Fantastic Angels Defend Archet

Daily Ramble 230: Fantastic Angels Defend Archet

The Angels made me happy with their win in Colorado yesterday but I grew frustrated with an event in LOTRO. Apparently I missed something and failed to complete all the quests I needed so I think I’m gonna have to go back…we’ll see. I also continued my 1963 Marvel reading by catching up on the 15th issue of Fantastic Four.

First Look at Fantastic Four #15

The Fantastic Four Battle the Mad Thinker and His Awesome Android by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Published by Marvel Comics, 1963.

This issue really highlights the team aspect of the Fantastic Four. The Thinker works out a way to break the team apart…actually, he devises a way of taking “everything” into consideration and then offering the different members enticing opportunities. With the four spread to the four winds, the Thinker and his gang take over the Baxter Building and use Reed’s technology to set up defenses against the heroes.

When the team comes back together, after tiring of their “vacation”, it doesn’t take long for them to break into their old HQ and confront the Thinker but it takes some quick forethought on the part of Reed to thwart the villain’s endgame.

It was a pretty good issue and I liked that the usual internal conflicts between Ben and Johnny were reduced to fun play rather than their usual fighting.

I rate this issue an B.

This comic can be found on Marvel Unlimited, Comixology or at your local comic book shop.

Now That’s More Like Coors Field

At least for the Angels. My team managed to launch 3 home runs – Upton, Cozart, and Rivera – and at the same time, they shut down the potent Rockies offense. That part was accomplished by 4 pitchers starting with rookie Jaime Barria who picked up his 3rd victory. He pitched 5 1/3 innings and struck out 7 while shutting out the home team. The bullpen came through as well with 7 Ks of their own over 3 2/3 innings.

The game was pretty good for the Angels but it was not without issues. Ian Kinsler is out as leadoff hitter. He simply was not hitting much and at .191, he needed to fall to the middle of the pack in order to hopefully break out of his slump. He did manage to pick up a single but his replacement, Cozart smacked a HR and a double, scoring 2 runs and setting the table as it should be.

My player of the Game goes to Justin Upton who got one of the HRs but also went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a couple of RBIs. He seems to be coming out of his little slump and if he can keep it up, the Angels offense will be deadly.

Next up, the Angels come home from their short 3–2 road trip to face the Twins, Astros, and Rays in an 11 game home stand. Hopefully they’ve shaken off the home town slump they were in and can start showing the fans some victories in Anaheim.

Archet is Burning and I Drop the Ball

Technically I didn’t do anything bad per se but between Catathein and I, we missed something somewhere…

We had just finished up recruiting the local hunters for defense and stealing the attack plans from the Blackwold Roost when they decided to attack early. We almost missed the fight all together but Jon Brackenbrook, Catathein and I made it back to Archet as the battle was entering it’s final stages.

Buildings were burning all over the place and the Blackwold’s had enlisted the aid of the men of Angmar to destroy the town. But we were more determined. Cat and I took down Otto the Brigand and helped Jon fight to Atli Spider-bane and the four of us defeated many enemies.

We thought we had won the day by fighting our way to meet up with Captain Brackenbrook but then calamity. Calder Cob showed up with 2 Cargul wraiths which turned the tide. With everyone stunned by the Cargul, Cob kills Captain Brackenbrook and the wraiths command Amdir, who had succumbed to the morgul-blade, to join them.

With Amdir and the wraiths gone and freed from our paralysis, Cat and I jump Calder Cob and make him pay for his treachery. But with Captain Brackenbrook dead we are all saddened.

It’s here, at the end of the long battle that Cat and I learned of our misfortune. Somehow we had neglected to complete all of the quests in Archet and we failed our test. We were not worthy to venture forth into the lands of Middle Earth.

Cat was devastated and forswore ever taking up spear and javelin again. I, on the other hand, decided to find another adventurer to guide. And hopefully with the knowledge gained with Cat, I can successfully pass the tests of Archet next time and advance on my journey through Middle Earth.