So if you’re a reto, golden age, or old school comic fan then you should be checking this out:

DARK HORSE COMICS GOES PRE-CODE!

DARK HORSE PUBLISHES RARE & OUT-OF-PRINT ARCHIVES!

May 16, MILWAUKIE, OR—With a jaw-dropping selection of well-known titles, accurate color restoration, uncoated off-white paper, and an impressive roster of foreword writers, Dark Horse Archives is hitting another peak season this year with a lineup of pre-Code collections!

This heavy-hitting year will see more volumes in the Crime Does Not Pay Archives series, with engaging forewords from Greg Rucka and Howard Chaykin. Adventures into the Unknown Archives will feature a series of essays by Bruce Jones, focusing on the long-running horror anthology and the climate that led to the Comics Code Authority.

Historian Dan Nadel will provide enlightening introductions for Forbidden Worlds Archives—a true “grab bag” anthology where anything strange, fantastic, or horrific can happen—and writer/artist/historian Michael T. Gilbert will write a series of information-packed foreword pieces for Silver Streak Archives Featuring the Original Daredevil.

“The comics found in these collections are incredibly hard to find, expensive, and full of freewheeling, pre-Code fun (and sometimes viscera). It’s a joy to be able to handle these comics and work on these collections—but a bigger joy comes from being able to bring these stories to new readers and to finally assign credits to some creators who have been uncredited for decades!” said Dark Horse editor Philip Simon.

The comics in these anthologies are seen as revered and influential—but they’ve been impossible to find. Now Dark Horse is making these gems available in affordable collections for discussion, dissection, and inspiration!

Adventures into the Unknown Archives Volume 1 is on sale May 30, 2012.

Silver Streak Archives Featuring the Original Daredevil Volume 1 is on sale June 27, 2012.

Crime Does Not Pay Archives Volume 2 is on sale July 11, 2012.

Forbidden Worlds Archives Volume 1 is on sale December 12, 2012.

 

So you may, like me, be a 40K player. Or maybe the plastic crack compressed in the shape of little angry, non-proportional men prancing around in the grim dark future of the 41^st millennium has been calling to you. Either way we players that have hung through many rule changes, production flaws, price increases, poorly written rules, infrequent FAQ updates, and more shenanigans are finally being greeted with another edition of our (more or less) beloved 40K.

The drop of 6^th edition is just around the corner. Like just around it, waiting to jump on you and Hulk smash you with it’s massive boxed set and tome of rules. You know my mom always told me not to go down dark alleys…I guess I’ll never learn. But regardless of that, it doesn’t change that there’s a new edition steamrolling down the pipe, directly at our moneymakers. (That would be our faces…we’re very good looking here.) As always in the 40K community my hoodoo has been made about possible rules leaks, “secret sources,” forum drops, grand speculations, and the occasional “A red shirt told me that __________.”

And of course that means that for as much excitement there has been about the soon to be released new rules, there have been as many (and likely waaaaaaaaaay more) rabid naysayers already crying “broken!” Which of course is ludicrous considering we haven’t actually seen the rules yet, and as with all edition changes in any game, there are things that take some getting used to. That is, it takes awhile to get used to some of these things IF you choose to play that new edition.
And here’s the point, for some reason miniature war gamers are the most avid edition hounds I’ve ever known. In D&D, and many other RPG’s, there is a very real sense of edition loyalty. Players may be three editions behind of the current itineration, however they hold on to their preferred rule set. No problems, no remorse. It’s even considered a point of pride which edition you play and is often the basis for drawing in other players. Now it doesn’t make sense that the reason for edition loyalty is cost. Because in RPG’s your cost is a few books, a bunch if you were a book hoarder like me back in AD&D 2^nd ed. But even with that, the cost of even a dozen books doesn’t come close to the expense of a army for a mini game. So that’s right out the window.

Warhammer 40K

I’ve never walked into a game store (and certainly not a GW), and heard two guys getting ready for a pick up game ask what edition they’re using. The only exception to this was back when Warmachine was in the new\beta\in-between release of MK:II rules. But excluding that, a war gamer is almost always going to be pimping the new rule set. And they’re excited about it! It’s a point of pride to be there on the day rules drop to be some of the first to play it and find how to exploit the rules.

