Five Take-aways: Shadowrun Missions 2/27/2018

The 27th of Tuesday, was the final Tuesday of the month. Final Tuesdays are when Shadowrun Mission events are held at my FLGCS. So with another Shadowrun Mission session out of the way, here's the second Shadowrun installment and third overall installment of my Five Takeaways.


Shattershield is an awesome spell - My combat mage only knows spells from the core book. As such I am mostly familiar with those spells. While own a legal PDF of Street grimoire (SG), my knowledge of the spells is minimal at best. Tonight,  a new player played a mage with the spell Shattershield from SG and used it to phenomenal effect. Really elevated the spell in my eyes.


Spirits are what make magicians formidable opponents - Spirits played a pivotal role in two combats. Two combat encounters would've ran different otherwise.


Hard to see a bound spirit go - After three SRM seasons, the final service of the fire elemental bound to my combat mage was finally used tonight. Rather touching. On the other hand, the fire elemental went out on a high note.


The seasons of Shadowrun Missions end on an epic note - Every season ends on a bang. We finished the 7th season and wowza!


Mana barriers don't affect living things unless something magical is about them - Actually learned we may not have been running mana barriers correct this entire time. Really changed the outcome of one battle.


That's it for this session.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

SR5: Sleaze Only Applies to Control Device When It Applies

Since as I understand it, the next Shadowrun Missions (using 5th edition rules) session is this Tuesday at FLGCS. What better way to enter the proper mindset than some blogging about how the Sixth World works, eh chummer? More to the point, how a particular rule works.


As I have mentioned before, Shadowrun Missions only occurs once a month. Any gamer will tell you that learning a game system proceeds at a slow pace if you don't play it frequently. Heck, I've stated I don't read the rules all that much between sessions. Doesn't help during the game session when the drek is hitting the fan and you need to reference a rule.


The rule could be staring you in the face and you miss it as if you glitched on test. (In SR5, if you roll more 1s than half your die pool, you glitch.)


So after last session, I decided to peruse ye olde core rule book. For a lark, I was looking at Matrix actions when my eyes happened upon the Control Device action (pg 238). There's two limits. One of them is Sleaze.


During the heat of the moment, my natural tendency would be to go with Control Device is a Sleaze action then.


Works right?


Nope.


See, Control Device is what a rigger uses to remotely direct via commlink a vehicle. Commlinks don't have a Sleaze rating. Neither does a Rigger Control Console (RCC).


So then a rigger couldn't do so. Except the description of the action says a rigger can.


Disclaimer: To be fair, part of what would could my initial confusion is that Electronic Warfare is the skill used in the Sleaze test.


Electronic Warfare is a skill riggers are recommended to have. Perusing the Matrix Actions section, it's difficult to understand why as pretty much all actions have Sleaze as the limit. Ergo, I am like the proverbial dog chasing its tail.


What is the other limit you may ask? Data Processing. Both the commlink and RCC have a Data Processing rating.


Furthermore, Sleaze is only used when the Sleaze rating is used as the limit or no test is associated with the action. Firing a gun, Sleaze not required. Opening a sliding door, yes.


Thus, Sleaze impacts the Control Device action when it does.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Belated 5 Takeaways from 1st D&D AL of 2018

On the first Tuesday of February 2018, I participated in my first D&D 5E Adventurers League (AL) module, and first D&D session, of the year. So this second Five Take-away, but first for AL, is being blogged much, much later than planned. In my defense, I was busy...


Wait, Bards Rely on Being Heard?! - In hindsight, Bards relying on their targets hearing them makes perfect sense. Yet, I didn't realize just how much a Bard relies upon their opponents attack spells in order to hurt them until this session. I learned this for reasons I will elaborate upon later...


I Have Access to Night Vision spell, Will Use Torch Instead - My tortle monk whose level 4 follows the Way of Shadow (he is a ninja after all). As such he has access to the spell Night Vision. Once again, he used a torch instead of casting it. Difference this time is I forgot to cast it as maybe only one or two other PC needed light to see. So the ninja was carrying a torch. Made an interesting visual when he tried hiding holding it aloft...


Monks Like Short Rests - I wasn't playing the only monk at the table; and both characters had Qi points. Qi points we used. Qi points we realized we could have would have should have refreshed entering the final battle. At the point I told the new player 'Oh yeah monks regain Qi after a short rest.' Not one of my finer moments as a more experienced player...


