Poe Dameron: Resistance Enemy #1

This article contains SPOILERS!!! BEWARE!!!

 

 

I really enjoyed The Last Jedi. It wasn't a perfect movie, but I applaud the its attempts at cultural commentary and the theme that anyone can be a hero, regardless of background, appearance, gender or race. It's exciting to see these ideas in blockbuster films, especially a cultural icon like Star Wars. One of the most fascinating (and feminist) storylines in the film revolves around fan-favorite Poe Dameron.

In The Force Awakens, Poe was set up as the new Han Solo/Luke Skywalker hybrid. He was an ace pilot, handsome and totally dedicated to the Resistance. His fancy flying helped the cause on multiple occasions and it was refreshing to have a great pilot who wasn't a force user. However, all of that changes in The Last Jedi. The macho traits that served his predecessors so well in the original trilogy end up being Poe's major flaws. In The Last Jedi, Poe is the most dangerous threat to the Resistance.

Poe's first big screw up takes place in the first moments of the film. His jokes set a light hearted mood, but then he defies General Leia's orders and sends the Resistance bombers to take out one of the large First Order ships. Things are looking good... until they stop looking good and hundreds of rebel soldiers die, not to mention the Resistance loses their WHOLE FLEET OF BOMBERS! All because Poe thought he was smarter than his (female) commanding officers.

In a movie full of comically bad tactics on both sides of the war, this moment is especially painful. The Resistance is the underdog and resources are scarce. Anyone who has played any type of resource management or strategy game knows that this was a stupid call. The First Order has countless cruisers, but the rebels have a finite number of ships. The loss of one bomber would probably be harder on the Resistance than the Order losing a large cruiser. Poe loses about SEVEN BOMBERS and about as many X-wings, not to mention the loss of all the lives on those ships. Poe is understandably demoted, although this was such a striking blow to the Resistance I was shocked that he wasn't immediately court-martialed.

Poe's crappy attitude continues after his demotion. Leia is injured and Admiral Holdo takes over command of the Resistance. After being given clear orders and being told that nobody owes a recently demoted Captain an in-depth briefing on the Resistance's battle plans, Poe pouts like a five-year-old child and decides that HE STILL KNOWS BETTER. Keep in mind this is like a DAY after his major screw up crippled the whole Resistance and caused the deaths of so many of his fellow fighters. But does he feel bad? Is he crying or writing letters to the families of the dead? Nope. He is thinking about how much better he is than Admiral Holdo and how unfair it is that he doesn't get to call the shots. So, he makes two more really stupid choices: he sends Finn and Rose on a risky mission without asking permission, and he mutinies against Admiral Holdo. Combined, these choices were even more costly to the Resistance than his botched bombing attempt.

Unknown to Poe, the Resistance's secret plan was to quietly evacuate to a nearby planet that housed an old Rebellion base while the Order chased a decoy ship. This was an excellent plan, and the Admiral seems to be pulling it off flawlessly until Poe, who as Captain should NOT have expected to know any "need to know" information, assumes he knows everything and seizes command of the ship. With Admiral Holdo at gun point, he stops the evacuation without realizing they have a specific destination in mind and takes over command of the bridge. He wastes time waiting for Finn and Rose to pull off a "never tell me the odds" crazy-level plan, but in a very un-Star Wars twist, their plan fails and informs the First Order of the evacuation. Lucky for everyone, Leia wakes up and takes down Poe so the evacuation can continue, but the cat is out of the bag.

The First Order starts firing on the evacuating ships, half a dozen defenseless transports full of people are blasted out of existence. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of people die like sitting ducks because Poe didn't keep the evacuation plan secret and delayed the launch of the escape ships. If he had followed military protocol or the chain of command for one moment, the Empire wouldn't have ever found out about the fleeing rebels. The Resistance would have landed on the salty surface of Crait without incident and had a fully loaded secret base at their disposal. Instead, the movie ends with the Resistance so decimated that they all fit comfortably on the deck of the Millennium Falcon. Poe Dameron nearly wiped them out with his macho sense of entitlement. He is the deadliest thing the rebels have faced since the Starkiller base.

Every time Poe acts out of selfishness or is driven by his ego, he fails miserably. It is a brave commentary on the macho, rule breaking hero that we worship in pop culture and was such a staple of the original trilogy. The script shows how we should expect more than ambition from our leaders and doubles down on Poe's toxic masculinity by having all of Poe's commanding officers be feminine women. Both General Leia and Admiral Holdo are excellent military leaders without falling into the trope of women mimicking masculine behaviors to succeed.  It's an incredibly important lesson, however I am torn about the storyline because the movie ends up pulling its punches. Poe never faces any serious consequences for his actions. He is not court-martialed, banished or executed for his very serious crimes. No angry relatives of the dead (like Rose) or maimed survivors confront him about his actions. These are pretty dark consequences that I wouldn't necessarily expect from a Star Wars/Disney film, but he never even has a moment of deep regret or remorse. At the end of the film, Leia still allows him to become the de facto leader of the Resistance even though he is the reason that all the other leaders were shot dead a few hours earlier. It sabotages the great messages the script has laid out by rewarding Poe with the leadership role that he felt entitled to throughout the film.

I hope that we see more messages like this in upcoming Star Wars projects and feature films in general. I hope that the success of The Last Jedi emboldens film makers to be brave about letting their popular characters make mistakes and face real consequences. In the mean time, I will keep my fingers crossed that we will see some emotional consequences from Poe's mistakes in the next episode.


Wonder Woman Holiday Wish List

The Holidays are here! Shopping for comic book fans is a ton of fun, but finding high-quality items can be a challenge. Here is my handy-dandy wish list for 2017 to give you lots of ideas for that special Wonder Woman fan in your life.


Wonder Woman Asymmetrical Moto-Jacket
 ($79.99)
I have an obsession with coats and this one is so hot! This awesome jacket is a classy, subtle addition to a Wonder Woman fan's wardrobe. I was lucky enough to see it as a fit model and I am thrilled that it was released in time for the Holidays! It's a unique design that can be dressed up or down, and would be appropriate for work or play! It's a great option for the comic-fan who doesn't always want to wear four-color designs.

