Johnny Blaze
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Inside The Poster's Studio
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Byrd Man
El Hombre Pájaro
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Then quit talking about and do it, you little vain bastard.
Hey! Who you calling "little"?
Johnny Blaze
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Byrd Man
El Hombre Pájaro
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SF Era:
Well, I had this idea where I'd interview some of the posters who play these RPGs to get an inside view on where they're coming from, and also to just get to know them better.
I call it...
My first "guest" is Master Bruce. Since joining the RPGs in Mid '04, as Nightwing in Season II of the DC RPG, he's gone on to play characters ranging from Daredevil to Superman. I spoke with him earlier today.
Superferret: Okay, I think it’d be good to start off on the topic of LibrarianThorne’s departure from the RPGs and the Hype as a whole. Now, it was assumed that at the beginning of next season in the DC RPG, LT would be taking the role of Superman back from you, but with him gone, that won’t happen. How did you feel about that turn of events?
Master Bruce: I felt that it was unfortunate that he left for the reasons he did. However, I can sympathize. Sometimes none of us realize how daunting real life can be and how hard it is to maintain the activities we enjoy, such as RPGing. So as much as I did hate to see him leave, I can understand him leaving in the first place.
SF: But you also seemed to be kinda 'stuck' with Clark.
MB: Well, it isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world to have Superman as a character. I've been a big fan of Clark since I was a kid, so for me to be 'stuck' with him isn't nearly as troublesome as it would've been with almost any other character.
SF: True, true. (BTW I'm not just doing this to plug my return as Superman when I take him next season.)
MB: (I know.)
SF:You’ve taken on a few characters after another poster did a stellar job with them, namely Superman (from LT) and Spider-Man (from ElectroFlare). Were you ever worried that you wouldn’t be able to fill the roles as well?
MB: Almost every time, actually. Starting with when I took over the role of Daredevil from MST3K_4ever. I knew that I was following some rather stellar roleplayers, so of course there was some worry. But I tried my best to put the worry behind me, because the truth was, I was playing the characters before the players that portrayed them.
SF: "Playing the characters before the players that portrayed them." What do you mean by that?
MB: There are a multitude of interpretations that a character can lend itself too. Some prefer certain aspects of a character, some prefer others. While I enjoyed reading the interpretations presented by the players before me, I had my own interpretation to present. That's what kept me from dropping the characters, usually.
SF: Okay, good. Here’s one of two questions I plan to ask everyone I interview: Of all the characters you’ve played which is your favorite?
MB: Batman. Easily.
SF: Well, duh. But, for sake of discussion, why?
MB: Simply because with him, above all characters I play, I have the most confidence that I can portray him as accurately as I possibly can, because of my knowledge of the character.
I think, also, he presents a level of challenge I don't find with other characters, in that while he's faced with superhuman opposition and threats on an almost nightly basis, he himself is below that league, physically. So you have to be constantly on your toes, thinking of all the possible ways that a human being can overcome a superhuman obstacle.
SF: So you like playing Bruce because of the challenge?
MB: Essentially. Because along with those elements, there are certain mannerisms (or in his case, lack thereof) that you have to maintain. You can't laugh, you can't chuckle, you can't cry... you have to be in a constant state of brooding, while maintaining the intelligence that makes him a superhero. This guy's really traumatized, and you have to show that.
SF: Interesting. Now for a slight change of pace. I know that you’re dying to get a chance to play Batman in the DC RPG. Let’s talk hypothetically, if you did somehow get that role, what would happen to Nightwing? Would you still play him, or would you drop him?
MB: I would drop him, for two reasons. One, Batman is a major character in the DCU, and thus I'd want to focus all of my attention towards staying active and entertaining with the character. And two, I personally feel it wouldn't be fair to play both of them at the same time, considering how closely related they are and how big of a fanbase each one has.
SF: So, you prefer playing Batman over Nightwing?
MB: Yes.
SF: Okay, moving on to the Marvel U for a moment, you've been given a lot of tough stuff to work with as Daredevil, what with Keyser's excellent portrayal of Bullseye being an ever present threat, Loki giving Matt his sight back, and defending Wolverine in court. How does playing him stack up with Batman?
MB: I think Matt's interesting to play because he could actually be considered closer to the 'abyss' than Bruce. He's lost most of the people he loves, whereas Batman still has Robin, Nightwing, Catwoman, and others to back him up when he's going through a rough patch. Matt doesn't have those... at least the one I play. So he's a little angrier at the world, rather than the criminals that terrorize it
SF: With all those dark, brooding characters, it's kind of odd that you can also capture light-hearted characters like Spider-Man just as well.
MB: I know. That's kind of an odd thing for me. But I think that's the fun of playing in an RPG... you're opening yourself to so many different possible outlooks on a world that's so fantastical. Spider-Man deals with his grief differently than Batman and Daredevil. He cracks jokes, and makes the best of his life.
SF: Cracking jokes in the face of tragedy is Spidey's best quality. I've got to say that my favorite Spider-Man post of yours is the one where he's in the graveyard with the undead remains of the people he loved and lost.
MB: That was a challenging one to write, I have to admit. You don't know how exactly to play it at first. There are so many different paths you can take, but you don't know which ones will necessarily work better than others. I could've had Peter break down and go insane in that one moment, because that is a really unimaginably devastating situation. But that's usually when the thought process of a character kicks in. You start to realize "This isn't what he'd do. He'd do this!". And then your mind really goes to work. I love it.
SF: Okay, well, we'll finish up here, but one last question (and this will be another that I'll ask everyone), if you could play any character you haven't had the chance to yet, who would it be?
MB: Hmm. Tough question. I think I'd have to say that it'd be an interesting change of pace to portray Wonder Woman, or any female in general.
SF: Wonder Woman? So not only do you want the distinction of being the first to play all of the most popular male superheroes in the RPGs (Supes, Bats, and Spidey), you also want the Trinity too? You selfish bastard.
MB: I know. I really am. It's what makes me... er... me, I guess.
He really is, folks, he really is.
Well, I had this idea where I'd interview some of the posters who play these RPGs to get an inside view on where they're coming from, and also to just get to know them better.
I call it...
Inside the Poster's Studio
with Superferret
with Superferret
My first "guest" is Master Bruce. Since joining the RPGs in Mid '04, as Nightwing in Season II of the DC RPG, he's gone on to play characters ranging from Daredevil to Superman. I spoke with him earlier today.
Superferret: Okay, I think it’d be good to start off on the topic of LibrarianThorne’s departure from the RPGs and the Hype as a whole. Now, it was assumed that at the beginning of next season in the DC RPG, LT would be taking the role of Superman back from you, but with him gone, that won’t happen. How did you feel about that turn of events?
Master Bruce: I felt that it was unfortunate that he left for the reasons he did. However, I can sympathize. Sometimes none of us realize how daunting real life can be and how hard it is to maintain the activities we enjoy, such as RPGing. So as much as I did hate to see him leave, I can understand him leaving in the first place.
SF: But you also seemed to be kinda 'stuck' with Clark.
MB: Well, it isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world to have Superman as a character. I've been a big fan of Clark since I was a kid, so for me to be 'stuck' with him isn't nearly as troublesome as it would've been with almost any other character.
SF: True, true. (BTW I'm not just doing this to plug my return as Superman when I take him next season.)
MB: (I know.)
SF:You’ve taken on a few characters after another poster did a stellar job with them, namely Superman (from LT) and Spider-Man (from ElectroFlare). Were you ever worried that you wouldn’t be able to fill the roles as well?
MB: Almost every time, actually. Starting with when I took over the role of Daredevil from MST3K_4ever. I knew that I was following some rather stellar roleplayers, so of course there was some worry. But I tried my best to put the worry behind me, because the truth was, I was playing the characters before the players that portrayed them.
SF: "Playing the characters before the players that portrayed them." What do you mean by that?
MB: There are a multitude of interpretations that a character can lend itself too. Some prefer certain aspects of a character, some prefer others. While I enjoyed reading the interpretations presented by the players before me, I had my own interpretation to present. That's what kept me from dropping the characters, usually.
SF: Okay, good. Here’s one of two questions I plan to ask everyone I interview: Of all the characters you’ve played which is your favorite?
MB: Batman. Easily.
SF: Well, duh. But, for sake of discussion, why?
MB: Simply because with him, above all characters I play, I have the most confidence that I can portray him as accurately as I possibly can, because of my knowledge of the character.
I think, also, he presents a level of challenge I don't find with other characters, in that while he's faced with superhuman opposition and threats on an almost nightly basis, he himself is below that league, physically. So you have to be constantly on your toes, thinking of all the possible ways that a human being can overcome a superhuman obstacle.
SF: So you like playing Bruce because of the challenge?
MB: Essentially. Because along with those elements, there are certain mannerisms (or in his case, lack thereof) that you have to maintain. You can't laugh, you can't chuckle, you can't cry... you have to be in a constant state of brooding, while maintaining the intelligence that makes him a superhero. This guy's really traumatized, and you have to show that.
SF: Interesting. Now for a slight change of pace. I know that you’re dying to get a chance to play Batman in the DC RPG. Let’s talk hypothetically, if you did somehow get that role, what would happen to Nightwing? Would you still play him, or would you drop him?
