http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/4thletter/~3/344559575/

http://www.4thletter.net/?p=1319

A couple quick things, first–
-Augie De Blieck’s Pipeline this week is really good. He makes a good point about the Manchester Hyatt thing– most things are owned by complete and total jerkoffs. The trick is to find your limits, embrace them, and don’t be afraid to speak up when things go past them. He also has a fun review of Mini-Marvels.

-Tor.com is the new sci-fi blog from, er, Tor. This post on piracy is dead on. Comics should take note. In a nice bit of synergy, Augie has tips on that in the link up top, too.

And the main event– the extremely rough copy of my first video podcast. I left off the URL like a genius (holla), and the editing is kind of an accidental bite of IllDoctrine, but I’m getting my legs under me. Enjoy the rough, and look for more polished joints later this week.

And if you see me at SDCC, holler at me.

I’m out, I’ve got exactly five minutes before my shuttle gets here. Peace!

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/4thletter/~3/344479625/

http://www.4thletter.net/?p=1318

This has been a rather bad week for me, especially on the writing front. I haven’t been able to post much due to a variety of things, but one of them is that I’m writing like 50 projects at once. A new Deadshot’s Tophat installment, a thing on Booster Gold, a thing on Two-Face, a new Ruin the Moment compilation, another compilation of CHIKARA covers based on comics, something on Dark Knight and a bunch of other things I won’t mention in fear of being incriminated when I don’t get around to finishing them.

When my indecision was driving me absolutely cross-eyed, CHIKARA’s own Tim Donst showed up to slap some sense into me. He was interested in an interview. God bless him.

Now, you may be saying, “Say, didn’t you interview Tim Donst already?” Well, yes and no. Months back, I tried, but young Timothy was in a rather unique situation. Due to a knock on the head and some brainwashing, Tim had become a member of UltraMantis Black’s sinister group, the Order of the Neo-Solar Temple. That worked out in regards to how the abbreviation “ONST” makes up most of his name, but it kind of soured my interview. Rather than getting any real answers, I just had UltraMantis Black answering on Tim’s behalf. The scoundrel.

Ah! But it was merely a ruse. Tim Donst wasn’t brainwashed after all. He was just a spy, working to gain UltraMantis’ trust and exploit it for information. With his work done, he escaped the Order’s clutches unscathed and went back to his patriotic and wholesome ways.

Only, while a member of the Order, Tim struck up a bizarre friendship with Hydra, the Starscream/Beast Man to UltraMantis’ Megatron/Skeletor. The two of them acquired the three consecutive wins necessary to garner a title shot against the tag champs. But after the truth about Tim’s behavior was revealed, UltraMantis was less than pleased.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Hydra to turn against UltraMantis and form a level of BFFitude between an American icon and a sea creature unseen since Captain America and Namor! In fact, all we need is Fire Ant and we have the CHIKARA version of the Invaders!

On to the interview!

****************************

Can you tell us some background on your amateur wrestling upbringing? What happened for you to make the transition towards professional wrestling?

- In amateur wrestling I won 2nd place in districts, 3rd in regionals and was Captain my senior year of high school. When my schedule permits it I still wrestle for East Stroudsburg University.

While Kurt Angle inspired me to begin wrestling in Jr. High, a school assembly gone horribly wrong set me towards the path of becoming a professional grappler. I was participating in a 1-on-1 wrestling exhibition to help attract students to joining the squad. About halfway through the routine, my entire 8th grade class began yelling, “this is boring,” not exactly any wrestler, pro or amateur’s, favorite chant. As to avoid being the laughing stock of the entire school, my buddy and I began executing every pro wrestling maneuver we knew, which of course only consisted of Rock Bottoms, F-5’s and Stone Cold Stunners. (What an amazing move set that would be huh?)

Quickly, the audience got super into it and I was popular for like an entire week (being replaced by Christian Seebode who claimed to be related to Hanson). The coach was happy too as we doubled our wrestling team. That is until the first wrestling practice when all the new kids quit after realizing there would be no sunset flips or Swanton bombs being taught. But at least I learned how to work a crowd, and more importantly, what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

According to UltraMantis in that last interview, you don’t know what a comic book is, but that guy’s a dirty, shoe-less liar. What have you been reading?

- I don’t usually have the time to read books but I keep up-to-date on the comic world through all the CHIKARA guys. I did just finish The Dark Knight returns finally and am a huge fan of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead. My favorites though are Superman, Captain America, Spider-Man and Wolverine. That’s why I got such a kick out of replacing him on CHIKARA’s “Bruised” cover.

