Don’t worry Tac, the original Johny Saturn came back from the dead after getting blown up and he was just a normal person. (Albeit with some serious psychological problems. But hey, who doesn’t?) He can be rebuilt. We have the technology.
So Nick sent his forces in expecting them to kill people, but not to get killed? If he valued Al’s over-sized hide so much, whyn’t he hold him in reserve?
I think this strip tells us more about Tactical than anything we’ve seen thus far: a short-sighted, self-centered (we already knew that), arrogant little man, and I’m not talking about physical size. People like that cause more anguish and horror than nearly any other kind. Too bad Utopian won’t put him out of his misery, as I’m sure if he survives, Tactical will cause more. Much more, if he can manage it.
That’s a wonderful take on Tactical, Rob, and 100% right. He has no redeeming qualities, no empathy, and his scarred visage mirrors his scarred soul.
Apparantly Tactical thought that Alaric was too bad-ass for any of the Squad to take him down. He didn’t account for the Utopian’s growing power levels, though.
Question about Staff of Life, what exactly can she do with the staff ? I know she has power blasts and projection of force cages. But why is she called staff of *Life* ? Can she heal people with it as well ?
We never really have covered that, have we? Hmmn. I think all that will come out in a few months when she builds her staff 3.0. Staff 2.0 is a solid light projection, and it’s power is transmitted without wires from a satelite that is geosynchronous orbit above where Staff is at the time. Currently, it’s powers include, but are not limited to:
Force Fields
Force structures/cages
Force blasts
Energy reading
Energy modulation
Flight
Wow…. Truly epic! To be honest though, I don’t think Tactical really gives a rat’s ass about Utopian’s ideals, so I don’t know why Utopian is bothering. On the other hand, I can understand if he’s acting out of guilt and shock, but still, trying to explain himself to Tactical seems a bit pointless, especially since Tactical should have known these guys weren’t going to go down without a fight. I feel bad about how Alaric went, but he pretty much had it coming. Tactical too – just a matter of time, I think. Besides – Utopian is a Meta, Tactical is not. Does Tactical have something up his sleeve we don’t know about yet? Because in a fist fight, I’d bet on Utopian.
Tactical has lots of access to super weapons, and he really prefers small looking guns that pack a super-whallop.
On the surface of it, Utopian trying to explain himself makes no sense. He’s a grown up, he should know better, of course. BUT, his explanation isn’t really for Tactical, its for Utopian himself.
Remember when Superboy Prime starting killing DCU characters? He complained as things got out of hand that “they” (his victims) “were ruining him.” When the victims are getting their heads caved in and limbs ripped off, they couldn’t care less about Prime’s banter. It was really Prime who felt he was being subverted into something other than the golden boy he thought he was.
Wow, Thanks so much, Dustin! It’s no secret that this scene has been a high point for me. Plus, it’s hard to hold people’s interest for really long scenes, like this one, but think we’ve done it with this one.
Well, for me, the most interesting part of this scene is that it isn’t the typical golden age crap some comics try to pull. The heroes are actual people, and respond accordingly. My favorite heroes in comics are (in no particular order): Spider-man, Batman (Dark Knight Returns), Rorschach (Watchmen), and Punisher. My favorite Superman comic was when he died, my least favorite was when they brought him back.
Though I will say I’m looking forward to seeing how Utopian deals with the fallout of his increased powers.
Sounds like your reading tastes are similar to mine. Dark Knight Returns is what got me into comics. Since then, the writers that inspire me the most are Grant Morrison, Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, Mark Millar, Ed Brubaker, Neal Gaiman, and Geoff Johns.
I’m glad that the characters seem like real people to you–I think that is one the strengths that Benita brings to the table is strong characterization. For us, these characters are so real that it seems like they write the stories and we merely dictate what they tell us.
Wow bro I had really fallen behind took me two days to get current. Your world is so rich bro I absolutely love it. So many characters and really nasty powerful villains. I would love to run your world as a Champions campaign. A lot of big systems D20 being the biggest have open source now where they let you create content and they just take a kick back. You should make some source books for your world most the stuff they have out there is Uber weak. Please keep up the awesomeness.
Hey, Slimredninja–I don’t think I’ve seen you since that show in Detroit! Well, your idea is excellent, I must agree. I’d love for there to be a Johnny Saturn game setting! I’ll look into it!
I agree with Slim that Johnny Saturn as a setting would be better as a Hero System setting (where things tend to be a bit grittier, and more realistic) than Mutants & Masterminds. There is no excuse to do anything with the horrors that are Heroes Unlimited and Marvel RPG.
M&M plays like a comic book, with broad strokes, where area powers can quickly cover the entire city for cheap. Hero System is more tactical, where things are measured in hexes, and gives a more realistic feel.
Just out of curiosity, do either of you know which systems are open source? I’m acquainted with the idea, because I remember when D&D went open source, and the multitude of game books that followed from other publishers.
Powers are more limited in the Saturn-verse. With the exception of Elect, noboy is going to split the planet, or move the planet, or polymorph the moon, and any other crazy, over-the-top comic book tropes. In this world, if a character was strong enough and tried to stop a train by standing on the tracks and pushing, the cars would pile up and it would be a disaster.
I hope Utopian isnt going to go all Chris Cocker over this…
If he survives Tactical’s response you mean? Somehow, I don’t think “I didn’t mean to do it!” is gonna cut it for ol’ Tac.
Not that worried about Utopian yet, his invulnerability probably scaled up as well.
Skorn however is probably somewhere behind Utopian.
Of course, If I was Saturn at this point, I’d be sneaking up behind Tactical with a lead pipe.
Don’t worry Tac, the original Johny Saturn came back from the dead after getting blown up and he was just a normal person. (Albeit with some serious psychological problems. But hey, who doesn’t?) He can be rebuilt. We have the technology.