MB: I would drop him, for two reasons. One, Batman is a major character in the DCU, and thus I'd want to focus all of my attention towards staying active and entertaining with the character. And two, I personally feel it wouldn't be fair to play both of them at the same time, considering how closely related they are and how big of a fanbase each one has.
SF: So, you prefer playing Batman over Nightwing?
MB: Yes.
SF: Okay, moving on to the Marvel U for a moment, you've been given a lot of tough stuff to work with as Daredevil, what with Keyser's excellent portrayal of Bullseye being an ever present threat, Loki giving Matt his sight back, and defending Wolverine in court. How does playing him stack up with Batman?
MB: I think Matt's interesting to play because he could actually be considered closer to the 'abyss' than Bruce. He's lost most of the people he loves, whereas Batman still has Robin, Nightwing, Catwoman, and others to back him up when he's going through a rough patch. Matt doesn't have those... at least the one I play. So he's a little angrier at the world, rather than the criminals that terrorize it
SF: With all those dark, brooding characters, it's kind of odd that you can also capture light-hearted characters like Spider-Man just as well.
MB: I know. That's kind of an odd thing for me. But I think that's the fun of playing in an RPG... you're opening yourself to so many different possible outlooks on a world that's so fantastical. Spider-Man deals with his grief differently than Batman and Daredevil. He cracks jokes, and makes the best of his life.
SF: Cracking jokes in the face of tragedy is Spidey's best quality. I've got to say that my favorite Spider-Man post of yours is the one where he's in the graveyard with the undead remains of the people he loved and lost.
MB: That was a challenging one to write, I have to admit. You don't know how exactly to play it at first. There are so many different paths you can take, but you don't know which ones will necessarily work better than others. I could've had Peter break down and go insane in that one moment, because that is a really unimaginably devastating situation. But that's usually when the thought process of a character kicks in. You start to realize "This isn't what he'd do. He'd do this!". And then your mind really goes to work. I love it.
SF: Okay, well, we'll finish up here, but one last question (and this will be another that I'll ask everyone), if you could play any character you haven't had the chance to yet, who would it be?
MB: Hmm. Tough question. I think I'd have to say that it'd be an interesting change of pace to portray Wonder Woman, or any female in general.
SF: Wonder Woman? So not only do you want the distinction of being the first to play all of the most popular male superheroes in the RPGs (Supes, Bats, and Spidey), you also want the Trinity too? You selfish bastard.
MB: I know. I really am. It's what makes me... er... me, I guess.
He really is, folks, he really is.
Byrd Man
El Hombre Pájaro
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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome back to..
According to popular demand, my guest today is Keyser Soze. A longtime poster in the Marvel RPG (he's an oldbie all the way from Season I), he's even stuck with the same character for all this time. Which, for someone like me, is near-unfathomable. I'm rambling now, so without further ado, here's my interview with Keyser Soze.
Superferret: Alright, I guess the best way to start this off is with the question that nearly everyone told me to ask: As the Joker and Bullseye, you've sunk to extreme depths of depravity. How do you do it so believably that it's scary?
Keyser Soze: I go out and do all this stuff myself for real, and if I find it amusing, it goes into my RPs. Ha, no, seriously, I don't really know where it comes from. I'm a big movie fan, and you pick up some violent stuff from watching those. Also, I think with characters like The Joker and Bullseye, the kinda stuff I do with them is just a logical extension of how they're presented in the comics.
SF: Hehe. I was hoping you weren't really that evil, but yeah, I see what you mean by just portraying them as an extension of the comics, which is what all of us try to do (with varying degrees of success).
So, about Joker and Bullseye, how different is it playing the two of them?
KS: See, people think they're carbon copys of each other. But actually, they're very different characters, at least the way I approach them. With Bullseye, my aim was to take this vile, despicable monster, and make him into a sympathetic character. See, you say I've sunk to the depths of depravity with Bullseye, but I actually think my version of the character is a saint compared to the pure evil of the comic incarnation. I've really tormented him a lot over the five + seasons I've played him. Season 1 I had him fall in love with Mary-Jane and be forced to kill her. And that's the thing. I didn't just have him kill her to be a bastard, like he did with Elektra and Karen Page. He was devastated by this as well. Since then, he's had a lot of bad stuff happen to him. Electro UK says I've made him an emo! But I try and keep the bad-ass elements in there so he's not all soap-opera.
The Joker is a whole different ball game. With Joker, there is no sympathetic qualities. He IS pure evil. But I think it's very liberating as a writer to play a character that's just so out there, totally free of any morals or restraint. You can do pretty much anything you want with him, as nothing is too whacked-out or crazy for The Joker. I'd highly recommend that everybody should have a go at writing as The Joker - whether its in an RPG or a fanfic - its a whole lot of fun!
SF: I see what you mean when you said that your Bullseye may not be as evil as the comic's one, but your Joker sometimes goes beyond what he's done in the comics it seems. (I think you've killed alot more children than DC would've allowed in print.)
KS: Yeah, I have a kiddie kill-count noted down somewhere.
SF: That's more than a bit f***ed up.
KS: I still think the first kid The Joker killed was most effective, as up until then, people in the RPG still thought, "Nah, he's not gonna kill a kid." People were genuinely angry about that.
SF: Now, you're playing Commissioner Gordon in the DC RPG, which is obviously a change of pace for you. (No kiddie kill-count for Jim.) Do you find it more or less fun to play on the right side of the law, or is it the same?
KS: Well, funny story. Commissioner Gordon was my original first choice for the DC RPG. A guy called nixonbat (no longer in the game) asked me to join the DC RPG. I sent him an application for Gordon over PM, and asked him what he thought, and he said the game was desperately short of villains, so could I apply as a villain instead. Now, Spike_x1 was playing as The Joker as the time, so I was planning to bring in Ra's al Ghul. But I just wasn't feeling the character. So I was thinking about if I wanted to join or not, when Spike dropped The Joker for The Parasite. Realising a guy like The Joker wouldn't be free for long, I picked him up right away. And the rest is history. But I've always liked Gordon as a character, and loved playing him as an NPC back in Season 3. So I decided to give him a try this season. And so far I'm enjoying it. It's a refreshing change of pace, getting to be the good guy, and trying to create a more likeable character. I think it's more challenging as a writer to make you genuinely care about a hero than it is to make you boo-hiss for a bad guy, especially when your "hero" is an old man with no powers, who isn't even a superhero. But it's an enjoyable challenge. I don't know if Gordon will last much longer past his current arc, but I'm having fun with him for now.
SF: Rooting for Jim doesn't seem like a problem. In fact, there are times when he's more likable than Batman.
KS: That's because MaskedManJRK is a big *****e. Just kidding! Just kidding. Me and JRK go way back in the RPG. He's a great Batman. And what makes him so great is that he knows Batman ISN'T always likeable.
SF: Hahaha! True, true.
I remember you mentioning that it's more fun to play a super-powerless character, is that part of why you dropped Black Adam? Or did other factors tie in? I (and others) really want to know the story there, as it's a general consensus that you were great in that role.
KS: I actually really liked Black Adam! I'm sad I had to drop him, but it was due to a combination of factors. First, the big arc me and Purple Man were setting up fell apart, because most of the people involved pulled out at the last second or just stopped posting. Plus, at the time I was just too busy to juggle so many characters. I'd like to possibly pick him up again at some point down the line, but the arc and the timing would have to be right.
And yeah, I have generally gravitated towards characters without powers - Bullseye, Joker, Nick Fury, Lex Luthor, Gordon. Black Adam and, to a lesser extent (and only for a single post in the Ultimate RPG may I add), Doc Ock are the only powered characters I've played. I don't know why. Perhaps when characters are more grounded, it's easier to make them feel like human beings. But having said that, guys like LibrarianThorne did a phenomenal job with making characters like Superman feel human. So maybe I just like getting my ass kicked.
SF: It could balance out all the crap your characters have done (Joker especially) if, in the end, they get the snot beat out of them.
KS: Yeah, I love writing a good beatdown. I never understood why players would get all egotistical and moany about their characters getting hurt or beat up. I think half the reason Bullseye was so popular in Season 1 was because in every fight he had, he got his ass kicked. It was absurd by the end of season one, with him limping around with his arm in a sling, a bullet in his shoulder, his nose broken, and three missing teeth.
Writing how your characters are hurting, and how they feel pain, adds another layer to your portrayal.
SF: I won't deny that.
Let's move on to OOC politics for a moment.
KS: Ooooooh, let's be all gossipy. That Electro UK's a real scumbag isn't he. What a dork. I'm glad he'll never read this. Wait a second...
SF: Hehe. He is a dork.
You're a GM for the Marvel RPG, and from the looks of things, you do a good job. How difficult is it really, keeping order in the games?
