I hear what they say. They say you can’t say what you mean without being hurtful, that the Frontman will never say anything good about the Punisher Film, and that I’m blinded about all things DC comics.

But I say, wrong, wrong, WRONG! As LeaLu will tell you today, its all about DC baby, so it just ain’t me!!

Welcome back to my ongoing argument with the whole wide world, I’m the Frontman; and this is Activation Click. In this week’s column, I sit down with the Lovely LeaLu and talk spandex, give you an honest review of a movie I swore I’d never see, and I might mention a thing or two about some silly announcement Wizkids made.

FIRST TOPIC!!

The Frontman’s Review of……hell must of froze over, The Punisher?!?!

I wasn’t able to catch the FF film this past week, and since I’m not a huge fan of reality TV OR baseball, I decided I’d rent the Punisher on a dare and sit down to give it an honest review.

And honestly, I enjoyed it. Will I buy the DVD for my collection? No. But it wasn’t a waste. I did like some things they did with the film, others I couldn’t buy even being a comic fan. For example, most Mafia types wouldn’t go for wiping out 50 or so people for payback in one fell swoop. It draws far too much attention. Granted, it’s a comic flick, but the body count for “payback” was a bit out of focus. Some of the scenes were cut kind of funny, as in the witch doctor picking up Frank, then the very next scene, he’s got a full beard, the house is boarded up, yet noone packed up the guns in the display case? What the hell? Also, they shoot him, then light the dock on fire, but don’t put a round or two into his skull or heart OR do they douse him with gasoline? Sloppy execution by those evil mafia types.

What I did like was that this film was really more had a feel of “Mad Max” versus “Death Wish.” Granted, they are VERY similar films, but I found myself comparing it more to “Mad Max.” It might have been the chase sequence leading to Castles family’s demise, or it could have been the way Tom Jane played the character, but it was actually a tad refreshing to have that type of feel versus just all guns and ammo.

Now, the much talked about fight sequence between Frank and the Russian (played by pro wrestler Kevin Nash) was what I wanted to see. As a wrestling fan, I had a hard time believing the folks who swore this was the best fight sequence in years. It was ok, maybe even above par, but there really was nothing I haven’t seen before. Now, if someone claimed this was the best fight sequence out of Kevin Nash in ten years, that I’d have to give you. Kev sold like a champion when he needed to. Granted, it was after taking a boiling hot pot of water to the face, and then having to be shoved down a flight of stairs to have him sell. So maybe he really didn’t sell much in the way of Tom Jane’s offense. Like I’d expect anything else out of Big Daddy Cool.

All in all, it was a fun rental. Not much more than that. I’d give it a B-.


Interview: LeaLu
I'm chatting with our resident moderator of the female persuasion, the lovely LeaLu. How are you and should I stop kissing up to get you to do this interview?
LeaLu76: Just dandy, and I'm already here, so you'll just have to be careful not to say anything that will send me screaming towards the "block" button.
LeaLu76: I'll let you know if you get close
Frontmansfp: lol.
Frontmansfp: Ok, as I say when I start "Activation Click" FIRST TOPIC!!!

How did you get into gaming?

LeaLu76: Actually I'm second generation. My father was an old school gamer, and I remember him playing when I was very young (think late seventies, early eighties). I didn't get into it myself until high school, but I did love playing with the painted miniatures when I was a kid. Probably gave me all kidns of lead poisoning. *twitch*
Frontmansfp: Well, a sure sign of a game geek is having enough lead content in your room to block X-rays.

Frontmansfp: How did you get into comics?
LeaLu76: actually around the same time, it's actually probably comics that got me into the more geekly pursuit of gaming rather than the other way around. I admit, I'm one of the people that got sucked in around the Death of Superman, when comic book speculation was HUGE
LeaLu76: started by picking up Superman titles, and moved to JLA, Batman, Wonder Woman, and so on

Frontmansfp: Ah, DC marketing at its finest.....or maybe not
Favorite game not made by Wizkids?
LeaLu76: hmm... well, as far as RPG's go, I always end up coming back to Dungeons and Dragons, though I'm a thorough convert to 3rd Edition and 3.5. As far as board games go, I've always been a big Stratego fan. Might be part of why I like Heroclix, as the games are superficially pretty similar

Frontmansfp: Best thing WK has done with Heroclix?
LeaLu76: Boy, that's hard to say. I came to the game after FCCF and NAAT were well-established, so I certainly don't miss them. I'd have to say, from my point of view as a non-tournament player, that I was one of the people who really liked SR's in the boosters. I'm just sad we only got one DC set that had them.
LeaLu76: it just meant there was a reason for me to go somewhere other than eBay for my clix purchases. I realize I'm in the minority there, but what can I say? I'm selfish.
Frontmansfp: Hey, I liked them too.

