Comic books and moving

Justice_League_by_Laurie_B_by_ArtofLaurieB
Justice League fan art

Since new comic books are typically sold on Wednesdays, now’s a good time to look at how I’m trying to thin out my collections before my upcoming move from Needham Heights to Waltham, Massachusetts. Here’s what I’ve given away so far:

Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men: Donated two short boxes to the local public library, as well as the equivalent of one magazine box of Cinefastique, Ellery Queen, and Renaissance issues (I still have four magazine boxes of other genre mags.)

Batman/Nightwing: Paul J. is storing one long box, as well as two magazine boxes of Dragon and other tabletop RPG magazines.

Birds of Prey: One short box to Alex J. (I still have more of this title.)

DC Animated — Batman, Justice League: Gave one short box to nephew Joshua L.

Green Lantern, assorted DC/Marvel crossovers: One long box, one short box to Ron J.K.

Spider-Man, Superman, and assorted Marvel comics: Gave one long box to nephew David W.

Teen Titans/Young Justice/Outsiders: Gave one long box to David W., one short box to James B.

Here’s what I plan to give to David I.S. in Rochester, New York, in addition to the four or so boxes of mine he’s already storing:

Conan/Red Sonja and other fantasy titles, two short boxes

Justice Society, limited run, and selected DC titles, one short box

-modern alternative/indie titles, one short box (in addition to what you already have)

-pulp/pinup, two short boxes

Star Trek, Star Wars, and other science fiction, two short boxes

Superman, one short box (plus Smallville magazines)

titles on loan from Dave, including “Buffyverse,” Farscape, and indies — two short boxes

After all this, I’ll still have a dozen or so short boxes (mostly DC and some graphic novels/trade paperbacks) and a few magazine boxes. That’s two metal shelves’ worth, but that should be manageable in our new apartment. Here are the gaming books I’ve sold so far:

>>Paul J., holding:

-Book of Riddles

-box of large minis

-Pathfinder Bonus Bestiary

-Pathfinder: Book of the Damned 3

-Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Lands of the Linnorm Kings

-Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Pathfinder Society Field Guide

-Pathfinder Chronicles: Guide to the River Kingdoms

>>Beruk A.: Rifts: Mercenaries, Pantheons of the Megaverse (returned)

>>Byron V.O. (plus Lego “Star Wars” sets with Ben P.S.):

-D20 Cavalier’s Handbook

-D20 Quintessential Ranger

-D20 Stargate SG1 RPG

-Trivial Pursuit: Star Wars edition

>>Brian W.:

-box of cardstock buildings

-FATE 3e Diaspora (“hard” science fiction)

-FATE Spirit of the Century (returned)

>>James B.: D20 Modern: Pocket Handbook, D20 Past (c/o Brian W.)

>>Ken G., AD&D2:

-The Complete Bard’s Handbook

-The Complete Druid’s Handbook

-The Complete Priest’s Handbook

>>Sara F. & Josh C.:

-D6 Fantasy, Space

-D6 Star Wars, Second Edition, and Trilogy Sourcebook

-Fudge, 10th anniversary edition

-Lamentations of the Flame Princess: Grindhouse Edition boxed set and Vornheim City Guide (weird fantasy)

-mats, reversible hex/square, wet-erase, and markers

-Shard: Basic Compendium (anthropomorphic fantasy)

-space heater, electronic

>>Bruce K.:

-D20 Arms & Armor

-D20 Dead Man’s Chest

-D20 Enchanted Locations: Crypts & Tombs

-D20 Pirates!

-Dungeon Tiles: Arcane Corridors, Streets of Shadow

-Sword & Sorcery: Glades of Death (D20 wilderness)

-Wizards Presents: Races and Classes (D&D4e)

-Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters (D&D4e)

>>Rich C.G.:

-Amber Diceless Role-Playing, Shadow Knight; plus complete Zelazny book (high fantasy)

-Castles & Crusades: Player’s Handbook, Monsters & Treasure

-D20 Mutants & Masterminds, 2nd Ed.: Instant Superheroes

-Mouse Guard: Boxed Set

-Pathfinder: Beginner’s Boxed Set

-Savage Worlds: Pocket Edition

I’m trying to unload about a third of my collections — close to what I lost in the basement floods of 2005, but less traumatically random. Here’s what’s still for sale:

-air conditioner, vertical window unit (14.5”h x 20.5”w x 23.5”d), $40

-boom box, with dual tape deck, $10

-cabinet with shelves, 5-ft. high, plastic, $20

-carpets, dark green, 9×12-ft., $20 each (must wait until Feb. 25)

-CD tower, solid wood, $20

-chairs, folding and beach/lawn, $10 each

-chicken wire, 20-ft. roll, $10

-computer desk, with keyboard tray and wheels, $25

-entertainment center/TV cabinet with storage, wheels, fits 26″ CRT, $40

-fans, 2 floor, $5

-grill, George Foreman, hardly used, $10

-keyboard, USB, $5

-kitchen cart, solid wood butcher block, $20

-rakes and other garden tools, hoses, $5 each

-stereo, Aiwa, including 3-CD changer and dual-deck tape player, $40

-table/child’s desk, very solid but some scuffs, 36″ x 23″ x 22″ high, $30

-tables, two 8-ft. long folding, plastic, $40 each

-television, 26-in., best offer

-VHS tape storage drawers

And I’ve got more than 80 cubic-foot boxes yet to pack! Wish me luck, and let me know if you’re interested in anything….