Wonder Woman Kisslock Purse ($37.42)
I love the design of this purse! It can be carried as a handbag or hung over the shoulder. The muted red and blue colors along with the metal accents are stylish, but unmistakably inspired by the Amazon Princess. I especially love the detailed stitching that echoes the armor that Wonder Woman wore in the movie.

Wonder Woman with Horse Q-Fig Max Vinyl Figure ($29.99)
This adorable figure captures the spirit of the Wonder Woman film perfectly! Her and her noble steeds faces are fixed in expressions of pure determination. Together, they are charging off to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Wonder Woman Scarf ($14.49)
This vibrant red scarf is covered with gold Wonder Woman logos. It's a stylish accessory for any outfit that is clearly for the Diana fan. It will go with a wide variety of styles and is great for close friends or casual acquaintances.

Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth Raglan Shirt ($29.00)
Based on the stunning artwork of one of my favorite artists, Sho Murase, this shirt has a bit more style and a better fit than a lot of the geek t-shirts out there. It's being carried by a few different geeky sites, but this seems like the

Wonder Woman Barbie ($49.99) or Wonder Woman Barbie-knockoff ($14.99)
These dolls are stunning! As a kid, I would have freaked out about these dolls! They have a great level of detail and have been updated from the 12-inch dolls I played with years ago. They can strike great poses and come with their own swords and shields! If you're buying for an adult, spring for the more expensive collectors edition Barbie. Kids will love the less expensive brand and you can hardly tell the difference!

Fight For Peace Makeup Bag ($21.99)
What Amazon Princess doesn't need a makeup bag that will keep all her supplies safe while she is fighting for truth and Justice? Based on the retro designs that have been brought into DC products by the Bombshell comics, this bag looks like it was pulled from a rally poster for a World War. It would also be great to hold school supplies, keeping things organized in a travel bag, and more!

Wonder Woman Denim Jacket ($129.00)
The Hero Within is a great company that makes designs for geeks, by geeks. Originally a company that focused on creating great fashion options for the underserved male geek fashion community, they have now branched out and design great things for nerds of all types! This subtle Wonder Woman design is unisex! It caught my eye ages ago and I wear mine all the time.

Justice League Animated Series Statue ($32.89)
Many Wonder Woman fans first fell in love with her while watching Bruce Timm cartoons and this statue captures his style perfectly. It's a little small when compared with the other statues in this series, but as a stand-alone gift it is great.

Sideshow Collectables Wonder Woman Statue ($449.99)
If you want to go all-out and earn the undying gratitude of a Wonder Woman fan without worrying about the price tag, this gift is for you. Sideshow Collectables are the primer statue company in the nerd world and this stunning statue is no exception. They actually have a TON of jaw-dropping Wonder Woman statues (all of which I hope to own someday!) but this one is the current jewel of my personal collection. With a spear slung over her shoulder, Diana looks every bit the bad ass warrior she has trained for centuries to become while wearing her classic costume from the comics.

Wonder Woman Rebirth Year One & The Lies ($16.99 each)
The Wonder Woman film has taken the world by storm! A lot of new and old fans are trying to jump into reading her comics. These compilations are where they should start reading the current run of Wonder Woman. Year One is a retelling of Wonder Woman's origin story with STUNNING art by Nicola Scott and The Lies is DC's way of clearing up the clutter of lose threads left by Wonder Woman writers in the last 10 years, illustrated by Liam Sharp. Greg Rucka, a respected Wonder Woman writer with many great titles under his belt writes for both.

These are just some of the incredible Wonder Woman items that you can find online for the holidays! I hope this helps you get the perfect gift for the nerd on your gift list, whether they were naughty or nice!

Do you have a great Wonder Woman item that I missed? Post it below in the comments!

 


Justice League Movie Review (Spoilers Clearly Labeled)

(SPOILER FREE)

I am filled with bitter nerd-rage after seeing Justice League. Not because it was bad, but because for a few brief moments, it was so good. We finally got a glimpse of what the DC movies should have been from the beginning and Henry Cavill FINALLY GOT TO BE THE REAL SUPERMAN! (Unless you live under a rock, that isn't a spoiler) But Justice League was so weighed down by course correcting its cinematic universe that it couldn't reach its full potential. It's a promising house built on the sand foundation of Man of Steel and Batman v Superman.

In Justice League we finally get bright colors, smiling heroes and joyful moments of triumph. There were points in Justice League where the iconic images made me tear up. It takes a while to pull itself out of the grim Snyderverse, but it was a definite pivot in the right direction. This is the first of Snyder's DC films that I'd be ok with taking kids to see in the theatre. You leave the movie feeling good. There is finally the impression that the heroes are the same characters that have inspired four-color comics for decades. This was my favorite recent DC film after Wonder Woman, and was light years more enjoyable than Suicide Squad or Batman v. Superman. It finally feels like we got a film made by someone who LIKES DC COMICS. It was a lot of fun. That said, there are also a lot of missteps.

The biggest problem with Justice League is its split personality. The accepted rumor in Hollywood is that Zach's original vision for the film was terrible and Joss Whedon was brought in to "help fix it". This is why he was already a part of the team when Snyder had to leave the project a while later, due to a tragedy in his family. Joss did a massive amount of reshoots and a lot of the new footage is obvious. The huge amount of trailer  footage that ISN'T in the movie hints at how much the vision for the movie has changed in recent months. The final product feels like a filler issue between two big comic book story arcs. Its whole job is to be fun and set up the next story and in that, Justice League met its goal. It has a simple bad guy with predictable motivations, convenient plot devices to keep things moving in the expected direction, Krypton-sized plot holes, and lots of middling quality CGI. There are an overabundance of one-line jokes, but the humor is a big enough step in the right direction that many fans will forgive many large problems with the movie because of its lighter tone. There were some really great moments. There were also some real WTF moments? (No spoilers, but one of those moments is when The Flash and Cyborg are digging together. You will know the moment when you see it. Seriously, W.... T.... F???) Overall, I enjoyed the movie and was grateful for the change in tone. I think that if the project had changed hands sooner we would have ended up with a much better movie, but at least we got something fun.

