Chasing the (Savage) Dragon - Ack! Ack!

Mars Attacks Image and Mars Attacks Savage Dragon were intercompany crossovers between Image Comics and Topps Comics in 1996. Unlike most crossovers, these actually affected continuity of the Image universe (at least Erik Larsen's version) and are cannon. I've watched videos about the main story and read the synopsis of the Savage Dragon-centric title. Because Dragon is such an important character these have been added to my Chasing the (Savage) Dragon quest. Of the 8 issues, I only have Mars Attacks Image #4. The other issues aren't too rare, but I'm trying to find them in the wild before I go to eBay.

I've wanted to do some Savage Dragon related DCC content and thought this would be a fun way to start that endeavor. These stats are an amalgamation of the movie, comics, and cards. I also took a lot of inspiration from Tim Snider's Martian Crawl Classics. The Martian death ray pistol is lifted from it. I highly recommend that book and if you want to expand your Martian encounters.

Martian Grunt:  Init +0, Atk +2 unarmed (1d4) or +2 Martian Death Ray Pistol (disintegrate, DC 15 Fort save for 3d6, range 80');  AC 12; HD 2d6; MV 30'; Act 1d20; SP Martian physiology; Fort +2/+0, Ref +0, Will +0; AL C

Martian Physiology: Martians are physically frail and breathe nitrogen and oxygen is toxic to them. In addition to their oxygen intolerance they are greatly affected by certain high pitched sounds. They take 1d6 damage each round they exposed to these sounds. Sound based attacks also have their damage die increased one step.

Martian Death Ray Pistol: This deadly weapon disintegrate those struck by its rays. Creatures must make a DC 15 save or turn to a pile of ashes. Even if the save is successful, the target takes 3d6 damage. The pistol has a range of 80'. The rifle can make four attacks before it needs a new power cell. 

Martian Suit: The armor provides a +4 AC bonus and has a 1d6 fumble die. The protective suit provides full environmental protection and a +2 bonus to Fort saves. The suits are attuned to Martian physiology and the life support creates nitrogen, rather than oxygen.

Sugar, Spice…

Just another reminder, Fuck I.C.E (and the Border Patrol while we’re at it)!”

Art by Delaney’s Art

I Want To Be A Superzero

Dave and I made some changes and are waiting on another printer proof for issue one of Crisis In Infinite Zines. That's not stopped us from working on the second issue. A new class that will appear will be the Superzero. The class was inspired by the Legion of Substitute-Heroes and X-Men: Worst X-Man Ever (which I haven't actually read yet). While most comic book characters get cool powers, some of the most interesting ones get the short straw. A great example of this are the Jokers from the Wild Cards series. Every random power on the chart was inspired by an existing comic book, manga, or anime character.

If your funnel survivor has awful stats or if you just want to play something out of the ordinary, the Superzero class might be what you're looking for. I couldn't find a good way to post the WIP here, so I've turned it into a pdf and linked it below. I'd love to hear what y'all think. This is a first draft, so I know it needs work.

Superzero PDF - WIP

Marvel Hero Academia

While I love One-Punch Man, My Hero Academia is my favorite Japanese take on superhero comics. I recently found these Marvel/MHA crossovers.

The first piece was created by MHA creator Kohei Horikoshi.

Here’s a crossover art piece by Marvel artists Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado. I love Black Cat, but there’s no way he’s getting away from those heroines.

This one isn’t a crossover piece, but it is an MHA illustration by regular Marvel artist Dan Hipp.

It's Berzerkin' Time!!

Jackson Kirby is an homage to the King created by Rob Liefeld for his original Youngblood run. The character would be revamped for a later version of Youngblood. He was the leader of a team of mutants from the future, the Berzerkers. He didn't appear to have any particular powers and since he's from the future I thought I'd stat him out as an Evolved Soldier (with some 2051 tech).

Peacemaker (7th soldier): Init +2; Atk +8 unarmed (1d4+2) or +8 plasma blaster pistol (1d10, range 50/100/150) ; Crit IV/1d20; AC 16 (dex, force defense screen); HD 6d12+12; HP 66; Mov. 30'; Act 1d20+1d16; SP Specialty (Special Intelligence) +7, heroic effort, chain of command; SV Ref +5; Fort +8; Will +3; Path PoH +1d.

Equipment: force defense screen, plasma blaster pistols (X2)

He’s The Boss, Baby

Another of my fav background heroes created for Invincible is Business Baby. Like Two Punch Man little is known about him. Despite having the body of a toddler, he is extremely agile and a hand to hand combat expert. He is normally accompanied by the the strong hero, Big Mildew. He was one of the heroes brought in by Brit to fighting in the Invincible War. He was able to dodge attacks by the evil variant he faced, thought he appeared to die when Big Mildew fell on him. Series creator, Robert Kirkman, has stated that he survived and was recovering.

Business Baby: Init +5; Atk +3 punch (1d4); Crit II/1d10; AC 18; HD 6d6; HP 30; Mov. 30'; Act 1d20+1d16; SP good luck charm; SV Ref +5; Fort +2; Will +3; Path L

I figured I'd go ahead and I'd also stat out Big Mildew.

Big Mildew: Init +0; Atk +d8 punch (1d10+5); Crit G/1d16; AC 14; HD 6d12; HP 74; Mov. 30'; Act 1d20+1d16; SP crit range 18-20, mighty deeds of prowess ; SV Ref +2; Fort +7; Will +2; Path L

Two Puuuuuuuuunch!!!!!

While the Invincible comic series features appearances from many Image heroes, due to licensing issues, the animated version has had to create new ones. One such hero is Two Punch Man. Not much is known about the character, but it's obvious he's an homage/parody of Saitama, the protagonist of One-Punch Man. His first appearance was at the funeral for the Guardians of the Globe. He is apparently as strong as Saitama and he can fly. He seemed to be taken out pretty easily, so he isn't the most durable. To use his power he must land a second punch on his foes. This is shown to take out a magma creature that gave Invincible trouble. Unfortunately for Two Punch Man, he's often knocked out before he can land the second blow.

Two Punch Man: Init +2; Atk +5 punch (1d4); Crit V/1d20; AC 14; HD 3d8; HP 15; Mov. 30', fly 50'; Act 1d20; SP two punch; SV Ref +2; Fort +3; Will +2; Path L

Two punch: Two Punch Man can unleash his devastating power on an opponent he punches a second time in combat. Instead of 1d4 damage, this punch deals 12d12 damage. Two Punch Man can hold back his power and make the punch nonlethal. If this option is taken, instead of killing the opponent, it reduces them to 1 HP and they fall unconscious.

Also if you're curious about the blog's title, its a reference to the infectious theme for the first season of One-Punch Man.

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Today is Eric Bloat’s birthday. Since he’s my favorite Batman fan, I thought it would be fun stat up Birthday Boy, the first costumed villain faced by Batman Earth One. Wish Eric a happy birthday and make it extra special by grabbing one of his games from the Bloat Games shop or DriveThruRPG.

Birthday Boy: Init +2; Atk +d6 serial killer knife (1d8+3); Crit G/1d20; AC 14; HD 4d8+12; HP 32; Mov. 30'; Act 1d20; SP +3 to sneak silently and hide in shadows (as thief), critical threat range: 19-20; SV Ref +2; Fort +4; Will +2; Path C

If They Keep Making Them…

…I’ll keep sharing them. The artist created it to stand in solidarity with Daniel Warren Johnson.