The Hobbit: All 13 Dwarves Revealed

Here are all 13 dwarves from Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (releases December, 2012).  From left to right they are: Nori (Jed Brophy), Fili (Dean O' Gorman), Dori (Mark Hadlow), Bofur (James Nesbitt), Gloin (Peter Hambleton), Dwalin (Graham McTavish), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), Balin (Ken Stott), Oin (John Callen), Bombur (Stephen Hunter), Bifur (William Kircher), Ori (Adam Brown), Kili (Aidan Turner).  Click pic to embiggen:

Here's another version with the characters spread out a bit and some in different positions (though it is missing Thorin):

Mario Bros Indie Film Trailer

Dungeons & Dragons Virtual Table Now In Beta

If you are a D&D Insider subscriber, GO HERE to sign up for the Virtual Table Beta test.

If this thing actually works well, I will happily (1) adopt the fourth edition and (2) subscribe as an Insider.

I AM NO BRO

I love this take on Éowyn's "I am no man" quote or, as it's written in the book:

But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.

Fan Made Film Portal: No Escape

Check out this incredibly well made fan flick based on the Portal games.

Bane Closeup

Here's an extreme closeup of Bane's mask/face from the upcoming Dark Knight Rises movie.

Dubstep Guns

Son is "DOOM"ed For Oversleeping

Aliens Colonial Marines Trailer

Aliens: Colonial Marines has been in development hell since 2006. I almost forgot it existed... until this trailer was released.

Buy a Tron Light Cycle For Real

Have $55,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Why not spend it on tron Light Cycle. No, seriously. Hammacher Schlemmer is selling a fully functional and street legal Tron Light Cycle. Here are the details:

This is the illuminated, street-legal motorcycle inspired by the computer animated cycle from the 2010 film Tron: Legacy. Designed for casual cruising and slow ride-bys at shows, it is made from a steel frame covered by a fiberglass cowling that replicates the sleek look of its computer-generated imagery counterpart. Electroluminescent strips built into the tire cowlings, wheel rims, and body illuminate the cycle. It is powered by a fuel-injected Suzuki 996cc, 4-stroke engine. Riders lay at a near-horizontal position astride the padded leather seat, with feet on foot pegs that control its 6-speed constant mesh manual transmission and hands on the handlebars for throttle and braking. The hubless wheels are former truck tires built up then custom-shaped to fit onto one of two counter-rotating rims spinning within each other, providing the broad-tired authenticity of the computer cycles from the movie. A chain-driven friction drum manages acceleration and braking from the handlebars. It has spring-loaded front and rigid rear suspension. Its wet sump lubrication system eliminates tubes and hoses for oil pick-up, facilitating its streamlined, minimalist design. It uses a 3 1/2-gallon main fuel tank and 1 1/4-gallon reserve tank. All cycles are built to order. 8 1/2' L x 23 1/4" W x 28 1/2" H. (474 lbs.)

Guild Wars 2 Trailer

The latest rumors I had read placed the release date of Guild Wars 2 at November, 2011. I've invested so much time in the first Guild Wars over the years that this one is going to be difficult to pass up on - despite swearing off MMOs.

Batman: Arkham City Villain and Gameplay Trailers

Below are the villain specific trailers for the upcoming Batman: Arkham City (releases October 18, 2011).

Mr. Freeze



Hugo Strange



Riddler



Catwoman



Gameplay trailer

Introducing Dungeons & Dragons to Kids

I cannot wait until the day I get to sit down with my kids (who are presently too young to grasp the concept of paper and pencil role playing games) to go dungeon delving, rolling d20s, and counting up treasure while each of us partake in some awesome story telling moments.  Back in the Spring of 2010, Wizards of the Coast put out a free to play adventure (if you're old school like me you call them "modules") geared towards just that: introducing D&D to kids.  The recommended age is "6 and up" but of course your mileage will vary.  Here is the description from Wizards of the Coast:

Are you a parent who wants to share the fun of Dungeons & Dragons with your kids, but you’re worried that the rules are too complicated or a standard adventure would tax their attention spans? Are you a teacher or librarian who would like to introduce your students to the game, but you’re reluctant to take on the regular time commitment of a full-blown campaign?
There are a great many reasons to share D&D with kids. Besides being just the kind of imaginative play that kids naturally engage in, Dungeons & Dragons develops an array of essential educational skills, including:

• Math skills
• Reading skills
• Writing skills
• Cooperation and leadership
• Problem-solving
• Creative thinking

We’ve heard from many of you out there that you’ve been wanting to unlock these benefits for your kids, but you feel that they’re not ready for the basic game or you just don’t have the time to run your own campaign. So we put together this variation, based on the new novel for young readers, Monster Slayers by Lukas Ritter. Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod captures the flavor, fun, and educational benefits of Dungeons & Dragons in a fast-paced, easy-to-learn experience for kids ages six years old and up.
Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod requires no previous knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons, and all you need to play is included in this adventure, aside from a few dice and pencils (and some friends to play it with). Play time can be as little as fifteen minutes or as long as an hour, depending on how many monsters you run.
Monster Slayers: The Heroes of Hesiod isn’t just for kids. It’s also a fun diversion for experienced players who need their D&D fix but don’t have the time for a full-length game. Or share it with your non-gamer family and friends who claim to be intimidated by the rules of the game. It won’t be long before they’re hooked on the game you love!

Linkage to Wizard of the Coast's information page HERE.

And HERE is the direct download linkage for the adventure/module.

Awesome Dad

Bosstones t-shirt on Dad: check
Superman t-shirts on the kids: check
Sharing a moment together with a comic: check

I don't know who you are mister, but you are one of the world's greatest Dads!

Alternative Empire Strikes Back Movie Poster

Done by deviantART artist adamrabalais