In all superhero teams, each person fills a different need in battle. Some members are the fighters, others are the thinkers who solve the problem, while still others keep the civilians safe and out of the way. Despite having all the characters to make this work, Justice League's script didn't seem to think this aspect of superhero teams through. Each member of the League is given moments to shine, but we never really get a moment where they are firing on all cylinders as a team. The major battles end up being dominated by specific individuals making the whole "team up" portion of the movie less vital to the world's survival than it should be. There is no telling if this is the fault of the original script or the product of the fights being reworked on the editing floor, but it was a disappointing aspect after seeing how flawlessly Whedon balanced the heroes' talents in The Avengers.

Justice League also has a women problem. Yes, many of the Amazons wear bikinis in their scenes, both modern day and ancient. No, angry fanboys of the internet, there is no logical explanation for their vital organs being exposed. However the issue doesn't stop at a troubling selection of costumes. After the revolutionary screen treatment of women in Wonder Woman, the repeated use of Wonder Woman/Diana's butt to help frame shots in Justice League is obvious and awkward. Her teammates reference her physical appearance repeatedly which makes it feel like the Justice League's next acquisition should be an HR department. It's all jokes that we have seen in other movies and comments that women hear all the time in our daily lives, but that doesn't excuse it. For a movie short on screen time for female characters, it's troubling that the production team decided to spend so much of it focused on Wonder Woman's "assets." Maybe this was acceptable in a pre-Wonder Woman superhero film, but we now know that we can and should expect more, especially in a movie that takes place in the same universe. (I talk more about Wonder Woman's depiction in the movie below in the spoiler section.)

I went in to Justice League expecting to hate it but, despite its numerous flaws and women troubles, ended up walking out excited about the new direction that DC is headed. While not a masterpiece, I feel that the difference in opinion between critics and fans is easily explained. It's clear that this movie depended on prior emotional connections to these iconic characters to make it work. Many critics may not have enjoyed it because their recent connections to Superman and Batman are the other Snyder movies. It's hard to come back from that dark place and understand why the world wouldn't be glad that Superman, the destroyer of Metropolis, is dead. To them, this movie seemed out of joint with the DC world they know but was still trying to be a part of it. To long-time fans however, Justice League seemed like things were finally getting back to normal. We immediately connected with this return to the familiar four-color world that we love, and revel in seeing our heroes stand together on the big screen. There is a lot wrong with Justice League, but if this is the new foundation for DC's cinematic universe, I finally have what these characters should have represented all along... hope.

DETAILED CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS - SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT!

Batman
Batman is fine in this movie. He isn't great but he is much MUCH better than he was in Batman v Superman. It's nice not having him be worse than the criminals he is catching. He has lots of gadgets and vehicles to help him keep up with his super-powered teammates, but we don't ever see the brilliant mind that makes him one of the most powerful characters in the DC universe. He isn't the "World's Greatest Detective" (in fact, a random burglar in the first five minutes of the movie seems just as smart as he is) nor does he seem to be an especially gifted tactician. He saw clear footage of Aquaman in Batman v Superman, but doesn't seem to know what he looks like in Justice League? His main role seems to be providing toys for Cyborg to take over and to provide dialogue that explains things to the audience, but he is Batman so he is still cool.

Cyborg
Cyborg is a really interesting character and Ray Fisher does a great job with the limited screen time he is given. His CGI body is not the best we've seen in superhero movies, but Fisher manages to act through that in spite of an unimpressive script. He gives us a hero we are rooting for and who has a clear character arch, no small feat in such an overpacked movie. There are tons of shots of Cyborg from the trailers that never made it into the film, so clearly his role and backstory were cut back to shave off time or CGI costs. I really hope that we get to focus more on him if there are future Justice League films or if an extended cut of this movie is released.

The Flash
I was surprised that they went with Barry Allen's dark backstory from the comics for Justice League. Honestly, when I heard the short run time of the film, I figured they'd just have him show up as some punk kid runaway and not get into it. The scenes between Barry and his dad are well done but I think they should have explained more about Barry's strengths besides being fast. He built a hideout and speedsuit by using cutting edge technology, but that is never explored. I think it would have been a great way for him to bond with Batman or Cyborg instead of just being the awkward comic relief for the whole movie. Again, I feel like this was probably a time issue. The Flash was definitely an audience favorite and a great way to add some child-like wonder to the film through the eyes of one of the main characters. It was a relief to finally have a character who is enthusiastic about the idea of becoming a superhero.

Aquaman
I think this character suffered the most from the two conflicting visions of Justice League's directors. In parts he seems like a dark, menacing drunk who saves people out of obligation. (Sounds like all the other DC heroes in Snyder's movies, right?) Then there are the clear reshoots and comedic moments that are a total contrast provided by Whedon. A middle ground between those two visions was needed, but never materialized. Instead, Aquaman ends up just coming across as Jason Momoa flipping between overacting and not acting at all. It was especially obvious how little the production team thought about Aquaman when the final battle had no sources of water or way for Arthur to use his full powerset. It's a team up move, right? Why write a final battle that completely handicaps one of the characters you just spent an hour trying to get onto the team?

Mera
Mera appeared in her skin tight underwater spandex, gold crown and super push up bra for only a few moments of the film. In the comics, she can control water with her mind to create solid objects, control the tides, or even kill her enemies through instant dehydration or forced drowning. Honestly, she should have been a major threat to even Steppenwolf in a battle at the bottom of the ocean, but all this Mera seems to be able to do is create air bubbles. The scenes in Atlantis were some of the most awkward of the film. We clearly have not mastered underwater scenes with acting or CGI. The Atlantian actors move like fish out of water (come on, I had to say that...) and the fact that they can't communicate without creating an air bubble is laughable. I really hope they get those issues sorted out for Aquaman.