KS: Well, I wouldn't be the one to ask about that. When talking about the day-to-day running of the RPG, updating rosters and stuff. I kinda suck at that, though I'll do it if I have to. Praise must go to the likes of Electro UK, Midnight Ice and Spider-Man 9x17 for that stuff. No, I'm the guy the other mods turn to if there's a problem poster. Electro UK will be IMing me, saying "Keyser, kill this guy!" Ha ha, maybe not quite that bad. I try my best to be the "resolve the dispute" guy. And when possible, I try to be nice about doing it. But sometimes you have to be nasty about it, when attitudes and egos become too hard to deal with, and the game is suffering. Thankfully, that doesn't happen to often, as the RPG has so many talented writers, and great people.
SF: Okay, we've name-dropped Electro UK a few times, and it's clear that the two of you have a good working relationship with the Bullseye and Deadpool friendship. You've also done some fantastic work with JRK, Master Bruce and ElectroFlare. Which posters do you enjoy working with the most? And, who would you like to work with in the future?
KS: Electro UK is my favourite guy to work with. We go way back in the Marvel RPG, back to Season 1, and we're good friends. Those other names you mentioned - JRK, Bruce, ElectroFlare - they're all great too. Highly skilled writers, who it was a pleasure to enter into vicious blood-feuds with. As for people I'd like to work with more in the future, I'll say you, for starters. We've never really done all that much stuff together, Ferret. There's also twylight, who I've done a little bit of stuff with here and there, but would like to do more with. But really, I'd happily work with anyone in the games, as everyone's so cool and enthusiastic about the RPG.
SF: Cool, I've actually been looking forward for an opportunity to work with you too.
KS: I think the closest we came was when Gorilla Grodd was going to join The Joker's little villain gang in Season 4.
SF: Yeah, that would've been interesting. I've always liked the little stand-off that happened between Loki and Bullseye. That was quite fun.
KS: Oh yeah, I forgot you were Loki! That was fun. Bullseye was so totally out of his league. It was like The Joker squaring off with The Parasite.
SF: Yeah, Bullseye really had some balls on them doing that (which is what made it so great).
Okay, enough self-promotion, let's get to my usual stock questions (they're all I've got left).
Of all the characters youve played which is your favorite? And why?
KS: Oh, that's a toughie! Of course I'm really attached to Bullseye, since I've played him so long. I feel attached to the character, and its really getting to the stage where if I had to quit the RPG, I'd kill off Bullseye, because I couldn't bear to see anyone else play him! Selfish, I know, but hey! Though I've already pulled the death card with Bullseye so I won't be leaving any time soon.
But I'd have to say overall, my favourite character is The Joker. He's my favourite comic book character, probably my favourite character in all fiction. And like I mentioned, its just so fun playing somebody that's so completely vile. It's great fun shocking and horrifying people, and making them question your sanity. While some Bullseye RPs are all-business, every time I write for The Joker, I'm having a blast!
SF: That shows a lot actually. Who wouldn't have fun writing your infamous "Banana Phone" post?
KS: Oh, that was fun, wasn't it? I think that was the post that I looked back on, and thought, "right, enough is enough, I've killed enough children for now." I honestly had that Banana Phone song caught in my head after seeing that Youtube video with the dancing badgers. So, being bored waiting for Robin to show up and save the kids in the schoolbus, I decided to just do possibly the most bonkers, twisted post I've ever written! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWPTDEKEkNQ - for reference)
SF: It was. Seriously disturbing too.
Here we go, last question; if you could play any character you haven't had the chance to yet, who would it be?
KS: Good question! I've been lucky in that I've got to play pretty much all my favourite characters. Now, there's really only one character left that I've always wanted to play, that I haven't had a chance to: Two-Face. I actually find Two-Face and Harvey Dent equally interesting as characters, and so Two-Face has always been among my favourite villains. I'm actually considering playing the character in the One Universe RPG.
SF: Cool. I'm sure once this interview is posted, they'll all be excited to hear that.
Anything else you would like to say before we end this?
KS: Yeah, thanks for doing the interview. It was great fun talking to you. These interviews are a great idea.
And also, thanks to all the folks who've read my work, and given my feedback and encouragement. It's always appreciated! I hope to continue to entertain you with my variety of depraved nutjobs in future stories!
It was great talking to Keyser, I hope to have him on the show again. My next guest will be someone
Inside the Poster's Studio
with Superferret
with Superferret
According to popular demand, my guest today is Keyser Soze. A longtime poster in the Marvel RPG (he's an oldbie all the way from Season I), he's even stuck with the same character for all this time. Which, for someone like me, is near-unfathomable. I'm rambling now, so without further ado, here's my interview with Keyser Soze.
Superferret: Alright, I guess the best way to start this off is with the question that nearly everyone told me to ask: As the Joker and Bullseye, you've sunk to extreme depths of depravity. How do you do it so believably that it's scary?
Keyser Soze: I go out and do all this stuff myself for real, and if I find it amusing, it goes into my RPs. Ha, no, seriously, I don't really know where it comes from. I'm a big movie fan, and you pick up some violent stuff from watching those. Also, I think with characters like The Joker and Bullseye, the kinda stuff I do with them is just a logical extension of how they're presented in the comics.
SF: Hehe. I was hoping you weren't really that evil, but yeah, I see what you mean by just portraying them as an extension of the comics, which is what all of us try to do (with varying degrees of success).
So, about Joker and Bullseye, how different is it playing the two of them?
KS: See, people think they're carbon copys of each other. But actually, they're very different characters, at least the way I approach them. With Bullseye, my aim was to take this vile, despicable monster, and make him into a sympathetic character. See, you say I've sunk to the depths of depravity with Bullseye, but I actually think my version of the character is a saint compared to the pure evil of the comic incarnation. I've really tormented him a lot over the five + seasons I've played him. Season 1 I had him fall in love with Mary-Jane and be forced to kill her. And that's the thing. I didn't just have him kill her to be a bastard, like he did with Elektra and Karen Page. He was devastated by this as well. Since then, he's had a lot of bad stuff happen to him. Electro UK says I've made him an emo! But I try and keep the bad-ass elements in there so he's not all soap-opera.
The Joker is a whole different ball game. With Joker, there is no sympathetic qualities. He IS pure evil. But I think it's very liberating as a writer to play a character that's just so out there, totally free of any morals or restraint. You can do pretty much anything you want with him, as nothing is too whacked-out or crazy for The Joker. I'd highly recommend that everybody should have a go at writing as The Joker - whether its in an RPG or a fanfic - its a whole lot of fun!
SF: I see what you mean when you said that your Bullseye may not be as evil as the comic's one, but your Joker sometimes goes beyond what he's done in the comics it seems. (I think you've killed alot more children than DC would've allowed in print.)
KS: Yeah, I have a kiddie kill-count noted down somewhere.
SF: That's more than a bit f***ed up.
KS: I still think the first kid The Joker killed was most effective, as up until then, people in the RPG still thought, "Nah, he's not gonna kill a kid." People were genuinely angry about that.
SF: Now, you're playing Commissioner Gordon in the DC RPG, which is obviously a change of pace for you. (No kiddie kill-count for Jim.) Do you find it more or less fun to play on the right side of the law, or is it the same?
KS: Well, funny story. Commissioner Gordon was my original first choice for the DC RPG. A guy called nixonbat (no longer in the game) asked me to join the DC RPG. I sent him an application for Gordon over PM, and asked him what he thought, and he said the game was desperately short of villains, so could I apply as a villain instead. Now, Spike_x1 was playing as The Joker as the time, so I was planning to bring in Ra's al Ghul. But I just wasn't feeling the character. So I was thinking about if I wanted to join or not, when Spike dropped The Joker for The Parasite. Realising a guy like The Joker wouldn't be free for long, I picked him up right away. And the rest is history. But I've always liked Gordon as a character, and loved playing him as an NPC back in Season 3. So I decided to give him a try this season. And so far I'm enjoying it. It's a refreshing change of pace, getting to be the good guy, and trying to create a more likeable character. I think it's more challenging as a writer to make you genuinely care about a hero than it is to make you boo-hiss for a bad guy, especially when your "hero" is an old man with no powers, who isn't even a superhero. But it's an enjoyable challenge. I don't know if Gordon will last much longer past his current arc, but I'm having fun with him for now.
SF: Rooting for Jim doesn't seem like a problem. In fact, there are times when he's more likable than Batman.
KS: That's because MaskedManJRK is a big *****e. Just kidding! Just kidding. Me and JRK go way back in the RPG. He's a great Batman. And what makes him so great is that he knows Batman ISN'T always likeable.
SF: Hahaha! True, true.
I remember you mentioning that it's more fun to play a super-powerless character, is that part of why you dropped Black Adam? Or did other factors tie in? I (and others) really want to know the story there, as it's a general consensus that you were great in that role.
KS: I actually really liked Black Adam! I'm sad I had to drop him, but it was due to a combination of factors. First, the big arc me and Purple Man were setting up fell apart, because most of the people involved pulled out at the last second or just stopped posting. Plus, at the time I was just too busy to juggle so many characters. I'd like to possibly pick him up again at some point down the line, but the arc and the timing would have to be right.
And yeah, I have generally gravitated towards characters without powers - Bullseye, Joker, Nick Fury, Lex Luthor, Gordon. Black Adam and, to a lesser extent (and only for a single post in the Ultimate RPG may I add), Doc Ock are the only powered characters I've played. I don't know why. Perhaps when characters are more grounded, it's easier to make them feel like human beings. But having said that, guys like LibrarianThorne did a phenomenal job with making characters like Superman feel human. So maybe I just like getting my ass kicked.