Frontmansfp: Worst thing WK has done with Heroclix?
LeaLu76: Also a tough one. I'd say discontinuing SR's, but that would be cheating. I'm going to say, and I've never been shy about this, but that for every step WK takes in the direction of encouraging theme play (say, Lazarus Pit being cheaper for Ra's al-Ghul), they take two steps back (Alt. F4 being copyable by wildcards, Disbanded, plus the double-edged sword of Thunderbolts).
LeaLu76: It's too late to put the genie back in the bottle, but I wish that if Wizkids were really trying to promote theme play they'd just do it rather than half-assing it to try to please everyone. But of course, that would be disastrous business. So I sympathize
LeaLu76: but what's the internet for, if not to complain about things you don't fully understand?
Frontmansfp: LOL!!!

Obviously, last week's announcement for Heroclix of themed sets, smaller sets, and the increase of uniques was pretty awesome; let alone the new incentives for approved play with bring a friend and new free maps. You take on all of the upcoming things for HC?
LeaLu76: I think they show that Wizkids is committed to keeping Heroclix a vibrant and successful game system. There was something in the announcement for pretty much everyone. Do they listen to everyone all the time? No, but they *are* listening and doing things to try to not only draw people in, but keep the ones that they already have as happy as possible

Frontmansfp: Best comic story arch or mini series you ever read?
LeaLu76: Well, perhaps because it's freshest in my mind now, but I'm loving Black Reign from JSA. I just read it the other day, and although I was already an enthusiastic JSA convert, I think that Black Reign is probably my favorite arc so far.

Frontmansfp: Best single issue of a comic? Meaning, if you could hand a person who never read a comic before just one issue, which issue would it be and why?
LeaLu76: Identity Crisis #1. Perhaps because it was meant to introduce new readers to a lot of the characters, but this was the first comic book I had read in a very long time and I got sucked in immediately. A lot of people were disappointed with the ending of the arc, but the first issue was especially solid and heartwrenching.

Frontmansfp: DC or Marvel? No flip flop on this one. And why?
LeaLu76: No flip flop whatsoever, anyone who knows me knows I'm a DC girl, and have been since I started collecting. If you were thumbing through books on the newsstand and saw Death of Superman on one side and Maximum Carnage on the other, I think you'd make the same choice Beyond that, though, I just have gotten to know and love the characters. Plus, I had Wonder Woman Underoos.
Frontmansfp: Since you mentioned underwear…..JUST KIDDING!!!! JUST KIDDING!!!!!!
LeaLu76: Finger hovering over towards the "block" button.


Frontmansfp: I’m Kidding. Sheesh. Inifinite Power of Infinite Knowledge?
LeaLu76: I assume that was supposed to be an "or"
Frontmansfp: yeah.
LeaLu76: otherwise, I'll say yes. I would be in favor of having Infinite Power of Infinite Knowledge.
LeaLu76: but-
LeaLu76: I'm going to go Infinite Knowledge. If you have Infinite Knowledge you can figure out how to get Infinite Power.

Frontmansfp: Favorite thing you'd like to see in Heroclix down the road?
LeaLu76: Well, when Heroclix ultimately does stop being produced, as all games do eventually, I'd like to see the point formula finally released to the public so that the game can continue to evolve in the hands of the people who truly love it. Plus it'd prove that such a thing actually exists

Frontmansfp: Best part of HCRealms?
LeaLu76: I'm going to steal a page from Psylockeslover's book and say the community. I've made a lot of friends on the site, and have seen people pull together in some pretty crazy situations. Despite some people's claims that the Realms is "cliquey" I really don't buy it personally. As a community, the Realms seems to be pretty open and welcoming so long as you don't act like a fool from the first few dozen times you post here. As with any internet forum, first impressions are pretty hard to shake.
Frontmansfp: Good answer, but the one we were looking for was "Activation Click" Sorry

LeaLu76: ha!

Frontmansfp: Worst thing about HCRealms?

LeaLu76: The worst thing about HCRealms is people who take something, including themselves, WAYYYYY too seriously. Everyone has bad days now and again, but if you go in looking for a fight, you'll probably find one somewhere. About pretty much anything.
LeaLu76: life's too short to get pissed off at whether Superman deserves Hypersonic Speed or not.