Wonder Woman
Other than her badass fight scenes, Wonder Woman was pretty underwhelming in this movie, especially compared to the high bar set by her solo film. Frankly, I am on the fence about if she passes the sexy lamp test developed by Kelly Sue DeConnick. Her main contributions to the team are to be the heavy hitter until Superman shows up, and to tell the history of Steppenwolf and the mother boxes. If they had found a note about Steppenwolf's history stuck to a lamp, half of her purpose in the film would have been covered. Her fighting is great, but she never takes initiative and keeps falling into the trope of female characters only reacting to what happens around them. There are a few tender, almost maternal moments between her and the other heroes, but she doesn't really inspire them or step into the role of team leader. The script actually goes out of its way to point out multiple times that she is not inspiring the public at large and is living in the shadows due to her long lost love. This particular point doesn't make sense, since we saw her leaping into action at the end of Wonder Woman and she saves dozens of people at the beginning of Justice League too. She's doing the job of a hero so why are we explicitly told that nobody knows about her? This is obviously just a case of bad writing. They want to make Superman's return the most important thing in the movie, even if the only way to do that is by dimming all the other bulbs in the room to make him shine brighter. I can't wait to see Wonder Woman back in Patty Jenkins' hands.

Superman
The "Big Blue Boyscout" finally is back on the big screen. Superman is not a hero or beacon of hope in the previous Snyder movies. He was a brooding figure who seemed to dislike his self-imposed role of savior. His battles level cities and cause the loss of countless lives in Man of Steel. It's horrific and lays the foundation for Batman's hate in Batman v Superman, but it is never resolved. He helped fight one monster in an abandoned area of town, but that hardly seems to balance out the insane loss of life he caused smashing through buildings in the first film. And let's not forget him making out with Lois on what is essentially a mass grave site in Man of Steel.... ugh. Justice League does its best to retcon some of this, showing us cell phone footage of kids talking with a more classic-looking Superman and showing the entire world in deep mourning for Superman. Even the John William's theme from the Christopher Reeve films is used liberally to tap into nostalgia from the pre-Snyder versions of the character. I appreciated this clear attempt to undo the darkness of previous films in the series. When he finally arrives, despite the sometimes distracting CGI work on his face, the Superman in Justice League is worth the wait and is a hero worthy of the world's admiration.

Justice League opened to a astonishingly low $96 million opening weekend. A lot of things contributed to this including the bad reviews of previous Snyder/DC filmsmonths of negative production rumors, bad press about the Amazon's new outfits (sorry, not sorry!), and the huge amount of drama surrounding the botched Rotten Tomatoes reveal of the score Justice League got on their website. I think that overall this was a much better offering from Warner Bros/DC than we've had since Nolan's films, with the obvious exception of Wonder Woman. I hope the depressing box office numbers don't cause Warner Bros. to give up on the Justice League's future movies just when they FINALLY seem to be moving in the right direction. We will definitely be seeing a solo Aquaman movie and a Wonder Woman sequel in the future, but only time will tell if they take another stab at the JLA.

 

What did you think of Justice League and how they portrayed the characters? Comment below!


The Amazons' New Clothes

Wonder Woman was a  huge success for Warner Bros. With a gross income of over 800 million dollars worldwide and a final score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, it breathed new life into the struggling DC Cinematic Universe. The empowering depiction of the film's female characters, including the fighting technique

Amazonian warriors from Wonder Woman (left) and the picture Snyder shared of Amazon Warriors from Justice League (right)

and stylized culture of the Amazons, were one of the things fans loved most about the movie.

Which is why Zack Snyder caused an Amazonian uproar on social media when he started sharing pictures of Amazons from Justice League in leather bikinis.

This abrupt change of direction is a shock and these outfits look like generic barbarian women from a game of Dungeons and Dragons. They completely lack the unique flavor of the Greco-Roman-inspired armor ensembles that Lindy Hemming put so much thought and historical research into creating for Wonder Woman. The Wonder Woman designs received acclaim from fans and costume fanatics alike. They were clearly inspired by the Amazon's origins in the Mediterranean and were feminine but very functional. Why mess with perfection?

Oh, right. The all-male team of directors and executive directors wanted women to fight in bikinis.

More bikini warriors from Justice League

Wonder Woman began filming in 2015, the year before Justice League started filming in 2016. The Amazons'  design was finalized and most of the costumes completed while Justice League was still in pre-production. That means that there were discussions about what the Amazons should wear into battle in Justice League and the epic designs from Wonder Woman were rejected in favor of leather bikinis. Let that sink in. They rejected already finished costumes to redesign and remake the armor so that more skin would be showing.

They rejected already finished costumes to redesign and remake the armor so that more skin would be showing.

Feel uncomfortable? You should. This isn't a new formula for comic books, films or TV shows. All these fields are dominated by white men and their creations reflect their own ideals. Women in films are four times more likely to be shown in sexy outfits and three times more likely to show some nudity. Zack Snyder's ideal female warrior wearing about the same as a Victoria's Secret model on the runway is not a new concept, it's just disappointing and insulting in 2017.

Amazons wearing soft leather outfits (good for showing off boob curves) while warriors from Atlantis and Man's World are in full armor. smh.

Fans have been trying to come up with theories to rationalize the dramatic shift in costumes for the all-female civilization. Memes are making the rounds on social media speculating that the barbarian outfits are from thousands of years ago, or that it is another tribe of Amazons. Not knowing the movie's full plot, I can't say if this was the intention. I guess the theory is that the Amazons didn't know how to make armor when everyone else on earth did... because girls? (insert eye roll) I reject the idea that the Amazons were ever ignorant enough to wear these garments into battle. They have all the knowledge of the ancient world and the Greek pantheon, but based on the production pictures, it looks like the men from Atlantis and man's world had figured out armor while the Amazons were still dressing like bad Conan clichés. There are also plenty of pictures of "modern" Amazon armor that is still leaving their midriffs completely unprotected. An evolution of style would be appropriate but the Amazons would not plan to go into battle with their vital organs exposed.

