Batman is Antiquated

I think this is one of the problems comic books have that isn't often discussed, and uttering the phrase I used for this post title in a room full of nerds is apt to get some nice explosions of disbelief out of folks.

But the idea that billionaires can lead truly private lives is super, super old fashioned. It requires an era where reporters didn't delve into people's personal affairs and even if they did discover, say, that Babe Ruth was an alcoholic whore-monger, their sense of propriety (and the money to be made selling heroes) would lead reporters to keep it to themselves.

Quaint, huh?

Batman is about as modern as Zorro.

Let's walk through a thought experiment to illustrate how out of touch an idea Batman is.

1. Bill Gates meets a young boy and takes a liking to him.

2. Bill Gates begins to spend a lot of time with this boy and is frequently seen with him around town at all hours, especially in the shady parts of town.

3. Bill Gates adopts this young lad, and cuts him into a sizeable part of his fortune.

4. Beginning to look into this weirdness, a reporter begins to hear rumors that Gates has been spending money unofficially. Like lots of money. He finds a trucker who reveals that Gates has been building some sort of underground dungeon, custom-made cars, various weapons, supercomputers, at the cost of a couple billion dollars.

5. Looking into the financial side of things, the reporter, who has now brought a financial expert in to help him investigate the case, discovers that Microsoft has secretly opened an entire new division doing research into things like exotic cars, aircraft, weapons and computers.

6. Delving deeper into Gates odd goings' on, reporters speak to a doctor off the record. This doctor has treated Gates and his young, adopted ward for various injuries, blunt force trauma, the occasional concussion, bruising consistent with multiple auto accidents thing like that.

The doctor was paid handsomely to keep his treatments off the books but finally had pangs of conscience after treating the young boy for a severe electrical burn and Gates for a gunshot wound.

7. After an outcry from shareholders about these odd expenditures and odd behavior, the SEC launches an investigation of Gates and Microsoft.

8. The young boy Gates been spending so much time with is found dead, beaten to death in one of the parts of town where he and Gates have been seen together.

I think we can all imagine where things would go from here.

The media shitstorm that would surround this would make the OJ case look like a press conference given by a minor league baseball team.

We can still be friends D&D

Of all the myriad reactions and responses to D&D 5th edition, this Grognardia post is easily my favorite.

If you're excited for 5e, then you only went to the old school because you were a lover jilted by 4e and playing old school games was strictly your "rebound fling".

James doesn't come right out and say it, but I guess unless you're completely disinterested and dismissive, I guess you aren't a real old schooler at all.

There is, in fact, a 3rd option, that one can be excited to see a new take on D&D without abandoning your love of the old school.

Speaking only for myself, I will buy 5e and read it with interest. However, I will still be RUNNING the same two games: AD&D and FASA Star Trek.

Maybe what we're seeing is the difference between an old-school gamer, which I definitely am, and a grognard, who feels the need to give a "meh" to anything new just so they can show how hardcore they are.

Truth

‎"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs."

HOWEVER, reading Ayn Rand gave us 2112.

So, I think I have to call this one a wash.

Two bad books.*

One led to a great album. One led to three great movies.
*I know, I am in the minority on this one, especially when it comes to Lord of the Rings. I am comfortable with that. I also don't care for Shania Twain and millions would disagree with me.

All views expressed are only my opinion, not a claim to objective quality.

When I start speaking on behalf of all mankind, I'll let you know. ;)

The Old Ways

My homebrew AD&D campaign set on the world of Arkara is about to kick into full swing again I think.

When last we visited the world, Illanyra, high priest of Atos (the Holiest of Holies) had had kingship thrust upon him, bringing church and state together.

As you might imagine, this is not going well for church or state.

Especially since it seems like Atos might be going mad, and taking his high priest with him into madness.

Also, there are some upgraded maps of the setting in the works.

Silent Running

It's been pointed out to me by some folks that I've been quiet of late.

Well, I recently sold Vigilance Press, which I talked about. I also recently got a day job and moved, which I haven't talked about.

It wasn't planned, not that it matters. Sometimes life happens and we get to hang on, and during those times blogging winds up not happening.

Several months ago I interviewed at Mayfair Games. That ended up not happening and life goes on. In the meantime I sold Vig Press to James Dawsey, and my plan was to focus more on my writing while James handled the business stuff.

And then, out of the blue, Mayfair called back, and this time I got the job. Getting the job also meant moving... in two weeks.

So I've been finding a place, getting power, water and internet transferred (the latter is still in process because Verizon is sooooooo efficient) and getting my feet under me at the new job.

For the next little bit, unless you enjoy reading Mayfair press releases (and really, who doesn't), you might not see much of me.

But don't despair. I will be on real internet and not the free city WiFi Tuesday, so swears Verizon, and I had a dream about USHER last night, so maybe things are settling down a bit.

In the meantime, look for me here and on facebook, and like the Mayfair Games facebook page and you'll see me make regular posts there incognito as a spoke in the wheel of marketing, doing something I've had a lot of practice at over the years, selling awesome games.

Chuck

Vigilance Press blog is now live

We've started a new blog specifically for the new Vigilance Press.

Please mosey on over and read my thoughts about the very beginnings of Vigilance, as well as the future.

I imagine the new boss (not the same as the old boss) will be along as well.

You can still keep up with me here, as well, but for now, check out the new place!

http://vigilancepress.blogspot.com/

Savage Afterworld reviews Books of the Wastes!

Books of the Wastes is a little Mutant Future book I did, introducing some wasteland tomes that survived the Great Fire as well as a system for characters learning from books they find in the wasteland.

Find out what the Savage Afterworld thought of this terrifying tome they found amidst the rubble!