A Just-Announced Absolute Batman Miniature Game Got Me Thinking...

"Absolute Batman," has been a juggernaut in terms of sales, rave reviews, and otherwise being a great series along with many of the, "Absolute," series. I imagine DC is eager to make money on tie-in opportunities, so it made sense when I saw Monolith Board Games has an official crowdfunding campaign for, "Gotham City Chronicles Season 4," and this expansion for their miniatures game is all about Absolute Batman. Frankly, I'm astounded we haven't seen more merch tied in with the, "Absolute," line. There is a smattering of announced figures or such....and that's it? We need some cartoons, games, breakfast cereals, and Upper Deck has the DC Comics trading card license but has been fumbling it--they could essentially print money with an, "Absolute," card set. I know stuff can take time to plan out and make (think about how everyone wanted Baby Yoda/Grogu stuff when he first appeared, but it took a bit to make official items as he'd been a secret for so long), but the Absolute line has been a big hit for over a year now. Give us some cool stuff!

My point is, corporations generally don't leave money on the table and I'm shocked we aren't seeing more, "Absolute," stuff for sale. Perhaps DC is showing remarkable restraint in the same manner they've been letting the Absolute series organically grow and slowly start to crossover or acknowledge each other. I just know I'm totally ready for a cool, "Absolute Universe," video-game if anybody wants to make an official one or even just a cool mod.

"Avengers: Armageddon," #1 Will Come With Promotional, "Magic the Gathering," Card

Here is some interesting marketing synergy. Marvel has partnered with Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast for assorted, "Magic the Gathering," promotions and is now bringing it in directly to the comics. You see, the first printing of the first issue of, "Avengers: Armageddon," kicks off an event series (written by Chip Zdarsky with art by  Frank Alpizar and Delio Diaz) and will have a special card that you can--I assume--use in your Magic games. I know almost nothing about, "Magic: The Gathering," as friends have tried to get me into it, but I always told them I spend enough hours and funds on my current hobbies not to need a new timesink and money pit. That said, I did play the virtual card game,"Hearthstone," some years ago, and when I was a wee lad, and only 151 Pokémon existed, I played that trading card game. Hence, I have some familiarity with trading card games and know Magic is a big one.

This promotion makes me wonder if the goal is more to get comic fans into Magic (nah) or to encourage Magic fans to try some Marvel comics (likely). I'm leaning more towards the latter as it is clever to have the card accompany the debut of a big new event. I could imagine someone who is really into, "Magic: The Gathering," buying the issue mainly for the card, but reading the comic and wanting to follow along with at least this latest big happening in the Marvel continuity (it helps Zdarsky is among the few writers at Marvel putting out stuff in the, "Main," Universe that I like and don't find drab along with Jed MacKay's work on Moon Knight). I could see the result being short-term success for the debut, but I wonder if there will be interest in the follow-up issues, depending on whether gamers read the actual issue. We shall see!

It's April First. Continue to Believe Nothing You See/Read/Hear Online (or Anywhere)

When I was a young child, April Fool's Day held a certain whimsy for me. With the rise of the internet and pranks as we know them being less lighthearted and more terrible, however, the day holds less appeal. I know many of us already don't believe anything we see/read/hear in this age of misinformation, so continue doing so on this day, where falsehoods are purposely posted as jokes. I previously made a post about pranks to be sure you do not do under any circumstances (fake pregnancies, fake deaths, and so forth) and would encourage you to only do a, "Prank," that is harmless and possibly even--dare I say--nice. Tell someone you forgot to bring them a coffee, only to reveal you got them a coffee and a pastry, for example. My point is, carefully gauge the truth of any information you take in tomorrow, and don't be a jerk either. Basically, good advice for any day of the year.