Amazonian actress and CrossFit champion Brooke Ence wearing her battle outfit from Wonder Woman (left) vs. her battle outfits from Justice League (center & right)

To be absolutely clear, my issue is not with the lack of modesty. The Amazons in Wonder Woman wore sports-bra-like outfits when they were not in battle and I think that is very realistic for a society that lives in a Mediterranean climate. My problem is a millennia-old military culture wearing bikinis into battle because they are women. My problem is a wise civilization that was created by the gods to protect the world thinking that soft leather is armor. I have a problem with a really great design being thrown out in favor of something that would excite the cis male gaze.

I have a problem with a really great design being thrown out in favor of something that would excite the cis male gaze.

The positive reception of Wonder Woman was a major blow to Zack Snyder's vision and forced Warner Bros. to course correct their failing DC Cinematic Universe. Joss Whedon stepped in as director after Snyder and a massive number of reshoots began. Many of the reshoots were reportedly to add more screen time to characters from Wonder Woman. I hope that some of these changes include more of Hemming's complete armor design.

(Special thanks to fellow Wonder Woman fan Wonder Bira for helping me track down some of the pictures I used in this article!)

 


Props in Tabletop Games

Utilizing props is one of my GMing trademarks. I think it is a great way to spice things up and keep a story interesting for the players. Whether it’s a one-shot or a campaign you have run for years, props can help the players immerse themselves more fully into the game world and make events more memorable.

However, before you add props to your game, ask yourself why you are doing it. Think about the type of game you are running. Are the players the type that would appreciate a little extra spice? Are they already roleplayers who may just need a little something extra to inspire them? If you have doubts, you might want to bring it up to them first. There are some types of players (*cough* min-maxers *cough*) that won’t appreciate your efforts. If you think your players would benefit from them, consider the setting and tone of your game. What type of props will best serve your needs?

Items from the Story

Prop items from the story are easily used by the GM to influence the game. The easiest to make are paper items that the characters need, such as maps, letters, paintings and photographs. When I ran a game set in the Salem Witch Trials, I created individual letters for each character that served as their motivation for teaming up to save their town. They also had maps of Salem on parchment paper. Having a contract or wanted poster in their hands immerses the players in the story. These props are really easy to make with the help of a computer and some parchment resume paper. There are a variety of simple methods for aging paper using common household items if you are running a historical or fantasy campaign. Sealing wax or ink stamps are a fantastic touch to finish off important documents.

Other items can also be used to move the story along and give the players information. Books, jewelry, crystals, potion bottles, and so much more! Use your imagination! I made wands and spell books for a Harry Potter game which kept the table lively and in character. It’s much more interesting for the players to study a real book for clues than to roll dice and have you describe what they notice. Once I used jewelry as a way for the party to identify each other as allies. It’s a great visual for them to reference during the game and then is a great souvenir for them after it is over.

Room Decorations

Decorating the table or your gaming room can be a great way to set a specific tone for your game session and it will help players get into character. I suggest starting with the lighting, because that will make the most difference to the vibe in the room. If your players are in a dungeon or if you are playing something like Vampire the Masquerade with a dark tone, turn down your overhead lights. Bring in some other light sources, like table lamps, so that the players can still read their character sheets. Buying colored light bulbs from your local hardware store is another great way to change up the look of a room without moving too much around.

Decorate your table too! We were delighted when one of our players brought candelabras for our Vampire game. They became such a staple of our game that when we couldn’t burn candles anymore, we replaced them with cheap battery powered ones from the Halloween store. Small things like this can give a campaign some unique character and can be fun for the players.

Food & Drinks

Providing themed refreshments makes the players very happy. It fills their bellies while also immersing them in the game world. The plates and cups you use to serve the food are also props. I often find myself holding my beverage of choice like my character would hold it, swishing or sipping a pewter mug or wine glass in character as well. There are many resources online with recipes from Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, A Song of Ice and Fire, and other fictional sources. Historical foods are also a great way to add to a campaign. I highly suggest that you test and taste a recipe before serving it to your gaming group!

Costumes

I love costumes, but I am not always a fan of them around the gaming table. Individual items, such as a hat or elf ears, can be a great addition and help a player stay in character. I suggest talking to your group and starting slow. Really consider how each costume piece will add to the game. Goggles or glasses can add a chance for in-character mannerisms, like nervously adjusting them or cleaning them when they are thinking about something. A longsword may be entertaining the first session, but eventually it will probably end up leaning against the wall and forgotten. Full costumes can get uncomfortable or distracting during a game. Plus, why wear a full costume when you only see each other from the table up? Don’t sacrifice comfort and fun to look the part. There are a number of online costume shops that can help find individual pieces for historical and fantasy games, as well as futuristic and science fiction games. I always suggest checking out your local thrift store or Goodwill before dropping a large amount of money online. I’ve put together whole costumes from second-hand stores. You never know what you will find!

Miniatures

The most common prop in tabletop RPGs are minis. It’s easy to forget that these are props and that they really help with keeping the narrative clear for all the players. The Happy Jacks D&D campaign, Desert of Despair, really made me appreciate how much miniatures help the group visualize what is happening. Having actual spiders or giants to fight, instead of using paper clips or extra dice as stand-ins, can make a big difference. You don’t need to drop a fortune on specific minis for each combat, but using something that is about the right shape is always helpful. If you play D&D or other games that involve miniatures, consider building up a diverse collection of miniature foes for your players to face.

 

Once you decide that you want to add props to your game, choose carefully! Not all props are created equal! It’s better to add one perfect prop than to drop tons of stuff on the party that will detract from the game rather than add to it. Props will not save a bad game, but if you use them wisely, they can be a fantastic way to add a little dramatic flair to a game.

(This article was first released to Happy Jack's RPG Patreon supporters! Support our show for access to great previews and exclusive content!)


Elevating the Genre Podcast: Wonder Woman!!

Elevating the Genre Podcast: Wonder Woman

I was a guest on the Elevating the Genre podcast! We had a great discussion about the Wonder Woman movie!

**Please note: During this discussion I failed to mention the Armenian Genocide. This horrific event is overlooked my many discussions about genocide and the World Wars. I apologize for not including it in this discussion.

