Talk About Easy Targeting!

Over a decade ago a game was released for the computer that changed my life. No, not Doom. Not Duke Nukem 3D. Not Wolfenstein 3D. ...I guess there were a lot of games that changed my life.

The game I'm referring to is called Strike Commander and it's one of the greatest games I have ever played. Just check out this intro!



It's a flight simulator developed by the same guy who made the Wing Commander games. You're an F-16 pilot and a member of a mercenary squadron established in Turkey called the Wildcats. In the near future the world has changed dramatically. After a war in the middle east, oil resources are scarce and the world is fighting over what's left. Despite protests, the U.S. begins heavy drilling of Alaska. Then the stock market crashes and the Big One hits California. Interstate politics eventually leads to the succession of several states, including Alaska, which shut down the oil pipeline and declared its oil a natural resource. This provoked a war with Canada, who recognized Alaska's independence, which resulted in the destruction of most of the state's wilderness and oil fields. Bankruptcy leads to the loss of the status of superpower to both the U.S. and the Allied European nations, who are also reeling from terrorist attacks from rebellious citizens. South America erupts in civil war all across the continent. With Japan the only remaining superpower, mercenary squadrons begin forming in Turkey, accepting missions from any corporation or government willing to pay the fee. And that's the set up for Strike Commander. Phew!

The graphics were ahead of it's time, and was one of the first computer games to require a 486 processor. The music was top notch MIDI, and the game even had voice-work. Cutscenes move the story along between missions and there was even cockpit chatter to set the mood. Missions range from base attacks, to dogfights, to escorts, even an air show. Oh, and you don't just fly planes. You'll also have to manage your budget! It would behoove you to use the cheap weapons and your gun whenever possible. After all, money doesn't grow on trees, as your accountant Virgil would say.

The characters of the game all have personalities of their own, which adds to the character of the game itself. You get to choose your wingman, or wing-woman, for each mission. And the story is awesome. This is also the game which got me interested in fighter jets in the first place. I used to doodle them all the time in my school notes.

You may be wondering what got me all nostalgic about this game. I just so happened to find my copy of the game while cleaning the house today. I had to download DOSBox to install and run it because it's so old, but I want to play it a little...bring back the memories. But my joystick won't plug into this computer. That's old too.

Anyway, a great game. If you see it available for a free download somewhere give it a shot. It's totally worth it.

I Found a Stormtrooper

...too bad I didn't get a picture of it.

Yes, I saw one, at Baltimore Comic-Con. I didn't get to go last year so I was ecstatic to go this year. Sure, it wasn't where I was SUPPOSED to be (sorry!) and when my boss found out why I requested off of work that day, she wasn't too happy (sorry! again!), but it was worth it.

A stormtrooper wasn't the only thing I saw. Darth Vader was with him. I saw an Obi-wan, an Anakin, Captain America, Wolverine, a Skrull (although it was just a chick with a sign around her neck that said "skrull"), some pirates, a Blob (I'm not sure, he may have just been a fat guy) and yes, a Cyclops. But it was a shoddy Cyclops. My grandma could do better. C'mon, construction paper visor??

I don't go for the costumes, of course. I go for the ambiance. A bunch of people who love the same craft gathered together. Looking at and promoting new product. Looking for that one issue you could never get your hands on. Waiting in anticipation for meeting your favorite writer or artist. Trying to get noticed in an industry filled with talent. I wouldn't call it heaven, because things cost money, but it's up there.


The Baltimore Comic-con isn't really a big one. Not nearly as formidable as the San Diego Comic-con, or WizardWorld Chicago, or the one in New York. Not a lot of big names come out to Baltimore. I'm still waiting for Jeff Parker, my favorite of them all, to show. It's small by comparison, but still enjoyable. Manageable too. You won't be overwhelmed or find yourself pushing through crowds or anything. You'll still have to wait in a long line to see Jim Lee though. And it's cool that DC Comics' top editorial staff was there. DC is always good at bringing the big guns to the smaller conventions. Even got myself a Green Lantern ring. Damn thing doesn't work...but it looks positively geeky.

Every comic-com I go to I look for books I wouldn't normally find in a store. Independent books by people I've never heard of. Books not published by a major company. If something strikes my interest like, say, a character drama about a rock band with magical powers, I'd take the risk and shell out the money to buy the book. It's usually hit or miss, but I like to support the independents. It makes their day, and I realize I could find myself doing the same thing in the future.

I also look for cool original artwork. I asked one guy to draw me a Cyclops and it turned out great! I also found a cool drawing of Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, I want to hang it on my wall or something. I did buy one back issue: X-Factor #10 from 1986. Google it and you may find out why.

All in all, a good day. No problems getting there or coming back, got some cool product, saw some girls OH YEAH I forgot to mention the girls! Two young nubile chicks were handing out...I dunno coupons or something...and they were wearing...NOT MUCH! Like, two little triangles in the appropriate areas...I thought it was painted on at first. Nearly had a nerdgasm. I hope they were legal...Jesus...

Anyway, out.

I Need My Prosticle Checked

Woooooaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!

Hold on a sec....

::crack...snap...rippp::

OKAY! Hi! Umm...sorry?

The thing about blogs is, there's no one you really have to please. Except maybe yourself. So if you don't post an update one month...big deal right? Just wait until next month. Don't post the next month? No biggie. One will come soon enough. No new post the following month? Ehh, I'll get around to it. After several more months, you could pretty much consider the blog dead. If the creator can't be bothered to update his own blog, what's the point?

But this blog is not dead. Sure, no one reads it. No one comments on it. No one acknowledges it. But I'm still here. If a tree falls in a forest and there's no one around to hear it, does it still make a sound? Of course it FRAKKIN' DOES!!! And this Stump is about to fall BIG TIME!!! (That last sentence was nominated for worst metaphor EVER)

What got me back in the saddle was the instance of two of my friends talking about starting a joint blog. To which I added, "Hey and I can post something too," to which they replied, "You already HAVE a blog!"

Yep, someone noticed I had a blog. "Damn," I thought. "I should get on the ball!"

So here I am. Not really talking about anything but the neglected weblog you're reading now. It wouldn't have been so neglected if something awesome happened in my life. New girlfriend, new job, new outlook on life. Instead I have new comics (every Wednesday), new game consoles, and new...nope, that's it.

That's not to say I haven't been thinking about this blasted thing. I have ideas. Concepts that are only in the drawing stage at this point. Things I want to do but lack the components or resources to complete. I do, however, have an idea that I CAN do, which only I would care about. I've only told about two people about it and they were unsupportive as expected. The bastards...

I also want to redesign the site. But...uhh...how? This site uses a template I have no idea how to edit. I was lucky enough to make the links and stuff on the right side over there -------->

Which seriously need an updating, I know. I plan to do it, thanks to the renewed interest in this blog.

I have several ideas for upcoming posts. I'd post them now if I could. But I don't want to overload on posts in one day. Then no one will even read this well-thought-out....no.......this spur-of-the-moment-taking-every-word-as-it-appears-in-my-head-and-corrected-for-spelling post. I'm going to warn you, they involve comics, TV, video games, girls, nudity, and Cyclops. Basically stuff you can read about better in just about any other blog or website.

But there's one thing those other sites don't have: MY OPINION.

Now I know that doesn't count for anything but I'm going to give it anyway. Hey, at least I'm not talking about politics....yet.

Well that was kinda long. Anyway, it's good to be back on the web again. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more. Like, tomorrow!