SF: It could balance out all the crap your characters have done (Joker especially) if, in the end, they get the snot beat out of them.
KS: Yeah, I love writing a good beatdown. I never understood why players would get all egotistical and moany about their characters getting hurt or beat up. I think half the reason Bullseye was so popular in Season 1 was because in every fight he had, he got his ass kicked. It was absurd by the end of season one, with him limping around with his arm in a sling, a bullet in his shoulder, his nose broken, and three missing teeth.
Writing how your characters are hurting, and how they feel pain, adds another layer to your portrayal.
SF: I won't deny that.
Let's move on to OOC politics for a moment.
KS: Ooooooh, let's be all gossipy. That Electro UK's a real scumbag isn't he. What a dork. I'm glad he'll never read this. Wait a second...
SF: Hehe. He is a dork.
You're a GM for the Marvel RPG, and from the looks of things, you do a good job. How difficult is it really, keeping order in the games?
KS: Well, I wouldn't be the one to ask about that. When talking about the day-to-day running of the RPG, updating rosters and stuff. I kinda suck at that, though I'll do it if I have to. Praise must go to the likes of Electro UK, Midnight Ice and Spider-Man 9x17 for that stuff. No, I'm the guy the other mods turn to if there's a problem poster. Electro UK will be IMing me, saying "Keyser, kill this guy!" Ha ha, maybe not quite that bad. I try my best to be the "resolve the dispute" guy. And when possible, I try to be nice about doing it. But sometimes you have to be nasty about it, when attitudes and egos become too hard to deal with, and the game is suffering. Thankfully, that doesn't happen to often, as the RPG has so many talented writers, and great people.
SF: Okay, we've name-dropped Electro UK a few times, and it's clear that the two of you have a good working relationship with the Bullseye and Deadpool friendship. You've also done some fantastic work with JRK, Master Bruce and ElectroFlare. Which posters do you enjoy working with the most? And, who would you like to work with in the future?
KS: Electro UK is my favourite guy to work with. We go way back in the Marvel RPG, back to Season 1, and we're good friends. Those other names you mentioned - JRK, Bruce, ElectroFlare - they're all great too. Highly skilled writers, who it was a pleasure to enter into vicious blood-feuds with. As for people I'd like to work with more in the future, I'll say you, for starters. We've never really done all that much stuff together, Ferret. There's also twylight, who I've done a little bit of stuff with here and there, but would like to do more with. But really, I'd happily work with anyone in the games, as everyone's so cool and enthusiastic about the RPG.
SF: Cool, I've actually been looking forward for an opportunity to work with you too.
KS: I think the closest we came was when Gorilla Grodd was going to join The Joker's little villain gang in Season 4.
SF: Yeah, that would've been interesting. I've always liked the little stand-off that happened between Loki and Bullseye. That was quite fun.
KS: Oh yeah, I forgot you were Loki! That was fun. Bullseye was so totally out of his league. It was like The Joker squaring off with The Parasite.
SF: Yeah, Bullseye really had some balls on them doing that (which is what made it so great).
Okay, enough self-promotion, let's get to my usual stock questions (they're all I've got left).
Of all the characters youve played which is your favorite? And why?
KS: Oh, that's a toughie! Of course I'm really attached to Bullseye, since I've played him so long. I feel attached to the character, and its really getting to the stage where if I had to quit the RPG, I'd kill off Bullseye, because I couldn't bear to see anyone else play him! Selfish, I know, but hey! Though I've already pulled the death card with Bullseye so I won't be leaving any time soon.
But I'd have to say overall, my favourite character is The Joker. He's my favourite comic book character, probably my favourite character in all fiction. And like I mentioned, its just so fun playing somebody that's so completely vile. It's great fun shocking and horrifying people, and making them question your sanity. While some Bullseye RPs are all-business, every time I write for The Joker, I'm having a blast!
SF: That shows a lot actually. Who wouldn't have fun writing your infamous "Banana Phone" post?
KS: Oh, that was fun, wasn't it? I think that was the post that I looked back on, and thought, "right, enough is enough, I've killed enough children for now." I honestly had that Banana Phone song caught in my head after seeing that Youtube video with the dancing badgers. So, being bored waiting for Robin to show up and save the kids in the schoolbus, I decided to just do possibly the most bonkers, twisted post I've ever written! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWPTDEKEkNQ - for reference)
SF: It was. Seriously disturbing too.
Here we go, last question; if you could play any character you haven't had the chance to yet, who would it be?
KS: Good question! I've been lucky in that I've got to play pretty much all my favourite characters. Now, there's really only one character left that I've always wanted to play, that I haven't had a chance to: Two-Face. I actually find Two-Face and Harvey Dent equally interesting as characters, and so Two-Face has always been among my favourite villains. I'm actually considering playing the character in the One Universe RPG.
SF: Cool. I'm sure once this interview is posted, they'll all be excited to hear that.
Anything else you would like to say before we end this?
KS: Yeah, thanks for doing the interview. It was great fun talking to you. These interviews are a great idea.
And also, thanks to all the folks who've read my work, and given my feedback and encouragement. It's always appreciated! I hope to continue to entertain you with my variety of depraved nutjobs in future stories!
It was great talking to Keyser, I hope to have him on the show again. My next guest will be someone
Byrd Man
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Welcome back to..
My guest this time is another long-time role-player who started all the way back in Season I of the Marvel RPG as Electro, though most of you may recognize him now as the man behind Deadpool, Electro UK.
SuperFerret: Let's start things off on a high note. At the end of Season V in the Marvel RPG, you (playing James Rhodes, War Machine) pretty much set up Civil War with the assassination attempt on President Tony Stark. It was an exciting read, and you and Red X performed masterfully, were you ever worried that the scene wouldn't have had the impact it was intended to have?
Electro UK: Oh yes very, I thought at first it'd be passed off by shock tactics, but soon I realized it'd be more than that when Lazarus became involved and Cap turned up. I don't think it wouldn't have been quite as big as it had been without the weeks of planning me, X and Soze went through to get to it though.
On the other hand, I never expected it to be the starting point of Civil War, it wasn't until after we'd done it I realized the scale of it, so in a sense the fear wasn't quite there because my expectations weren't too high.
SF: Ah, I see. So it wasn't part of the plan to have it be this kind of "Pearl Harbor" event?
UK: I don't think so, it may have been what Red X was planning, but I didn't think that far ahead, its no secret up until recently I opposed the Civil War arc anyway.
SF: Why is that?
UK: Me and Red X had a lot of troubles, I didn't like how we were just copying a major Marvel arc just because everyone was hyped up on it. It took the rise and fall of my prequel idea to make me realize it was more than that though.
SF: I think the hype from Civil War is actually having a good effect on the RPG arc. I'm sure many of the posters were upset with the way their characters were portrayed in the comics, and this is just one way to set that right.
UK: That's true, plus its cool to see some reverse rolls, and I was really upset to see no War Machine in Civil War.
SF: Well, now Rhodey's knee-deep in it.
UK: Indeed... if he can actually stand up enough to reach knee height after Tombstone's beating.
SF: What about Deadpool? Did you like where he stood in the comics Civil War? Will you be doing something different with Wade in the RPG?
UK: I'm not sure; its hard to do something with him without him being out of character. Like in the comics, he wouldn't give a BS, but one fallout with Hawkeye is enough, so I used his friendship with major anti-reg people as a reason to keep him on that side. Plus the excuse he always wanted to kick a President's ass, it came right under killing one on his to do list.
SF: Well, presidents in the Marvel RPG seem to have a high mortality rate as it is. Didn't Wade actually kill one of them, or am I mistaken?
UK: Oh yeah he sure did, along with Taskmaster... which you know would completely throw off him getting into the Avengers but hey, use your imagination.
SF: True, true. Wade's almost like Wolverine at this point, having been a member of the Avengers and Fantastic Four at some point. What's next for Wade?
UK: Silly arcs! I haven't done any in ages. Expect stupid villains, sex jokes, lots of illegal happenings and fourth wall breaking, in other words finding ways to insult Keyser Soze via Deadpool.
Besides, registration, losing a wife, hanging around with Luke Cage, poor ol Wade needs a break.
SF: You won't be hanging with Cage anymore? So, we shouldn't expect more from the RPG's "Rat Pack" of Wade, Luke, Johnny Storm and the Falcon?
UK: Oh you sure will, but Wade will need ways to relieve himself during this time. As they are easy to make, my option will be lightly racist jokes.
And they must be lightly... cause I don't want to be having words with the police... again.
Racism is no joke kids.
SF: PSAs? On my show?
Inconceivable. (Let it be known that I, SuperFerret, in no way support or condone racism.)
UK: What? You've interviewed frickin Master Bruce, it can't get any worse.
SF: True, but he was first, so I have nowhere to go but up.
UK: Ah, excellent news, not a great start going to Soze next though. Me? Wise choice
I should be the season finale
And not because I'd kill the ratings
SF: I'm just taking it all as it comes. But we're getting way off track here.