Eagle Totem Barbarians Should Not Recklessly Attack When Moving About
As far as I can recall, this was the first AL mod I played when the totem barbarian followed Eagle and not Bear. During combat, the barbarian seemed to follow the strategy of Reckless Attack All The Time. The exception was when he moving past or away from enemies. Considering doing so would negate the ability of Eagle, it makes sense.


Way of Shadow Spellcasting Played a Decisive Role in a Battle!
Much like this was the first time playing an eagle totem barbarian, this was the first time that the Way of Shadow abilities played a pivotal role during a module! As we began our final battle against what he suspected was a spellcaster, my ninja casted Silence upon them. Thus, their spell-casting was neutralized! The DM made it well known the complexion of the battle was altered significantly due to this. Oh yeah, remember the first takeaway about bards? Yeah, this is where I learned that... All worked out in the end. The Bard got to do some cool bard stuff after all. Plus, did we die?


Should be more on time with the next installment of Five Takeaways, which I will blog next week.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Marvel Digital Unlimited Upgrade Saga: The Saga Has Ended

Well, folks. I said I would blog about when the saga of upgrading my annual Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription to a Marvel Digital Unlimited Plus gift subscription was completed. Thus, the saga being over.


Today, I can say my gift subscription has begun!


Okay, technically, it began yesterday but I noticed it today. While in my mind my gift subscription began on Valentine's Day 2018, it began on the 13th. Haven't quite read anything yet as I was more exuberant that I didn't have to keep check if the Plus status started or not. Speaking of which, there's a shiny digital card too! Also, in my defense, today is also new comics day at FLGCS everywhere. Ergo, I went on my comics buying pilgrimage.


A couple observations about the gift subscriptions:


One, it's truly denoted as a gift subscription. An end date is clearly visible; and there is not auto-renewal.


Two, as I stated before, the gift subscription isn't cumulative with an existing annual subscription. Or at least upgrading from a standard to a plus isn't...


Third, delaying activation of the gift subscription by about a month and a half didn't reduce the amount of time the subscription lasts. A full year of Plus membership remains. Okay, minus a day given I didn't notice yesterday...


So, the drama of upgrading my membership has ended. I endeavor to read more of the comics available on Marvel Digital Unlimited than I have in the past. Really haven't read as much as I should which is why losing my old annual membership roughly two months early doesn't sting as much as it should.


Happy Reading!


Next time.

Marvel Digital Upgrade Saga: The Call

Been a month since I last blogged about the saga of upgrading my Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription with gift subscription I received for Christmas.. A month? Sigh... So, I procrastinated over the next installment: calling the Customer Care Center about the upgrade.

Today. I placed that call.

Overall, the call went pleasantly well. Sure, I was placed on hold a couple times. However, the music was decent enough and the hold didn't last too long while the rep was resolving the issue.

The biggest hiccup was the representative didn't know how to upgrade an existing subscription to a Marvel Digital Unlimited Plus subscription with a gift subscription. Basically, my biggest concern and why I procrastinated as long as I did...

In order to make the switch, they had to cancel my subscription then key in the gift code. Reading the gift code out loud wasn't as bad as I imagined.

And bam. My subscription was cancelled and told the gift subscription was pending. Kind of surreal that. Even more surreal is my access was originally supposed to renew in April. Despite the cancellation, I can read comics via digital unlimited still. Once one cancels a Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription, access lasts until the subscription would have ended anyway.

Was told the gift subscription would require a couple days to take effect. So it feels like my account is in a post-cancellation limbo. Hence, why I titled this entry "The Call" and not the resolution due to the pending nature of the gift subscription Plus account.

Anyway, my Marvel Digital Upgrade Saga is effectively ended. Rather pleased with how smooth the transition was. Kind of laughing at myself over how much of a mountain of an ant hill I made of the situation.

However, as the gift subscription is still pending, I consider this the penultimate installment in the saga. Perhaps, I will celebrate the finale with a reading?

As an aside, I wonder what I will do once the gift subscription ends. A thought for another day.

Happy Reading!

Next time.



Will Shinsuke Nakamura Become WWE's 1st Recognized Japanese WWE Champion?

Remember when I stated I was iffy about acquiring a WWE Network membership? As of this moment, I have not purchased a WWE Network subscription. Thus, I didn't watch this year's Royal Rumble to see live, or recorded as the WWE Network allows, Shinsuke Nakamura win the Men's Royal Rumble.


