The, "Unexplained Prague," Kickstarter Looks Fun!

I will on occasion have the people behind a Kickstarter campaign reach out to me. They'll ask me to give their campaign a look and consider supporting it or writing about it. The folks at Skull and City sent over a message about their latest Kickstarter for, "Unexplained Prague." They previously made, "Unexplained London," and it is a series of pocket guides for cities that are also graphic novels telling the urban legends/stories of such locations. 

Prague is located in the Czech Republic and has a variety of ghost stories, rumored UFO sightings, and more. Author/investigator Mackenzie Peltz writes and illustrates, "Unexplained Prague," and as I am someone who enjoys fun little travel guides and comics their Kickstarter looks quite snazzy. I would encourage folks to check out the Kickstarter for, "Unexplained Prague," and to back it should they find the book cool!

Oni Lion Forge Press Seems to Be Rebuilding and Recovering From Past Concerns

It's been a rough time for a lot of comic-book publishers. I'm worried about IDW based on their money issues, AfterShock is going through bankruptcy, and Heavy Metal was acquired by Whatnot's publishing division or else it might have folded. Oni Lion Forge seemed to be laying off a ton of people and there were rumblings about if that publisher was in danger of closing up shop. However, it seems to be recovering and rebuilding, interestingly enough. 

There was the merger some years ago between Oni Press and Lion Forge which caused some drama, and then 2022 had essentially a total staff change. However, in December of 2022, Hunter Gorinson joined as President and now it was announced today that Sierra Hahn will be the Editor-in-Chief. Hahn's been in comics for over a decade in various important roles and is a great addition to any comic company. I don't think Oni Lion Forge would be adding some cool folks if it were truly a sinking ship as opposed to one trying to adjust course. My sympathy extends to everyone who was impacted by the massive lay-offs Oni Press Lion Forge had and I hope Oni Press Lion Forge itself can continue to grow and succeed,

247 Comics Could Be an Cool New Publisher Except it has an Interest in NFTs

Cryptocurrency is a stupid idea, as I've repeated on this site many times regardless of whether it is supposedly going up or engaging in an inevitable crash. NFTs are a horrible idea as well, serving as a piece of code that you have showing you, "Own," a picture/comic/dumb digital asset. When I heard about a new comic publisher called 247 Comics that would have some cool talent I was intrigued...until I saw those dreaded three letters in a row, NFT. Creators will be able to make more money from their works via the blockchain--somehow. Plus the people reading the comics will be vital (I mean, obviously) as they are apparently thinking about, "...collectors, who can directly participate in the growth and expansion of each franchise, as well 247’s impact on the overall world of entertainment in all its forms from the blockchain to the bookshelf." Apparently, buying-up big pieces of the blockchain for a comic will show it is popular. How inventive and not at all just like how if people buy a bunch of issues of a comic it does well and more volumes get made.

The whole press release that Comicsbeat presents with surprisingly little criticism in their article just reads like the usual, "Web 3.0," bluster of catchphrases and inventing things that already exist. When you throw out empty sentences like calling blockchain, "...a paradigm shift towards decentralization and democratization of entertainment and commerce," my eyes just glaze over. I mean, you've got Justin Jordan of, "Luther Strode," fame among other stuff, talented creator Priscilla Petraites (she was amazing on the, "Chariot," mini-series), and plenty of other cool folks at your new publisher and you want to talk to me about, "...a decentralized community ownership model made possible by emerging technology," when you could be selling me on comics? 

Cryptocurrency and NFTs are quite possibly the dumbest inventions of this century (and we're early in this century which I doubt I'll live to see the end of, but I'm pretty sure by 2100 the history books will discuss how awful Crytpo-anything was). You can check 247 Comics out online, and while I might read their actual comics, I won't touch any of the blockchain junk they're so eager to dabble in.

Clarkson and I Met Spidey Today!

Today we went to one of Clarkson's favorite places to play, the We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym in Fenton. There are many WRTS locations that are all individually owned as part of the franchise, and our favorite one to visit is located in--as I said--Fenton. They had the, "Hero Hangout," event and a couple of superheroes appeared. We were most excited to see Spidey though. Samii, Clarkson, and I all wore clothes in the theme of Spidey and it was cute when Clarkson had Spidey help push him on the swing. I was able to get a selfie too, as can be seen above. We love WRTS in Fenton and I'd encourage you to visit the website I linked up above or to check out their oft-updated Facebook page as well. If you live in the Saint Louis region it is a fantastic place to go play whether your child is neurotypical or has special needs. I'd highly recommend going for an event or open play sometime. I also want to thank Enchanted Events, the agency that sent over Spidey, or as he is called on their page, Spidey Guy, so as to avoid anyone confusing him with any other Spider-characters, just to throw that disclaimer out there for them.

