H&R Block discusses Batman & Spider-Man

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Superhero Economics: Bruce Wayne vs. Peter Parker via H&R Block

Jeff Grubb on D&D 5E and the “Edition Wars”

Since I already posted my initial rambling thoughts on Dungeons & Dragons 5E, I figured it was worth pointing out this interesting post by Jeff Grubb:

A Game Divided Against Itself

Not surprisingly, Jeff brings a lot of historical perspective to the discussion of D&D 5E.  It is easy to think of the “Edition Wars” as something new and forget how often D&D has been its own worst competition in the past.

Another reason why I love The Incredible Hercules

I know I just reviewed this comic, but the “recap” page in the front of issue 135 was just too cool not to share.

This is a really captures the look and feel of those old school modules.  Even better, it ties into the story inside as Amadeus Cho fights his way through multiple realities at once, one of which is him playing the “Master Mind Excello RPG” against a literal killer GM.  Another reality pits his player character fighting against Dr Japanazi, The Man with Two Evil Axis Brains!

What’s not to love?

A few thoughts on Marvel being bought by Disney

On the off chance that you haven’t heard already, Marvel Entertainment Inc. is being purchased by Walt Disney Co. for the tune of $4 Billion. This is good news for Marvel stockholders since it values Marvel at about 37 times its 2009 earnings.

I can’t say I am surprised Marvel was bought. In fact, while Marvel was a big fish in a small pond, I have expected them to be swallowed by a bigger fish for awhile.  Up until recently, I assumed that bigger fish would have been Sony.

Why Sony?  Well, they made a lot of money off of the Spider-Man movies.  Sony also seemed to enjoy using Spider-Man to promote their products, something Marvel took them to court for back in 2003.  Even though there are still several Spider-Man movies Sony can make under its current deal with Marvel, I figured they might just buy Marvel to ensure these rights remained in house. 

Of course, this would have made more sense for Sony around the time of Spider-Man 2, when the franchise was at the height of its popularity.

I didn’t think about Disney, but it makes a certain amount of sense from their point of view.  Disney has always scored well with young girls, from their “Princess” brand to Hanna Montana.  They have never scored quite as well with young boys though. Marvels cast of characters should fill this need nicely though.

The Marvel characters are also eminently licensable.  Marvel has learned this in recent years.  In fact, you could argue that their comic business is kept on life support in order to keep their stable of characters available for movies and licensed products.

Despite some deft maneuvers on this front in recent years, compared to Disney, Marvel is a mere piker.  I expect to see an explosion of products with the Marvel characters over the upcoming years.

I haven’t decided if this is a good thing or not.  On the one hand, I want Marvel to make money so that they can continue to put out comics for me to read.  On the other hand, I do worry that the characters may suffer from over-exposure though.

Still, Disney has a pretty decent track record of allowing acquired properties to do their own thing.  The Muppets retain their unique feel despite being under the Disney umbrella for years.  Pixar continues to put out top notch movies despite being under the Disney tent.  So it seems like Disney can be hands off when it needs to be.

I do have to ask Disney for one favor though.  In the grand tradition of Disney on Ice, they need to create a brand new musical extravaganza:  Disney on Ice starring Captain America in Ice!

The story writes itself.

For more info about Disney and Marvel

Comic Alliance talks about strange owners Marvel has had in the past

Comic Alliance compiles Comic Pros reacting on Twitter

Lori, the Comic Book Goddess tells everyone not to panic

Caleb at Every Day is Like Wednesday wonders if this will even impact him?

Stan Lee thinks it is a stroke of genius (no surprise)

Marc Graser of the Houston Movie Examiner talks about what is known about the deal

I posted on ChattyDM today.

In case you couldn't guess from the title, I am a guest blogger for ChattyDM today. The post is titled But my father was a blacksmith! –Crafting in 4E. Unsurprisingly, it provides a mechanic for crafting in D&D 4E. So if you haven’t already, please check it out.

In the more likely case that you are visiting here because you saw my post on ChattyDM, feel free to look around. I have posted plenty of other D&D house rules, reviews, and even the occasional rant.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Sorry for not posting.

Things got pretty busy this weekend, so there will be no posts for Sunday or Monday. My daily posting schedule should resume on Tuesday morning.

Continuing my obsession with all things Portal

I love the video game Portal.  It is an amazingly fun puzzle game that looks like a first-person shooter.  Your character, Chell, wakes up in an Aperture Science testing facility run by the mad computer GLaDOS.  Using an Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device (a.k.a. a portal gun), you must work your way through a number (potentially fatal) training rooms until you can eventually confront the A.I. herself.

Assuming you defeat GLaDOS, the song Still Alive by Jonathan Coulton is sung for you by the A.I. at the end.  This song is actually what convinced me to purchase Portal in the first place, a decision I do not regret.  There is something amazingly fun and quirky song about this song.  One word I wouldn’t use to describe it is soulful.

Which is why I had to share this soulful rendition of Still Alive by Aya Korem.

 

Because a real post would take too long

I stumbled across this on YouTube and thought it was pretty funny.  I was especially glad to see my two favorite muppets make a cameo appearance.

 

Statler and Waldorf rule!

Since I haven't had time to do a real post...

Just in case anyone hasn't seen it already, here is the Iron Man and Batman "Hi I'm a Marvel and I'm a DC" video.

Iron Man vs Batman. Man would that movie rock!

I promise to post Reversing Innovation: Part III soon.  Honest!

Is is wrong to want to play a video game just because of a song?

I recently heard the song Still Alive by Jonathan Coulton.  Its a catchy little tune that plays at the end of the video game Portal.  I haven't played Portal, but I know that the protagonist matches wits with the insane computer GLaDOS as she navigates through increasingly complex rooms using her aperture gun.  GLaDOS alternatively taunts and encourages the character with offers of things like cake and grief counseling. 

I had heard good things about the game, but wasn't really planning on picking it up anytime soon.   However, I recently checked out the closing credits on YouTube, and found I can't seem to get the catchy, if disturbing, little tune out of my head.

I think the only choice I have now is to buy the game and beat it.

Click below to see the video that is going to cost me $60.

Still Alive by Jonathan Coulton