Excellent call WWE! Shinsuke Nakamura is a good choice. He's never been a top guy before. So he's fresh. Plus, he can wrestle a decent work rate ensuring high quality matches.


Choosing A.J. Styles as his opponent? Another awesome call. The sole Nakamura match I watched online in anticipation of his WWE debut was a match against Styles. Think many wrestling fans were eager to see those two wrestle in the WWE. Both Styles and Nakamura are the type of wrestlers to steal the show. We're talking Match of the Year contender here. What better showcase than WrestleMania? If they're allotted enough time, Styles/Nakamura should be the Match of the Night.


There is another milestone Shinsuke Nakamura could achieve.


WWE's very first Japanese WWE Champion.


Sure, Antonio Inoki pinned then WWE Champion Bob Backlund in Japan. However, his title victory was never recognized by the company. Back in those days, it wasn't rare for a wrestler to become champion for a day only for it to go officially unrecognized. For those asking, Yokozuna was actually Japanese as he was really American Samoan whose gimmick was a Japanese Sumo wrestler.


For Shinuske Nakamura, there's an opportunity for him to not only become WWE Champion but become the first recognized Japanese champion.


Even better?


Becoming the very first recognized Japanese WWE Champion on the grandest stage of them all: WrestleMania!


Personally, I think there's a significant chance that'll happen. WWE loves big moments at WrestleMania. First Japanese WWE Champion certainly qualifies.


Next time.

Five Take Aways From 1st Shadowrun Misssions of 2018

Tonight marks four milestones. First, this is the first installment of my Five Take Aways for 2018. Leads to the second milestone, which is first table-top role-playing session during 2018. Today's third milestone is playing fifth edition Shadowrun via Shadowrun Missions (SRM) organized play for the first time during the year 2018.


All leading to final fourth milestone and most important in terms of this blog. What you may ask? Why tonight is the very first Tuesday Night Game session that I have both played and blogged about in years. Since 2010 in fact. Every time I've gamed, it either wasn't on a Tuesday nor was it a part of regular gaming session held on Tuesday. As such, there was no Tuesday Game blogging at all. Tonight that all ends. For the forseeable  future, all organized play events, whether AL or SRM, at my FLGCS will occur on Tuesdays. For me, the Tuesday Game is back. Just in a radically different format.


Moving past all the milestone talk, here are my five take aways from the first Shadowrun Missions session I participated in during 2018.


We are never going to give a SRM module justice within a four hour window
As organized play occurs at a FLCGS during evening hours, we're limited by how long the store will allow us to play. In addition to moving the day to Tuesdays, the store decided it will firmer on how long organized events can run. SRM modules are billed as four events which include extra material for home games. Shadowrun 5th editions is a once a month game. As such, our group and GMs don't possess the mastery of the game to accurately gauge what can be cut, what can included, and what can be sped up. Basic rules mastery just isn't there. Tonight's GM stated he cut several things yet that wasn't enough. Several events toward the end required simplification. Otherwise, we never would have completed the module.


My understanding of the magic and spirit rules weakens magicians 
Frequently, I jest how little my magicians can do under the current rules. I'm starting to suspect much of that is due to both a limited knowledge of the total magic system and regimented interpretation of those rules. My strict interpretation may be too restrictive. Plus, I still need to reference basic rules. Unfortunately, I am the expert within my group. Really think the rules would benefit from more examples.


Need to bring my other rulebooks on either tablet or smartphone
In addition to the core book, I own both Rigger 5 and Street Grimoire as PDFs. However, neither Street Grimoire nor Rigger 5 are accessible on either tablet or smartphone. Only on computer. Which is at home. Not at game. So when I glance at a spell I am not familiar with I pretty much have to guess what it can do. Such as tonight.


Game play didn't suffer until we started rolling dice regularly
Reflecting on tonight's session, the game went much, much more smoothly when we weren't rolling dice as much. More role-playing. Less rules reference. More immersion. Then we started rolling dice and referencing the rules. Game slowed down. Arguments cropped up. We started what I would call the final combat encounter with an hour and half of game time remaining. Most of us got were cracking jokes about how important our characters were once the module was finished. Looking back, I feel the both the rules and dice roll results were a deciding factor in the 'my character didn't do much' perception.


