World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
August 3, 2007 | 1 Comment
I quit World of Warcraft a couple years ago, but I still find the game and it’s world fascinating. This is why I was interested to hear the announcements of the expansion titled: Wrath of the Lich King. The following is what has been announced so far about this expansion:
- The continent of Northrend added to the world of Azeroth. Northrend is about the size of Outland.
- New Content for WoW players level 68 and up.
- The WoW Level cap increased from 70 to 80.
- An array of new abilities and talents introduced.
- A new “Hero” class added - the Death Knight; this class will need to be unlocked through certain criteria before it becomes available.
- New Profession: Inscriptions - allowing you to permanently enhance spells and abilities.
- Siege Weapons and Destructable Buildings added to the PvP landscape, as well as a new Battleground.
- A plethora of new Dungeons, including 25-player Raid Dungeons and Heroic variants.
- An abundance of new quests, monsters, items, and recipes.
Tags: blizzard, blizzcon, death knight, hero, hero class, siege, siege weapons, warcraft, world of warcraft, wow
New Thunderbolts Lineup
October 16, 2006 | 1 Comment
Warren Ellis (Nextwave) will partner with Mike Deodato (New Avengers and Amazing Spider-Man) will take over Thunderbolts beginning with issue #110.
This is an ideal time for a creative change with the T-Bolts. Following the events leading up to the startling conclusion of Civil War #2, we’ve seen much of the roster for the Thunderbolts shaken up. Three of the most lethal and frightening Marvel villains unite on this team: Venom, Green Goblin, and Bullseye. Ellis and Deodato promise to provide a dark and disturbing take on a team who can often sway between hero and villain.
Can these evil characters have turned over a new leaf with superhero registration? Can they be trusted to police other villains? This is their opportunity for redemption and I’ll be there watching as many of these characters are sure to unravel.
I picked up a few T-bolt issues leading into and through Civil War. I was surprised to find myself intrigued by the prospect of this team of villains turned hero. Many of them have ulterior motives, some good, some bad. This is a book that always keeps readers guessing. If Ellis does as well with this as he does with Nextwave, this is sure to make my monthly pull list.
Tags: amazing spider-man, bullseye, Green Goblin, hero, mike deodato, new avengers, nextwave, thunderbolts, venom, villain, warren ellis
Spider-Man Pewter Chess Set
August 14, 2006 | 6 Comments
SOTA Toys is releasing a $499 pewter Spider-Man themed chess set this August. I have to admit, the geek in me was intrigued… at first.
I really like the board itself. It’s themed like a rooftop in fairly ornate detail. This includes a non-flat surface creating a much more three dimensional and real experience. I was surprised to have not seen this idea sooner, it’s just brilliant.
The cast for pieces is good, at least on first glance:
Heroes
King: Spider-man (red & blue)
Queen: Symbiote Spider-man (black)
Knight: Punisher
Knight: Moon Knight
Bishop: Daredevil
Bishop: Black Cat
Rook: Cloak & Dagger
Rook: Blade
Pawn: Spider Tracer
Villains
King: Green Goblin
Queen: Doctor Octopus
Knight: Scorpion
Knight: Sandman
Bishop: Electro
Bishop: Lizard
Rook: Venom
Rook: Rhino
Pawn: Spider Slayer
This list is where I became frustrated. To begin with, why have both red & blue suit and black suit Spider-Man? What a terrible cop out. Let’s instead put Black Cat in that spot. Hell, if Spider-Man wasn’t also Peter Parker Black Cat would still be attached to Spidey. Alright, don’t like Black Cat? How about Spider-Girl? Or one of the three Spider-Woman characters? Surely any of these would be better. I’ve got no love for the clone-saga, but frankly I’d take Scarlet Spider over two Spider-Man’s on the chess board…
Next, what’s with Moon Knight?!? I suppose they fought alongside each other occasionally, but I’d much rather see Human Torch, Silver Sable, or even Firestar in this lineup. Cloak and Dagger seemed strange at first, until I realized they first appeared in a Spider-Man comic, leading me to accept them far more readily. The rest of the heroes are good choices.
