. A recent development was the cessation of Marvel/DC newsstand comics. A customer had go to comic store for a Marvel/DC comic book or buy a digital copy. The 100 Page Giants retailing at $5 are probably an experiment to re-enter the market.


So I fear more collectors will try to take advantage of buying more and more of these 100 Page Giants. Depriving any future readers in the process. As a consequence, if sales slip too much cause the speculator market dries up, would the full 12 part Bendis Batman story proceed as hyped?


The demise of the DC/Wal-Mart 100 Page Giants due to speculator greed would be a sad state of affairs.


Low unit orders would also have a chilling effect. Can't see shorting quantities of the next Teen Titans (or any other title) not having the same effect either.


So hopefully the quick sell-out due to low order and overzealous collectors does not become a trend.


Next time.

Monk Way-Granted Abilities to Cast Spells Are Weakened By Ruling

In a recent blog entry and second installment of my "Official 5E Rulings by Tweet", one of the rulings clarified by WotC employee/rules guru Jeremy Crawford concerned monks following the Way of the Open Hand. When I read these rulings, I don't verify and tend to treat them as gospel. However, I will probably verify as best as I can in the future because there's a problem with Crawford's ruling...


You can read said ruling by either scrolling down on this blog or clicking here and then clicking on the relevant link.


Okay? Read it?


Crawford references spell casting rules specifically how spell DC's are determined and that if no spell-casting modifier is given it is zero.


Therefore, Open Hand monks don't receive any bonus to their trip and push abilities, correct?


Not quite.


See, when I originally read the tweet, upon reading the spell-casting section my mind conjured the Way of Four Elements monk. They cast spells. Hence, why I said they were pretty much hosed.


Monks following the Way of the Open Hand do not cast spells. If you read the language, their abilities that mimic spells omit the phrase "cast the spell".


Heck, virtually every Way ability that mimics spells employ language implying such - except when they state 'cast spells'.


So what are the Open Hand DCs? Well, if you turn a page or two within Player's Handbook where Ki abilities are mentioned there is section detailing how a DC is calculated. So most monk abilities using Ki would use Ki Save DC.


Note: I said most. I think Crawford's saying the Ki Save DC calculation doesn't apply to when monks use their ki or a Way ability to cast spells. Alas, the poor monk doesn't receive an ability bonus to the save DCs they impose in such a case.


Based on my Adventurers League mind-set, no ability bonus added to a Save DC is HUGE. However, a zero spell-casting modifier for monk Way abilities granting spell-casting isn't weak within the scope of a home campaign. While monks can't use their Ki Save DC, the spell-casting granted by the tradition is powered by spending Ki points. Unlike spell slots, all Ki points refresh after a short rest. If the players can control the pace, they can take a substantial number of short rests. The monk spending Ki to cast spells could conceivably cast a spell more than any spell-caster spending spell slots can.


So the ruling stating that monks don't have a spell-casting modifier is a game balancing issue. Unfortunately, the original question regarding Way of the Open Hand monks trip or push effects isn't addressed. Unless of course, the Ki Save DC table doesn't apply to them as well. In which case why include the calculation and section?


However, I do stand by original quip. Way of the Four Elements are nerfed within the confines of a module such as an Adventurers League mod. Their spell-casting DCs simply aren't up to par with equivalent level characters.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Official 5E Rulings By Tweet 2nd installment: Five-in-One

Recently, I started my new blogging "column" Official 5E Rulings by Tweet with three such compiled on a site called Sage Advice. If I included only three such rulings, I'd have to do this twice a week to catch up! With that in mind, here's five different rulings courtesy of Jeremy Crawford's Twitter.


So how do I calculate Way of the Open Hand DCs? - As I've only created a Way of the Shadow monk, it hasn't really dawned on me that the Way of the Open Hand doesn't include a spell DC calculation. I'm so used to the class description including them that the notion the magic section contains the rules doesn't ring any bells. No spellcasting modifier? Oofta! Not sure I would want to play an Open Hand monk in Adventurers League in light of that...


Do you pick before or after regarding Chaos Bolt? - Considering prior editions required the player to pick the die before rolling, the question needs asking. We've always played assuming the pick occurs after in 5E. Good to know, we're on the same wavelength here.


You can ignore a Ready actions trigger - Okay, now this is a big deal. We've argued over whether or not this was the case and it's always caused consternation. In many ways, Readied action triggers had to be crafted like Wishes to avoid unforeseen nasty complications. Whether you lose the action is another matter though...