Why not prep the modules as a four hour done-in-one-session home campaign fashion?
Once Lone Star reinforcements arrived (yeah the drek hit the fan chummers), I was like we're done for. Since we were short for time and the GM really didn't like the dancing on razor blades nature of the module, the scene wasn't ran as harsh as it could have been and much was glossed over. While driving home, I couldn't shake the sensation our group would have too much difficulty playing these modules at a convention. You know what's different between our group and a convention? One we play once a month and Shadowrun is an experimental game for us. We're not hardcore fifth edition Shadowrun players. This is once a month for us. Second, our group is fairly consistent and includes roughly the same PC mix. The GM knows the players, their play-styles, and the PCs. GM can adjust in advance for how we'll play and roughly what our PCs can do. As we're a close knit group, the GM isn't going to have the attitude of 'Oops because you didn't succeed at this one roll, you've failed the mission.' If something seems ridiculous to the GM about NPC opposition, then modify or don't use it. Double if the GM isn't sure how something works. On the other hand, failure and PC death/removal from game is a part of Shadowrun...


Those are my 5 take aways from tonight's session of Shadowrun Missions.

Marvel Digital Unlimited Upgrade Saga: Didn't Read All the Directions

If you recall, I spent a couple blogging entries discussing updating my Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription via a gift subscription I received for Christmas. The first installment was the unboxing of the box of goodies. Second installment was my rant of frustration. I ended by mentioning that I may pursue cancelling the subscription and then proceed with the gift subscription. Here is my story of that short adventure.


After logging into my account, I go to account status. In my mind, the upgrade section has information on cancelling an account. In hindsight, a rather bizarre notion but bear with me. Once the upgrade screen loads, I read the phrase "if you want to upgrade immediate, please call..."


Then I noticed the line about the upgrade occurring once my current annual membership ends. Huh. Didn't notice that before. Weird.


If I am reading everything correctly, my account will upgrade once my current time span ends and the auto-renewal would occur.


Which I didn't notice before.


Because I didn't read all the instructions. Like they teach in school. Sigh.


In my stubbornness to admit my rant was partially inspired by a snap judgment from not reading everything, I reload the screen a couple times. Yep. I read that wrong.


However, I really want to implement the gift subscription without calling. There's funky symbols in the code. Mathematical symbols. Heck, they're symbols old comic book writers would use in place of cuss words. The customer service rep might think I am swearing at them. Okay, maybe on the inside...


So I click on cancel my membership. Once prompted with a screen asking for a reason along with an 'are you sure' prompt, written in bold is "subscription will end on (insert date) when annual subscription ends". Okay, I am paraphrasing but my current subscription won't expire with a cancellation until it would normally end.


Meaning I can't just cancel my current subscription and switch right away to the gift subscription. Plus, I have a feeling the upgrade programmed in will occur automatically before I have a chance to do the switch. Otherwise, delaying until my current subscription terminates is too long of a wait for a Christmas gift subscription.


Calling Customer Service it is then. Which I was putting off because I didn't read all the directions. Sigh...


Till my next installment.

Appendix N: Life Imitates Art Becoming Lost Tomes

Believe I've made mention of a quasi-participation in a virtual Appendix N Book Club. More like endeavor to read the selections and fall behind as I don't read as much nor as a fast as I used to. First month was some H.P. Lovecraft stories. The next month is LotR: The Fellowship of the Ring. This is would be more of a re-read as I read the book before the movie came out. A decade and a half ago. Time flies. Anyhoo, the following book is Andre Norton's Witch World.


Here strikes tonight's blogging inspiration.


See, awhile back when I first started buying ebooks rather than reading free public domain texts provided by Project Gutenberg, I purchased several Andre Norton Witch World books. While I didn't buy all the titles available, I made sure to get all the books with Witch World in the title.


So seeing Witch World was on the docket struck as no problem. After all, I own pretty much all of them, right?


Wrong.


The original Witch World was not among the titles. After browsing on several retailers sites, it doesn't seem available in either print or digital formats new.


Only way to read the story that began the Witch World series is to track it down in libraries and second-hand shops.


Then, I got to thinking. Many of the stories that comprise Appendix N (inspirations for Dungeons & Dragons) are old. They weren't the freshest stuff on the scene when Dungeons & Dragons debuted. Certainly, not when they were credited within the contents of the first edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide. Conan and the like were decades old. Readers could only read them by reading the stories collected in reprint books.


Some of the material has been reprinted recently such as the REH collections of Conan.  Merritt's Moon Pool ( both stories) was collected in mass market paperback novel form. Dark Horse published the complete Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series. Alas, all these collections were published years ago. More than likely out of print now.


Sure, much is availably digitally. Others like Witch World are not.