"Hogwarts Legacy," is What Happens When Your Game is Controversial and Generic at the Same Time

"Hogwarts Legacy," was bound to be a lightning rod of a game. It takes place in a World created by J.K. Rowling, an author who in recent years made it quite evident she holds extremely transphobic views. People often discuss separating art from the artist, and I talked about this back in 2020 when her opinions became evident. Some folks absolutely love the Harry Potter Universe and choose to separate Rowling's hate from their adoration of the property (that or they don't care/actually share her views). Other people enjoyed Harry Potter in the past but have stepped away from it with Rowling's beliefs now being apparent. What about me? Well, I am totally open about having only seen the first movie and struggling to get through the fourth book as a teen--before seeing how big the fifth was and just giving up on the franchise entirely. I don't hate the Harry Potter franchise. I also am not enamored with it. I was already disinterested in the game because I just don't want to support Rowling. It isn't like Lovecraft being long gone, she's still actively tweeting venom at folks (imagine if Lovecraft could tweet). However, I did consider renting the game to play it and offering a review of sorts about how the actual title itself was, you know, doing some journalism. That said, the game sounds like every other bland open-world title lately with some magical window-dressing and little else.

When it comes to books, movies, video-games, comics, or quite frankly anything, I hate boring. I'll take, "Weird," over, "Decent but dull," any day of the week. When it came to a game set in the universe of Harry Potter (albeit in the 1890s before he existed) I wouldn't think the main problem it could have besides its associations with the person who birthed its Universe is to be bland. Then I read how you wander around an open world doing quests, collecting gear/herbs/ and so forth for crafting, fire off a wand like a third-person shooter when you're not doing stealth kills (without actually killing) and this sounds like all those, "Assasin's Creed," games I played. That or, "Far Cry." Oh, maybe, "Read Dead Redemption 2," with the past setting, or the, "Dragon Age," games with all the magic (or "The Witcher," franchise and many other fantasy titles). Hell, "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," is arguably the best open-world fantasy game ever, with little to match it in sheer enjoyment.

What I'm saying is there are tons of open-world games and, "Hogwarts Legacy," seems to draw from a ton of them without doing anything new, based on what I've read and seen from viewing gameplay videos online. I'm not sure I want to drop eight bucks to play the same game I've dabbled in before with little to make it unique besides the Harry Potter license. I can fight against evil goblins as Link. I can sneak around as one of many different eras of assassins. I can enjoy magic in plenty of games (I love casting magic in Elder Scrolls titles). What is the twist, "Hogwarts Legacy," gives us besides, "You know those books you loved before the author became problematic? Now you can explore that World in a generic action RPG set a century before the stuff you loved reading about!" 

According to the folks who have actually reviewed the game's actual gamey aspects, there is little of note there. Folks are just buying the game in droves because they love Harry Potter or perhaps want to own the, "Woke liberals." If any of these people have played an open-world title in the last decade or so however, they've seen this done, and by all accounts done much better--seriously, "Red Dead Redemption 2," and, "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," are the only two open-world games you really need from the last 10 years with, "Grand Theft Auto V," meriting a mention as well although it first came out in September of 2013 so it is the most long-in-the-tooth.

I understand how if this were the best game ever people who want to support trans rights could struggle with their desire to play it and try to argue there isn't, "Ethical consumption in capitalism," or some B.S.  In this case, however, ya'll ain't missing much by refusing to give Rowling's estate your cash. It is bizarre how people seem willing to excuse transphobia and overlook dull and uninspiring gameplay in the name of getting to wear a sorting hat and floating on a broom. Perhaps a day will come when Rowling sells the rights to the HP franchise and the idea of her profiting from new creations within the World is gone and allows people to feel better about being a student at Hogwarts. For now though, the, "Legacy," is tainted and apparently not even that fun.

My Review of Dr. Pepper's New Strawberries and Cream Flavor

I'm drinking less soda overall but I do like to try various flavors. I've had some recently that are good, some have been awful, and some are perfectly fine but unremarkable (looking at you, Starry). I was able to sample the new Dr. Pepper Strawberries and Cream flavor, and I will say that it is actually quite good. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who was so lukewarm on the regular cream flavor I don't even think I wrote a review of it, I just shrugged and found it tasted so much like regular Dr. Pepper with a slight bit of creaminess it didn't warrant a post. Strawberries and Cream, though? This stuff's pretty snazzy.

There is definitely a strong taste of strawberry, but it does not overpower the Dr. Pepper itself, which I appreciate. The creaminess is pretty subtle but balances with everything in a way that simply works. Any hesitations I had about a somewhat complex-sounding flavor for Dr. Pepper disappeared once I started drinking this blend. My wife, Samii, tried the zero sugar version and was less impressed than I was, but found it okay. I, however, really enjoyed the Strawberries and Cream flavor. It by no means will replace my affection for the regular flavor (the only spin-off soda to ever do that is Mountain Dew Code Red), but it definitely is quite yummy. If you spot it at the store it is definitely worth purchasing and trying out.

