The Swedish Chef Knows What's Up

This is the first of a few Joe Flanders Comics pieces I'll be sharing in the next few days. 

Nightcat Review

I like picking up weird and random comics. During a recent trip to my childhood comic shop, I definitely found something that fits that description. 

Released in 1991, Nightcat was a Marvel superhero persona created for musician and actress Jacqueline Tavares. A full album was released in conjunction with the issue. If you want to check that out I'll post a YouTube link at the end of the post. Stan Lee, who makes a quick cameo in the comic, is given credit for scripting the story, though according to those that worked on the project, his input was minimal at best.

The story introduces us to Jackie Tavares, a young women in Queens who lost her mother due to alcoholism and music. Because of this her father forbids her from pursuing music too, fearing it will consume her life. Eventually Jackie decided to pursue music anyway and creates an alter-ego, Nightcat to do so. She finds fame and fortune but her life changes when she discovers a case of drugs. 

This is where the story of Nightcat is oddly becomes similar to 2004's Catwoman starring Halle Barry. She is kidnapped by men working for a pharmaceutical CEO working on experimental cosmetics. She is given a mixture of chemicals and cat's blood which make her cat-like powers. She is saved by her father, investigating undercover. Her father is killed and she swears revenge. She gets it and vows to hunt the "human jackals that prey on helpless, innocent victims."

The cover claims this is Nightcat's premier issue, but spoiler, it's also her only issue, though she would be mentioned in one or two random comics after this. There was a a planned crossover with Spidey, but because of terrible sales it was axed. I've seen articles saying this is one of the worst Marvel comics of all time. As someone that has read NFL SuperPro and U.S. 1 I can definitely say that's not the case. Then again, I like those titles so take my opinion worth a grain of salt. I love the Joe Jusko cover and the interior artwork from Denys Cowan are good. Fun fact, though his art doesn't appear in the issue Nightcat was designed by Jim Lee. The story is simple and nothing to write home about, but its fine. I'm not telling you to run out and pick this one up, but if you see it in a dollar box, go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Nightcat In Your Game

Nightcat: Init +3; Atk +2 claws (1d4) or +2 telescopic staff (1d6); Crit II/1d10; AC 13 (dex); HD 4d6; HP 14; Mov. 30'; Act 1d20; SP thief skills; SV Ref +4; Fort +1, Will +1; AL L

Thief skills: Backstab +3, Sneak silently +6, Hide in Shadows +8, Pick pocket +6, Climb sheer surfaces +8, Pick lock +6, Find trap +5, Disable trap +8, Forge document +3, Disguise self +4, Read languages +1, Cast from spell d10 

Deathstalker Compendium

I've not watched the Deathstalker reboot, but browsing through DriveThruRPG I found this. Produced by the ProgCore Fantasy team for Shout! Studios, the Deathstalker D&D 5E Compendium contains stats for 12 npcs/monsters from the new flick, as well as two powerful magic items. The content is created for regular 5e, not D&D 2024.

Have you seen the new Deathstalker?

Non-Gaming Update

After about two years of looking for work after my fall, I've got a new job. I'll be working for the state at an organization that does good work helping people. Already looking for an apartment and hope I have my own place soon. Once I do I plan on trying to run a regular game of something.

Here's an unrelated pic of what I'm currently reading.

Chasing the (Savage) Dragon - Malcom Dragon (DCC)

Here's my first attempt at making a character in the style of Amazing Adventures In The Public Domain. Instead of making stats for Kurr Dragon (the original Image Savage Dragon), I thought it would be easier to the series current protagonist, Malcom Dragon. This is extra appropriate because the series regularly uses characters from the Public Domain. I just picked up the most recent issue which features Mickey Mouse, Pete, and Popeye.

Malcom Dragon

• Legacy Hero
• Regenerating powerhouse
• Electric punches

Malcom Dragon is the only child of Kurr Dragon and electrokinetic heroine, Rapture, Malcom Dragon. Thought to have died, he was kidnapped and raised by the Covenant of the Sword, a covert organization bent on world domination. Malcom was raised in another dimension. Upon meeting his father, he decided to become a hero. Malcom is a born leader and protector. He fights for his extended family and those in need.

Starting Equipment

Special Operations Strikeforce uniform

Statistics

• Strength 20 (+4)
• Agility 16  (+2)
• Stamina 20 (+4)
• Personality 12
• Luck 10 
• Intelligence 12 
• Action Die: 1d20+1d14
• Attack Bonus: +5
• Saves: Ref +2, Fort +5, Will +1

Background

Legacy hero, father, and reality tv star

Hit Points & Hit Die

Malcom Dragon starts with 44 HP or 5d12HD. Additional Hit Dice earned through gifts are d12s.

Weapons & Armor

Malcom tends to fight with his bare hands, though due to his police training can use all standard police issue weapons. 

Electric Fists

Malcom tends to deal with threats using his fists. They do 1d10 damage. He can use his inherited electrokinesis to do an extra 1d4 damage with these attacks.

Regeneration

Malcom regains 1d4 HP at the beginning of each of his turns.

Dragon Skin

Malcom takes half damage from all non-magical attacks. His natural AC is 14.

