Inside The Poster's Studio

[Saved]

I thought most of the "nitpicking" was in jest.

 

[trustyside-kick]

From byrd and Cats, yea. That was all jest.

 

[Keyser Soze]

The only re-occuring "thing" you guys keep trying to comment to "help" me with, is that you guys think I talk too much. It is pretty clear that I like to lead into the question. How many times have I said I like to do that? Makes it more interesting than just asking the question right away. I don't give a rat's ass if that is not how you would ask the question. I still ask the question, don't I? I give it a little nudge and intro. It shows that I know the poster's material and have an actual interest for it. If anything, I would guess the poster I'm interviewing is flattered to know and see how much thought I've put into asking them about their work. So I am most definitely "making them shine as the star".

That isn't going to change, so stop trying to "help" me with that. I didn't comment on every little thing I disliked about SF's and byrd's Interviews with what they did or did not ask, and how they went about doing so.

Why? Because all that mattered was the questions and the answers: they sufficed. Bottom line. We all have our ways about it. I've seen interviews where they lead into questions before, and I liked those the most. Then I've seen the ones that don't, and they were fine too: I just like to lead into questions.

You guys think I did a "better" job this time? That is only because Q surprisingly can rant on and on more than even me: I noticed that right away.

Well, if you keep up petulant behaviour like this, and keep on pissing off the people who actually CARE enough to get engaged and respond to your intreviews, soon enough you'll find that nobody will want to respond, or maybe even read anymore. Then you can write whatever the hell you want.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I thought it was perfectly fine. Who gives a **** if it's not perfect, or not how you or someone else would do it? He got into the interviewee's head, asked the basic questions, put his own spin on it; what's the problem?

You're Canadian, that's the problem.

 

[wiegeabo]

The only re-occuring "thing" you guys keep trying to comment to "help" me with, is that you guys think I talk too much. It is pretty clear that I like to lead into the question. How many times have I said I like to do that? Makes it more interesting than just asking the question right away. I don't give a rat's ass if that is not how you would ask the question. I still ask the question, don't I? I give it a little nudge and intro. It shows that I know the poster's material and have an actual interest for it. If anything, I would guess the poster I'm interviewing is flattered to know and see how much thought I've put into asking them about their work. So I am most definitely "making them shine as the star".

That isn't going to change, so stop trying to "help" me with that. I didn't comment on every little thing I disliked about SF's and byrd's Interviews with what they did or did not ask, and how they went about doing so.

Why? Because all that mattered was the questions and the answers: they sufficed. Bottom line. We all have our ways about it. I've seen interviews where they lead into questions before, and I liked those the most. Then I've seen the ones that don't, and they were fine too: I just like to lead into questions.

You guys think I did a "better" job this time? That is only because Q surprisingly can rant on and on more than even me: I noticed that right away.

We are trying to help. It's constructive criticism. I'm not dogging on you, I'm giving you tips on improvement. And if you don't want to make any of the suggested changes, you don't have to. No big deal. I mean, no one else is giving interviews, and it's nice to have them again.

But, like I said before, I think your interviews have improved much, and we're only up to the third one. And I never said you talked to much. At least, this time I didn't (can't remember if I did before, or something). I think you were just right. You kept your lead-ins brief, and your questions direct. And by doing that, even if Q didn't get more text than the others, it seemed that way. And that's important because these are all about the interviewee.

My only 'complaint' was that you didn't let Q say enough. Obviously this is just my opinion since JB, for example, wasn't thrilled with the tangent. And while not hearing Q's response to the male bonding joke is no big deal, I would have like to hear why Renee was 'ruined'. Interviewers can talk too much, interviewees can't. (Okl, I guess they can, but...well, you know what I'm saying).

 

[The Question]

Oh, you boys. Fightin' over lil' ol' me.

Honestly, the interview was pretty good. Wasn't perfect. My only real complaint was that I sometimes felt a little rushed. But honestly, it's an interview for an internet message board RPG. Have a lil' perspective here, people. There's some room for improvement, but it's not deathly vital to argue about. Anyway, back to talking about me...

Pfft! Pfft, I say! It's no real Question interview without mention of our behind-the-scenes weed smoking sessions that formed the basic ideas for the UDCU.

Yeah. I was actually wondering if you might want to take another crack at a backstory laden RPG. This time one that wouldn't put as many restrictions on how the players play their characters. I always felt a little guilty about that.

