The Monday Missive - Tony is an Arsonist

Do you ever have a friend that you just love, but keeps . . .I don't know . . . literally setting you on fire? I mean, you want to be friends with this guy. You like having him in your life, but . . . there comes a point where you have to say, "Hey man, I don't appreciate you burning me." 
Well, I have that friend. His name is Tony. Yes, that Tony. (more after the break!)

It's like the picture above, but with more fire. You see, as I may have mentioned, Tony, Hai, and I have been playing through the Left 4 Dead games. We had a great time with the first one. It had been years since I'd played it and let me tell you, the game really holds up. We had a few problematic levels, like when the tank kept swatting us off the roof of the hospital, but other than that, it was a breeze. 

Then came Left 4 Dead 2. 
To say it's more challenging isn't doing it justice. In my mind, it was pretty much the same as the first in every way. Now that I've played them back-to-back, I realize just how wrong that is. The sequel is challenging. Many of the levels end with screaming and the gnashing of teeth.

That said, it's amazing we've gotten anywhere because Tony is a God damned pariah when he has a Molotov cocktail. It was a funny, 'ha ha' joke for a while. "Oh, that Tony! Always setting his friends ablaze!" Now, whenever we get set on fire, no one says a word. There is only silence and shame.  I don't even know that he really understands what they do, because apparently, when our backs are against the wall, Tony thinks they work like ninja smoke pellets that you throw down at your feet.

Maybe we'll finish it in time for Left For Dead 3. 
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The Punisher

Rumors are flying that the Punisher could get his own series on Netflix. As with most dumb-ass, regurgitated entertainment news, it's being treated like fact. But . . . just read what was said. It's not confirmed. Not even close. 

But of course they want to make a Punisher series. He's got more name-recognition than any of the other characters they're dealing with. The problem is that the Punisher usually isn't written very well. I won't go so far as to say he's inherently boring, but at his core, the idea is pretty one-note. It's just a guy who is really mad at crime, so he shoots bad guys. That's some 70's wish-fulfillment banality right there. He really is kind of a relic. He's been written well. There are some fantastic Punisher stories out there, like Nathan Edmonson's recent, under-appreciated run. 
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Admittedly, I'd do a terrible job writing him, as well. Kind of like Superman. Not a bad character. Just a challenge to write for. 

I just hope they turn him into an angel. Or an African American. 

Mailing List

Hey, I haven't mentioned it in a while! Gimme yer info! I've got some super-secret correspondence going out soon. Do it HERE. 

Other Cool Things

• Iron Maiden is releasing a video game?!? YES, PLEASE. 
• The game adaptation of I HAVE NO MOUTH AND I MUST SCREAM was just re-released on mobile devices. Harlan Ellison wrote it. Isn't that reason enough for you to pounce? What a strange, unsettling game. 
• I just started listening to a new podcast called Lore. It's creepy little bits of folklore and history - the dark side of stuff. I recommend it. If you're a creative-type and need something to get the wheels turning, give this a listen. 
• I didn't play much proper Dungeons and Dragons growing up. I just didn't have access to it, really. But for the longest time, I was fixated on Ravenloft. That was their gothic, vampires and other things-that-go-bump-in-the-night setting. At long last, they're bringing it back with the Curse of Strahd. 

YOUR WORK!

Many of you have sent me links to your creative endeavors, asking for help in boosting the signal. I'm more than happy to oblige. 

Almost Above Average

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Man, the internet is great and all, but what it really needs are more opinions about video games. 

Dave has you covered. He has both opinions AND news! In reading his first article, I see that he has rated the games of 2015, heaping accolades or shame upon them. 

You should visit and interact with him. Tell him he is a fool! Or a prophet! It's the internet. There is no middle ground! GO HERE.

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