Frontmansfp: What got you involved in being a moderator?
LeaLu76: azs tricked me. I was promised free cookies.
Frontmansfp: Wait, you too?
LeaLu76: By the time I figured out that internet cookies are ALWAYS free, the ink was dried on the contract.
LeaLu76: That slippery azs!
Frontmansfp: sonofa, and here I've had my computer deleting my cookies weekly!
Frontmansfp: Ok, back on track.
Frontmansfp: Shall we?
LeaLu76: surely!
Frontmansfp: So, why did you become a moderator?
LeaLu76: Well, it was the first time anything like that had ever been offered to me, and I'll try anything once, really. I thought it'd be good to do something constructive, and I suppose a little part of me craves power, even the slightest amount. Overall though, I think the reason all of us are moderators is because we love Heroclix, and want this site to continue to succeed so we'll always have a place to hang around and talk about it. Am I wrong?
Frontmansfp: Not at all. As I always said, I'll do what I can to keep the site going.

Frontmansfp: I'd be remiss if I didn't ask, but as a female player, how are you usually viewed by your fellow gamers? Is it a ton of crazy marriage proposals, or is it intimidation city?
LeaLu76: You might be surprised at how little of either I run into. It's funny- as much as I hate gaming STORES (for a variety of reasons), I generally like most gamers. I mean, sure, there's some crazy half-joking proposals, and the bad attitudes can range from patronizingly helpful to borderline hostile, but for the most part, we're all just people. I was taught to play clix by a woman, and I've been gaming so long in general that playing mostly against guys has come naturally to me. I just try to be me, and I hope the people I play against will do the same as I mercilessly crush their teams from the board. O:-)
Frontmansfp: Right. insane intimidation for the mad skills. Being a woman in "(smelly and socially deficent) Man's World" doesn't hurt.
Frontmansfp: A follow up. What is it that you generally hate about gaming stores?
LeaLu76: you know, those stereotypes make you part of the problem, not part of the solution
LeaLu76: bah, that's another whole interview by itself. Short answer- a string of bad ones have put me off on them in general.
LeaLu76: And I can generally put up with a LOT.
Frontmansfp: You should read my "You might be a Game Geek" that I wrote. I make no apologies for my fellow gamers. Or myself for that matter.

Frontmansfp: All time favorite comic character and why?
LeaLu76: Power Girl, without a doubt. She reminds me of me in a lot of ways. I like the way she's been written lately, but I think my favorite thing about her is that sure, she's a sex symbol, but they do a good job of making a point that she's fighting hard to be seen as an equal in a world that's extremely dominated by men. Kind of reminds me of myself that way Too many comic book women are characters who rely exclusively on psychic or magic abilities, or the ability to shoot blasts of energy out of their eyeballs or hands. I like that Power Girl is blatantly physical in her confrontations, without even the finesse of being a trained ninja or something like that. What's stale and predictable among male superheroes is refreshingly different in female ones. Personally I think she even beats Wonder Woman in the fist-fighting aspect of her character (no lasso!)
LeaLu76: long answer, maybe, but I loves me some Power Girl. I've got a major heterosexual crush on her.

Frontmansfp: oooooooookay. Hottest woma….ahem. Hottest man in comics?
LeaLu76: man... hmm. Hottest, to me personally, is probably Blue Beetle. I'm funny that way. Maybe Booster Gold. What does that say about me?
Frontmansfp: You're a fan of the "goofy" JLA era?
Frontmansfp: that's what that says to me.
LeaLu76: actually not really
LeaLu76: More as a retro thing, though I did like the JLA immediately before and after Superman's death.
LeaLu76: which even I admit was not at its best

Frontmansfp: Hottest man in Hollywood?
LeaLu76: Ordinarily, I'd say Edward Norton, but now it's all Christian Bale, baby.
LeaLu76: he's positively yummy. Except in The Machinist.
Frontmansfp: He was as you put it, "yummy" in American Psycho?
LeaLu76: well, he certainly had the body. Though psycho isn't normally my type

Frontmansfp: And the final question, rumor has it you've dressed as comic characters for Halloween? What's the story with that?
LeaLu76: no story, I just like the costumes. I had a good friend of mine make me a Harley Quinn costume for Halloween last year, and it came out legendarily great... this year maybe Power Girl. Maybe. I like to get dressed up, that's all, and spandex suits me

Frontmansfp: Ooookay, let's avoid the "block" button and with that and wrap this one up there. Thanks LeaLu for sitting down and talking.
LeaLu76: always a pleasure.
Frontmansfp: not too painful I hope.
LeaLu76: nah
LeaLu76: hope I don't put your readers to sleep
LeaLu76: once you get past the fact that I'm female, I'm really not all that interesting
Frontmansfp: Far from it. You have a great take on the game and the gaming community as a whole. Thanks again.

