The Hype RPG 2008 Awards! Nominations

[Blacklight]

Part 2: The IC Awards


Best Multiple PC Story Arc: No question. The Dark Alliance Part Deux: Full Metal Jacket of Awesome Epic Doom!. (Sorry for the lame movie-referencing title, but everyone else was doing it, so...) because it was in my books, the textbook (or wikipedia) definition of a Multiple PC Story Arc. Everyone was involved, it was fast, action-packed, plot-twisting fun. Every post in it was gold, and let's hope whatever 'Crisis' Watchman referred to in his season ender tops this.

Best Solo Story Arc: I'm giving this award to Syn (Mercenary)'s Spider-Man No More! arc in Ultimate Marvel. For he took a classic story and truly modernized it and made it better. It truly was an 'Ultimized' version of the story, and I loved it. It showed Pete's flaws during his attempt to live a normal life, and him trying to keep his forced hanging of the tights from MJ, but the best part of the story was Peter finally seeing that he has responsibilities to uphold for the citizens of Manhattan, and noone, not even Nick Fury, can keep him from fulfilling his obligations, or his destiny. It also was a great introduction to Peter's rebirth as a hero, in the form of the Amazing Ricochet.

Best Hero Nominees: This was a toss-up between the three main Spider-Men. Byrd's 616 Spider-Man, Syn's Ultimate Spider-Man, or Eddie Brock's OU Spider-Man. All of them had their strengths, and all of them showcased certain aspects of Parker's alter-ego that made them all great reads in their own right. Byrd's Spidey was a great "Everyman" interpretation of the character, showing that even though he's a superhero, he's still an average joe that'll cling to a wall and eat popcorn with a random stranger on a balcony. He also showed us how Spidey will team up and get along with nearly every hero he runs into, making him truly integrated in the Marvel U. Syn was great at writing everything about the Spider-Man mythos and the emotions that he experiences in situations ranging from a keg party, to helping out Tony Stark, and even what he feels when his Aunt May's life was threatened. It's too bad though that we had so little exposure to the real Spidey as written by Syn, but it was a great Spidey no less, with or without the red and blues. And then it bring me to Eddie Brock Jr.'s OU Spider-Man. His version was nearly flawless. The comedy and wit was outstanding, the development was incredible, the mythos was correctly portrayed, and the integration of DC elements worked perfectly. IMO, EBJ's Spider-Man was the best of the three. He was a great Spider-Man. So is Byrd, and was Syn. In the end I can only hope my Spider-Man is at least HALF as good as the three of theirs, especially Eddie Brock's Spider-Man.

Best Villain Nominees: I am hands down giving this to Johnny Blaze's Brainiac, especially when he was in possession of Doomsday's body. Sheer brilliance. Great plot twist, and amazing villain.

Best Team Nominees: I'm giving this award to the Ultimate X-Men. They really pulled the win against the Ultimate Cable out their asses, and somethin tells me they're going to face something much much MUCH worse down the road... But as X-Men, hopefully they'll be ready for it.

Death Scene of The Year: To me, Batman's death was incredibly written, but there was another death that same night, and it was The Death of the Joker as we knew him. Instantly after plunging the knife in Batman's back was the Joker's life changed forever, and he finally felt something for the first time in the near-70 years he's exsted. An emotion you will NEVER see from the Joker in the comics, and only here on the Hype. That emotion, was remorse.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=15245668&postcount=2233

WTF Moment of The Year: You mean besides absonic picking up Niki Sanders? J/k. This award nomination goes to The Death of "Why So Serious??". It was doing so well, and even though I never played, it was a big WTF to see it die so suddenly when everyonr loved it. I only PRAY that CAH and FTPO... don't suffer the same fate.

Best Developed Character: Green Lantern's Arsenal. He killed his lifelong nemesis for the sake of his daughter, so if that ain't development, I sure as hell don't know what is.

Best Fight: The DC Heroes vs. Doomsday/Brainiac. This had everything you could POSSIBLY want from a fight. 'Nuff said.