And there is where I believe the source of mandatory new edition syndrome comes from within the war-gaming community. Because war-gaming is adversarial and basically competitive in nature (even for you beer and pretzel types), unlike most RPG’s, there is a tendency to learn the rules in and out and continually tweak a list build for maximum efficiency. And if you do that long enough within an existing set of rules then you eventually get the gist of the system and the game can lose some if not most of it’s appeal (yeah I’m laser-beam-eyeballing you tourney types).

A new edition is like new models, CRACK. The challenge is there and a new method of running a list, army, or build is presented for exploitation and exploration. Just like a mamma badger and nest full of rainbow unicorn eggs. The player under the new edition now has a new approach to the game, fresh challenges, and of course new things to complain about. Because what’s a hobby without whining?

So there we have it. A new edition is just around the corner and we have a bunch of upset gamers, despite things not being official yet. My proposition is find an edition you like and play it, adopt the new one and quit the belly aching because you have over a thousand dollars of partially assembled and painted plastic in your closet, or sell your crap and go find a new game.

What’s your plans and thoughts over the new edition for 40K?

This just in from those gurus of goodness at DH:

TONY PURYEAR’S CONCRETE PARK RETURNS TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

May 16, MILWAUKIE, OR—With overwhelming fan support, Tony Puryear’s Concrete Park is slated for a new story arc in Dark Horse Presents #14–#17!

Concrete Park’s return in Dark Horse Presents #14 brings us dark visions for Isaac and an event that will rock all the inhabitants of Scare City, human and non-human. This ongoing sci-fi series, written and drawn by screenwriter Tony Puryear (Eraser) takes you to a far-off planet where Earth’s poor youth have been exiled, and where they now must make a new world.

“Working with Dark Horse, getting to appear in DHP alongside great new work by Mike Mignola and Neal Adams is a terrific honor,” Puryear says. “I’m gratified that the reviews have been so positive, and more importantly, that the fans are finding and following Concrete Park. And on a personal note—we got the cover!”

Praise for Concrete Park:

 “The visuals on Concrete Park are a highly graphic style that is incredibly appealing.”—Comic Book Resources

“[Puryear’s] art . . . instantly grabbed my attention. His thick, heavy inks are striking, forming his characters with a great deal of confidence and force. Through his art, you instantly get a feel for this near-future [city]; the swagger of his characters and their surroundings just bursts off of the page.”—Read About Comics

“Concrete Park is no longer the unexpected surprise of Dark Horse Presents. Now that we are three chapters into the story, I expect it to be good. And it is. Screenwriter Tony Puryear is making his debut in comics with this series, and he is doing damn fine double-duty as writer and artist. Every time I think I know what is going on in Concrete Park, Puryear throws me for a loop.”—Comics Bulletin

Dark Horse Presents #14 is on comic stands July 18, 2012!

Hey guys and gals and gravy growing gremlins! So for sometime now we’ve been mulling over a podcast for GC and it’s finally becoming a reality. We’re super excited.

So excited that a staff challenge was issued for an acrobatic competition. Darren won with a triple gainer back flip off a piano onto a kiddie pool filled with jello. We all thought he was going to kill himself but he didn’t. He did end up slipping and cracked his head on the bathroom tile when he went to shower off. So now we have a crisis. We need to help big D get his geek knowledge back. This is where you guys come in!

What we need is your geeky (ish) questions for our Bringing Back Big D’s Brain segment. It’s a short roundtable discussion where we quiz, discuss, debate, or weigh in the hosts and third chair guest on topics provided by you. This way we can build a database of general and specific geekery to download in to Darren 2.0…wait…no no no. He’s not being built as an automaton hell bent on world domination? Are you crazy? What do you think this is Dr. Who?

Okay anyway, so do us a favor and leave comments below, mention us on the twitters @geekcentricity, fill up our Facebook page, or send smoke signals. I’m part Cherokee it’s okay. Pretty much anything goes here guys: Comics, movies, TV, video games, industry releases, models, board games, card games, tech, general geekery, miniature gaming, dice, gaming accessories, it doesn’t matter. Ask away! Only your imagination is limiting you. And come on, no one wants to be beaten by an imaginary imagination! Get off your keester and comment, tweet, post, or puff!

Er…well…uh, forget it. You figure it out. We’re looking forward to the input and being able to make this your podcast! And of course if there are topics you’d like to see covered let us know that too! You’ll get shout outs so make sure to include your handle\name!

Until next time guys, gals, gremlins. Keep it geeky!

