In part one, we were introduced to the massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG). Now that you’ve created your character, followed the tutorial’s instructions, fetched some supplies for a non-player character (NPC), and tussled with killer bunnies, what comes next?
Sexy Times with Dice: 10 RPGs That Deal with Sex and Sexuality
Tabletop RPGs are perceived to have a sex problem. Either they are a pastime you engage in because you aren’t getting busy, or there are half-clothed busty women leering from the covers in a display of oversexualized content. In this, mainstream tabletop RPGs reflect our society’s conflicted views on sexuality: we either giggle in embarrassment…
A Trip Down Fear Street: The New Girl, Fear Street #1
Welcome to the first review in the Fear Street reread project in celebration of R.L. Stine rebooting the series! You can read the introduction to the series here. Tagline He had to learn her secret or – die trying. Synopsis Originally published in 1989 then re-released in 1991, The New Girl is the first in…
The Apocalypse Isn’t The End of the World: Ragnarök and Reading Comics Narratives
After the initial media head-scratching about the announced title “Thor 3: Ragnarok,” people have latched on to the idea that the 2016 Thor movie will be about the end of the world. As a religion scholar, I have a hundred things to say about this! I’ll give you a few pointers for watching the end…
Why PANELS Will Be Good for Comics Journalism and Comics Readers
BookRiot launched a companion site dedicated to comics called Panels. I cursed. I vowed revenge. More competition? Fucking great. But while I was annoyed on a personal (financial) level to see another big, general interest, comics site sprout up, I was also pleased as punch on a professional level. More competition? Fucking great!
Review: 2000AD, Prog 1900
Here is a shameful confession from a UK-resident comics fan: I’ve never actually read 2000AD. I’ve read copious amounts of Judge Dredd and some Future Shocks in TPBs, but haven’t read them or any other comics in 2000AD’s serialized format. So when I saw this week’s issue, Prog 1900 (2000AD issues are called “progs”), being…
Fighting Leakage by Moonlight: Sailor Senshi Sanitary Protection
Holy shit! Yes! Sailor Scout-themed pads that promise to keep you “ultra-safe until morning.” They’re on limited issue, it seems, which is a terrible shame. Sailor Moon and her girls wear white leotards under miniskirts every day of the month: these products have made one heck of a period promise. Frolicking on the beach? Running through…
Incredible Indie Tuesday: Boring Conference Edition
I am in the most boooooring conference ever this week, but you know what’s never boring? Indie comic news! There’s no dysfunctional group work on Incredible Indie Tuesdays! Jason Aaron Talks Southern Bastards With the first arc wrapped up and the trade on the way, Southern Bastards occupies a unique place in the comics marketplace….
I’m Loving: Oni Press’ Humble Bundle
On October 1st, Oni Press launched its first Humble Bundle. On offer are some of the publisher’s top comics, including Scott Pilgrim, Lost at Sea, Stumptown and Bad Machinery, as well as some of its lesser known, but just as cool titles. The bundle clocks in at 2,500 pages, in 24 comics. That’s a lot of…
Marvel’s Driving Me Nuts With “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” Ongoing
Sigh. I knew that name trademark was leading to something. Marvel’s announced an ongoing comic book series for joke superheroine Squirrel Girl. They’ve deigned to bestow the adjective of “Unbeatable” preceding her name. It will be written by Ryan North of Dinosaur Comics, Adventure Time, and The Midas Flesh, while it will be illustrated by…
Sequential Sartorial: The Wardrobe of Colleen Wing
Sequential Sartorial! It’s gonna be a new thing! Talking about costume design in comics: GOOD costume design. This week: Colleen Wing, 2006. First things first: does anybody want my copy of Daughters of the Dragon, trade number one (“Samurai Bullets”)? Pay the postage and it’s yours. I don’t need it in my house; it’s a…