UK: Yes, let's get back to how awesome Deadpool is.
SF: Actually, my next question has little to do with Deadpool.
Do you have any plans on coming back to the DC RPG?
Your stint as Black Mask was great.
UK: Oh I dunno...
Its hard; I'd LOVE to take on... Crazy Croc (oh bugger forgot his name) and take up Black Mask again, but my limited knowledge of DC holds me back. Second Supermans? Lasso of Truth? 52 weeks in a year?
SF: Killer Croc, you mean.
UK: Ah that's the one
Not embarrassing at all that
SF: And trust me, only a slight knowledge of the DCU is necessary, as long as you role-play well.
UK: Really? Well maybe I could give it another go, but Soze steals the show anyway I hear, something about banaphones and dead children.
SF: He does, to an extent. It's quite hard for anyone playing a villain to top him when it comes to disturbing brutality, but there are other ways to get yourself noticed.
UK: Nudity?
I mean I already covered the religion route.
SF: Let's get back to the questions.
UK: Aw
SF: Sorry, I have a policy. Once a male interviewee mentions nudity, I have to change the subject.
UK: What? Not fair, you're longing to see Black Mask and Deadpool nude.
SF: I'm not. Trust me.
Let's talk about Electro. Any chance we'll see Max again?
UK: In One Universe possibly. Its tempting to take him up again in Marvel but I don't want to smight his death *cough* Bullseye *cough* as I consider that one of my best posts ever. So I may well play him in OU again, just take a different route.
SF: Max's death is definitely one of your best posts ever, but I am glad to hear that we might be able to see your rendition of him again.
UK:
SF: So, now it's time for my stock questions. Which character have you always wanted to play but wasn't able to get the chance to?
UK: Oh Spider-man without a doubt. He has always been my favourite character and the reason I got into comics, I was crushed about not winning that competition, especially since I was beaten by two average RPers (I fell the need to clarify that's a joke). But seriously taking Pete in my own direction would be awesome.
SF: What direction would you take him in?
UK: A love arc firstly, get him back with someone. I've always preferred Pete with a girl (no offense to ElectroFlare obviously), then I'd like to get him maybe a bit more knee deep into it. I've loved MB and EF's portrayals of him but Pete's always been left out of most of the major stuff, I'd like to see him in there with Johnny and co.
SF: We've had a lot of love arcs in the RPGs it seems. (We all must be lonely geeks.) Hypothetically speaking, who might Pete's next lady be, if you had your say?
UK: A nobody. Someone who was there for him that he met out of the blue, more specifically the girl in my sample post. I'd love to demonstrate that kind of weird vibe you can get with a friendly face who served you coffee etc etc
I'm not suggesting I go round coffee shops in search of love in case you were wondering
SF: Of course not.
UK: Well "I'm co-game master of the Marvel RPG at SHH!" doesn't go far with the ladies, except maybe Twylight, but she's yours.
SF: .....
I'll get that in editing, she'd kill me if I left it in.
UK: Damn.
SF: Okay, last question. Which of the characters you've played would you say is your favorite?
UK: Oh we all know but its still an incredibly hard question. I haven't enjoyed myself with a character for a long time as I have Daredevil, I've loved the kinda unique stuff I've done with War Machine, of course Electro is high up there with all my history and I was REALLY proud of my Black Mask, but Deadpool stands out above the rest easily, brilliant way to vent feelings for things in RPG life and this, he has so many opportunities and I love the fact that my posts make people laugh, gives me a purpose to RP almost
Now to think of something funny to say for my last thing... don't eat yellow snow
That was a fun interview, especially since I didn't ask many questions. Tune in next time when I interview Red X.
Inside the Poster's Studio
with Superferret
with Superferret
My guest this time is another long-time role-player who started all the way back in Season I of the Marvel RPG as Electro, though most of you may recognize him now as the man behind Deadpool, Electro UK.
SuperFerret: Let's start things off on a high note. At the end of Season V in the Marvel RPG, you (playing James Rhodes, War Machine) pretty much set up Civil War with the assassination attempt on President Tony Stark. It was an exciting read, and you and Red X performed masterfully, were you ever worried that the scene wouldn't have had the impact it was intended to have?
Electro UK: Oh yes very, I thought at first it'd be passed off by shock tactics, but soon I realized it'd be more than that when Lazarus became involved and Cap turned up. I don't think it wouldn't have been quite as big as it had been without the weeks of planning me, X and Soze went through to get to it though.
On the other hand, I never expected it to be the starting point of Civil War, it wasn't until after we'd done it I realized the scale of it, so in a sense the fear wasn't quite there because my expectations weren't too high.
SF: Ah, I see. So it wasn't part of the plan to have it be this kind of "Pearl Harbor" event?
UK: I don't think so, it may have been what Red X was planning, but I didn't think that far ahead, its no secret up until recently I opposed the Civil War arc anyway.
SF: Why is that?
UK: Me and Red X had a lot of troubles, I didn't like how we were just copying a major Marvel arc just because everyone was hyped up on it. It took the rise and fall of my prequel idea to make me realize it was more than that though.
SF: I think the hype from Civil War is actually having a good effect on the RPG arc. I'm sure many of the posters were upset with the way their characters were portrayed in the comics, and this is just one way to set that right.
UK: That's true, plus its cool to see some reverse rolls, and I was really upset to see no War Machine in Civil War.
SF: Well, now Rhodey's knee-deep in it.
UK: Indeed... if he can actually stand up enough to reach knee height after Tombstone's beating.
SF: What about Deadpool? Did you like where he stood in the comics Civil War? Will you be doing something different with Wade in the RPG?
UK: I'm not sure; its hard to do something with him without him being out of character. Like in the comics, he wouldn't give a BS, but one fallout with Hawkeye is enough, so I used his friendship with major anti-reg people as a reason to keep him on that side. Plus the excuse he always wanted to kick a President's ass, it came right under killing one on his to do list.
SF: Well, presidents in the Marvel RPG seem to have a high mortality rate as it is. Didn't Wade actually kill one of them, or am I mistaken?
UK: Oh yeah he sure did, along with Taskmaster... which you know would completely throw off him getting into the Avengers but hey, use your imagination.
SF: True, true. Wade's almost like Wolverine at this point, having been a member of the Avengers and Fantastic Four at some point. What's next for Wade?
UK: Silly arcs! I haven't done any in ages. Expect stupid villains, sex jokes, lots of illegal happenings and fourth wall breaking, in other words finding ways to insult Keyser Soze via Deadpool.
Besides, registration, losing a wife, hanging around with Luke Cage, poor ol Wade needs a break.
SF: You won't be hanging with Cage anymore? So, we shouldn't expect more from the RPG's "Rat Pack" of Wade, Luke, Johnny Storm and the Falcon?
UK: Oh you sure will, but Wade will need ways to relieve himself during this time. As they are easy to make, my option will be lightly racist jokes.
And they must be lightly... cause I don't want to be having words with the police... again.
Racism is no joke kids.
SF: PSAs? On my show?
Inconceivable. (Let it be known that I, SuperFerret, in no way support or condone racism.)
UK: What? You've interviewed frickin Master Bruce, it can't get any worse.
SF: True, but he was first, so I have nowhere to go but up.
UK: Ah, excellent news, not a great start going to Soze next though. Me? Wise choice
I should be the season finale
And not because I'd kill the ratings
SF: I'm just taking it all as it comes. But we're getting way off track here.
UK: Yes, let's get back to how awesome Deadpool is.
SF: Actually, my next question has little to do with Deadpool.
Do you have any plans on coming back to the DC RPG?
Your stint as Black Mask was great.
UK: Oh I dunno...
Its hard; I'd LOVE to take on... Crazy Croc (oh bugger forgot his name) and take up Black Mask again, but my limited knowledge of DC holds me back. Second Supermans? Lasso of Truth? 52 weeks in a year?
SF: Killer Croc, you mean.
UK: Ah that's the one
Not embarrassing at all that
SF: And trust me, only a slight knowledge of the DCU is necessary, as long as you role-play well.
UK: Really? Well maybe I could give it another go, but Soze steals the show anyway I hear, something about banaphones and dead children.
SF: He does, to an extent. It's quite hard for anyone playing a villain to top him when it comes to disturbing brutality, but there are other ways to get yourself noticed.
UK: Nudity?
I mean I already covered the religion route.
SF: Let's get back to the questions.
UK: Aw
SF: Sorry, I have a policy. Once a male interviewee mentions nudity, I have to change the subject.
UK: What? Not fair, you're longing to see Black Mask and Deadpool nude.
SF: I'm not. Trust me.
Let's talk about Electro. Any chance we'll see Max again?
UK: In One Universe possibly. Its tempting to take him up again in Marvel but I don't want to smight his death *cough* Bullseye *cough* as I consider that one of my best posts ever. So I may well play him in OU again, just take a different route.
SF: Max's death is definitely one of your best posts ever, but I am glad to hear that we might be able to see your rendition of him again.
UK:
SF: So, now it's time for my stock questions. Which character have you always wanted to play but wasn't able to get the chance to?