Much like a protagonist in an Appendix N story, one can only find them by searching through forgotten corners of libraries or bookstores that specialize in carrying forgotten wares. Used book sales are akin to browsing through the bazaar.


Perhaps it's fitting that life now imitates art. Much like Gandalf reading ancient scrolls to glean ancient secrets in old libraries, the aspiring reader who seeks to better understand the origins of Dungeons & Dragons will in turn venture out into markets off the beaten path in search of old lost tomes containing forgotten lore.


Speaking of the book that started this train of thought, Witch World, I have indeed seen the book in such a shop!


Happy Reading!


Next time.

Appendix N: Read Lovecraft's "The Statement of Randolph Carter"

Last year and to an extent this year, I resolved to read more. What better way than a book club? I've never participated in book clubs before as I haven't read a book in less than a month in decades. Furthermore, most book selections I feel iffy towards. However, I discovered social media page devoted AD&D 1E Appendix N (the inspirations for Dungeons & Dragons - for Gygax) decided to do a virtual book club. The first month is selection of stories by H.P. Lovecraft.


I own both an annotated book containing a selection of his fiction as well as a leather-bound containing all his of Lovecraft's fiction. Opening those pages excites me.


My first reading is "The Statement of Randolph Carter". At five pages, it is the shortest of the selections. Baby steps, baby steps.


Suppose you're wondering why I am blogging this. You may be wondering 'You're reading, Matt. Great. Bravo.'


Instead of posting my responses on book club's page, why not blog my thoughts! Also helps me to remember too... ahem...


 What didn't you like about the reading? At five pages, "The Statement of Randolph Carter" is more like a vignette.


What did you like about the reading? Loved the ambience. Learned about technology one simply doesn't know existed until stumbles upon it such as the portable telephone, which is essentially two telephones connected by wire. Thank you annotated book! Envisioned the portable telephone in my mind. The annotated book displayed the patent. Was half right.


As a horror story, the story successfully built up the suspense until the end and - gotcha!


Finally, as I recently became reacquainted with regularly listening to audio dramas, The Statement of Randolph Carter reads very much as a radio drama. If two people could read the story out loud and include sound effects, it's practically the script for a teleplay!


In what ways do you think "The Statement of Randolph Carter" inspired the creation of Dungeons and Dragons? - Randolph Carter is clearly a low level adventurer journeying with a higher level one to a far off, hidden locale.


Both Carter and his mentor carry quite a bit of adventuring gear including some that are not run-of-the-mill objects. Any player of D&D can tell of adventuring gear such ten-foot poles and sun rods. Let's not forget more mundane items such as rope and lanterns. Not a lot of shovels but crowbars are carried by many a PC.


Honestly, D&D  was shares quite a bit with a story spanning a mere five pages!


There's powerful terror lurking below the surface. A terror too powerful one individual no matter how experienced can't defeat. The PCs only hope for survival is running away. Yeah, later editions kind of do away with such difficult challenges. Oh and the terror can communicate with the PCs...


PCs being fluent in more than one language. Tomes containing archaic languages or unrecognizable symbols; and those tomes are either the objects of or initiators of quests.


The authorities aren't friendly to the PCs. They are neutral, indifferent, or hostile toward them.


Splitting the party can be both bad and good depending on where the danger is.


In what ways can you use The Statement of Randolph Carter to inspire your own games? Use more tomes written in a foreign language (as opposed to the common language of the area) using a secret code or mixed with archaic language. Don't often place entrances to secret underground areas under slabs in cemetery or any other ruin.


Unusual mundane items are just as much a part of a table-top role-playing game as magical items. Communication devices are a great way to build tension. Splitting the party is headache as it can foster either meta-gaming or loss of interest.


Using language to develop ambience particularly when the encounter includes sublime or exotic. Reading a story rich in ambience reminds how much a gripping adventure requires it. Until combat occurs anyway...


On to the next Lovecraft story! Haven't decided which though but I have read none of the remaining three before. No use mentioning them until I read them.


Happy Reading!


Next time!

Marvel Digital Unlimited Saga: The Background for my Discontent

A week ago, I blogged my unboxing of my Marvel Digital Unlimited Plus package of goodies that I received as part of a Christmas gift. During which, I hinted at some feelings of discontentment. Today, I explain the background of such. So if you desire to know why I am perturbed with Marvel about gift subscription and how it pertains to my current subscription, read on. Otherwise, next time.


