Checkers wrestling

COMIC COVER OF THE WEEK

By Jeffrey Alan Love. If your city's going to be stomped, it might as well be by a giant naked sword lady with tentacle (data cable?) hair.

SONG OF THE WEEK

"It's Me" by Illit (Korea). Who's my bias? I haven't decided, but this very meta song sure is infectious. Note: All members are 18 or older. Otherwise, there's no way I'd be running the above group shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMhDJ0S0OBA

Commended >>> "I Feel Fantastic" by 8485 (Canada) - retro-cyberpop brilliance. "Without You" by Appleby (US) - so sweet and uplifting. Instantly subscribed to both artists.

FOND FAREWELL OF THE WEEK

As with the previous fillum, the sources of conflict are dealt with fairly effortlessly as soon as the plot requires them gone. "The Grand Finale" isn't about that. It's about spending a last two hours with characters we've grown to adore over the course of 15 years. And, to a lesser extent, documenting the decline of the UK's Great Houses. Lady Mary forever! She's my bias :-)

VINTAGE-MODULE UPDATE OF THE WEEK

Typical of seemingly everything Jennell Jaquays wrote, this compact 1979 adventure - originally designed for "RuneQuest", but here converted to modern "D&D" - is more logical, interesting and just plain visionary than the majority of its contemporaries. Which is not to say it's perfect. I penned several changes and additions in my copy, e.g. I'd increase the chance of finding Dungeon Dressing items to 100% in each specified location. Because the boss can appear early (and thus things could wrap early), there's no reason to deny the players the fun and mystery of these objects.

NON-FIC PICK OF THE WEEK

Unlikely page-turner. Cynical Addster reckons you could compile this type of history of influence about any long-established nation. Appreciative Addster says, "Yes, but how many authors could weave together a millennium of key events so skilfully, with never a dull moment (in fact, umpteen amusing ones) and conveying such a strong sense of place?" I was already fascinated by Iceland and its inhabitants, and am even keener to visit the joint now.