UK: Oh Spider-man without a doubt. He has always been my favourite character and the reason I got into comics, I was crushed about not winning that competition, especially since I was beaten by two average RPers (I fell the need to clarify that's a joke). But seriously taking Pete in my own direction would be awesome.
SF: What direction would you take him in?
UK: A love arc firstly, get him back with someone. I've always preferred Pete with a girl (no offense to ElectroFlare obviously), then I'd like to get him maybe a bit more knee deep into it. I've loved MB and EF's portrayals of him but Pete's always been left out of most of the major stuff, I'd like to see him in there with Johnny and co.
SF: We've had a lot of love arcs in the RPGs it seems. (We all must be lonely geeks.) Hypothetically speaking, who might Pete's next lady be, if you had your say?
UK: A nobody. Someone who was there for him that he met out of the blue, more specifically the girl in my sample post. I'd love to demonstrate that kind of weird vibe you can get with a friendly face who served you coffee etc etc
I'm not suggesting I go round coffee shops in search of love in case you were wondering
SF: Of course not.
UK: Well "I'm co-game master of the Marvel RPG at SHH!" doesn't go far with the ladies, except maybe Twylight, but she's yours.
SF: .....
I'll get that in editing, she'd kill me if I left it in.
UK: Damn.
SF: Okay, last question. Which of the characters you've played would you say is your favorite?
UK: Oh we all know but its still an incredibly hard question. I haven't enjoyed myself with a character for a long time as I have Daredevil, I've loved the kinda unique stuff I've done with War Machine, of course Electro is high up there with all my history and I was REALLY proud of my Black Mask, but Deadpool stands out above the rest easily, brilliant way to vent feelings for things in RPG life and this, he has so many opportunities and I love the fact that my posts make people laugh, gives me a purpose to RP almost
Now to think of something funny to say for my last thing... don't eat yellow snow
That was a fun interview, especially since I didn't ask many questions. Tune in next time when I interview Red X.
Byrd Man
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It's back!
Today I interviewed Red X, who coincidently started his RPing career playing the character Red X (from the Teen Titans cartoon) in the DC RPG. He's now playing President Tony Stark in the Marvel RPG, which is about to be rocked by a Civil War.
SuperFerret: So, when you started playing the RPGs, you played the character Red X as introduced on the Teen Titans cartoon show. If I remember correctly, it wasn't a very popular idea at the time, but you did quite well with it. What made you choose that character, and how difficult was it to play someone with no backstory?
Red X: Well truthfully, I really dont know why I picked him. I had never RPed before so I was a complete noob in a sense and picked a character for no other reason that that I watched the TV shown and he was my screen name.
It wasnt so much a problem working with his lack of history that I found the hardest part but the fact that he was so obscure that it was difficult to RP with people.
SF: I can see the RP difficulty being an issue with crossover characters like that, but you did get through it nicely. One of the things I've always wondered was, on the show it was this mystery of who X was, though many assumed Jason Todd. Did you put any thought into who X was when playing him?
Red X: For me he was always going to be an unestablished character. It thinks it worked better that he was just a nobody who got lucky and found the suit. I mean, I always played him as a punk kid who had powers he didnt deserve. I did towards the end me playing him figure out a kind back story to him that would have moved the character away from any of the Robins but alas it was never finished.
SF: Any plans to revisit the character now that he's become part of the DC RPG continuity?
Red X: Nope. As I said it was back during my early days and I wasnt completely, maybe even not at all happy with my portrayal. I like to think of my tenure as the character like a black point on the old record.
SF: Well, I can tell you from experience that nobody is ever 100% happy with their work, so it's understandable how you feel.
Now, out of the past, and into the present. Let's talk Iron Man and Civil War. This was your idea to include it into the RPGs, right?
Red X: Erm .Honestly I cant remember it was so far back. Spider-Man9x17 can probably give you a better answer. All I remember was us throwing ideas around about a feud between Iron Man and Hawkeye and my guess is it just evolved from there.
SF: Okay, I'll be sure to ask him when I interview him, but you've sure taken this SHRA arc and made it into something big, which really isn't too hard considering what it entails.
How will your portrayal of Tony be different from the comic's Iron Man when it comes to the hero vs. hero conflict caused by his SHRA?
Red X: Well Ill start by staying that as an Iron Man fan, the whole mischaractization of Tony during the comics CW irked me somewhat. And that was one of driving forces to adapt the arc for the RPG for me. To simply tell a story and not change characters to fit the story.
Id say my portrayal of Tony is more conflicted by the idea of fighting his friends. He certainly didnt want there to be a war and went to great lengths to try and stop it but fate interviewed in the shape of War Machine.
But their will still be echoes of the *****bag Iron Man from the comics because for me Iron Man fits more in the shade of grey area and to just ignore that fact wouldnt be true to the character.
SF: I'm seeing that in your posts. But what about Tony's recent deal with Kang? Not to step on your toes or anything, but that seems to me to be a bit out of character.
Red X: Nah its fine. I always like to hear feedback. What was it exactly that you sound out of character or was it just the deal between them as a whole?
SF: (Hey, I'm supposed to be asking the questions here.
)
It's mainly the deal as a whole, I know Tony's kind of a "do what it takes" guy, but making that kind of deal with Kang, who Tony knows has the history and potential to double-cross him, seems unwise to me.
Red X: The way I saw it was Tonys motivations for agreeing to the deal were threefold. 1. After being such longstanding enemies Tony had an understanding of how Kang works, but whats more he knew Kang has a code of honour. 2. Tony realised that because Kang had come to him for help he was the one with the power and after being pushed around by the Wisemen for so long I think he wanted to be the person in control for once. 3. Tony wants the war over as quickly as possible and Kang has the assets to make that possible.
SF: Makes sense.
Red X: Its is a deal with the devil. But the devils on a leash.
SF: The Wisemen are interesting. They're responsible for Tony being in office, correct?
Red X:
Indeed they are. Although we all know Tony would have won without their help...
SF: They're still around, right? I lost track of them at around the time Lazarus was unmasked.
Red X: Yeah they just haven't made their presence felt yet this season. But that's coming real soon.
SF: Ah, say no more. Wouldn't want to ruin anything.
So, now Ares is in the mix. What's his role going to be in Civil War?
Red X: I dont suppose it gives anything away because his place in the war is revealed in my first post. Ares is going to act as the field leader for the task force. Since Iron Mans field time is will be restricted to some extent, Ares will act as a physical force like leading battles and all that stuff. He as arguably the most experience in winning wars and he isn't afraid to cross lines to get results
SF: Ares will be the field leader of the Pro-Reg forces? Let's hope Clint has someone who can match him.
Red X: Deadpool?
SF: Hahaha. That should be a fun one.
Okay, let's do those pesky "I ask everyone these" questions. Which character have you always wanted to play but wasn't able to get the chance to?
Red X: Ha, I thought this might come up. The one character Id practically beg to play is Spider-Man. He is my favourite Marvel character and the one responsible for getting me in to comics. I certainly have a few ideas of where I would take the character if ever had the opportunity to play him.
SF: It seems everyone has a Spider-Man story idea. You mind sharing one of yours?
Red X: There are a few plot threads I would introduce. Firstly Id bring a woman back into Parker life, someone who he already has a relationship maybe Black Cat or Betty Brant. Then Id either bring in some supporting cast members or reintroduce old ones because no disrespect to Electroflare or Master Bruce but Spideys supporting cast seems to just keep getting smaller.
SF: Alright, next question: Which of the characters you've played would you say is your favorite?
Red X: Without question Iron Man. Ive played him the longest of any character and feel I have the best grasp on him and where to go next with the character. I have a kind of a basic outline in the back of my mind for where to take him for at least the next two seasons and thats something I don't generally do when playing a character.
SF: Okay, cool. One last question before I stop bugging you. I've already got Twylight up for the next interview, and I'm hoping to get Spider-Man9x17 after her, is there anyone you want to see interviewed sometime soon?
Red X: Theres certainly a lot people who would make good interviews. I don't know off the top of my head maybe Watchman.
SF: Okay, suggestion noted.
Thanks for agreeing to do this, I hope it wasn't too annoying.
Red X: Yeah you were, now beat it Nah, it was a pleasure. I look forward to reading the rest of the interviews.
SF: Thanks, I look forward to doing them.
Inside the Poster's Studio
with Superferret
with Superferret
Today I interviewed Red X, who coincidently started his RPing career playing the character Red X (from the Teen Titans cartoon) in the DC RPG. He's now playing President Tony Stark in the Marvel RPG, which is about to be rocked by a Civil War.
SuperFerret: So, when you started playing the RPGs, you played the character Red X as introduced on the Teen Titans cartoon show. If I remember correctly, it wasn't a very popular idea at the time, but you did quite well with it. What made you choose that character, and how difficult was it to play someone with no backstory?
Red X: Well truthfully, I really dont know why I picked him. I had never RPed before so I was a complete noob in a sense and picked a character for no other reason that that I watched the TV shown and he was my screen name.
It wasnt so much a problem working with his lack of history that I found the hardest part but the fact that he was so obscure that it was difficult to RP with people.