Beyond that, I thought it was good. Particularly the Darkseid comments Q made towards the end. Question is one of those posters that's always managed to dissect the basics of what drives a character that I've always found rather complicated and/or larger than life.

Aw, shucks Bruce. It's really not all that hard. One thing that helps is familiarizing yourself with the works of Carl Jung. His ideas on the psychology of good an evil will really help you write a good villain.

 

[Batman]

Yeah. I was actually wondering if you might want to take another crack at a backstory laden RPG. This time one that wouldn't put as many restrictions on how the players play their characters. I always felt a little guilty about that.

Absolutely, I'd love to hear any ideas you'd have. Shoot me a PM.

 

[Spike_x1]

You're Canadian, that's the problem.

I'll go console myself by getting raging drunk off of our beer that tastes like bugspray, binge on some maple syrup, burn down my summer igloo, have unprotected sex with a hot Canadian bar wench, and then break my legs while doing some crazy stunt without a seatbelt.

And to top it off, I'll indulge myself in some wicked free healthcare.

 

[twylight]

FINE!

I'll pick my own for this next week -_- *sneaky eyes* Especially since Trusty is too busy to be at the JLA meeting.

 

[trustyside-kick]

I'm interviewing EBJ next week.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Since many people are complaining about the cutting off of Q's tangent on Renee, why doesn't Q tell us how so? Just a thought.

Also, good job on the interviews, Trusty...that is, if I'm on your list of people to interview. If not, I might find some faults.

 

[Eddie Brock]

I'm interviewing EBJ next week.

Good thing I checked this thread, then, huh?

 

[Matt Murdock]

Psh, are you kiddin', EB? trusty will interview-rape you.

 

[Eddie Brock]

Come to think of it, I'm just 'EB' now. So I don't know who this 'EBJ' character is, but I'll be interested to hear his views.

 

[Matt Murdock]

And you're the only one!

 

[trustyside-kick]

Good thing I checked this thread, then, huh?

I was going to PM you a day or two before the actual interview anyway.

 

[Matt Murdock]

Thank golly. We were all worried.

 

[Byrd Man]

I think someone might be jealous he isn't getting his interview. Is that it, SSF?

 

[Matt Murdock]

**** yeah!

 

[trustyside-kick]

Season III: "I liked Spider-Man 3"​

Welcome to Inside The Poster's Studio: Season III once again. I'm your host, trustyside-kick, and tonight I am here with not quite a dubbed "newb" but not dubbed a "vet" either; I suppose it depends on whom you ask. Nonetheless he has made his mark in the Superherohype! RPGs and is with us tonight.

trustyside-kick: Appearing for the second time on ITPS, I have the poster formally known as Eddie Brock Jr. (EBJ).

Eddie Brock: I'm like Prince - but with less purple, I suppose.

trusty: Still not sure that is a good thing.

EB: It probably isn't. But, what can you do, right?

trusty: I'spose. Last time you took part in a 3-way discussion between yourself, Harlekin, and Byrd Man. How does it feel to be here tonight, EB?

EB: Well, last time was a debate, so I felt more pressure to give intelligent responses. Plus, I was up against Harlekin. No further explanation necessary. This is just a conversation - but a couple of opinions will probably still slip. That's just me.

trusty: Yea, when dealing with Harl you really gotta step up your game.

EB: The guy has a Manifesto. Who can compete with that?

trusty: Such a person does not exist.

EB: And many have failed trying.

trusty: If I may ask, what caused for the name change? You went from Eddie Brock Jr. to Eddie Brock and the first thing I thought was "Well, f***. Now I gotta go edit all the rosters he is in".

EB: My name seemed...cluttered. Sure, EBJ had a better ring. But every time I signed on, It would say, "Thank you for logging in, Eddie Brock Jr.." That extra period perturbed me.

trusty: In my mind...and heart, you will always be EBJ to me. EB just doesn't feel the same.

EB: Plus, Spider-Man 3 - even though I'm a fan - brought shame to the name. I was inspired by Ultimate Spider-Man, for the record.

trusty: Well that is a coincidence, considering that is where the interview is going to take us to: Ultimate Marvel.

