Captain America: Dead Men Running [Comics]

Captain America: Dead Men Running was a 2002 three-issue limited series marked by ugly covers and muddy interior artwork. The story is halfway interesting, as Captain A is parachuted into the jungle to assist a small band of U.S. soldiers escape a drug cartel. Only, it turns, out, (SPOILER!) that the soldiers are just as bad as the cartel! A decent twist, though I think the writer was trying a tad too hard to tell a grim, moody story and ended up coming off as pretentious. The series was clearly meant for a more adult audience, and it's fairly graphic for mainstream Marvel Comics standards (nuns getting shot in the head, etc.). I'm not sure whether it's supposed to be in continuity or not, but it doesn't really matter as the story is completely isolated from anything happening elsewhere in the Marvel Universe.

Also, apparently, Steve Rogers is fluent in Spanish. He also spends most of the second issue unconscious.

G.I. Joe and the Transformers [Comics]

When it comes to pop culture, my first love was G.I. Joe. Not only did I turn my closet into G.I. Joe headquarters (complete with string-and-box elevator) and quit the Boy Scouts because it conflicted with my afternoon G.I. Joe cartoons, my first ever comic book--the one that started a (so far) lifelong obsession--was an issue of G.I. Joe (# 51, to be exact).

The 1987 four issue G.I. Joe and the Transformers limited series was thus a natural purchase for me as a kid. Unfortunately, the third and fourth issues managed to elude me for over 20 years!

The series throws everybody into the mix: the Joes, Cobra (both Cobra Commander's and Serpentor's factions), the Decepticons, and the Autobots. It all has to do with "Power Station Alpha", a massive mobile power station designed by the U.S. government. The Joes, of course, are supposed to protect it, but Cobra and the Decepticons have other plans and form a limited partnership to steal it. The Decepticons predictably betray Cobra, and then use Power Station Alpha to start a series of global catastrophes. This leads to a fun, if crowded, fourth issue which sees Cobra, the Joes, and the Autobots all teaming up in a massive invasion of the Decepticons' base. Like I said, it's busy with so many characters, but the writers actually work hard to keep the book in continuity with the main G.I. Joe and Transformers title, footnoting all sorts of stuff (a practice I miss!). With everything going on, the writers probably should've ditched a subplot featuring General Hawk's romantic liason with a Senator, and that of a little boy whose brain gets taken over by a Decepticon device.

Anyway, I don't think it was probably worth a 23 year wait to read the whole series, but if you're nostalgic for either the Joes or the Transformers, it's a fun little crossover.

Clone Wars Campaign: Corinne D'avilos, Regent of Mongui

Corinne D'avilos was an important NPC who debuted in the very first session of the campaign. As Arresta's older sister, Corinne's backstory is that she was next in line to the regency of Mongui but was disinherited by her father after she fell head over heels for a ne'er-do-well scavenger yard operator named Miklos. When the campaign began, Corinne had secretly organized a small rebel force to oust her father and seize the throne. After the PCs fled Mongui at the end of the campaign's first story-arc, open civil war broke out between Corinne and her father.

As the months of fighting continued, the city-moon of Mongui was devastated by the war. Corinne was able to triumph due to her ace in the hole--she had made Lt. Jaarza, her father's head of security, into her devoted lover. With the help of Jaarza's betrayal and sabotage, Corinne's forces captured her father and she had him executed soon after taking the throne. However, riots and unrest made her hold on Mongui tenuous, and Corinne became desperate enough to invite the forces of Purity First to help maintain security. As she should have predicted, it wasn't long before Purity First launched a coup, and Corinne only narrowly escaped capture by fleeing the palace.

Once again, Corinne found herself leading a rebel force in her own homeland. This time, however, due to the machinations of Jocasta and Stefan Cassadine, she received assistance. With her sister's aid (and that of Arresta's companions), Corinne succeeded in ousting Purity First in a vicious, brutal rebellion that left thousands dead and portions of Mongui contaminated by radiation.

