[Kinda Book Report] Essential Thor Vol 7

I bought this last Essential during one of the Free Comic Book day sales. I haven't posted a Thor report in a while.

This book was odd, strange, and crazy with some sci-fi sotries. I mean one of the major plot going through most of the issues therein is the search for Odin who is somewhere in space. So they travel through space on a viking longship!

That may be the craziest thing... But at one point, they add weapons systems to the ship. Not like a balista, but laser canons and particle beams type thing. It look ridiculous.

One thing I love about these issues tho is the vibe of adventure. Everyone is up for adventure. Though sometimes, it seems the panels are a little too full of action, I won't fault it.

As a writer of adventure games, I felt quite inspired by a few of the arcs. Things I could adapt to various games or settings. Something that is quite surprising because usually the plots and stories do not adapt too well. So that was a pleasant bonus. A few of these stories had interesting twists I liked.

One thing that REALLY annoyed me was that the text was extremely dense AND it went all the way to the spine of the book, forcing me to force the book open. I did not like that. And it was not only in one place but through the 20+ issues.

In the end, despite some high points, this was a good effort. I can settle on a 3/5.

Iron Golems

More printed creatures. The one in the center that is different was a purchase I did at the Game Keep.

I have a number of different ideas on how I will use them, but as iron golems is a guarantee. Now why would I need three of them? Why indeed.

[Kinda Book Report] Essential Hulk Vol 5

Having read the previous volumes, check out my review of Vol 3 and Vol 4, which led my to volume 5.

The writing crew got into a rhythm and the stories go beyond Hulk smashing and walking away. Even if there is still a LOT of that going on.

The most interesting part of this story deals with the supporting cast around him and THEIR subplots. Major Talbot having lost his mind. The destruction and reconstruction of Hulkbuster base. General Ross acting like a genuine human being. Doc Samson trying to save Hulk/Banner.

As for villains, it's a little light: Abomination, the Gremlin, and a bunch of one-shotters.

Thinking back on it, it was a high 3/5 but not on par with any 4s, I'm good with that.

[Slaad Week] Family Portrait

Closing off slaad week with a family portrait of the whole gang together.

[Slaad Week] Brown/Mud Slaad

Returning from an old 3.5 Monster Manual, I ported the cringy mud slaad into 5e. They are devastating when used in large numbers but are extra cringy...

I used some of the extra death and gray slaad models I printed for them. Brown (or mud) slaad have brown skin with rainbow-colored bands on their arms.

[Slaad Week] Horde of Reds

The least powerful slaadi presented in the Monster Manual are the Red Slaadi. They reproduce by implanting eggs inside their victims... Which later violently burst out... Yeah, gruesome!

The solo one is from Wotc's line and makes a good differentiator slaad.

[Slaad Week] Blues and Greens

Continuing the slaad with the next down in power: the brutish blue slaadi and the spellcasting green slaadi.

The blue in the center had a minor misprint and the leg broke. So not wanting to waste a model, I but off the other leg, making it appear as if he was emerging from the ground.

The greens in the back are bullywugs for variety.

[Slaad Week] Death and grey slaad

This week, I will be putting up all my 3d printed slaad. Starting with the most powerful type, the black death slaadi and the grey slaadi.

Ever since 3.5, I liked these creatures from elemental chaos. They are tough add punch to any encounter. Plus that for such old monsters, their lore is still very in flux. As who would believe anything about creatures of raw chaos?

JP on DMPaulG about Living Forgotten Realms

A few weeks ago, I discovered DMPaulG's YouTube channel as he was delving into the now-classic LFR adventures I wrote and edited for the Moonshae Isles. Talk about a blast from the past!

It had been almost fifteen years since I even thought of those adventures. With the recent OGL situation, I spent a few hours listening to him try to glean information from these adventure, to extract lore he could use to produce newer content. A trip down memory lane... I reached out to him to talk about it and we agreed on a having an interview for his channel live on Twitch.

You can find the whole interview here on YouTube.

I had a lot of fun. I can't wait for the next one.

Twitch Discussion with DMPaulG Feb 9 1930EST

Posting here that I will be going live with DMPaulG to talk about the Moonshaes, 4th Edition, going back over that long gone era. With the recent OGL debacle, I think going back and looking at previous editions of the game to help us find what's great about them.

We will be going live on his Twitch channel February 9 at 1930 EST and go on for a while (could be the next morning).

Since he is involved in the Moonshae Isles for the Adventure League, like I was back in 2007-'10, I thought it would be fun to go back and revisit these adventures. I have like a millions things to say/ respond to based on his videos about the adventures. Many of the oddities he detected had reasons. Well I'm spilling the beans and all the juicy details.

Expect a LOT of information, laughs, and adventure ideas getting dropped. I'm pretty excited about it.

Join us February 9 1930EST for a great time! Ask any question you want.