Frogmen and Wrasslin'

I haven’t really posted this week because I started my job Monday. I think I’m going to like it. In other awesomeness, I’ve also found a place to move into next month. That should mean regular gaming will occur. This past weekend I attended the fifth annual Loveland Frogman Festival and GCW Presents “So Alive." I had a fantastic time at both. I spent most of my Frogman time hanging out with Eric and Josh from Bloat Games. They are the best and it's always a wonderful time when I get to see them. My friend Holly of Holly Who Art was also there (and a sponsor). I also got to see my friends Creep It Real. Check out their Frogman songs.

I probably spent too much, but I snagged some cool stuff. Y'all know I love public domain supers and I finally had a chance to grab a physical copy of one. I've not done Dracula stats, but now I have too. I also grabbed another Savage Dragon issue I didn't have. While it took me a a second to understand how to read them, I also grabbed some really cool oversized cryptid d6's from P House Games.

I also picked up some cool cryptid figures from Archie McPhee. They are perfect for D&D and other tabletop games. Here they are with a few D&D minis and some Archie McPhee glowing zombies I picked up a few months ago.

After visiting Loveland (near Cincy) I headed home and then made my way to Columbus to watch a Game Changer Wrestling show. I won't go too much into it, but I will say I had an amazing time! In addition to badass wrestling there were wrestling zombies and circus clowns. Oh and an entire ballroom full of people singing Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus.

So yeah, I had an awesome weekend. It was a great way to end my birthday week.

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.

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.

Chasing the (Savage) Dragon - What To Expect

I still think this is crazy that I'm trying to do it, but yeah I want to collect all issues of The Savage Dragon (as well as associated miniseries and related books). I created a Google Spreadsheet to keep track of my progress. I attempted to embed it onto the site, but was unable to. I will post a link to the doc as a tab. You can also see it here.

In addition to the comics, I will look at action figures (as I acquire them), related characters and series, and if I can ever get a copy of it, the cartoon series. 

Of course, there will also be gaming content. I plan on statting Dragon and and Malcom Dragon out for various systems (including the upcoming Invincible RPG). 

Chasing the (Savage) Dragon - Overview

When I was a kid I loved the USA Network cartoon, Savage Dragon. I soon learned that it was the heavily sanitized version of a pretty out there Image comic series. The series pretty out there. It's violent and pornographic at times. That aside it's also a fantastic look at superhero comics and culture. While it's not been monthly, the main series started in 1993 and is still happening. Unlike most comic book universes, there is no sliding timeline. Dragon has aged, had a son, and the son has now taken over as the lead in the series. Of the 299 issues, I only have a few, but I've decided to make collecting them all a challenge. I might not ever complete it, but I think it will be fun to try. I've decided to chronicle my journey on here. Also, I know what "Chasing the Dragon" means but it seamed like a fitting phrase to riff on for this series.