 


Part-Time Fanboy Podcast: Wonder Woman Movie

I was a guest on the Part-Time Fanboy Podcast! We talked about Wonder Woman!

"SPOILERS! Last Friday DC/Warners Bros. released the first motion picture ever to star the most famous superheroine to appear in comic books: Wonder Woman! To celebrate the cinematic debut of the amazing Amazon Kristian asked three wonderful women to come onto the podcast and discuss their thoughts on the movie version of the princess of Themysciras origin. Kimi Hughes (of GoldenLasso.net), Reyna Velarde (Communication Studies Professor at CSU, Long Beach and Cypress College), and Lauren Milberger (of The Fordcast– a podcast discussing the feature films of Harrison Ford), all joined Kristian to express their thoughts on the movie that could very well end up saving the DC Movieverse! Does Wonder Woman repair all the damage that Man of Steel, Batfleck v Man of Steel, and Suicide Squad have done? Does Gal Gadot’s portrayal of DC Comics’s Princess Diana get Warner Bros. out from under? Or is the DC Movieverse still languishing under the morose influence of Zack Snyder? Find out on this week’s episode of Part-Time Fanbo…er…girl…er…woman! Part-Time Fanwoman. Full-Time obsession on a Part-Time schedule."

Listen to it HERE!


Wonder Woman Comics: Where to Start?

Wonder Woman has taken the world by storm! People all over the world want to know more about the Amazon Princess, but with over 75 years of history it's hard to know where to start. Maybe you've seen her new movie, watched one of her numerous animated appearances, or loved the Lynda Carter TV show as a kid. Regardless, here is a handy guide to starting becoming a Wonder Woman comic book aficionado!

Comic Book Runs:

Wonder Woman #1 by George Perez, Len Wein, and Greg Potter (1986)

In 1986, after many missteps in the 1960's and 70's, DC wanted to get their premiere heroine back on track. George Perez and his team were chosen for the task, and they created the modern version of Wonder Woman that we know today. They redid her origin story and brought her back to her roots in the Greek pantheon with a strong sense of cultural identity that most other comic book characters lack. Diana is a true hero and beacon for humanity, and we follow along as she learns the joys and harsh realities of the world while protecting it from a collection of mythology-inspired villains. They created a new backstory for the Amazons that is a poignant and powerful statement to the history of women throughout the ages, and perfectly explains their solitary island existence. This is also when Diana's home was named, Themyscira, the actual name of the Amazon's home in Greek mythology, instead of just Paradise Island. With a multiracial nation of Amazons and an almost all female supporting cast, even after Diana comes to "man's world", Perez & Co. pushed the boundaries of 1980's comics, and were rewarded by being honored as one of the greatest comic runs in DC Comics history. It is the gold standard that all other Wonder Woman comics are measured against. It is also the Wonder Woman that I first discovered as a child, and the source that Patty Jenkins pulled from the most when she created the Wonder Woman movie.

Get issues #1- #14 as a single book on Comixology, Kindle or order a printed version on Amazon! (Ignore the horrible cover art they picked for this printing! WTF were they thinking??) Individual issues are available digitally or through the DC Comics app. Perez himself was the artist on issues #1- #24, but continued as a writer on Wonder Woman until issue #62. As with all comic series, jump in and stay for as long as you want. There is no "end" so it's easy to just read until the story arch that you like ends.

Wonder Woman: Year One by Greg Rucka (2016)

This is the most recent reboot of Wonder Woman by A-team creators Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, and Liam Sharp. It is part of Rebirth, a complete DC reboot that was designed to give DC movie fans a clean starting point to jump into reading the comics. It brings Wonder Woman back to the roots that George Perez's team created in the 80's, but with some modernizations to both Amazon culture and man's world. Rucka and Scott have wildly successful histories with Wonder Woman comics, and both are able to capture her joy, compassion and power with their exceptional work. No big changes to her backstory here, although another type of milestone is reached when Diana is FINALLY shown to be involved a same-sex relationships on Themyscira. Because duh. It makes perfect sense that a character who is all about love would be able to like women and men, and Rucka deals with this in a classy, matter-of-fact way that feels genuine. As a major Wonder Woman fan and purist, I loved this retelling of her origin story and highly recommend it for someone just starting their Wonder Woman journey.

Reading this run is a little tricky, because Rucka alternates between Diana's origin story in even numbered issues, and her life many years later in odd numbered issues. I suggest new readers start with reading her origin story issues first, which you can get as a single book called Wonder Woman Vol.2: Year One. This run is only a year old, so once you catch up you can easily pick up new issues as they are released at your friendly local comic shop or digitally!

Graphic Novels:

Graphic novels are stand alone stories that aren't (usually) tied to the stories happening in a character's main comic runs. Sometimes they are completely different takes on a character than will ever appear in the series of the comics. The biggest advantage is that you get the whole story in one place!

The Legend of Wonder Woman Vol. 1: Origins by Renae de Liz (2016)

This is a stunning reimagining of Diana's origins on Themyscira and her arrival in man's world during World War II. It's not "canon", which means that other comics don't use or recognize this story as Diana's past, but it is really enjoyable to read and captures the heart of Diana beautifully. This story takes a lot of time to focus on Diana's childhood in a society where not all of the Amazons are immortal. I would have liked to see a bit more racial diversity with the Amazons, but I really love how they incorporated Wonder Woman and the Greek gods into World War II. Renae de Liz is both the writer and illustrator for this story and she knocks it out of the park! Sadly, although this limited series became a hit, DC decided not to move forward with the planned Vol. 2. It's still an amazing story with a lovely conclusion. I wish the source of her powers in this story WAS canon! Get the full run as a single book on Comixology or Amazon!