In the campaign's final story arc, Corinne found herself in the unprecedented position of being a hero. She joined the final assault on the Accelerated's sphere and survived to continue her reign. With her father dead and her sister renouncing any claims to the throne, Corinne's position as regent of Mongui finally seems secure.

Personality-wise, Corinne is a classic party girl. It's not unusual for her to be involved with several guys at the same time--and she doesn't always make wise decisions, such as her dalliance with noted crimelord Bel Sekand.

In addition to mechanics skills picked up during her exile to the fringes of Mongui, Corinne's long involvement in civil wars has provided her with some combat ability.

Corinne D'avilos, Regent of Mongui

Human Female, Noble 6/Scout 6

Strength 10, Dexterity 12 (+1), Constitution 14 (+2), Intelligence 14 (+2), Wisdom 13 (+1), Charisma 16 (+3)

Hit Points: 101

Speed: 6

Damage Threshold: 26

Defenses (add 10 if not using house rules): Fortitude +16, Reflex +16, Will +14 or +19 against Deception/Persuasion

Attacks: Blaster Pistol +10, d. 3d6+6

Force Points: 10

Equipment: Comlink, Datapad, Blaster Pistol, Security Kit, Tool Kit

Talents: Spontaneous Skill (1/day), Inspire Loyalty (Jaarza), Jury Rigger, Evasion, Bodyguard, Improved Stealth

Feats: Linguist, Weapon Proficiency (Pistols), Weapon Proficiency (Simple), Unwavering Resolve, Skill Focus (Persuasion), Melee Defense, Improved Defenses, Skill Focus (Perception), Scavenger, Skill Training (Mechanics), Toughness, Weapon Focus (Blaster pistol), Skill Training (Stealth)

Skills: Acrobatics +7, Climb +6, Deception +14, Endurance +8, Gather Information +14, Initiative +7, Jump +6, Knowledge (Technology) +13, Knowledge (Bureaucracy) +13, Knowledge (Tactics) +11, Knowledge (Galactic Lore) +13, Mechanics +13, Perception +17, Persuasion +19, Pilot +7, Ride +7, Stealth +12, Survival +7, Swim +6, Treat Injury +7, Use Computer +13

Return to Clone Wars Campaign Main Page

Fantasy Football 2010 Playoffs Round 1

Well, crap. I lost in the first round of the playoffs by the score of 199 to 195, and it wasn't really even that close. Each round lasts two weeks, and after the first week I had a pretty sizable 43 point lead! And then somehow I found myself down four points going into the Monday night game. My opponent's D/ST (Bears) was the only player left to play for either of us, and since my opponent had a slim lead he was clever enough to simply not play the Bears at all and risk negative points (he needn't had taken the precaution in retrospect, as the Bears put up 21 points). It's one of those annoying results, as the 195 points I scored would have been enough to beat every other team in the league except the one I happened to go up against.

So for round two of the playoffs, I'll be up against the # 4 seed and playing for third or fourth in the league.

The Wife dropped the first round of the consolation bracket by the score of 190 to 161.

WEEK 14

Accelerated Sun Runners (114 Points)

QB Tom Brady (22)

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (17)

RB Peyton Hillis (9)

RB/WR LaGarrette Blount (4)

WR Danny Woodhead (8)

WR Deion Branch (21)

TE Marcedes Lewis (11)

D/ST Jets (15)

K Sebastian Janikoski (7)

Team Oool (71 Points)

QB Michael Vick (21)

RB Ray Rice (11)

RB Rashard Mendenhall (6)

RB/WR Steven Jackson (10)

WR Anquan Boldin (4)

WR Santonio Holmes (5)

TE Chris Cooley (2)

D/ST Eagles (4)

K Josh Scobee (8)

WEEK 15

Accelerated Sun Runners (81 Points)

QB Tom Brady (14)

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (7)

RB Peyton Hillis (7)

RB/WR LaGarrette Blount (17)

WR Terrell Owens (0)

WR Deion Branch (3)