A brief aside, I decided to become a Marvel Insider (more as a lark than anything else). Saw one method of gaining points is to subscribe to Marvel Digital Unlimited. Uh, hello. I am subscribed. Reason my Marvel account exist. My point tally doesn't include it. Click on the tab. Greeted with the 'subscribe to Marvel Digital Unlimited!' page. Hmm. Repeat three more times. Quickly reminded of the saying 'repeating something over and over again expecting different results is the definition of insanity'. Suffice it to say, Marvel Insider doesn't count my current subscription to Marvel Digital Unlimited. So I would need to subscribe again?


I am feeling perplexed. Then I decide to check on uprgrading my existing subscription. Check how much time is left. Forgot I renewed it several months after it expired. Hmm, wonder how Marvel will reconcile this?


Then, I check the upgrade page.


Read the section on upgrading. Read it again.


'Please call our Customer Care Office...'


What?! Are you kidding!


You could say I am a little discontented.


Really want to use my X-mas gift subscription sooner than later. Calling Marvel is not high among my desires, however. The gift code is a long series of symbols one may not be able to tweet under Twitter's old 140 character restriction. How in the blazes am I going to say that on the phone without anyone messing it up?


So should cancel my current subscription? The one with time remaining, Heck, how long can the gift subscription remain dormant? Can I turn my subscription off and back on albeit as a shinier model?


Now, I am feeling more than a little discontented.


I admit I have yet to either call Marvel or research cancelling subscriptions.


I am steeling myself. Yeah, that it.


So think of this as an example of the joys that await with upgrading one's Marvel Digital Unlimited Subscription with a gift subscription.


My next installment should be much, much more happier.


Next time.

Putting Crom Back Into Marvel

Did you hear the major announcement regarding 2019?


No, not Cosmos returning for a second season although I am quite excited for more cosmic goodness explained for those of us without degrees in astrophysics.


Why Conan is returning to Marvel Comics in 2019!


At first I was like 'what Disney bought Conan!' then I realized that Marvel had acquired the license to Conan comics.


Must admit I am somewhat ambivalent about this news. Marvel's previous run of Conan comics ended on a what we'll call lackluster at best. On the other hand, I long stopped buying Dark Horse's Conan comics quite some time ago. More out of practicality as I couldn't keep up. The frequent restarts didn't help. Probably explains why Dark Horse has been aggressively releasing omnibuses of their work but no new Conan comics.


As for Marvel, I am curious if any of the old Marvel stuff will appear on their digital unlimited service. Definitely, hope they release them via a nice shiny omnibus format. I may actually break open the wallet if they do as usually don't buy omnibuses unless they are heavily discounted. Yep, couple omnibuses of both Conan the Barbarian and Savage Sword would be mighty keen.


As for new comics, I kind of hope they apply legacy numbering to the "new" Conan the Barbarian title. Sure, Star Wars started from a brand new #1 but restarts were the thing. The lure of Marvel Conan is the old Roy Thomas Conan. If you can't have Roy Thomas, at least continue the old numbering. Regardless, if it's been a couple decades since the previous issue...


Other than, I await further announcements from the House of Ideas. One can say, Crom will be put back into Marvel.


Happy Reading!


Next time.

Marvel Digital Unlimited Upgrade Saga: The Unboxing!



My original intent regarding my Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging was to end it on a note regarding upgrading my Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription due to a Christmas gift. Twas not meant to be. A subject and rant for another time. Day after Epiphany/Three Kings I received the box that contained all the goodies that comes with the upgrade.

Instead this blog entry will consist of two firsts for this blog. One, my very first unboxing. However, I can't really take videos with my trusty smartphone and still unbox yet. Which leads... Two, inserting images into my blog entries for the very first time. So maybe it's not a traditional unboxing as I merely snapped pictures but it's probably the closest I'll come to performing an actual unboxing. Much like inserting videos, inserting images is like taking my step into a much larger blogiverse. Also used a photo editor to crop the images too for the first time as well. So whenever I next write comic book reviews expect to see cover images!

Here goes:

 

The outside of the box. Marvel did a heckuva job with this! Looks fantastic!

Yeah, the image is blurry but it was the best photo I could take. Marvel Digital Unlimited variant covers for Spider-Men II #1, Guardians of the Galaxy Telltales Series #1, and Edge of Venomverse #1. Didn't own any of these comics before so that's a plus.