SF: I can see the RP difficulty being an issue with crossover characters like that, but you did get through it nicely. One of the things I've always wondered was, on the show it was this mystery of who X was, though many assumed Jason Todd. Did you put any thought into who X was when playing him?
Red X: For me he was always going to be an unestablished character. It thinks it worked better that he was just a nobody who got lucky and found the suit. I mean, I always played him as a punk kid who had powers he didnt deserve. I did towards the end me playing him figure out a kind back story to him that would have moved the character away from any of the Robins but alas it was never finished.
SF: Any plans to revisit the character now that he's become part of the DC RPG continuity?
Red X: Nope. As I said it was back during my early days and I wasnt completely, maybe even not at all happy with my portrayal. I like to think of my tenure as the character like a black point on the old record.
SF: Well, I can tell you from experience that nobody is ever 100% happy with their work, so it's understandable how you feel.
Now, out of the past, and into the present. Let's talk Iron Man and Civil War. This was your idea to include it into the RPGs, right?
Red X: Erm .Honestly I cant remember it was so far back. Spider-Man9x17 can probably give you a better answer. All I remember was us throwing ideas around about a feud between Iron Man and Hawkeye and my guess is it just evolved from there.
SF: Okay, I'll be sure to ask him when I interview him, but you've sure taken this SHRA arc and made it into something big, which really isn't too hard considering what it entails.
How will your portrayal of Tony be different from the comic's Iron Man when it comes to the hero vs. hero conflict caused by his SHRA?
Red X: Well Ill start by staying that as an Iron Man fan, the whole mischaractization of Tony during the comics CW irked me somewhat. And that was one of driving forces to adapt the arc for the RPG for me. To simply tell a story and not change characters to fit the story.
Id say my portrayal of Tony is more conflicted by the idea of fighting his friends. He certainly didnt want there to be a war and went to great lengths to try and stop it but fate interviewed in the shape of War Machine.
But their will still be echoes of the *****bag Iron Man from the comics because for me Iron Man fits more in the shade of grey area and to just ignore that fact wouldnt be true to the character.
SF: I'm seeing that in your posts. But what about Tony's recent deal with Kang? Not to step on your toes or anything, but that seems to me to be a bit out of character.
Red X: Nah its fine. I always like to hear feedback. What was it exactly that you sound out of character or was it just the deal between them as a whole?
SF: (Hey, I'm supposed to be asking the questions here.
)It's mainly the deal as a whole, I know Tony's kind of a "do what it takes" guy, but making that kind of deal with Kang, who Tony knows has the history and potential to double-cross him, seems unwise to me.
Red X: The way I saw it was Tonys motivations for agreeing to the deal were threefold. 1. After being such longstanding enemies Tony had an understanding of how Kang works, but whats more he knew Kang has a code of honour. 2. Tony realised that because Kang had come to him for help he was the one with the power and after being pushed around by the Wisemen for so long I think he wanted to be the person in control for once. 3. Tony wants the war over as quickly as possible and Kang has the assets to make that possible.
SF: Makes sense.
Red X: Its is a deal with the devil. But the devils on a leash.
SF: The Wisemen are interesting. They're responsible for Tony being in office, correct?
Red X:
Indeed they are. Although we all know Tony would have won without their help...
SF: They're still around, right? I lost track of them at around the time Lazarus was unmasked.
Red X: Yeah they just haven't made their presence felt yet this season. But that's coming real soon.
SF: Ah, say no more. Wouldn't want to ruin anything.
So, now Ares is in the mix. What's his role going to be in Civil War?
Red X: I dont suppose it gives anything away because his place in the war is revealed in my first post. Ares is going to act as the field leader for the task force. Since Iron Mans field time is will be restricted to some extent, Ares will act as a physical force like leading battles and all that stuff. He as arguably the most experience in winning wars and he isn't afraid to cross lines to get results
SF: Ares will be the field leader of the Pro-Reg forces? Let's hope Clint has someone who can match him.
Red X: Deadpool?
SF: Hahaha. That should be a fun one.
Okay, let's do those pesky "I ask everyone these" questions. Which character have you always wanted to play but wasn't able to get the chance to?
Red X: Ha, I thought this might come up. The one character Id practically beg to play is Spider-Man. He is my favourite Marvel character and the one responsible for getting me in to comics. I certainly have a few ideas of where I would take the character if ever had the opportunity to play him.
SF: It seems everyone has a Spider-Man story idea. You mind sharing one of yours?
Red X: There are a few plot threads I would introduce. Firstly Id bring a woman back into Parker life, someone who he already has a relationship maybe Black Cat or Betty Brant. Then Id either bring in some supporting cast members or reintroduce old ones because no disrespect to Electroflare or Master Bruce but Spideys supporting cast seems to just keep getting smaller.
SF: Alright, next question: Which of the characters you've played would you say is your favorite?
Red X: Without question Iron Man. Ive played him the longest of any character and feel I have the best grasp on him and where to go next with the character. I have a kind of a basic outline in the back of my mind for where to take him for at least the next two seasons and thats something I don't generally do when playing a character.
SF: Okay, cool. One last question before I stop bugging you. I've already got Twylight up for the next interview, and I'm hoping to get Spider-Man9x17 after her, is there anyone you want to see interviewed sometime soon?
Red X: Theres certainly a lot people who would make good interviews. I don't know off the top of my head maybe Watchman.
SF: Okay, suggestion noted.
Thanks for agreeing to do this, I hope it wasn't too annoying.
Red X: Yeah you were, now beat it
Nah, it was a pleasure. I look forward to reading the rest of the interviews.SF: Thanks, I look forward to doing them.
Byrd Man
El Hombre Pájaro
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The Byrd Era
Inside The Poster's Studio
Season II
Key
Blue=Me
Purple=Guest
Welcome to Inside The Poster's Studio: Season II. Superferret was sent to Git-mo for terrorism, I'm working in his place. I'm byrd man, your new host. Now my first interview needs no introduction but I will introduce him...the man, the myth, the legend, once claimed he set a man ablaze. Johnny Blaze.
Season II
Key
Blue=Me
Purple=Guest
Welcome to Inside The Poster's Studio: Season II. Superferret was sent to Git-mo for terrorism, I'm working in his place. I'm byrd man, your new host. Now my first interview needs no introduction but I will introduce him...the man, the myth, the legend, once claimed he set a man ablaze. Johnny Blaze.
Now, Johnny. You've gotten quite a rep for playing villians. Is that due to the fact that you can relate to the villians more than you could the heroes?
I do feel more in touch with playing a villain. More at home. My philosophy is that a good villain will make or break a story. Especially the complex villains.
They should make you cry out in disgust, feel sorry for them, and root for them all at the same time.
Plus I love being able to be malaciously cruel and dispicable. That's always a plus. I do feel more in touch with playing a villain. More at home. My philosophy is that a good villain will make or break a story. Especially the complex villains.
They should make you cry out in disgust, feel sorry for them, and root for them all at the same time.
Word. Now, of all the characters, including the heroes, who would you say you enjoyed playing the most?
Tough question...there's so many good characters that I really enjoyed playing...But, I'd feel like I'm commiting a sin if I chose any other character other than Mordru. He's the one who started it all back in Season II of the DCU RPG.
Personally, I would also throw Mirror Master in there. I love the work you've done with the scotish bastard, same goes with the other Flash Rogues. Would you say, of all the infamous comic characters out there, that the Flash Rogues are your favorite group? If so, why?
They're definitely my favorite rogue's gallery in comics. They're a colorful group of characters with many different personalities that don't always get along, like most other rogue's galleries.But the one thing that makes them the best, least in my opinion, is their family aspect.They're like a twisted band of brothers who will watch each other's backs and stick by each other through thick and thin.And that really appeals to me. Villains with a code of ethics, or what not.
Yeah, they're not as crazy as Batman's Rogues or as weird as Spidey's, but they are family.
Nothing against those other rogue groups, but the family aspect of the Rogues really adds another layer to them. I wish Spider-Man's villains had that.
Yep. Onto another question before we get stuck here. Now, you've been around the hype since the days is was Spider-Man Hype and you're an established vet in the RPG scene, you've seen 'em come and go, but in all your time here. Who are the posters you enjoy working with the most
I have to say, first and formost, Harl, Corp, and Trop. DA 4 life! Seriously though, those guys were a blast to work with. As are Twy, Ferret, Master Bruce (when he posts), and even you, Byrd.
Aww, I'm touched.
I also have to mention, even though I only briefly RPed with them, Keyser and Spike were excellent dance partners as well.Honestly, I haven't had a bad experience working with anyone in any of the RPGs. Everyone's very eager to brainstorm and is very polite when working with others.Us RPers seem to be genuinely decent folk. Which is surprising considering the Hype.
Amen to that, brotha. Now, enough with the ass kissing. Even though I already know the answer, what, in your mind, was your favorite story or arc to tell and why?*cough*DA*cough*
Hahahahaha. Yeah, the Dark Alliance arc from Season II is easily my favorite. It was just so massive in scale, had some good twists and turns, and, IMO, a kick ass ending with the Keystone battle. And that memorial finale handled by Twy was excellent stuff. Some really good posts in that arc.
I've read parts of it, before my time. But yes, it was really, really, good.
