30 Years of Dark Dungeons

Posted by Jason Graham in Lamentations of the Grognard on July 31, 2014

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In 1984 Chick Publications released the Dark Dungeons comic pamphlet. Chick had been in business for 10 years at this point making religious themed comic strips with 22 panels on various subjects, intent on helping the reader avoid damnation. The comic pamphlets were known as Chick Tracts and covered all manner of threats from Rock and Roll to LSD use. Dark Dungeons was intent on protecting us from the dangers of Role Playing Games and the secret agenda to initiate the players into the world of Satanism via D&D. The fake game in the comic is Dark Dungeons, although the characters refer to it as D&D, waving away the possible confusion of the real subject while still avoiding a lawsuit. Younger readers may not realize this but, once upon a time, playing fantasy role playing games was considered evil and dangerous, an invitation to Satanism, drug use and suicide. With daytime talk shows devoting episode after episode to the subject and even “serious” news programs like 60 Minutes getting in the act. CBS even aired a made for TV movie starring a young Tom Hanks called Mazes and Monsters.

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Mad Max: Fury Road – Comic-Con First Look [HD]

Posted by AJ in Trailers on July 27, 2014

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Gary Gygax Day and 40 years of D&D

Posted by Jason Graham in Lamentations of the Grognard on July 27, 2014

Summer break 1983, a 10 year old boy sits at a card table in a basement. His mace does only 1D6 points of damage, but if he can kill these kobolds, hopefully the other boys, some of them in high school, will invite him back to play next week. The basement in question belongs to the parents of 13 year old Craig Brown. The game on the card table is the 1983 edition of the red box basic Dungeons and Dragons game. The kobolds are in the Caves of Chaos and have been harassing the good people of the Keep on the Borderlands. The 10 year old boy is me.

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Local Artists Share Their Love Of Zombies Through Gnomes

Posted by Andrea LaBartunek in News on July 17, 2014

As we were walking through the endless isles of  vendors at Wondercon, a small booth caught our eye.   Gnomes, garden gnomes they were every where, but these were special.   They were ZOMBIES!!

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Dinner with Forbidden Panel

Posted by Andrea LaBartunek in News on July 16, 2014

Start your San Diego Comic Con adventure off at dinner with your favorite creators, artists and writers from Forbidden Panel.  Friends and Fans are invited to join us  for conversation, dinner, and drinks.  You never know who might show up for this event.

Dinner will be at the Strip Club  ( A Steak House), in the  San Diego Gas Lamp District  at 7:30 pm.  This restaurant is  21 and over, make sure you have your ID with you.

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For Questions email  andi@forbiddenpanel.com

 

 

See you then.

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3-2-1- FIGHT! -Fitness Inspiration from the Geek World

Posted by Janelle in Blogs and Reviews, Janelle's Lessons From the Mother Ship on June 10, 2014

Many years ago, I was introduced to video games.  I had always wanted to play them, but the expensive consoles were never in the budget for my Christmas and birthday lists growing up. ( I also believe my mom had an issue with video games in general and being the youngest of three girls, no one we knew had them…)  I FINALLY broke through when I was 15 and asked… no, begged… for a Sega Genesis and got it for Christmas.  Now, it wasn’t a big win, because I was only given 3 games.. Home Alone, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Little Mermaid.  Yeah I know… absolutely no geek cred there, but I was a kid and had no money and those were the “mom approved games”, so those were the games I played. Read the rest of this entry »

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Marvel Scraps “Fantastic Four” Comics

Posted by AJ in News on June 1, 2014

Having failed to get back the rights to “Fantastic Four” from 20th Century Fox, Marvel has decided it won’t help out Fox in any way in regards to its upcoming “Fantastic Four” cinematic reboot.

Bleeding Cool reports that Marvel is putting all its “Fantastic Four” comic books on hold.

The characters will still be able to make appearances in other comics, but they won’t be the focus. “Fantastic Four” art has also apparently been removed from Marvel offices.

Marvel tried a less aggressive but similar strategy in regards to “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” a move that has not exactly been successful considering the reviews and business that film has been doing.

via Marvel Scraps “Fantastic Four” Comics | News | Dark Horizons.

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“Kingsman: Secret Service” Trailer

Posted by AJ in Trailers on May 21, 2014

An adaptation of Mark Millars The Secret Service looks to be somewhat true to the comic.

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Sith Happens. Or.. Does It?

Posted by Janelle in Blogs and Reviews, Janelle's Lessons From the Mother Ship on May 20, 2014

In every parent’s life, there comes a time when a mother and father must ask themselves a very hard question and then decide, for the future of their family, which choices they will make.  The choice creates a path for their family that cannot be undone.  The questions range from what age is best to which medium is used to share it.  Do you explain it, read it, watch it…?  All the while, knowing that with whatever you choose, a new path for your children will be laid before them and a new set of experiences will shape their futures.

The question seems simple but its complexity is is infinite.  The question isn’t just about age or medium or timing.  It’s about passion and how experiencing such a thing when that passion cannot be fully realized could alter perception and render children apathetic to the entire thing.

The question is important.

The question is… When do we let the kids watch Star Wars? Read the rest of this entry »

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Disneyland’s Most Recent Price Increase

Posted by Janelle in Janelle's Lessons From the Mother Ship on May 20, 2014

By now, you’ve heard about Disneyland’s new prices, right?

Here’s the new breakdown as seen on Disneyinsider.com with the percentages of increase:

1-Day 1-Park
$96 $92 $4 4%
1-Day Park Hopper
$150 $137 $13 9%
2-Day 1-Park Per Day
$178 $175 $3 2%
2-Day Park Hopper
$217 $210 7 3%
3-Day 1-Park Per Day with Magic Morning
$226 $225 $1 <1%
3-Day Park Hopper with Magic Morning
$265 $260 $5 2%
4-Day 1-Park Per Day with Magic Morning
$250 $250 $0 0%
4-Day Park Hopper with Magic Morning
$289 $285 $4 1%
5-Day 1-Park Per Day with Magic Morning
$266 $265 $1 <1%
5-Day Park Hopper with Magic Morning
$305 $300 $5 2%
Parking
$17 $16 $1 6%
Southern California Select Annual Passport (170 days)
$289 $279 $10 4%
Southern California Annual Passport (215 days)
$379 $359 (not available)
Deluxe Annual Passport (315 days)
$519 $499 $20 4%
Premium Annual Passport (365 days)
$699 $669 $30 4%
Premier Passports (Disneyland and Walt Disney World)
$1029 $979 $50 5%

I know everyone is all freaking out over this, and I have already read several blogs and articles that explain in great detail why this isn’t something to get all angry about, so I don’t really need to add my two cents at this point, but I’m going to anyway.  Because, well, you know… I just can’t stop myself.

The media is responding to this by interviewing children and parents at the parks and walking around Disneyland who all seem to be up in arms about it and feel like it isn’t fair. Read the rest of this entry »

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