Here's the snazzy letter of which I have yet to read complete with a Thanos patch and Spider-Man and Captain America pins. The Tony Stark resembling Robert Downey Jr is pretty cool! All will probably remain within the box.

Inner flap of the box which uses the art from Marvel Legacy #1. Looks fancy.



So there you have it.

Next time.

Oops Meant Comics Kingdom not DailyInk!

Hope everyone's New Year, ie 2018, started well. Yesterday was my obligatory old year, new year entry. Listed a bunch of goals.


Among them was to subscribe to King Features Syndicate's DailyInk.


Well, I was wrong. They've changed of the service to Comics Kingdom. Kind of fitting considering the syndicate's name starts with King...


Pretty sure this isn't the first time I made such a mistake. See I've been meaning to subscribe to Comics Kingdom ever since Kings Feature made their comics available online, particularly their vintage strips, via DailyInk. That was a very long time ago.


So I refer to the old name out of habit.


However, this isn't just correction entry or an obligatory first post on New Year's Day for 2018.


After at least five years, I finally subscribed to Comics Kingdom.


So now comic strips which my local newspaper doesn't carry, ie Amazing Spider-Man, The Phantom, etc. will finally be available to me beyond the seven day window any casual visitor can see. Plus, I can read their old vintage strips.


Bonus: When I add all the strips I desire to read, they will be emailed to me.


So in addition to GoComics appearing in my inbox, so will Comics Kingdom.


More comic strips await my future; and I've crossed off subscribing to Comics Kingdom off my to-do list. Again, something I have been considering doing for YEARS.


Well, Happy New Year. Happy Reading.


Next time.

Bye Bye 2017, Hello 2018!

For some, 2018 is here. For me 2017 is almost over, while for others 2017 will last a little longer. Regardless a New Year is upon us.


I was going to provide a Top 5 or Top 10 blog entries of 2017, but I am not quite sure what criteria to use! None received any comments. Sure, I could consult Google Analytics; but how many were hits generated from actual readers? Furthermore, timing is everything. Some entries received more attention than others due to luck of the draw.


A couple that I will highlight was the two that pertained to the old Fox Kids (Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, X-Men) shows plus Iron Man Armored Avenger and X-Men Evolution and whether they were leaving Hulu or not. As fate would have it, those vintage Marvel cartoons only remained for a month longer than when notice was originally given. Since that time, it was announce Disney would buy a ton of Fox properties including an additional 30% stake in Hulu. So will those cartoons return to Hulu, be reserved for the Disney's announced streaming service, or both? Guess time will tell.


A New Year means New Year's Resolutions! Here are 10 comic strips from GoComics concerning the annual promises! You can read them here.


Those strips basically sum up my approach to New Year's Resolutions this year. So you failed your 2017 resolution didn't you, Matt? Sigh, I didn't read anywhere as much as I intended to read when I made that resolution. Old new habits are hard to break.


So I wouldn't call these New Years Resolutions per se as they're mainly things I want to do but I won't cry if I don't.

1. Read more. Yes, yes, that was last year's resolution. Some folks pledge to exercise, I plan to read more.
2. Read more comic strips. A little more redundant but I consider reading strips very light pleasure reading, which I've ignored because I've been reading news instead.
3. GoComics and DailyInk - Signed up for premium membership of GoComics about a month ago. Just have to get back into the habit of reading the strips. As for DailyInk (King Features Sydicate's version of GoComics), I plan on subscribing tomorrow. Yep, as of January 1st, I will finally get a subscription. May even cover the Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strip.
4. Watch Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. Missed last years. Would like to see this years. Still up in the air about subscribing to the WWE Network though...
5. A Britbox account - going through some British TV and Doctor Who withdrawal. However, it is another streaming service. So who knows? Okay, that is rather punny.
6. Learn how to include cover images on this blog. Since I've taken the plunge and started inserted videos, there's no reason not to include cover images for any comic book reviews I may do. Just need to learn how...

So that's my obligatory New Years post.


Happy New Year 2018!

Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging: Watched Some Star Wars on Christmas Day

Before I begin, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!


Took Christmas Eve off from blogging and considered doing the same for Christmas Day. However, I ended up by doing do something blog-related and that was watch some Star Wars I never watched before!


Now I didn't consider what I watched as a waste of time although I felt it inconsequential. Nor did I feel it was an affront to all things Star Wars. Pretty much something I would only watch once a year for the holidays.


No I am not talking Last Jedi nor the prequels. 'Holiday' is a clue.


If you guessed the Star Wars Holiday Special, you guessed right!