What comics does Hydra… wait. Can Hydra even read?

- I don’t believe so. But he does enjoy the pictures in Aquaman and Archie.

Who doesn’t?! Outside of CHIKARA, what else do you have going for you?

- I won the EPIC WAR championship a few months back, and the other day I was lucky enough to defend (and retain) against the likes of Ryan Drago and TNA star Jimmy Rave. Drago’s a tough guy all on his own but it was an absolute honor wrestling someone I respect as much as Jimmy Rave.

Let’s talk about the infamous Eddie Kingston match from last year. Just how badly did he mess you up? Reader Ditch wants to know what was the most painful part of it, other than the head bouncing off the floor bit? Was it worth it? Are you sick of people asking about it? Will Batman get out of this one?

- For the longest time I thought I’d been knocked out by hitting my head against the floor. However after watching the tape, it’s pretty clear I’m in Lala Land after the spinning backfist. The move caused me the inability to drive for the night, I couldn’t sleep for days and a scary migraine would return whenever I lifted weights. I thought for sure that my short lived career was over. Luckily, it was not and after hearing the warm reception of Wallingford, it was well worth it and a moment I will never, ever forget. It was tough not being able to tell the CT crowd thank you for their support when we returned because I had “amnesia”. But I’d like to show them next time how much it meant to me. And I’m sure Adam West would have an anti-backfist spray well prepared.

Ever since hanging with you, Hydra’s success has gone through the roof. At this rate, he might even win a singles match! What do you associate this to?

- I’ve never been great at science but I’m pretty sure you’d call it chemistry. I know what he’s thinking 24/7, which is great when were in a match, but not so great when he’s day-dreaming about… never mind.

What’s your reaction to the numerous claims that you are a “home wrecker” for your role in splitting up Ultra Mantis and Hydra?

- Do you have any idea what sleepovers are like at Ultramantis Blacks’ lair? Let me tell you. There’s no pizza, no movies, and not even an ounce of gossip. Just vegan treats, the Home Shopping Network and the discussion of world domination. As far as I could tell, Hydra wanted more for himself. Heck, I even wanted more for him. So why don’t you ask Hydra who the bad guy is. The dude that never bothered to take him to Sea World or the guy who introduced him to apple pie a la mode?

I… I can’t ask him. He doesn’t talk.

MidnightMayor wants to know: are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist party? Barring that, have you ever suplexed a member of the Communist party?

- I would like to make Red Skull sign the Donstition. But I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance to as I have never, nor will ever join a Communist party. Though Moscow the Communist Bovine did invite me to a barbecue after our double ankle lock at Maximum Overdraft.

We can talk about the actual election, but that’s boring. So instead, who would you rather vote for as our president: Steve “Turtle” Weiner or Jervis Cottonbelly?

- Turtle Power!

Some of the Marvel heroes figured that rather than killing him, the best way to deal with the Hulk would be to send him off into space to fend for himself. Who on the CHIKARA roster would you like to see get the same treatment? It’s up to you. There is no correct answer. (Hint: The correct answer is still Vin Gerard.)

- As much as I’d like to see Vin Gerald blasted into space, he’s currently holding the Young Lions Cup. Once I get the opportunity to defeat him for it, sure, blast away but until then how about someone like DJ Skittles? So on the way up he can finally taste the rainbow.

You and your grunting muscle-monster partner have acquired a title shot against CHIKARA’s tag champs, Incoherence. Now, having Hydra as your partner here is a double-edged sword. On one hand, he has more experience wrestling both of those masked nutjobs than you. On the other hand, those weren’t very triumphant experiences. What’s your game plan?

You may remember last time I wrestled in Reading at Battle For Who Could Care Less, I won the main event alongside Incoherence. As much as I respect those guys, there’s no way we can both win this time around. So I play on pinning them once. Then again. With the help of some air guitar of course.

There’s nothing that air guitar doesn’t help. Except boredom.

With your first complete year in the wrestling world under your belt as of a few months ago, how do you feel about the future in your career?

- I feel great. I’m the current EPIC WAR champion which means as long as I can hold onto it, I’ll have the biggest matches of my career coming up. I could very well become the tag holders in a few weeks for my home promotion. And I’m starting to get a lot more offense in, which means I’m getting beat up less. All is right in the world.