On to the villains… this is a tough one. Spider-Man has one of the deepest rogue galleries of any super hero I’ve ever encountered. The ones chosen here are a solid list. At first I really wanted a female in the “Queen” slot, but as I poked around in my head, I couldn’t come up with an A-list (or even B-list) female villain for Spidey. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not free of complaint when it comes to the villain list…
First off, we have Blade on the good side, but no Morbius on the bad? Who did Blade show up to fight? The dude kills vampires exclusively!
This lack of match-up has me concerned for Daredevil, Punisher, Black Cat, Cloak and Dagger, and Moon Knight. These guys all fight organized crime. That’s their shared niche and where Spidey teams up with this crew. Where are the major crime villains? Where’s Kingpin? Tombstone? Hammerhead? The Enforcers?
As I said before, there are a lot of villains, so I can understand them leaving some out. What I don’t get is why, knowing this, they would decide to make all the pawns the same? One or two unique spider-slayers is tolerable, but why not pull some other thugs up as pawns when you got all these other big names to choose from: Beetle, Chameleon, Carnage, Shocker, Hydro Man, Mysterio, Morbius, Man Wolf, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, or Hobgoblin?
Back on the hero side, I’d love to see them use regular people, friends, and family as pawns instead of the lame spider tracers. For instance, take your pick from these: Mary Jane, J Jonah Jameson, Aunt May, Gwen Stacy, Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, Robbie Robertson, or Harry Osborn. Wouldn’t that be a lot more fun? Imagine having to sacrifice Gwen Stacy to take down the Green Goblin. It just begs to be setup this way!
In conclusion, with the stiff $499 price tag, they could have, should have, gone the extra mile to make this chess set irresistible to all fans. At this price they need to do something, their target market will all have similar complaints to mine… Save your money or buy more comics.
Tags: "black suit", aunt may, Beetle, Betty Brant, black cat, blade, Carnage, Chameleon, chess, cloak, Cloak and Dagger, dagger, daredevil, doc ock, Doctor Octopus, electro, enforcers, firestar, flash thompson, game, goblin, Green Goblin, gwen stacy, hammerhead, harry osborn, hero, heroes, hobgoblin, human torch, Hydro Man, j jonah jameson, kingpin, Kraven the Hunter, lizard, Man Wolf, mary jane, moon knight, Morbius, Mysterio, organized crime, osborn, pewter, prowler, punisher, rhino, Robbie Robertson, Sandman, scarlet spider, Scorpion, Shocker, silver sable, spider slayer, spider tracer, spider-girl, spider-man, spider-woman, spiderman, spidey, the enforcers, tombstone, vampire, vampires, venom, villain, villains, Vulture
My Brother, The Hero
September 2, 2005 | 2 Comments
My brother, Philip John “PJ” Tirrell (Jr), is an amazing person. I’m convinced I could actually write an entire book about the guy, but what makes me think of this at the moment is his impending departure for New Orleans. A veteran of the first Gulf War, he returned to the states and made his career as a professional firefighter. Apparently helping people in times of extreme crisis or disaster is what drives him. He stayed in the Guard after returning and was called up again last year. He returned from Iraq for the second time this February.
He is now headed out with the New Hampshire 744th to help with Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
The Concord Monitor: “New Hampshire Guard headed for New Orleans” says:
Gov. John Lynch announced his decision to send 488 troops yesterday for a mission that is expected to last at least 14 days. Units being activated include the 744th Transportation Unit based in Hillsboro, troops under command based in Concord, a field artillery unit in the North Country, a military police unit in Manchester, a field artillery unit in southern New Hampshire and members of the air refueling wing in Newington.
Interestingly enough one of my students is in the North Country unit and has also been activated.
Finally I want to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and guard units who are helping in this effort and helping to better mankind in general. I truly appreciate it.
Update:
More on the 744th in Louisiana:
From Concord Monitor: State reaches out to Katrina’s victims
Four Concord firefighters are on their way to help with relief efforts, too. Firefighter Philip Tirrell, a sergeant with the 744th Transportation Co. who returned from Iraq last March, will be in New Orleans by today to help with cleanup and police duties. Lt. Robert Chaisson and firefighter Alexander Matson will leave tomorrow to volunteer.
Other related press coverage:
Union Leader: NH Guardsmen leave for ‘battle’ on new front
Tags: concord, guard, gulf war, hero, hurricane, hurricane katrina, katrina, national guard, new hampshire, New Orleans, philip tirrell jr, public service, tirrell