The Hiketeia by Greg Rucka (2003)

One of the most acclaimed Wonder Woman graphic novels ever written, this story was Rucka's first shot at writing Wonder Woman and it earned him a spot as one of her greatest creators. Teaming up with artists J.G. Jones, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Dave Stewart, Rucka explores the strange path that Diana walks as the sole member of an ancient culture in our modern world. It is NOT her origin story, but is a slice of her life after she is an established hero in man's world. We see Diana balance her role as a super hero with her responsibilities as the Themyscirian ambassador and representative to the United Nations. It gives you a perfect taste of Diana without going through her backstory again. Compassion is the force that drives her in all things. Batman is a featured character in this story and acts as Diana's opponent when they take opposite sides in a case involving the crimes of a young woman. It's an interesting exploration of what super heroes might do when faced with moral gray area... with some supernatural elements mixed in!

Since it's original version is out of print, you will have to pay a hefty price for a paper copy of it. It is available digitally in a compilation of Greg Rucka's Wonder Woman stories called Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka Vol. 1 for a much better price. It is the first story in the book, so it's easy to find.

DC Superhero Girls: Finals Crisis by Shea Fontana (2016)

Based on the successful cartoon, this graphic novel is drawn by Yancey Labat and written by Shea Fontana (who will be taking over Wonder Woman's Rebirth run after Greg Rucka leaves after issue #24). It's not normally what I'd recommend, but I think it's really important to have options for younger fans on this list! It's a group story about teenage DC characters, including Harly Quinn, Batgirl, Supergirl, Katana and more, but Wonder Woman features prominently. The story takes place in Superhero High School where the group faces challenges related to their education and villains that show up to crash the party. It's lots of fun and DC fans will love seeing kid-friendly incarnations of their favorite characters, including my favorite, Principal Amanda Waller. I really appreciate that DC is finally channeling energy into creating high quality content that is meant to inspire kids, especially young girls. You can get this in digital or paperback and it seems to be the first of many such books!


Nerdtastic 4 Podcast: Wonder Woman Movie

I was a guest on the Nerdtastic 4 Podcast! This is a spoiler free discussion of the film that was recorded and published before the movie was released. Enjoy!

Thank you, Nertastic 4 Team! It was great chatting with you guys about my favorite heroine!


Wonder Woman Movie Review

(This review is in two parts. The spoiler free review is at the top, with a clearly labeled section with spoilers following after it.)

I have followed Wonder Woman's development since Warner Bros confirmed that she would be brought to the big screen in October of 2013. Watching the creative process was discouraging due to directors leaving the project and  the crushing disappointment of all the other DC films so far. I had lost all hope in this film being any good until we started seeing stunning footage and amazing trailers. Despite being burned before, I couldn't help but begin to believe that my favorite hero might get the movie that she deserved.

I was not disappointed. Wonder Woman is an excellent movie.

Patty Jenkins did what so many others said was impossible. She brought Wonder Woman to life in a way that will please comic purists and general movie-goers alike. It has everything that the other DC movies lacked: color, genuine humor, and most importantly, appropriate pacing that gives us time to form emotional connections to the main characters. I have no idea how she managed to herd all the cats at Warner Bros into doing things her way, but I will be eternally grateful to her. She managed to make a super hero movie that is action packed but has a distinctly feminine tone to fit with a female protagonist. AND it somehow still makes sense in the dumpster fire of a cinematic universe that Snyder created. Miracles CAN HAPPEN!

Gal Gadot knocked it out of the park as Wonder Woman. She does an excellent job of contrasting Diana's vast ancient Amazonian knowledge with her naiveté of man's world. She stays true to the character's comic book roots by caring deeply for others, while also being an incredibly kickass fighter. We follow her as she discovers the extent of her own powers, cheering for her successes and mourning her losses. I'll admit I had serious reservations about Gal when she was first cast. Her un-athletic body type and lack of acting credits worried me (getting your ass groped in Fast and the Furious isn't exactly confidence inspiring) but her Diana is charming, relatable and strong.

The Amazons are one of the highlights of the film. They are pulled directly from the pages of George Perez's Wonder Woman run, which should make a lot of purists very happy. Through excellent costume design, on-location shoots, and casting scores of real athletes, the production team creates a vivid culture that sets the tone for Wonder Woman's personality throughout the film. Hippolyta (Connie Neilson) is a wonderful mother to Diana and magnificent Queen of the Amazons, but Wonder Woman's badass aunt, General Antiope (Robin Wright), is sure to be the fan favorite. The action sequences with the Amazonian army are incredible, with some of the best fight choreography and horsemanship I have seen in recent years. I got goosebumps watching an army of incredible, multi-ethnic female fighters in action. You will too.

The supporting cast does an excellent job of helping the story along, while keeping the focus on Wonder Woman herself. Chris Pine balances Steve Trevor's roles as a leading man, love interest and side kick. He is a capable, cocky American soldier who's heartfelt need to end the terrible war that is ripping the world apart inspires Diana to join in the fight. I haven't been a big fan of his before, but he does a great job in Wonder Woman. The rag-tag bunch of fighters he assembles to help them win the war are less compelling. They are multiracial, which is great, but they are mostly two dimensional and not always very well acted. There are a lot of set ups without much payoff, leaving us with the feeling that some of their story was cut on the editing room floor. Lucy Davis plays Etta Candy, an often forgotten character from early Wonder Woman comics, and is a fun addition to the film, although their shopping sequence is a bit drawn out. She is a stark contrast to the Amazons, but a welcome female presence in the male dominated culture of man's world.

The movie's biggest weakness is its villains. They are canon characters from the Wonder Woman comics, but for the most part they seem underwhelming. There is some doubt as to how big a threat they pose, and the ending is predicable. The final battle slips into Snyder-esque visuals that could have been cut and pasted from the Doomsday battle in Batman v Superman. It's a change in style from the rest of the film, but I suppose that we had to see Snyder's fingerprints somewhere on this project. This is probably the least damaging sequence where he could rear his ugly head, and there are still some really great moments in there that show Diana's true character.

Wonder Woman is easily as good as any of the Marvel origin story movies, but doesn't quite reach the level of The Avengers or Guardians of the Galaxy. It is easily the best DC movie since Nolan's The Dark Knight. It is also the first of the recent DC movies that I'd feel comfortable sharing with children. Over all, the film is a wonderful triumph after so many years of cynics saying it was impossible and I look forward to watching it again and again.