You read it hear first folks, spandex suits LeaLu, and if that doesn't get you interested in reading "Activation Click" nothing will!


And finally tonight

Much like Matt Hardy, this is a work that’s turned into a shoot. Or a shoot that can be made into a work. Or you all are ready to shoot me for working you up so much.

For those who aren’t familiar with wrestling jargon, a “shoot” is a real moment. Whether its an interview, or a few hits/punches/moves that are meant to be real. They tend to be with emotion. While I have fun doing this column and joke from time to time, I tend to shoot straight with you guys always. From my likes in comics (DC rules, Marvel drools) to what I think of events in the world of gaming, I always call it the way I see it, and stand by what I say. I might find something I like out of Marvel, but I never mean to tear town Marvel fans as a whole. Their EIC, of course, but fans? Nah, never are my comments meant to hurt them. As I said in my 4th of July AC, I think Captain America should be thought of first as the “Iconic” American superhero, even over the big blue boyscout.

So, here’s my take, my “shoot” as it were, on all of the recent announcements out of Wizkids.

It’s good news. WK is trying to appease a very broad range of players, from collectors to die hard tournament players. I have a hard time buying that noone can find a single thing positive out of what Wizkids has done. Increased unique count alone should make players happy.

And that’s what I want to leave you with. If you can’t find a single thing that’s good out of a higher unique ratio, smaller sets, themed sets, free maps, better drawn maps, incentives to buy from your local vendor, and story driven tournaments, man; I do feel sorry for you. At the least, you’ve got to enjoy that if you buy a handful of boosters, its almost a sure thing to get a unique. The only way before to make sure you got uniques was to buy most of one, if not a whole, case. Now, with a case, you’ll have more than what you need to complete a set, if not two. Now, if you buy a twelve booster brick, you’ll get a LE and the ability to buy what was only available at conventions. Sure, if you got one already, I do agree you’ve got a reason to be bugged WITH THAT ONE ISSUE!!

But like anything else, it’s a case of buying early to get something for certain, versus paying inflated prices down the road, going without, for having a surprise when it gets marked down, made readily available.

But as they said in Episode I (yes, something good came out of Episode I) “Your focus determines your reality.” If you want to focus on the negative, expect nothing but the negative in return. If you want to address said negative, and then enjoy the positive, then welcome to what really is reality. Positive and Negative, yin and yang, its all one part of the whole. But you want to be nothing but negative, don’t expect anyone who’s feeling good about the stuff Wizkids has done for all gamers, to be anything but negative if you keep hammering the same issues home. Feel free to air out your grievances, but please folks, let’s try to have something positive come out of it, rather than obnoxious comments and rhetoric. No need for calling folks crybabies, no need for calling someone elitists. No reason to insult a guy who is counting down to the release of “Armour Wars” since he will finally get Dark Pheonix. Let’s try and be a bit more civil to each other, and let’s get excited that Wizkids is finally listening to us here, at HCRealms, and working to give us all something to be positive about!

And that my friends, is really a shoot.

See you next week, for Activation Click

The Frontman

I'M a dope!


{azs edit - we don't do "first post" here. Thank you.}

Bunnies eat radishes so they can make babies.


You're welcome.

Smaller sets? Where did they say that? AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Raddishes? I had no idea.

Gee, I starting to think I am a little clueless.

Nobody's perfect . . .
. . I take it back!
HAHA Manchine!
Anyone want to see the photo?

photo?

Of LeaLu dressed up as Harly Quinn for Halloween.

That would be the one!

yes if there is one available. I love going to cons to check out all the cool costumes


Harley is a great one if done properly

Yeah I know. Its funny how some people get that way.

I'll bet she made a good harley quinn!

Put me in for the pix. I loves me some Harleen Quinzell! Do you remember who played her on the Birds of Prey series? Wasn't it Fraser's ex-wife, Lillith, Bebe Newerth? I was looking forward to seeing her in the harlequin togs, but the series was cancelled. Somebody point us to the link. I want to channel Power Girl.

Since when is rational thought allowed on this site!

Honestly, I gotta say that I think that AC is my new favorite thing about the Realms. (That and the fact that I can use the units section to great effect now). Frontman's "arguments with the world" are never narrow minded (except maybe about marvel comics, just read Ultimates, really, that is all you need to do) and he always gives solid reasons for his beliefs. I don't always agree with what he says but as long as there is a solid reason behind it then I respect what he says. It is deffinitely a refreshing take on Heroclix and HCRealms in general.

very interesting....indeed....stop guys you're scaring all of them!!