Choosing Jokers or Flying Hamsters
Daily Ramble 44
My ramble today kicks off a couple of things I hope last for a while. Since I’m rambling things have a tendency to start up and then fall off when I run outta time or lose interest in them, but I’m hoping things go well with these. The first is gonna be something I’m gonna incorporate into my First Look Reviews. I want to provide a rating from that first look so I can see if things change as I finish off a story arc and learn more about the issues. The other thing is something I’m planning for November…an explorations into MapleStory 2.
So here are my rambles for today:
- Choosing a class in MapleStory 2
- First Look at Batman: The Long Halloween – Part 3
- First Look at Lockjaw #1, Who’s a Good Boy?
Picking a Class in MapleStory 2
MapleStory 2 is the selection of the MMO Book Club for November and while I flailed miserably with their game of the month in October I’m determined to get off on the right foot in November. With that in mind I started taking a look at the classes in the game.
Apparently all the classes can solo level pretty well so that leads me to think that I might want to roll up a Priest since I usually like healing and being looked at favorably in parties. The Wizard looks pretty cool too and with their glass cannon style it might be fun to see if I can keep one alive long enough to maintain my interest. Finally the Assassin looks pretty nice having melee and ranged abilities, but I’ve never tried playing an assassin type character before. On the whole though, I’m thinking that I could start off a character of each of these classes and see which one(s) stick. Maybe I’ll end up with 3 level 60s or perhaps I’ll hate them all, either way I think this will be a fun game this month.
First Look at Batman: The Long Halloween – Part 3
Part 3 (of 13) of the graphic novel is where we start to see the killer being referred to as the Holiday Killer by the newspapers and not only do we get to see the Joker in action but Batman and Gordon also question the Calendar Man to see if he can provide any insights to the murders.
Interestingly enough, the Joker seems to feel threatened by this new killer, so much so that he goes around town trying to figure out who Holiday is. First he thinks it might be Maroni, then Dent, then The Roman himself. But just as he’s leaving the building where Falcone lives, Holiday kills again. This time he shoots The Roman’s personal bodyguard and leaves the standard .22 caliber gun with a taped handle and filed off serial number and the baby bottle nipple, but he also leaves a snow globe since it’s Christmas afterall.
I’m really enjoying this mystery and the fact that we’re getting to see some of Batman’s rogues gallery is pretty cool. So far it’s been Catwoman, Joker, Solomon Grundy, and Calendar Man. Quite a grouping for only 3 issues and it doesn’t look like any of them are the killer. With all the mystery and intrigue, the Joker and a Christmas killing, I give this issue a First Look Rating of an A-.
First Look at Lockjaw #1, Who’s a Good Boy?
This is a pretty fun issue and I’m happy not only that Marvel produced it but that I was able to read it on Marvel Unlimited. Daniel Kibblesmith and Carlos Villa do a good job of bringing the lovable pooch to his own comic and putting together an interesting story with mystery, humor, and flying hamsters.
The story centers around our giant inhuman bulldog as he goes on a mission but we’re not really sure what it’s all about since he can’t really tell us after all. Using his teleportation ability, he pops down to Brooklyn where he crosses paths with D-Man, Dennis Dunphy. This guy used to be a hero, with powers, but some time ago he lost his abilities and he’s kinda down on his luck at the moment.
We’re not sure if Lockjaw sought out this guy, but he lives next door to Mrs. Gillespie who happens to own a little bulldog that looks an awful lot like Lockjaw, but much smaller. Fortunately for this dog, Bixby, our large hero is around though, since a flotilla of flying hamsters decide to attack at just this moment. D-Man and Lockjaw fight off the rodents and the bulldogs have a chance to spend some quality time together before the big guy decides its time to move on. D-man and our pooch are off to the Savage Land to continue their adventures.
I haven’t read a bunch of Inhuman comics but I’ve always liked Lockjaw and this issue only reinforces my affection for him. I’ll give this a First Look Rating of a B.
Daily Ramble 44: Choosing Jokers or Flying Hamsters