Moving sale, updated

Image from the first part of Jackson's Hobbit adaptation
An Unexpected Journey begins

Friends and fellow role-players, by now, you’ve probably seen that I’ll have to move within the next month. While I’ve gotten accustomed to having a three-bedroom townhouse with a full basement and yard for the past nine years, the time has come to downsize my possessions a bit again.

Here’s a list of items for sale. Gaming books start at $4 apiece. If you’re not in the Boston area but are interested in some of these items, let me know as soon as possible. I may be able to snailmail them to you! Thanks again…

AD&D2:

-The Complete Bard’s Handbook

-The Complete Druid’s Handbook

-The Complete Priest’s Handbook

-Monstrous Compendia, in binder

D6 (Josh C.):

-D6 Fantasy, Space

-Star Wars, Second Edition, and Trilogy Sourcebook

D20/OGL:

-Arms & Armor

-Big Eyes, Small Mouth, Revised Edition

-Bulldogs! (space opera, not FATE version)

-Castles & Crusades: Player’s Handbook, Monsters & Treasure

-Cavalier’s Handbook (Byron V.O.?)

-D&D3.5 Player’s Handbook

-D&D3.5 Dungeon Master’s Guide

-D&D3.5 Monster Manual

-D&D3.5 Complete Arcane

-D20 Modern: D20 Past

-Dead Man’s Chest

-Enchanted Locations: Crypts & Tombs

-Etherscope (steampunk)

-Fantasy Craft core book

-Horizon: Spellslinger (steampunk)

-Interludes: Sands of Pain

-Lore of the Gods (fantasy pantheons)

-Occult Lore

-Pirates!

-Quintessential Elf, Gnome, Halfling, Paladin; Ranger (Byron V.O.)

-Relics & Rituals

-Seas of Blood: Fantasy on the High Seas (multiple books)

-Shadowforce Archer (Spycraft)

-Silver Age Sentinels (superheroes)

-Skull & Bones

-Star Wars RPG (pre-Saga edition): Revised Core Rulebook, Galaxy Tiles, Hero’s Guide, Power of the Jedi Sourcebook, Rebellion Era Sourcebook, Ultimate Alien Anthology

-Swashbuckling Adventures (7th Sea)

-Sword & Sorcery: Forbidden Kingdoms (steampunk)

-Sword & Sorcery: Glades of Death (wilderness)

Pathfinder (a.k.a. “D&D3.75”; Paul holding, along with long box of Batman/Nightwing comics, Dragon magazines, box of large minis, Pathfinder Book of the Damned 3, and Book of Riddles):

-Bonus Bestiary

-Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Lands of the Linnorm Kings

-Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Pathfinder Society Field Guide

-Pathfinder Chronicles: Guide to the River Kingdoms

Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition:

-D&D4e for Dummies

-D&D4e: Dungeon Master for Dummies

-Dungeon Master’s Screen

-GSL Advanced Player’s Guide

-GSL The Quintessential Wizard

-Wizards Presents: Races and Classes

-Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters

True20 (same rules set as Mutants & Masterminds):

-Adept’s Handbook

-Adventure Roleplaying, Revised Edition (core book)

-Bestiary

-Centauri Knights (space opera)

-Companion

-Expert’s Handbook

-Game Master’s Screen

-Gearcraft Steampunk Sourcebook

-Mutants & Masterminds 2nd Ed.: Algernon Files 2.0, Instant Superheroes, Ultimate Power

-Pocket Player’s Guide

-Tales of the Caliphate Nights (Arabian fantasy)

-Tomorrow Knights (space opera)

-True Sorcery

-Warrior’s Handbook

-Worlds of Adventure

Other systems:

-Adventure! (Aeon/Trinity, White Wolf pulp)

-Amber Diceless Role-Playing, Shadow Knight (high fantasy)

-Basic Action Super Heroes Ultimate Edition, BASH! Sci-Fi Edition

-DC Universe boxed set, Daily Planet Guide to Gotham, and Gotham City Sourcebook

-Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space

-FATE 3e Diaspora (“hard” science fiction)

-Amazing Engine: For Faerie, Queen, and Country (steampunk)

-Fudge, 10th anniversary edition

-Lamentations of the Flame Princess: Grindhouse Edition boxed set and Vornheim City Guide (weird fantasy)

-Lord of the Rings RPG (Decipher version): Core Roleplaying Book, Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, Maps of Middle Earth, Fell Beasts and Wondrous Magic

-Serenity RPG, Six Shooters and Spaceships, other sourcebooks

-Shadowrun, 4th/20th anniversary edition (cyberpunk/fantasy)

-Shard: Basic Compendium (anthropomorphic fantasy; Sara?)

