Evan Dorkin Cover

This issue is Zaboo centric, hence the fact that it’s called “Zaboo.”  We start with a flashback of Zaboo as a kid, still game obsessed, girl crazy and just a little “different.”  We learn that his relationship with his Mom has always been over the top and even though she’s a bit crazy there is nothing that she won’t do for her son.  We see this first hand, self-inflicted wet willy anyone?  Flash forward, even though he’s not a kid anymore not much has changed except that he now has friends, The Guild.  He’s into Codex and he believes she’s into him due to some misplaced emoticons.  To go help and finally meet (in real life) his true love, Zaboo stages an elaborate escape from his mother’s house.  After an awesome Saved By The Bell reference, Zaboo’s Mom finally catches up to him at the bus station and the battle royale takes place.  He finally gets to meet Codex, but will his Mom give up that easy?

I love these Guild comics so much.  They are ridiculously funny and so entertaining.  This issue features “mini-games” and a Choose Your Own Adventure style throughout the comic which makes it really unique and fun.  Even though this issue is Zaboo based, all the characters are present and captured perfectly both in tone and for the most part in looks.  The only complaint I have about this series is that it doesn’t come out more often!  Felicia Day has really created something endearing both in the comic and the series.  Definitely pick up this issue (unless you don’t like good things) and while you’re there pick up the past issues as well.  Comic’d!

Release Date: December 28^th, 2011

Story:	4.0/5.0
Art:	3.5/5.0
Dialog:	4.0/5.0
Overall:	4.0/5.0

Sony Online Entertainment today announced a new free-to-play business model for its popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) game DC Universe Online (DCUO) — where players have the freedom to become legendary fighting alongside DC Comics icons like Superman, Batman and The Jokerin an ever-evolving online action adventure that has already logged more than 42 million hours of super-powered gameplay action by players since its launch earlier this year.

* Legendary: Maximum features and benefits are included at this level. Loaded with enhanced additional features, Legendary access will be available for a $14.99 USD monthly fee and includes all DLC packs at no cost, more than 15 character slots, more than 80 inventory slots, the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues, and many other benefits.

More information on the DCUO free-to-play access levels can be found here: http://www.dcuniverseonline.com/free/ .

Not only will it be free to download but free to play! After seven years and 20 updates, the MMO will now come in a few new flavors. Here is the breakdown.

There are 3 levels of player status free, premium and VIP.

Free is the basics, Less archetypes, no super groups, no mail, limited chat options and limited auction house functionality.

Premium is any existing players that move over to free. Essentially if you have subscribed before, you get a reward for doing so. You get more chat options, more archetypes, mail use and can join super groups.

VIP is where the mythical expendable income players hang. You pay the fee monthly, you get all the goods. All types, full auction house and form super groups.

Currently it is implied that you can go from premium or free to a VIP and back to premium, unlike other super powered MMO’s that offer free play.

No specific date is yet, just later this year as a launch window for City of Heroes Freedom.

Not one to keep people waiting, Dr. Crane is here to guide the lost souls in DC Universe online into their greatest fears as we approach Halloween. While the game has been delayed into 2011 the teasers do seem to indicate the wait will be well worth it as characters are added and the game world is polished up with extra tweaks.

Check out the statement and pictures below:

Jonathan Crane was a skinny, awkward kid who got bullied often because he reminded people of Ichabod Crane, from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. As he grew older, Crane became obsessed with the essence of fear, hopefully in an effort to conquer his own phobias. This obsession put him on the academic fast track at Gotham University.

But Crane sabotaged his career by using his students as unwilling subjects in his dangerous fear-based experiments. He was dismissed from the university by the board of regents for his unorthodox methods. In an act of revenge, Crane put his knowledge of fear to work, creating a fear gas, dressing himself in straw and sackcloth and adopting the guise of The Scarecrow.

His quest to heighten and instill fear in Gotham has often run afoul of Batman, attempting to root out any anxiety or phobia that would bring him down. But Batman has faced him down countless times and in the process, Crane has become victim to an ironic type of fear, chiropteraphobia…
…Fear of bats.

Here are some quotes from the team on their latest move.

Beginning Q1 2011, Champions Online will offer a free-to-play gameplay option. Everyone can download, play and enjoy Champions Online at absolutely no cost!

All you’ll need to do is download the game and begin playing. It will be a great opportunity to head back to the Champions universe to see what’s changed, spend time with your friends and enjoy a top-tier MMO without spending a dime.

We plan on entering our free-to-play beta on November 9, and to launch the new, free-to-play version of Champions Online in the first quarter of 2011. We can’t wait to grow the game with you, and we hope you’re as excited as we are!

Having participated in the beta I can say I was tempted to pursue Champions Online but I never had enough free time to commit to a subscription for the game. With a free gaming model I can see myself jumping into the game for casual fights and character creation. Hopefully I will not be the only one taking advantage of this shift.

The focus of the new beta is to get feedback and develop the balance and content to the liking of the community, often the development revolves around the last open feedback call and misses the latest trends in the community. For those new to the expansion, Cataclysm takes players to devastated areas once familiar in WoW. In an effort to survive the Wogen and Goblins will join the fight between Alliance and the Horde as they come to face the Deathwing in a battle for all life.

For more info check out the official page:
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm

Sweet news for many, bad news for me as most of my Xfire contacts will now fall off the face of the earth into WoW again.

• Bombing Run
• Capture the Flag
• Elimination Pro
• Last Man Standing
• One Man Army
• Spy Hunt

With dense forest and a lowered field of vision, players will have to struggle through the enemies that await to reach their rewards. Check out the video of the latest update below.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

MMO games… you do tease me so well, unfortunately for a game like Aion I’m a bit jaded after playing Guild Wars to death (which seems to be a backbone engine for the company now) and getting a lackluster performance from Tabula Rasa. Aion seems to be a new shift for the company but will the intense color and soft shimmer be enough?

We’ll find out when it arrives it seems as most of us were stuck in Champions Online for beta play the past months.

For those who have been following Aion and want to see some of the new shots check out our images here.