Advancement Options

• Super durability - +1 Strength, can be chosen more than once
• Super strength - +1 Strength, can be chosen more than once
• Increased health - +1 HD, can be chosen more than once
• Taking up the mantle - upgrade all save dice +1d

Malcom Dragon as an NPC

Malcom Dragon: Init +2; Atk +9 electric punch (1d10+1d4+4); Crit IV/1d16; AC 16 (dragon skin, dex); HD 5d12+20*; HP 64/44*; Mov. 30'; Act 1d20+1d14; SP dragon skin, electric fists, regeneration; SV Ref +4; Fort +9, Will +2; AL L

*As presented in Amazing Adventures In The Public Domain his HD should be 5d12 and his HP should be 44. However, I think he should have his Stamina bonus added.

Truth, Justice, and…

 Whether it’s “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” or “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow” Superman would absolutely be anti-I.C.E.

This piece by kevintranart_ and wanted to share.

Amazing Adventures in the Public Domain Issue #1

Y'all know I taking things from the public domain. I've used Public Domain Super Heroes wiki quite a bit on here, particularly with my New Punverse and Punch A Nazi posts. 

Today I received my pdf for Amazing Adventures in the Public Domain #1. Before I dive into I just want to say that the Kevin Maguire Justice League tribute cover is inspired! Written by Matt Bevilacqua and illustrated by Gino Vasconcelos, this book is a toolkit for Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG. Inspired by comics and books from Alan Moore, Philip Jose Farmer, and Warren Ellis, you play a champion pulled from time by Merlin to fight for justice and truth.

The game differs from standard DCC in a few ways. While typical DCC games start with 0-level funnels in which a group of peasants try to survive, in Amazing Adventures in the Public Domain characters play as specific figures of legend.  These heroes are:

• The Terror (The Black Terror)
• The Ghost (Phantom Lady)
• Dorothy Gale
• Achilles
• The Golden Phantasm (Ōgon Bat)
• Santa Claus
• Stardust, the Super Wizard (for an alternate take on Stardust check out Leopard Women of Venus).

While some of these make sense, some are weird choices to me. Ghost, the Black Terror, the Golden Bat, and Stardust all seem quite appropriate. Dorothy Gale and Santa make sense thematically, but don't fit the supers vibe of the others. I'm not complaining, I just would have liked to have seen public domain comic characters. This is a personal preference thing, and honestly its deviating a bit from what Matt set out to make. Now lets take a look at how these figures are presented.

Each of characters is roughly 5th level (all start with a certain amount of HP or 5 hit dice). They also have really good stats and some powerful abilities. However, they don't gain levels or have classes like typical DCC characters. Instead when they advance they can choose from different options (new abilities, stat adjustments, more HP). Each entry also has a related random table (a staple of DCC) and NPC stats for the character. This is a novel approach to DCC and allows the characters to feel superheroic, even from the start. Even in super-centric DCC games like Comic Crawl Classics and Evolved: Super Heroic Time Travel Roleplaying Game starting characters tend to be quite fragile. I really dig the way characters are presented, and I think I'm going to make my own heroes in this style in future posts. I might combine this with some of my other features like Chasing the (Savage) Dragon and Punch a Nazi Week.

There are a few other crunchy bits for players. Merlin is presented as a DCC wizard patron (with three patron spells). Usage Die from The Black Hack has borrowed as well as rote magic from DCC Dying Earth. Due to the time and space aspect of the setting, firearms are present. Matt recommends Crawl Zine #8, which imo is the go-to gun rules for DCC RPG. Damage die various firearms are included.

In addition to the heroic legends and rules, the book includes a short adventure, Shadow Over Kansas. This one is brilliant. A jumping off point to an Amazing Adventures in the Public Domain campaign, the players are sent to early 1900's Kansas by Merlin to stop villainous wizards from taking a young child destined for greatness from the young couple meant to find him. The wizards in question are Joseph Curwen and Murder Legendre! The adventure includes a festival, a nefarious super computer, and a variety of foes. A bon-vivant with connections to Cenobites-with-the-serial-numbers-filed-off, also makes an appearance! I (shamelessly) believe my Brightburn stats would be perfect to use for the destined child if the villains are successful. 

Finally the zine ends with a crossword puzzle, word search, and ads. The advertisements I get, but the puzzles are a little odd to me. 

If you can't tell I adore this one. I can't wait to get my physical copy and use it. As I've mentioned, this one would be great to to use with Comic Crawl Classics, Evolved, and my upcoming Crisis In Infinite Zines #1. Not sure when physical copies will be available to the public, but you can get the pdf on DriveThruRPG by following this link.

Update 2/17/2026

Upon reading the book another time I noticed a few things that need clarified or added. Dorothy Gale and the Ghost are missing NPC stats. Also there is no mention of which Crit Table each legend uses. I've messaged the author about these issues.

Pathetic

 Here’s another anti-I.C.E. piece I found. This time we get DCAU Batman expressing his thoughts. The piece was created by Jordan Gibson.

Dr. Bees Returns (Again)

 I still don't understand why, but I love these videos.

• Dr. Bees and #CHANGETHEBEES
• Dr. Bees Returns

A new Dr. Bees video dropped and it's even more odd that the others.