-Star Trek, Decipher edition: Player’s Guide, Narrator’s Guide, Starfleet Operations Manual, Starships

-Stars Without Number (science fiction retro-clone)

-Stellar Horizons (indie space opera)

-Strands of FATE

Board games ($10 each):

-D&D Clue

-Marvel Scene-It

-Monopoly: Lord of the Rings, Star Wars editions

-Trivial Pursuit: Lord of the Rings, Star Wars (Byron V.O.) editions

>>Lego “Star Wars” sets — Micro-scale smaller ships ($4 each):

-ARC Starfighter

-AT-ST (x2) and Snowspeeder

-AT-TE

-A-Wing and Slave 1

-Droid drop ship

-Droid Fighter

-Imperial Shuttle

-Millennium Falcon (Byron V.O.)

-Republic Gunship

-Sebulba’s Podracer

-Sith Infiltrator

-Star Destroyer

-TIE Interceptor (x2)

-X-Wing and TIE Advanced

-Mega Blox Enterprise

>>Minifig-scale ($10 each):

-Anakin’s Podracer (Byron V.O.)

-A-Wing

-Bounty Hunter Pursuit

-B-Wing at Rebel Control Center

-Ewok Attack

-Gungan Sub

-Imperial Shuttle (Byron V.O.)

-Jedi Duel

-Landspeeder

-Slave 1 (Byron V.O.)

-Snowspeeder

-TIE Fighter

-Tusken Raider Encounter

Miscellaneous stuff:

-Doctor Who: the Visual Dictionary, updated and expanded

-Dragon, Kobold Quarterly, and Starlog magazines, numerous assorted issues (Paul J. holding two boxes worth)

-Star Wars Blueprints, Rebel Edition

-swords: Viking, ninja-to, wooden practice (Byron V.O.)

Appliances and furniture (best offers; must provide own transport):

-air conditioner, vertical window unit

-boom box, with dual tape deck

-cabinet with shelves, plastic

-carpets, dark green, 9×12-ft.

-CD tower, solid wood, $20

-chairs, folding

-chicken wire, 20-ft. roll

-computer desk, with keyboard tray and wheels, $25

-dehumidifier, basement capacity (Don F.)

-entertainment center/TV cabinet with storage, wheels, fits 26″ CRT, $40

-fans, floor

-grill, George Foreman, hardly used, $10

-keyboard, USB, $5

-kitchen cart, solid wood butcher block, $20

-lawnmower, manual/push

-microwave oven, LG, $20 (Mike K.)

-monitor, flat-screen, 17-in., $10 (TT’s Bob H.)

-ottoman, brown microsuede, 25″ x 20″ x 17″ high with storage, $30

-rakes and other garden tools

-refrigerator, Whirlpool, good condition, $50 (Mike K.)

-space heater

-speakers x2, computer, Harman/Kardon, $10 (TT’s Bob H.)

-side table, solid wood, unfinished, 26″ x 23″ x 21″ high, $20

-stereo, Aiwa, including 3-CD changer and dual-deck tape player, $40

-table/child’s desk, very solid but some scuffs, 36″ x 23″ x 22″ high, $30

-tables, long folding, plastic (yes, the ones we’ve been using for gaming)

-television, 26-in.

-vacuum, shop, wet/dry, $20

-VHS tape storage drawers

-washer & dryer, Whirlpool, electrical, $50 each (Mike K.)

Everything must go in the next few weeks! [Note: This list updated 2 February 2012.]

Ode to Gatchaman

Gatchaman
Gatchaman by Alex Ross

I was recently asked about classic animation, and my favorite old-school anime is Gatchaman, also known as G-Force or Battle of the Planets on U.S. television. It came before Voltron, Transformers, and the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers but influenced them all.

The 1970s “science ninja team” was partly inspired by western superheroes and featured the first “super sentai” group, establishing the archetypes of the fearless leader, annoying kid, big guy techie, spunky girl, and reckless loner. Their costumes, acrobatic maneuvers, and individual vehicles have been copied many times since then.

Gatchaman‘s “god bird Phoenix” was one of the first fictional spacecraft to allow its crew to pilot separately and then come together to transform. Plus, viewers of the bastardized American version may not be aware of the franchise‘s darker themes, including teenagers who have been genetically modified, cross-dressing villains, and a future where humanity faces self-destruction and alien invasion.