TE Marcedes Lewis (6)

D/ST Jets (12)

K Sebastian Janikowski (15)

Team Oool (71 Points)

QB Michael Vick (38)

RB Ray Rice (35)

RB Rashard Mendenhall (16)

RB/WR Steven Jackson (15)

WR Anquan Boldin (0)

WR Santonio Holmes (4)

TE Chris Cooley (14)

D/ST (None)

K Josh Scobee (6)

Ten Things I Really Like But For Some Reason Hardly Ever Blog About

Ten Things That I Really Like But for Some Reason Hardly Ever Blog About

1. The Wheel of Time Series By Robert Jordan. Gives new meaning to the term "epic fantasy." Were I stuck on a deserted island with only one book series, this would be it. The most exciting, moving action scenes I've ever read, a fascinating account of magic, layered myth-making, political manipulation portrayed masterfully, destiny and self-determination clashing time and time again. What I always dreamed fantasy role-playing games could be (and have always remained disappointed).

2. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (and off-shoots) It's not just funny, it's a certain unique kind of humor that combines wit with the sheer absurdity of terrible movies. One of the few things that has made me laugh until I've cried on multiple occasions. Newbies: start with the movie or my personal favorite, Space Mutiny. Modern off-shoots include Cinematic Titanic (try East vs. Watts), Rifftrax (which adds commentary to mainstream movies and some crappy ones; try Battlefield: Earth or Planet of the Dinosaurs), and The Film Crew (now defunct).

3. Preacher Vile, hilarious, and oddly moving comic series that's been collected in trade paperbacks. One of those things that is so good that I ration myself rather than gulp down all at once.

4. My Family A British sit-com series. When I first moved to Canada, I watched a re-run of this show every weeknight. Not exactly revolutionary, but reliably hilarious.

5. Five Bands a) The Afghan Whigs--probably the best live show I've ever been to; b) The Killers--what I listen to to get rev'd up; c) The Cranberries--I can't explain it either; d) She Wants Revenge--dark and sexy; e) The New Radicals--one and done, but worth it.

6. Claudia on General Hospital The most compelling character I've seen on a soap, tragically self-destructive.

7. On Liberty by John Stuart Mill The foundation of pretty much everything I believe about politics and civil liberties.

8. Last Night on Earth Zombie B-Movie themed board game involving tactical combat, interesting and varied victory conditions, and appropriately cheesy cinematic cards.

9. Mysteriously Yours! Mystery Dinner Theatre Amiable fun suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve, etc. I've probably been a dozen times and have never won. Someday!

10. Firefly & Serenity If I had an extra $ 40 million or so, this is the one t.v. show I would subsidize new episodes of. And as for Serenity, it's the only movie I saw six times in the theater and would happily see six more times.

Well, I've shown you mine. Now it's your turn to show me yours.

Voices

I found this a surprisingly good novel! Most media tie-in novels are mediocre, but Voices was an exciting read. Set in the second season, the plot concerns a terrorist bombing of a Psi-Corp conference. Talia is framed for the bombing and has to go on the lam. The novel focuses mostly on Talia and Garibaldi, with a healthy dose of high-quality Bester. Highly recommended!

[an old review from Amazon from before I had a blog--Jhaeman's Detritus believes in recycling!]

Accusations

Accusations, the second Babylon 5 novel, focuses primarily on Ivanova and Garibaldi (despite his prominence on the cover, G'kar doesn't get much attention). The plot concerns an old friend of Ivanova who gets murdered after coming to Babylon 5 to deliver an important message. Ivanova gets framed for the murder and her and Garibaldi have to figure out how it all ties into frequent raider attacks on incoming shipments of a rare metal.
Plot-wise, this is fairly standard stuff (indeed, the framing of a character for a crime they didn't commit was used in the first B5 novel). Accusations is well-written, however, with good characterization and a few twists. It's not the best book ever, but it's worth reading.

[an old review from Amazon from before I had a blog because Jhaeman's Detritus believes in recycling!]