EB: It had to.

trusty: Now, you were a nominee in the first Superherohype! RPG Awards of 2007. A nominee for three different RPG awards directly, and a few group effort awards, one of them was Best Hero. Being a nominee for such an award truly shows your love, dedication, and time to the character you were listed for. Care to tell us just what is it about Ultimate Spider-Woman that makes your 'spider sense' tingle? (Bad joke, I know; couldn't resist.)

EB: Well, Spider-Woman is my first character - except for a few half-hearted attempts in the past. So she'll always be special to me. Truth be told, my motivation initially for playing her was, "Spider-Man's taken. She's the next best thing." But I soon learned that Spider-Woman was a blank slate. No established history or personality, I could take her in any direction I liked. And when I started getting praise after my first post, I knew I had something.

trusty: Are you pretty familiar with her 616 counterpart? Or strictly her Ultimate appearances?

EB: Unfortunately, I must admit that I only know of her Ultimate exploits. Back in the day, Blacklight asked why I didn't pick up Spider-Woman in Heroes vs. Villains, and this was my response. Plus, I just think 616 Spider-Woman makes less sense. Very little relation to her namesake.

trusty: Yea, I've wondered the same thing. But she's got big juggs, so you won't see me write a letter to Marvel.

EB: Amen to that.

trusty: You took part in The Clone Saga arc which was yet another nominee for the SHHRPG Awards and if I am not mistaken, a fight from that arc was also a nominee. What were some of the highlights of that arc for you?

EB: Well, I'm sorry that I didn't follow through with this, but early on, Spider-Woman was living on the streets. Where else could she go? But once the Clone Saga was done, Nick Fury swooped in and gave her a life - which, admittedly, was just to make my life easier. Other than that, the whole arc was a fun experience. I also played Miles Warren, so I got to write from both sides.

trusty: One last question pertaining to the Ultimate Marvel RPG: It has come to my attention that each Season you guys have planned for big RPG-wide arcs and menaces to take place. Not being a member of Ultimate Marvel I am curious: You guys find it easy to orchestrate it all?

EB: Usually, one person steps up and takes charge. For the Clone Saga, it was me. For this Season, it has been Peter Parker. I try to encourage taking a Season "off," so to speak, from big arcs like that - but people make long-term plans around there. Besides, it's not like they aren't fun. I'd just like a Season more dedicated to individual development. I think Season VI will bring that.

Why haven't you tried an Ultimate Marvel character, by the way?

trusty: I don't know squat about Ultimate Marvel mythos.

EB: Who needs to? If you pick up an unestablished character, you're free. But to each his own.

trusty: I'm not referring to the RPG mythos, but rather Ultimate Marvel itself. It draws some continuity from the Ultimate comics, and I have yet to read any.

EB: Well, get on that, then. But there are characters who have yet to be explored in the comics, too - the Knights, for instance. (Except that Sensei and I have worked on Iron Fist.)

Anyway, let's continue.

trusty: Yea...yea! Trying to turn this **** around. Just for that, I'm going to edit in what happened prior to the start of this interview!

EB: Hey, that reflects more on you...

trusty: ...Touche'.

Now, moving on from your team work in Marvel...you really couldn't have thought that I wouldn't bring up the Teen Titans in DC. You guys seem to really click well together. The DC RPG seems to lack superhero teams at times, but you guys really showed us JLAers how it was done with the Queen Bee arc.

EB: Well, the Titans - with the exception of Byrd when he was around - are a team of so-called "newbies." So it's sort of a chip on our shoulders, I feel. You veterans talk about arcs and Seasons that we weren't around for, and we feel like we have something to prove. It doesn't hurt that we love our respective characters, either.

trusty: Good response...but I feel uneasy with you calling me a vet. Personally, I dislike the labeling that has occurred in the RPG section of the hype.

EB: As do I, but I know it's good-natured...mostly.

trusty: Nonetheless, it is clear that you guys have a good grasp and love on your characters. Plus...Bizarro a Teen Titan member? That arc was going to be solid gold.

EB: We never shy away from sharing the spotlight with the older characters - especially ones with backwards logic.

trusty: You portrayed one of the Teen Titan powerhouses: Superboy. How did it feel, eh...with your girlfriend being a male PC?

EB: The only time I've ever been self-conscious about that sort of thing was during my short tenure as Elektra in One Universe. And that's only because the awkwardness was brought up. In general, I think we've all accepted that there's not enough of twylight, MinNoir, or Shlee to go around. To avoid a sausagefest, you need to just ignore all that. Just be your character, and nothing else matters.

trusty: With the Dark Alliance 2 arc, it was truly you and your teammates' time to shine. So much of it, started off with the Teen Titans. Did you feel any pressure with that?