4 out of 5 stars.

Can Someone Explain Mr. Beast to Me?

Mr. Beast

I am online a lot so I've heard of Mr. Beast. I have seen some of his videos. He is quite possibly the most popular, "Influencer," in existence, worth nearly a billion dollars. I don't get why because I don't get it. His videos are perfectly fine. He usually has some silly contest or gimmick where he gives money to people if they do a challenge. To his credit, I've never seen a nasty/gross/otherwise mean-spirited challenge. I know he has faced criticism for, "Public altruism," like when he did a video paying for surgery to help people with vision issues see better. Mr. Beast, or Jimmy Donaldson if we're using his real name, seems like a pleasant enough dude. Why is he so popular though? Why do I not find myself entertained by his videos like other folks who comment with the affection of a borderline cultish love? What am I not getting?

I'm 34 and nearing 35. Am I just too old to get it? Do the younger folks adore Mr. Beast because they find his videos really entertaining in some fashion? Is he hyped up a lot because folks like to fantasize about Mr. Beast giving them a ton of money somehow or some way (kind of like how when you buy a lottery ticket you're paying a couple bucks to get to imagine what it would be like to have a windfall)? His earlier videos were fun little viral stunts that he did, I see some charm in those. Maybe kids love him because he used to be a teenager making silly little videos and now he's stinking rich--is it a, "If he can do it anyone can," type of thing?

I don't like Mr. Beast. I don't dislike Mr. Beast. I simply don't get Mr. Beast. Can someone explain him to me? Anyone is welcome to do so. A fan can do so. A hater can offer an opinion. Hell, Mr. Beast can call me up and explain what his deal is to me if he feels like it in-between making videos or apparently doing branded food delivery among other projects. I just want to get it, whatever it is. That, or maybe I am too old and should go back to remembering the 2000s and our viral-video stars of that era. Whatever happened to that kid who bit Charlie's finger?

Time for the Best Valentine's Day Song in the Year it Turns 20!

OutKast's Instagram had some fun little Valentines today.

It is Valentine's Day, therefore it is now time for the best song about the holiday. "Happy Valentine's Day," was on OutKast's superb double LP, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below). Both a pro-love and anti-love song, it works whether you've got a sweetheart or are single. It's just a great tune and is 20 years old in 2023. Here ya go:

Happy Valentine's Day and/or Fuck That Valentine's Day indeed.

Domino's Loaded Tots Are Quite Tasty

 

For the Super Bowl yesterday we stayed home and picked up some Domino's items, including their new loaded tots. Samii and I sampled the cheddar bacon ones and they were delicious. The mixture of tots, cheese, bacon, and ranch worked perfectly. I always am a fan of tater tots and these hit the spot. I'll definitely have them again as a side next time I order some Domino's pizza. My only criticism would be that a little more cheese might make them even better. That quibble aside, these are definitely worth trying out.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

I Really Dug That First Issue of, "A Vicious Circle," and Look Forward to the Next

In December of last year, the first issue was released of, "A Vicious Circle." A treasury-sized comic from BOOM! Studios, it is set to be three sizeable issues overall. Featuring the writing of Mattson Tomlin (known for his work on various movies and comics) and the artwork of Lee Bermejo (known for being an amazing artist on a variety of comics, many of them featuring Batman), this series focuses on two time-travelers who are locked in a big fight to stop or enable some kind of doomsday machine. They jump around together anytime one of them kills someone, possibly ending up in the 1950s, far-future, or even before humans existed if a cliffhanger at the end of the first issue is any indicator.

It's a clever concept, as we witness Shawn Thacker (who we assume is the good guy), trying to carve out a quiet life and avoid any trouble while his evil foe, a man named Ferris, eagerly wants to cause as much mayhem and violence as possible. Bermejo's art really struck me, changing dramatically with every, "Jump," through time as if a whole new artist had taken over for a handful of panels, but it is all Bermejo. He's practically showing off on a double-page spread loaded with jumps in time that is as disorienting as it is gorgeous to witness. The story takes enough time to situate us with Shawn before a lot of crazy time travel starts, however, so the relatively chill first third of the comic gets us caring about Shawn and then the zany other 2/3 takes us on a mind-bending trip to various periods of time.

I believe the second issue of, "A Vicious Circle," is due this February or March. The debut issue clearly has stuck with me and that's why I wanted to write about it and turn others onto this mini-series. Go find yourself a copy of the first issue so you can be as excited for the next one as I am!

5 out of 5 stars.