Confessions of a Newbie
by Rick Higginson

November 2005

Question: What do you do when it's barely eight o'clock in the morning on the last day of the month, you're already looking at a day that is going to be swamped, you've already spent an entire weekend swamped, the swamp is full of hungry alligators, and you need to get your column in before you finish your morning caffeine so you can start draining the swamp?

Answer: Run in circles; scream and shout? No, wait; that's what my editor is probably already doing. No sense in both of us doing that. The answer is, potpourri column!

Yes, this month's column will be an assortment of random stuff for your reading pleasure!

First on the plate is the delightful news that the comic I reviewed a couple of years ago, Supernatural Law, now has an on-line version available. Batton Lash, the writer and artist of the comic, sent out a notice recently of the web-based addition to the adventures of Counselors of the Macabre, Wolff and Byrd. Lash's good humor, enjoyable art, and ability to spin topical stories around supernatural creatures braving the horrors of our legal system all combine to make for a terrific comic. If you never had the chance to read to print version of Supernatural Law, now you can check it out without haunting your favorite comic-book shop until they agree to order it for you.

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/supernaturallaw/

Granted, if you enjoy it as much as I do, it certainly wouldn't hurt to help support the comic by buying the print version as well.

Next up, if you haven't yet watched the new Wallace and Gromit movie, "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit", I heartily recommend it. This is one of those movies that will be on my "must buy" list when it releases to DVD, simply because I think it's going to take at least a half-dozen viewings or more just to spot all the little sight gags the creators placed in the backgrounds. The surface level of the story is simple enough that children will love it, while very subtle adult humor shows up plenty often enough to keep the grown ups laughing.

Sadly, in the midst of the wonderfully successful release of the feature length Wallace and Gromit movie, the building where many of the W&G sets were stored burned down this past month, destroying many pieces of animation history. Still, the Wallace and Gromit theatrical release is a cause for celebration. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard in a theater.

Whether it bodes good or ill for the gaming community, I noticed in our Sunday paper ads this week that Target stores are now selling the game "Apples to Apples". While I haven't played this particular game yet, I've read that it's another wacky, fun game and it features the art of John Kovalic of "Dork Tower". John's art also graces several of the Munchkin sets along with several other games. I suppose if people discover gaming from something like "Apples to Apples" at their local Target store, they might just decide to take a drive to their gaming specialty store and check out what else is available. Gaming isn't just "Dungeons and Dragons", and these days there are games for almost every interest out there.

Finally, with autumn in full swing and the holiday season looming, many of us are looking ahead to family get-togethers and assorted parties. Such gatherings can sometimes be a stressful time for people, so I encourage you to take along an easily portable game or two. Rather than arguing politics with cousin Larry or listening to your sister complain about her first ex-husband, why not teach them how to play Munchkin or Safari Jack or even (GASP!) Dungeons and Dragons? Think about it; you can let Larry find a monster that looks remarkably like his least favorite politician, while your sister can flay away at one that looks like that deadbeat man she was once married to.

Sure beats the heck out of listening to them complain endlessly after that fifth or sixth glass of hard cider, doesn't it?


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Copyright © 2005 Rick Higginson

E-mail Rick at: baruchz@yahoo.com

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