EB: Why would I? My character didn't die. But seriously, I was just glad that people wanted me back around. I wouldn't have returned to Superboy if it wasn't for the suggestions of others. It just felt good to be "home." And I didn't let Superboy off easy - as we all saw.

trusty: Yes. You had daddy dearest mess with his head quite a bit. I extremely enjoyed that part, by the way. Reminded me of that one Teen Titan arc pre-OYL. Are you familiar with the arc I speak of?

EB: I am. It was an inspiration. Though, Superboy didn't shave his head or carve an L on his shirt. He did start wearing a purple S, though. It was only a passing mention, so I imagine that most missed it.

trusty: You packed a whole lot of emotion into your posts after Superboy came back to his senses: realizing he had attacked his friends, hurt innocent lives, and paralyzed his own girlfriend. Was that some of your favorite writing during the arc?

EB: You could say it was. Any time I can deal with emotional situations like that, I take advantage. That was when I started to notice that my posts were slowly lengthening as well.

trusty: Yea. A few times you seemed to get as long as MB does when he works on a post for days upon days in UDC, and then puts it all in one Batman post. It was some really good stuff though.

EB: I am always awed by Master Bruce's posts. I wish that I could always pump out work with that amount of detail. It's inspiring.

trusty: Let's not shed so much light on MB. Can't let him get any cockier than he already is.

EB: I sense a probation in the future...

trusty: Now, you Titans have started planning things it seems. You've changed things...forever cwink. I mean, the JLA actually started having sessions and meetings to compete! Anything you can tell us about next Season to keep us on our toes?

EB: As far as the team is concerned, we obviously need new members - so look for a revamped roster from the start of the Season. For Superboy, let's just say he isn't out of the woods yet. Yes, he and Cassie are back to smiles and kisses, but you can't brush something as big as paralysis under the rug.

trusty: Looking forward to seeing what new members the Titans will get.

You get to portray both Superman and Spider-Man in the OU RPG...I mean, are you just that selfish? Kidding, of course. Who would you say is a character you have yet to pick up that you are just dying to play?

EB: I apologize for nothing! Anyway, I would like to play Joker for a prolonged period of time. My tenure in Why So Serious? was tragically cut short. But I've been lucky enough to play just about everyone I could want.

trusty: Yes, the tragedy that was WSS? was unexpectedly short. Would it be too painful for me to ask a few questions about it?

EB: *sniffle* Go ahead. I'll try to be strong.

trusty: What do you feel was the problem? Batman is everyone's number one love...the RPG is about Gotham City...which is running around
with Batman/Gotham characters...need I say more?

EB: I honestly couldn't tell you. But even Master Bruce couldn't be consistent, so that tells you something...I guess. I don't think anyone knew what they were getting into. And then there was the problem of which characters could be allowed...

trusty: I thought the Guest-Star cameo was a fantastic approach. A shame the RPG died before we saw enough of that.

EB: Yes, well, that was met with mixed reviews. I would've enjoyed seeing who people pulled out, though.

trusty: The RPG came out prior to the premier of The Dark Knight. Looking back, how did you feel your Joker compared? I'm not asking you to compare to the late Heath Ledger's performance, of course...but an anticipation of how Nolan would have the Joker in his realistic world must've been a sort of hinted inspiration.

EB: Of course it was. And having seen Nolan's Joker, it will forever be an inspiration to me. But I still had gag weapons, and I preferred my Slaughtermobile - though I see that it wouldn't have worked in the context of the movie. And Joker Venom made its debut before the end.

trusty: Your Character Bank...is scary to be honest. You have picked up quite the amount of characters in your time on the Hype RPGs. Which character have you had the most fun portraying so far?

EB: I like experimenting, and I'm not afraid to say, "This isn't working." There are a lot of characters I dropped that I wish I would have kept, and there are a lot of characters I picked up that I should have left alone. But, all in all, I feel I've kept hold of those that are most important to me. So, to answer your question, I have to say...I don't know. Spider-Woman and Spider-Man come very close. And I enjoyed every second of the Joker - hence why I want to give it another go. So I really don't know. I'll just say Spider-Woman for now.

trusty: One of those characters you thought "wasn't working" was Ultimate Aquaman. He has gone through many hands and many retcons...myself being an Aquaman fan I am curious what you think is the cause of that? In the Ultimate DC RPG after all, you have all the creativity you could ask for.