This just in from those boys and gals at Dark Horse and THQ (Yeah the guys that made Space Marine and Kill Team…no I’m not a 40K fanboy…):

DARK HORSE WORKS WITH THQ ON EXCLUSIVE DARKSIDERS^® II PREQUEL COMIC!

May 14, MILWAUKIE, OR—As announced through Best Buy, fans eagerly awaiting Darksiders^® II can get an exclusive Darksiders prequel comic from Dark Horse Comics when they preorder the Best Buy exclusive Darksiders II: Angel of Death edition for Xbox 360 ® or PlayStation® 3!

With a stunning cover from game creator Joe Madureira, this Best Buy exclusive print issue takes place before the events of Darksiders II, as Death travels to Earth to hunt down and confront a rogue demon!

Written by Andrew Kreisberg (Batman Confidential, Green Arrow and Black Canary, FOX’s Fringe) and drawn by Roger Robinson (Batman: Arkham City, Azrael), Darksiders II: Death’s Door reveals essential secrets from the world of the upcoming game!

Preorder your copy of Darksiders II today!

About Darksiders II

Awakened by the End of Days, Death, the most feared of the legendary Four Horsemen embarks on a quest to redeem his brother’s name. Become the terrifying force which everything fears but nothing can escape.

The original Darksiders^®, released in January 2010, received critical acclaim including the Best Fantasy Game 2010 award from IGN. Darksiders followed the story of WAR, wrongly accused of starting the apocalypse, on a quest to reclaim lost honor and take revenge on those who wronged him.

About THQ

THQ Inc. is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.  THQ, Darksiders, Vigil Games and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists.  In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

The Game

The Comic

Hot off the presses more licensed comic book action, this time it’s not a video game but Pathfinder! Read on for the details and images.

Paizo’s incredible award-winning, best-selling fantasy world, fiction line and tabletop RPG is now the ultimate fantasy comic from Dynamite Entertainment, hitting stores in August! Dynamite is proud to announce that the ongoing series is written by Jim Zubkavich with art by Andrew Huerta, with covers by Lucio Parillo, Matteo Scalera, Dave Dorman, and Erik Jones!!!

Cover

Alt Cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The iconic heroes at the core of the Pathfinder’s world are brought to life for the first time in a brand new story full of charm and high adventure that will please fans and entertain new readers alike. Issue 1 clocks in at 40 pages (and remains $3.99) and includes over 10 pages of character profiles and Pathfinder RPG game statistics, plus an EXCLUSIVE removable, playable tactical map and poster. Be sure to pick up Pathfinder #1 from Dynamite, coming this August to comic stores everywhere!

In issue #1, Valeros can rely on only his sword arm and his friends, the mysterious and beautiful sorcerer Seoni and silver tongued quick-witted elven rogue Merisiel, but nothing can prepare him for the dangers that lurk ahead. The scattered and chaotic goblin tribes of Varisia are changing, growing in power and unifying in ways no one has ever seen before. At the heart of this strange evolution is an ancient evil looking to establish itself anew.

“Pathfinder has blazed new trails in gaming and fiction, winning over thousands of fans all over the world. I’m absolutely thrilled to add to its mythology and flesh out the iconic characters at the heart of the Golarion world,” says writer Jim Zubkavich. “Sword and sorcery adventure pumps through my veins and I can’t wait for readers to experience what Dynamite and I have planned.”

“I am thrilled with the work Jim Zub and Andrew Huerta have put into the Pathfinder comic book,” adds Paizo Publisher Erik Mona. “Jim and I go way back to my time as Editor-in-Chief of Dragon Magazine, and his experience with fantasy and gaming make him the perfect writer for the series. Andrew’s pencils are absolutely amazing, and bring an exciting and fresh new look to the characters, monsters, and lands of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.”

“From day one of when we were awarded the license for the Pathfinder comic we knew we had only one chance to make a great first impression for Pathfinder and comics fans – Jim and Andrew are the perfect team for the series. It is great to finally have the opportunity to publish these wonderful comics,” adds Dynamite Entertainment President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. “I also finally get the chance to work with Jim Zubkavich, a writer whom I have the upmost respect for, and Andrew’s art is nothing short of breathtaking. And these covers by Lucio Parillo, Matteo Scalera, Dave Dorman, and Erik Jones are just astounding!”

A handful of new goodies coming out from the Spartan crew. For more info check over at Spartan’s website!

Okay so great stuff going on from the guys at G33k Watch and Deniath community to help charity. Hey it’s voter directed Mass Effect gameplay and for a good cause! Go check it out…