You should read it all. Now.
We always know that sometimes the RPGs and real life mingle, sometimes not in the best ways. Has there ever been a case in which you have used your real life experiences when writing a post or planning an arc?
Not real life, per se, but a few of my dreams have influenced a post here and there. Nothing too major.For instance, I had a whiskey-induced dream about a bunch of clones trying to take over which gave me the idea for the Anti-League arc. Then Q and I got together and fleshed it all out.
Yep. Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.
You've played a vast array of characters. To the Titan Thanos, to coke-fiend Evan MuCullough, The Mirror Master. If you had one free pass, what character, taken or not taken, would you like to play?
Hmmm...tough choice...I know the popular answer here is Spider-Man, and I would love to play him as he's my favorite hero, but...I'm going to have to go with Artemis Entreri.
Wow. I must be the only one who doesn't wanna play Spidey.
I guess so. And I wouldn't go around telling people that. Around here that might get you shot.
So, for our readers at home and certianly not me...who the hell is Artemis Enteri?
He's an assassin from the sword & sorcery fantasy setting called the Forgotten Realms. He's the chief rival of the dark elf ranger, and popular fantasy character, Drizzt Do'Urden. He was a real bland character at first, but he's really been fleshed out a great deal and has become one of my favorite villains/gray area characters in fiction.
........So, Spidey it is then?
*Sigh*...fine...Boba Fett. Everyone should know him, right?
And he is??
Ha...ha...ha
The new RPG approval forum has brought on a bunch of diffrent RPGs in varying form. What is your opinion on this?
I've got mixed feelings about them. Some are well thought out and interesting concepts that could very well work. Others though are just better suited as arcs in the other already established RPGs. That and it seems that some posters have made some proposals just so they can be in charge of a game, which is hella lame.
Tough question...there's so many good characters that I really enjoyed playing...But, I'd feel like I'm commiting a sin if I chose any other character other than Mordru. He's the one who started it all back in Season II of the DCU RPG.
Personally, I would also throw Mirror Master in there. I love the work you've done with the scotish bastard, same goes with the other Flash Rogues. Would you say, of all the infamous comic characters out there, that the Flash Rogues are your favorite group? If so, why?
They're definitely my favorite rogue's gallery in comics. They're a colorful group of characters with many different personalities that don't always get along, like most other rogue's galleries.But the one thing that makes them the best, least in my opinion, is their family aspect.They're like a twisted band of brothers who will watch each other's backs and stick by each other through thick and thin.And that really appeals to me. Villains with a code of ethics, or what not.
Yeah, they're not as crazy as Batman's Rogues or as weird as Spidey's, but they are family.
Nothing against those other rogue groups, but the family aspect of the Rogues really adds another layer to them. I wish Spider-Man's villains had that.
Yep. Onto another question before we get stuck here. Now, you've been around the hype since the days is was Spider-Man Hype and you're an established vet in the RPG scene, you've seen 'em come and go, but in all your time here. Who are the posters you enjoy working with the most
I have to say, first and formost, Harl, Corp, and Trop. DA 4 life! Seriously though, those guys were a blast to work with. As are Twy, Ferret, Master Bruce (when he posts), and even you, Byrd.
Aww, I'm touched.
I also have to mention, even though I only briefly RPed with them, Keyser and Spike were excellent dance partners as well.Honestly, I haven't had a bad experience working with anyone in any of the RPGs. Everyone's very eager to brainstorm and is very polite when working with others.Us RPers seem to be genuinely decent folk. Which is surprising considering the Hype.
Amen to that, brotha. Now, enough with the ass kissing. Even though I already know the answer, what, in your mind, was your favorite story or arc to tell and why?*cough*DA*cough*
Hahahahaha. Yeah, the Dark Alliance arc from Season II is easily my favorite. It was just so massive in scale, had some good twists and turns, and, IMO, a kick ass ending with the Keystone battle. And that memorial finale handled by Twy was excellent stuff. Some really good posts in that arc.
I've read parts of it, before my time. But yes, it was really, really, good.
You should read it all. Now.
We always know that sometimes the RPGs and real life mingle, sometimes not in the best ways. Has there ever been a case in which you have used your real life experiences when writing a post or planning an arc?
Not real life, per se, but a few of my dreams have influenced a post here and there. Nothing too major.For instance, I had a whiskey-induced dream about a bunch of clones trying to take over which gave me the idea for the Anti-League arc. Then Q and I got together and fleshed it all out.
Yep. Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.
You've played a vast array of characters. To the Titan Thanos, to coke-fiend Evan MuCullough, The Mirror Master. If you had one free pass, what character, taken or not taken, would you like to play?
Hmmm...tough choice...I know the popular answer here is Spider-Man, and I would love to play him as he's my favorite hero, but...I'm going to have to go with Artemis Entreri.
Wow. I must be the only one who doesn't wanna play Spidey.
I guess so. And I wouldn't go around telling people that. Around here that might get you shot.
So, for our readers at home and certianly not me...who the hell is Artemis Enteri?
He's an assassin from the sword & sorcery fantasy setting called the Forgotten Realms. He's the chief rival of the dark elf ranger, and popular fantasy character, Drizzt Do'Urden. He was a real bland character at first, but he's really been fleshed out a great deal and has become one of my favorite villains/gray area characters in fiction.
........So, Spidey it is then?
*Sigh*...fine...Boba Fett. Everyone should know him, right?
And he is??
Ha...ha...ha
The new RPG approval forum has brought on a bunch of diffrent RPGs in varying form. What is your opinion on this?
I've got mixed feelings about them. Some are well thought out and interesting concepts that could very well work. Others though are just better suited as arcs in the other already established RPGs. That and it seems that some posters have made some proposals just so they can be in charge of a game, which is hella lame.
What is one RPG you would like to see get on the hype and survive?
Hmmm...well, I am partial to G.I. Joe. And as long as it's run by somebody who cares about it, it could do well. I like the future RPG idea, it just probably could of used a little more work before it was approved though.A little more fleshing out, or what not. I think another Multiversers RPG would be cool as well.
As do I, just so I can play Rorschach or All-Star supes. Now, time to bring the interview home...what poster would you like to see interviewed after you?
I'd have to say my fellow DA teammate, Harl. Us bad guys gots ta stick together, homie.
He's on my list then.
He best be.
Now, as we draw our interview to a close. What lies on the horizion for Johnny Blaze in the RPGs? What do you have upcoming that you can tell us?
Well, we've got some big things planned for the next season of the DCU RPG. And, if he's still available, my next character after I finish with the Surfer in the OU will be causing some major trouble in that RPG's next season. Got some ideas for the Mirror Master as well to take him out of Keystone and explore his roots a bit.
He so needs to dress like Braveheart.
Might need to get in touch with Keyser for some Scottish research.
Alright, that's all I have in the way of questions. Do you have anything you'd like to say to your fellow RPers?
To all the heroes, better watch your asses. and to all the villains out there, keep fighting the power!
As do I, just so I can play Rorschach or All-Star supes. Now, time to bring the interview home...what poster would you like to see interviewed after you?
I'd have to say my fellow DA teammate, Harl. Us bad guys gots ta stick together, homie.
He's on my list then.
He best be.
Now, as we draw our interview to a close. What lies on the horizion for Johnny Blaze in the RPGs? What do you have upcoming that you can tell us?
Well, we've got some big things planned for the next season of the DCU RPG. And, if he's still available, my next character after I finish with the Surfer in the OU will be causing some major trouble in that RPG's next season. Got some ideas for the Mirror Master as well to take him out of Keystone and explore his roots a bit.
He so needs to dress like Braveheart.
Might need to get in touch with Keyser for some Scottish research.
Alright, that's all I have in the way of questions. Do you have anything you'd like to say to your fellow RPers?
To all the heroes, better watch your asses. and to all the villains out there, keep fighting the power!
MaskedManJRK
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I always dug these things, kudos on bring 'em back, Byrd.
Now do me. Please.
Now do me. Please.
wiegeabo
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I always dug these things, kudos on bring 'em back, Byrd.
Now do me. Please.
*runs to nearest trashcan and throws up*
MaskedManJRK
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Batman
Dramatic Example
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Where am I on the list?! I deserve a recap interview! There's so much inactivity I simply must share with everyone!
MaskedManJRK
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t:
Byrd Man
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trustyside-kick
The Marine Marvel
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What was the point of byrd reposting the already done interviews again? Twy mentioned for SF to move his posts to this thread, but there were already links on the first post of the first page provided by byrd. 
twylight
One And Only
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I always dug these things, kudos on bring 'em back, Byrd.
Now do me. Please.
Ex-cuse me?
Did you not see me ask to have them posted?
*smacks him with a trout*
Byrd Man
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Please quote/move your posts into this thread.
That way they are all contained so if Hype goes through another purging you'll still have them.
-thank you
There ya go.
Blacklight
Revamped and Renegade.
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We'll run out of veteran RPer's sooner or later, so you might not have to wait much longer MB.
MaskedManJRK
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Ex-cuse me?
Did you not see me ask to have them posted?
*smacks him with a trout*
Thank you, ma'am, may I have another? :heart:
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