I have action figures, DVDs, reference books, and a rare die-cast Phoenix model imported from Japan! A computer-animated movie was in the works, but the studio unfortunately went under after the poor box-office returns of Astro Boy and TMNT. I still hope that Gatchaman will be revived and updated someday! (I’m also a Macross/Robotech fan.)

Revisiting RPGs and Lego licenses

One game to rule them all?
Lego Lord of the Rings

Continuing this week’s look at tabletop role-playing games, especially the announcement of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition and subsequent reactions, here’s an overview of my current groups. I caught up on videos and some reading around the holidays, but I had to take a short break from my campaigns because it was too difficult to get quorum for my groups. We seem to be getting back on track.

In the meantime, I’ve enjoyed several recent sourcebooks — in both hardcopy and PDF — including the Asian-flavored Pathfinder Bestiary 3, Mongoose’s printing of science fiction sandbox Stars Without Number, and the horror/SF Ashen Stars, which uses the Gumshoe investigative/troubleshooter rules. All of them will be helpful in my current campaigns.

The two teams of about six people each in my “Vortexspace opera game (using FATE 3e Starblazer Adventures/Mindjammer plus Bulldogs) were on hiatus over the past few weeks. I’ve kept busy, however, with planning for our alternating Monday night sessions, which are still going strong. Fellow Game Masters Jim J.D’B. and Byron V.O. have helped me prepare for the continuing misadventures of the explorers and diplomats aboard the Blackbird and the grifters on the Appomattox.

My Pathfinder: “the Vanished Landstelecom fantasy team has had persistent scheduling problems on Sunday nights, but I hope to rebuild from our core group of three low-to-midlevel Player Characters. They’ve been heading north into the Wisalef Forest to investigate rumors of Unseelie Fey…. Paizo’s recent Pathfinder Boxed Set is a good introduction to that system (for up to four or five players to Level 5) and to role-playing in general.

Most of the people in my groups are also playing in other games. Various local Game Masters have expressed interest in running one-shots, although they’ll have to promote their ideas and find time and space for them. Here are some of their ongoing campaigns and potential one-shots:

Paul J. and Greg D.C.: FATE 3e Dresden Files (modern supernatural) 

-James B.: D20 Call of Cthulhu (period horror) or Gumshoe: Mutant City Blues (investigative metahumans) 

-Josh C.: conversion of AD&D2 Spelljammer to FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre (fantasy) or Arkham Horror (board game) 

-Jason E.R.: Fvlminata (alternate Roman history/espionage) 

-Bruce K.: Pathfinder/D&D4e or D20 Conan (sword and sorcery) 

-Rich C.G.: Cthulhu Invictus (alternate Roman history/horror)

A few of the local role-players have also asked to return to my “Societe de Justice Internationale: Drake’s Port 7″ superhero scenarios using D20 Mutants & Masterminds 3rd Ed., whose excellent Game Master’s Guide just arrived. So many games, so little time….

In unrelated but exciting news, Lego recently announced that, in addition to its licenses for Harry Potter, DC and Marvel Comics, and Star Wars, it won the rights to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies! We briefly used Lego for the D&D3.0 “Vanished Lands: the Liberators” and “Dragonslayers,” and even though I have dozens of other miniatures, I’d love to use Lego minifigs for my campaigns in any genre, from steampunk and superheroes to science fiction!

Catching up again on comics

The Batfamily, late 2011
The "Batfamily"

In addition to celebrating the holidays and catching up on movies in the past few weeks, I picked up comic books at New England Comics, Newbury Comics, and The Outer Limits near Boston. There’s still a sense of community at these shops that no digital subscription can yet replace.

My tastes run toward mainstream superhero comics, which I’ve been sharing with college chum David I.S. in return for some indie and horror titles. Despite controversies around its revised continuity and treatment of female creators and characters, I’ve enjoyed much of DC Comics, especially its various Batman titles. Detective Comics, Batman and Robin, Batwoman, and Birds of Prey are among my favorites, with a young Superman in Action Comics and the latest attempt to refocus Wonder Woman coming close behind.

On the Marvel Comics side, I’m still following Captain America, even if I can’t keep up with the various teams of Avengers and X-Men. Of the indie comic books I’m getting or looking forward to, I like sword and sorcery (Conan, Red Sonja), high fantasy (Mouse Guard and Avatar: the Last Airbender), steampunk and pulp (Zorro), some humor (Muppets and Liberty Meadows), and science fiction (Warlord of Mars and Flash Gordon).

Dave and I are looking forward to TV adaptations of Powers and other comics and graphic novels, not to mention upcoming movies and direct-to-DVD releases such as Justice League: Doom. We’ll have no shortage of viewing or reading material for 2012!