RAW No leading with a shield bash - Not a fan of this ruling. Can't initiate a combat by bashing with a shield first after engaging the enemy? Kind of takes away from the flavor of the combat. So Shield Master feat users in AL must ask a DM if it's okay to do so. Sigh...


Not all magical darkness is equal - Just because a spell creates darkness does not necessarily render darkvision useless. So read the spell description carefully such as regarding the example of the Shadows of Moil spell.


That's all for this installment.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

4th of July Legendary: Captain America Battles Red Skull

Today, July 4th, marks Independence Day in the United States of America. To mark the occasion, I wanted to do something Captain America-related. I conceived of reading the Captain America stories from America's Bicentennial year (Bicentennial Battles & Madbomb) and playing a game of Solo Legendary using the Advanced Solo rules featuring Captain America versus his nemesis the Red Skull over the Cosmic Cube.

Well, Madbomb clocking in at roughly 8 issues is to long of a story for me to read within one day. A read for another time.

When I started reading Bicentennial Battles on Marvel Digital Unlimited, I realized I wasn't going to be able to both read and blog by tonight's end.

Therefore, I settled on the Solo Legendary game. The heroes were: Steve Rogers, Director of SHIELD, Captain America (Steve Rogers), and Captain America 1941 (Steve Rogers) trying to prevent the Red Skull aided by a Sentinel and the forces of Hydra from Unleashing the Power of the Cosmic Cube. Took snapshots until I realized it wouldn't be pragmatic...

Round 1 Started on a horrific note with Master Strike followed a Scheme Twist before I could play my hand.

So had to KO one of my heroes before I began...

Recruited a Captain America 1941 Hero so Turn 1 wasn't a complete loss...

Turn two and Supreme Hydra enters the battlefield but I recruited another Cap 1941!

Three more rounds later and three Scheme Twists later and things aren't looking good for Captain America!

More pummeling as more iterations of Captain America are KO'd and another Scheme Twist and Master Strike take their toll...

Managed to clear the board of three Hydra goons before Supreme Hydra escaped...

Unfortunately, none of the different eras of Steve Rogers ever generated enough Attack to combat the Red Skull even once! Before I knew and all 8 scheme twists were drawn and the Cosmic Cube unleashed. 

 

                                     


Rather dour end, eh? Solo play is difficult and Steve Rogers just might not be the ideal hero to be the sole hero in a Solo game. I'm thinking a re-match is in order. Either a solo game of the three different Captain Americas (Steve, Bucky, and Falcon) or solo two-handed game with all three Steves, Falcon-Cap, and Winter Soldier just might beat the Red Skull.


Now to read Bicentennial Battles...


Happy Independence Day America!


Next time.

The DC 100-Page Giant Scavenger Hunt

My childhood is full of vivid memories of checking the magazine racks and toy sections in grocery stores, pharmacies, and general merchandise retailers for comic books. Never knew when a new comic would catch your eye. Heck, titles were assorted so there was little sense of where to go to buy which title.


The thrill of the hunt! Well, the thrill of searching for new comics on the stand anyway.


Then I discovered comic book shops. Didn't have to guess or check if a comic book title was there. Whether or not a given issue of specific title was available was another matter. For awhile, I could also check out the newsstand as well. Unfortunately, the comic book selection outside of comic book shops gradually diminished...


Again the thrill of securing a given issue and the agony of missing any.


So when my local comic shop began using a pull list, I eagerly adopted it. Sure, I have bucked away from pull lists from time to time but the majority of my comic books my FLCGS sets aside for me.


As such the thrill of finding an issue just isn't there. Granted, there's a different thrill but I wouldn't call that a positive...


On another tangential note, while I am old enough to have seen the original 80-page and 100-page Giants DC published years ago, I am not THAT old. However, due to the defunct Comics Buyers Guide, I've read quite a bit about them. Such that, I am nostalgic for them despite never reading any of them. As far as I can recall anyway.


What were the 100-Page Giants you ask? Well, here's 13 covers from the classic 100 page Super Spectaculars from the 70's. Just screams comics to me.


Anyway, DC and Wal-Mart have united to bring the old the tradition. There are four titles: Superman, Batman, Teen Titans, and Justice League of America. Twelve page original stories and the rest reprints all New 52/Rebirth friendly. Details are also available via a link on the covers link.


The rub is it's exclusive Wal-Mart. The display only holds five at a time. Hopefully, they get re-filled at some point.

Unfortunately, the local Wal-Mart was all out of the Teen Titans book. So hopefully I can track down a copy or they re-stock it at some point.

Regardless, it brought back memories of hunting down issues of comic books, while tickling my sense of nostalgia.

Next time.