So Nick sent his forces in expecting them to kill people, but not to get killed? If he valued Al’s over-sized hide so much, whyn’t he hold him in reserve?
I think this strip tells us more about Tactical than anything we’ve seen thus far: a short-sighted, self-centered (we already knew that), arrogant little man, and I’m not talking about physical size. People like that cause more anguish and horror than nearly any other kind. Too bad Utopian won’t put him out of his misery, as I’m sure if he survives, Tactical will cause more. Much more, if he can manage it.
That’s a wonderful take on Tactical, Rob, and 100% right. He has no redeeming qualities, no empathy, and his scarred visage mirrors his scarred soul.
Apparantly Tactical thought that Alaric was too bad-ass for any of the Squad to take him down. He didn’t account for the Utopian’s growing power levels, though.
Question about Staff of Life, what exactly can she do with the staff ? I know she has power blasts and projection of force cages. But why is she called staff of *Life* ? Can she heal people with it as well ?
Oh and I feel a bit sorry about Alaric, but only because its one of the best re-imaging of a villain , ever.
Thanks! That’s high praise!
We never really have covered that, have we? Hmmn. I think all that will come out in a few months when she builds her staff 3.0. Staff 2.0 is a solid light projection, and it’s power is transmitted without wires from a satelite that is geosynchronous orbit above where Staff is at the time. Currently, it’s powers include, but are not limited to:
Force Fields
Force structures/cages
Force blasts
Energy reading
Energy modulation
Flight
Wow…. Truly epic! To be honest though, I don’t think Tactical really gives a rat’s ass about Utopian’s ideals, so I don’t know why Utopian is bothering. On the other hand, I can understand if he’s acting out of guilt and shock, but still, trying to explain himself to Tactical seems a bit pointless, especially since Tactical should have known these guys weren’t going to go down without a fight. I feel bad about how Alaric went, but he pretty much had it coming. Tactical too – just a matter of time, I think. Besides – Utopian is a Meta, Tactical is not. Does Tactical have something up his sleeve we don’t know about yet? Because in a fist fight, I’d bet on Utopian.
Tactical has lots of access to super weapons, and he really prefers small looking guns that pack a super-whallop.
On the surface of it, Utopian trying to explain himself makes no sense. He’s a grown up, he should know better, of course. BUT, his explanation isn’t really for Tactical, its for Utopian himself.
Remember when Superboy Prime starting killing DCU characters? He complained as things got out of hand that “they” (his victims) “were ruining him.” When the victims are getting their heads caved in and limbs ripped off, they couldn’t care less about Prime’s banter. It was really Prime who felt he was being subverted into something other than the golden boy he thought he was.
Well, not I know why Tactical loves Alaric so much.
He’s full of BACON.
Kevin Bacon?
looks like thick-sliced slab pepper bacon to me. I don’t think what’s in there can dance.
NICE! Except for a little mouth dribble I like that the blast cauterized Alaric through and through!
This has been perfectly paced and shaded etc for the feel of the past few pages!
Wow, Thanks so much, Dustin! It’s no secret that this scene has been a high point for me. Plus, it’s hard to hold people’s interest for really long scenes, like this one, but think we’ve done it with this one.
Well, for me, the most interesting part of this scene is that it isn’t the typical golden age crap some comics try to pull. The heroes are actual people, and respond accordingly. My favorite heroes in comics are (in no particular order): Spider-man, Batman (Dark Knight Returns), Rorschach (Watchmen), and Punisher. My favorite Superman comic was when he died, my least favorite was when they brought him back.
Though I will say I’m looking forward to seeing how Utopian deals with the fallout of his increased powers.
Sounds like your reading tastes are similar to mine. Dark Knight Returns is what got me into comics. Since then, the writers that inspire me the most are Grant Morrison, Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, Mark Millar, Ed Brubaker, Neal Gaiman, and Geoff Johns.
I’m glad that the characters seem like real people to you–I think that is one the strengths that Benita brings to the table is strong characterization. For us, these characters are so real that it seems like they write the stories and we merely dictate what they tell us.
If looks could kill.
Wow bro I had really fallen behind took me two days to get current. Your world is so rich bro I absolutely love it. So many characters and really nasty powerful villains. I would love to run your world as a Champions campaign. A lot of big systems D20 being the biggest have open source now where they let you create content and they just take a kick back. You should make some source books for your world most the stuff they have out there is Uber weak. Please keep up the awesomeness.
Hey, Slimredninja–I don’t think I’ve seen you since that show in Detroit! Well, your idea is excellent, I must agree. I’d love for there to be a Johnny Saturn game setting! I’ll look into it!
I agree with Slim that Johnny Saturn as a setting would be better as a Hero System setting (where things tend to be a bit grittier, and more realistic) than Mutants & Masterminds. There is no excuse to do anything with the horrors that are Heroes Unlimited and Marvel RPG.
M&M plays like a comic book, with broad strokes, where area powers can quickly cover the entire city for cheap. Hero System is more tactical, where things are measured in hexes, and gives a more realistic feel.
Just out of curiosity, do either of you know which systems are open source? I’m acquainted with the idea, because I remember when D&D went open source, and the multitude of game books that followed from other publishers.
Powers are more limited in the Saturn-verse. With the exception of Elect, noboy is going to split the planet, or move the planet, or polymorph the moon, and any other crazy, over-the-top comic book tropes. In this world, if a character was strong enough and tried to stop a train by standing on the tracks and pushing, the cars would pile up and it would be a disaster.
I am still waiting for the power of Rock’n'Roll.
Not opensource, but I quite like Godlike and its superhero aftermath : Wild Talents.