For those, like me, who had never seen the Star Wars Holiday Special it is available online such as Youtube.


Heck, for easy viewing if you have a little more than 90 minutes to watch the only Star Wars Holiday Special here it is:

There is a higher video quality version available to but this is the version that came up when I performed a quick search.


I can now cross the Star Wars Holiday Special off my Star Wars bucket list. While I appreciate the attempt to flesh out a galaxy far, far away, I am rather glad it's not canonical. Does contain the first appearance of Boba Fett and worth watching for that reason alone.


Think I am ready to see The Last Jedi soon now...


Since the holiday season lasts longer than today as the Christmas season doesn't end until January 6th, I may very well continue my Not Quite 12 Days until either the 6th or I hit the twelfth installment. However, I'll reserve such distinction for X-Mas or Star Wars related fare. Will be just another blog entry otherwise.


Happy Holidays!


Next time.

Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging: My Decision on Digital Palladium Christmas Surprise Package

Time for my fifth installment of my Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging. Not going to do a song format this time as it really doesn't apply. If you haven't read the previous entries, here are: Day One, Day Two, Day Three, and Day Four. Today's entry concerns my decision regarding Palladium Book's first ever Digital Christmas Surprise Package.


If you didn't see an earlier entry I made this month, the digital surprise package is submitting a wish list of Palladium Book RPG sourcebooks available as PDFs (and maybe EPUB too) on Drive Thru RPG. The surprise package would be a great way for me to get books I already own in print form. Plus, for games I don't actively play, I'm moving toward digital books as opposed to physical ones. So unless the book is extra spiffy, digital is my preferred.


Well, the deadline for the digital surprise package is midnight the 24th. So time zone-wise, you may still have time.


As I blog this, I am mere minutes away.


Unfortunately, I have not ordered anything from Palladium Books in years. During that time, they changed their storefront. While my log in works for the megaversal forums, it does not for the storefront. I don't know if they have an old email address or if I would need to recreate my account from scratch.


I am not troubling myself to create an account - complete with mailing address - for digital books. I already have an account with Drive Thru. If I could fill out a wish list through Drive Thru, I would be regaling you all with my wish list right now.


Therefore, I won't be participating in the first Digital Christmas Surprise Package from Palladium Books this year. I am actually flummoxed.


Suppose I shouldn't have waited until the very last hour before trying my old account.


That being said, I may very well order a traditional surprise package with the new year. I consider that worthy of creating a new account.


So maybe next year I will participate in the second.


Regardless, Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging: Six Christmas and Winter Solstice Links

On the first day of my Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging, I gave to thee one Superman/Batman Advent Calendar. On the second day of my Not quite 12 Days of Blogging, I gave to thee my 5 takeaways from my final Shadowrun Missions session. You: Uh, Matt, the song doesn't go like that... Me: I am not following the numerical order of the song? You:.... On the third day of my Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging, I gave to thee three Star Wars Radio Plays! Me: Happy now?


And...


On the fourth day of my Not Quite 12 Days of Blogging, I gave to thee... six Christmas and Winter Solstice/Yule related links! Me: Take that proper countdown of the song!


Today, December 21st marks the Winter Solstice, which many cultures celebrate including the holiday know as Yule.


Time Magazine published an article (so no clue how long this will be freely available...) on how four distinct cultures celebrate the winter solstice. They are the Krampus run in Austria, the Newgrange lottery in Ireland, fruit baths of Japan, and at Stonehenge. You can read it here.


Puzzled by the Newgrange tomb and its connection to the Winter Solstice? Fret not, National Geographic published a lengthy piece on megaliths and solstices. Here is the link.


Now on the Christmas-related links!


Here is twenty, yes 20, Peanuts Christmas comic strips courtesy of GoComics. Time for some comic strip content albeit via a link on this blog!


I love reading how different cultures spend the holidays. For example, here is how modern-day Icelanders celebrate Christmas from Christmas Eve to the Feast of the Epiphany.


Speaking of other cultures, Poland has not one, not two, but six Santa-type figures! You can read about the six different gift-givers and 16,000+ ways a Polish child can, or not if deemed naughty, by read this article.


What better way to conclude this collection of Christmas and Winter Solstice links than one that examines where Santa is buried! Okay, okay. Not Santa. The man who inspired the character, Saint Nicholas. Rather, where is bones may be scattered across the globe. You can read the National Geographic article here.


Happy Winter Solstice!


Next time.