EB: I think it's a case of too much freedom. Everyone is a critic, and I'm sure that many thought they could do an Aquaman that everyone would love. But without the most basic of understandings about the character, we were all helplessly lost. To be honest, I was just looking for a spot on the Ultimate JLA. And I did like the Aquaman pilot, so...

trusty: Being entirely honest, and not biased...that Aquaman show would've blown Smallville out of the; pun intended. Of course, the last Season of Smallville sucked all kinds of...heh, whoops. Gotta keep this PG.

EB: Smallville has gone helplessly downhill. This is the first year where I can't bring myself to watch. But the third year in a row where I've almost reached that point.

trusty: Ah. Interesting. You've surely got quite an amount of love for the Kryptonians.

You've worked with...just about everyone I think. Who have you enjoyed working with the most, and in what RPG?

EB: Tough question. Something I look forward to exploring is the friendship between Superboy and Zatara - because SenseiofCheese is a phenomenal poster, especially in that role. All the Titans have been a joy to work with, and I enjoy arcs with Master Bruce and Byrd Man (even if the former can find ways to make an arc last much longer than planned). I really couldn't find a way to talk about all the posters I merge so well with.

trusty: Next Season of UDC I believe is when MB will finally allow for a certain side-kick to surface. Without spoiling too much...what are some of your ideas for his "ultimization"?

EB: Dick Grayson is going to be out for blood, and it's going to take all of Batman's energy to try and rein that in and turn it into something productive. Master Bruce and I have had multiple conversations where we discuss the Ultimate Batman/Robin relationship, and I'm confident we can bring something to the table that is a little different - while maintain the core.

trusty: With the lift of the RPG Ban that we have endured for a few months...is your mind working away for possible RPGs to introduce or revive? Excluding WSS? of course. Because everyone is probably expecting that for an answer.

EB: To be honest, until the school year starts, I'm not sure if my RPG workload is going to need trimming as it is. I gave in and picked up Catwoman in UDC and Harley Quinn in OU (because I've wanted to play both for a while), and I don't know how much more I want to add. I've committed to the Star Wars RPG, but I still don't know if I can afford more.

trusty: It is evident that some ideas...just do not work when translated into RPG form. But what is one RPG that you would be overjoyed to see made? Excluding games like the Star Wars RPG that have been in discussion.

EB: The kid in me is dying to play a Power Ranger - especially Andros, the Red Space Ranger. I know it will more than likely never work out, but I loved that series growing up. So a TV RPG is my only hope, it seems. As scary as that thought is.

trusty: As you can see, it is rather hard to get to all of the characters one portrays to squish into these interviews. What lies ahead for the rest of your characters in the near future not discussed extensively in this interview already?

EB: In a nutshell? Spider-Woman has baby. Harleen Quinzell has issues. Catwoman meets Batman. Batwoman turns fear on those who would prey on the fearful. Spider-Man fights Venom. Superman saves the day. And a partridge in a pear tree!

trusty: And that molestation of the 12 Days of Christmas ends our show tonight. Hope you had fun, EBJ. That's right, you cannot escape the "J"...it is part of your very soul.

EB: I sold my soul for a handful of peanuts a while ago.

trusty: Really?...what type?

EB: Salted.

trusty: Good choice. Mixed?

EB: Nah. That would cost me my next life's soul. And I don't know what my next life will be like yet.

trusty: I wanna come back to life as a turtle. Or maybe a kangaroo. No. A Koala bear! NO! Sea Otter. You?

EB: Clearly platypus. Or Catman!

trusty: I'm sure he will be honored to read that. See ya around, EB...J.

 

[Batman]

My ego already swelled, dammit.

Nonetheless, I appreciate the compliment. Eddie's always been a little brother type of figure to me on the boards, and being a hell of an RP'er himself, it's nice to know I can entertain someone of his caliber.

 

[Eddie Brock]

Damn. That was long.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

It was a bit long in the tooth, but it was a solid interview. Good ****, you two.

 

[Spike_x1]

Bizarro hate attention!

*ahem* I mean, b**chin' interview.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

*puts EB on 'get to live' list*

Cool interview, men.