Usually this is the point of the interview where I goad you into leaving the interview in an act of anger. We’ll skip it this time because I like the cut of your jib. So instead, can you say something patriotic and/or inspiring for our readers?

- Don’t be content with where you are in life. You gotta keep improving yourself and your environment. Keep pushing yourself forward. Life’s like a treadmill. If you’re not running forward, you’re going backwards.

If not for yourself, for America.

Well said. Thanks again to Tim Donst for his time and the gift of closure.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/4thletter/~3/343816661/

http://www.4thletter.net/?p=1317

I only have two requests.

1) Show more of Gotham city and how they react to the Batman.

2) Make Edward Nigma the villain, and make sure it’s this version. Have the media call him the Riddler before he’s revealed.

The past two films have been all about villains trying to kill other people. Nigma isn’t after that. He’s just heard stories of the “Dark Knight Detective” and he wants to see if he can outsmart him. He pulls off complicated heists, tricky kidnappings, and generally causes high impact, but low danger, crime to get Batman’s attention. He leaves behind a clue or two, maybe a green question mark on a postcard with a rhyme on the back.

He doesn’t want to kill. He doesn’t want to murder. He’s just a thrillseeker who happens to be super-smart. Also, he doesn’t wear a stupid costume. He’s dapper and slick, and probably knows Bruce Wayne in real life, but hasn’t made the connection between Bruce and Bats yet.

Get on it. 2010.

Also, my brother-from-another William points out something fun– Eddie should be black. Just because.

nightfall404

[	mood	|	exhausted	]
[	music	|	Toksin - "Futurist"	]

• Sent off direct debit form to mortgage people
  
• Emailed solicitor with details for background check
  
• Phoned agent to get leasehold/ground rent details
  
• Submitted CV (that would be a resumé) for job application

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/4thletter/~3/342848142/

http://www.4thletter.net/?p=1316

Who should I be reading on the internet? I need to update my blog roll and RSS feeds.

Comics preferably, but I’ll take not-comics, too.

http://www.sonictempest.net/2008/07/21/terminally-cynical/

I suppose I am, at least when it comes to Sonic games. I honestly believe that my cynicism is justified, though.

There’s an old Tamil proverb, a personal favourite of mine, that can roughly be translated as “If you endeavour to do something, do it such that everyone will praise you; or you are better off not doing it at all.”

Sega’s policy with regards to Sonic games for the past…7 years or so has been “quantity over quality” - numerous games which have all been flawed to some degree, whether these flaws are terrible cameras, loose controls, poorly-developed game mechanics or just being bloody unfinished. For some reason, Sega has decided that the way to improve the quality of the games is to keep tacking on “interesting” subsystems which almost always end up being implemented poorly.

There’s a strong case for specialization in video games, in that established series should find something they do well and stick with it, only requiring tweaks to the formula from game to game while keeping the core mechanics the same. Most successful series have done something along these lines - Mario, Diablo, Half-Life, Ninja Gaiden, they take a successful formula and add things as time goes on, usually with successful results. At the same time, these additions are always in the spirit of the series, and do nothing to detract from the core mechanics of the series.

That last point is what is crucial here. Almost every single mechanic Sonic Team has tossed in to date has served to hinder or dilute the core mechanics of the series - namely speed and momentum-based platforming. They have yet to come up with a solid implementation of these mechanics in 3D (the Sonic Adventure games, while much-loved by the fanbase, did have problems that needed working out). There isn’t a gold standard 3D Sonic which can then go on to be the template for the rest of the series in 3D. Yet, instead of endeavouring to make such a game, Sonic Team has persisted in throwing everything and the kitchen sink into the series, trying to see what will stick.

There is some hope - the daytime portions of Sonic Unleashed look good enough to be a decent starting point for a new series of good 3D Sonics…with a few tweaks, at any rate. Apparently Sonic and the Black Knight is basically Sonic and the Secret Rings with the tilt control taken out, and some sidescrolling sections, which is also very promising.

However, extraneous mechanics like Musou-style hack and slash action or swordplay that don’t really need to be there will only serve to dull the shine of these otherwise promising games. Until Sonic Team realizes this, I really have no choice but to continue viewing new titles in the series with skepticism.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/4thletter/~3/341692709/

http://www.4thletter.net/?p=1315

Jay Smooth has some dope advice for you if you don’t know how to talk about things like actual people, instead of like mobile talking points attack vehicles.