 

WARNING: End of spoiler-free review. DETAILS AND SPOILERS AHEAD!!! CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

.

.

.

.

 

As a longtime reader of Wonder Woman comics, I am thrilled that they didn't sanitize Diana's backstory to make her "more relatable" for movie audiences. She is still the only child of the Amazons, sculpted from clay by Hippolyta and brought to life by the Greek gods. They tweaked the Greek mythology a bit, but Diana's basic story stays intact, along with her super powers and Lasso of Truth.

Wonder Woman starts with an unnecessary modern day intro, which unfortunately reminds us of its ties to Batman v Superman, but the real movie starts on Themyscira. We follow Diana as she grows from an overprotected child-princess into a trained warrior with an idealized view of combat. Young Diana (Lilly Aspell) is delightful, with witty lines and impressive horsemanship. Jenkins takes the time to develop the Amazons and their relationships with each other. Their battle on the beach is a sand and sandals action sequence on the scale of any in 300. Watching the Amazons triumph over their invaders is amazing, but it is also heartbreaking to watch them discover the deadly power of guns and General Antiope, one of the best characters in the film, is killed. In these moments we watch Diana learn the harsh realities of war, and the horror of it starts her on the path to man’s world. Some critics are calling this portion of the movie a “slog of a backstory,” but from a storytelling perspective it lays the foundation of Wonder Woman’s character for the rest of the film. I think this was time well spent and it is my favorite section of the movie. (Considering that the trailers for Justice League have shots of the Amazons in battle, I think it’s probably setting the stage for a lot more than just this movie too!)

The movie uses Steve Trevor to bridge the gap between the audience and the more far-fetched aspects of Diana's origin. It is an effective tactic, which was also used in the Wonder Woman animated film of 2009. Gal and Chris have great chemistry and they manage to make some fairly campy scenes work. The best example of this is a scene on Themyscira where Diana walks in on Steve Trevor while he is bathing, and there is an “above average” elephant in the room. We later learn that while Diana has never seen a man, she is very well read on the subject and is unsurprised by the features of Steve’s anatomy. There are some delightfully awkward moments between them that successfully lend humor and humanity to what could have been a very severe story.

Unlike Lois Lane and Superman in recent DCEU films, Diana and Steve Trevor have a surprisingly balanced relationship. When they first meet on Themyscira, he is the charming "fish out of water" who is completely ignorant of Amazon society. However, when they travel to man's world the roles are reversed and Diana is the one forced to navigate a completely foreign culture. They learn from the each other and it becomes clear that each has their own strengths. Diana is in a different league as far as her fighting skills and education, but Steve uses his street smarts and connections to help her reach her goals. The best thing about their romance is that it takes a back seat to Diana's larger mission. Their connection helps Diana learn to understand the nature of mankind, but their romantic moments are just sprinkled in between larger events. Both characters are motivated by their drive to end the war, not their budding feelings for each other. It's a huge relief that Wonder Woman avoids the trap of becoming a story about their romance. Steve plays his part, but it stays Diana's story.

The movie does suffer from being predictable. Anyone who knows classic comic book or movie formulas will guess what is happening pretty quickly. Dr. "Poison" Maru (Elena Anaya) is under utilized. The movie tries to set up General Ludendorff (Danny Huston) as Ares, the Greek god of war and Diana’s ultimate foe, but the minute we see David Thewlis as Sir Patrick we guess that there is more to him than meets the eye. It is revealed that he is actually Ares and the climactic battle that ensues is the least inspired part of the film. They move away from the acrobatic method of combat that Wonder Woman uses through the rest of the film into a Batman v Superman style big blast battle that levels everything around them. It's a little desensitizing and there are a few points where I wonder if keeping stuffy Sir Patrick's face and mustache on the God of War was a good creative choice. There is also a fair amount of monologue-ing as Ares tells Diana that she is a young god/demi-god (which finally explains New 52 style electronic blasts that we see her use) and that Zeus created her to defeat Ares. (WHY WOULD YOU TELL HER THAT? DUMB SUPER VILLAIN!) It is an interesting tweak to the reason that Zeus brought her to life, and also explains why Hippolyta was so worried about her becoming a warrior. I like these details, but wish they’d been revealed in a more elegant way.

The most interesting thing about this fight was that we see Diana finally let loose. It is awe-inspiring and a little terrifying. She momentarily gives up on humanity out of sorrow and anger, and her feelings are understandable. Jenkins does a superb job of setting this up throughout the movie. The gradual creep from losing her aunt Antiope and other amazons on the beach in Themyscira (possibly the first deaths she has seen since the amazons are immortal), to her seeing the horrors of trench warfare and the deaths of innocent people at the hands of modern weapons, and finally the loss of Steve Trevor all takes its toll on her. We understand Diana’s fury and frustration and the devastation of WWI is the perfect backdrop for it. As an audience, it is especially tragic because we know that Ares’ comments about humanity ring true. The “War to End All Wars” is really the birthplace of modern combat techniques and weaponry. These factors make it all the more inspiring and uplifting when Diana overcomes the trauma and, because of the wisdom and love she has gained from her time with humanity, turns on Ares and defeats him.

With Diana’s comments about “walking away from the world” in Batman v Superman, I was very worried that this movie would end with Diana giving up, but the movie ends on a note of hope. The war is over and people are celebrating in the streets. Diana has suffered many losses, but she loves humanity and has not lost her belief that they can learn to be better than they are. The last real shot of the story shows Diana FLYING to the rescue as the world’s first superhero. She has discovered her purpose, grown into her powers, and will continue to protect humanity. It’s really amazing and it was one of many points in the film where I teared up because my inner geek-girl was so happy…

Too bad they HAD to bookend the movie with another modern scene that includes Batman. It doesn’t ruin the ending, but doesn’t really add anything either.

Despite its flaws, Wonder Woman is a really enjoyable movie. It stayed true to the legacy of one of the world's most recognizable icons. Fans of her comics, animated features, or even Lynda Carter's TV show will recognize the hero that they love, and a  new generation of Wonder Woman fans will be born.