Funniest Post: C'mon everybody! Let's do the chicken dance with....the Joker!?! Funniest. Post. Ever.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=14596290&postcount=1658

Best Post: This goes to Watchman's Season Ender:

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=15587246&postcount=2446

I can't wait!!!! t:

 

[Andy C.]

Overall MVP (in all catagories) Wiegeabo

I know folks like Byrd work hard to run the OOC side of things, but in terms of player participation, nobody gets things done like Wieg. Even when activity slumps, he's more often than not the guy to try and keep things moving. Not to mention his awesome portrayals of Jay Garrick and Sinestro. If Byrd Man and Master Bruce are the bricks of the RPGs, then Wiegeabo is the mortar.

MVP (in Marvel) N/A

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a good jump-on point to get into the Marvel RPGs. Sooner or later I'll get involved, but for now, I've kinda exiled myself to the DC games.

MVP (in DC) Byrd Man

This was a tough one, since it would've been just as easy to give it to Keyser Soze with the unveiling of Project Icarus, Byrd was not only running the game, but also participating on both sides of it. His total bastardry as Deathstroke made it all the more satisfying to see the Green Arrow family take him down. We all love to hate him and hate to love him, and he just wouldn't be Byrd if it was any different.

MVP (in Misc) N/A

Since I didn't spend a whole lot of my time in the Misc games this year, it wouldn't exactly be appropriate for me to put a nomination in. But that may be because I'm still bitter about the Silver Age RPG dying on the launch-pad.

Best RPG: World of Heroes

Even with the gigantic frustrating cluster-hump of a crossover event being the only arc for the majority of the year, everyone in it brought their A-game, and the stakes of it got continually higher and higher because of it. Here's hoping next year brings more of the same.

RPG Lifetime Achivement Award: Master Bruce

And I'm not just saying that because he passed Superman to me. When I first showed up on the boards, I did a lot of rookie dick-moves: forcing my character into the spotlight, needlessly killing NPCs, etc. It wasn't until I started directly RPing with Master Bruce that I started to change up my act, and really get into the meat and potatoes of the characters. As much as I appreciate the compliments people give me, I owe a lot of that to shamelessly ripping off MB.

Best Foreign Poster Nominees: Harlekin

Harl's stuff is a great read, and each one of his characters was written extremely well. I was a huge fan of his take on Lex Luthor, getting past the usual businessman/politician act and getting into the nitty-gritty of some good old-fashioned supervillainy (no offense to Spike; I look forward to the weird role-reversal of playing each other's arch-enemies in two different RPGs) Anyway, Harl rocks, and I hope he's able to come back soon.

Best Poster who's name rhymes with Herd Fan: Andy C.

It's a Welsh pronunciation. You really have to push the dialect.

Most Improved Player Nominees: Blacklight

It seems like only yesterday that we were all still ripping on poor BL (wait, that was yesterday). Still, the guy's got the goods, and has really stepped up his game over the course of the year.

Break-out Player of the year Nominees: Johnny Blaze

I'm saying that purely on his ability to catch everyone completely off-guard with the return of Brainiac in WoH. As the Dark Alliance arc wore on and Keyser and Byrd more or less had the whole game reeling from one act of villainy or another, along comes JB and suddenly everything gets a lot more dangerous. In a standout year for evil, Johnny was able to wrench away the limelight and provide one of my all-time favorite fights in any RPG ever.

G.O.D. (Games Operational Director) Award Nominees: Byrd Man

Like the world's worst cat-burglar, Byrd has got his fingerprints all over just about every game on the boards. In all seriousness, you've gotta admire that kinda dedication to a message-board about a bunch of people pretending to be superheroes....kinda.

Best Newcomer Nominees: ???

I honestly don't know who's new anymore. That may be because I'm a nervous shut-in who rarely ever emerges from his hovel in the DC corner, but still....keep off my lawn!

And the IC awards

Best Multiple PC Story Arc: Dark Alliance II: Electric Boogaloo

I was pretty harsh on the arc while it was going on, and there are still bits of it that steam me when I think about it. But in WoH it was the only game in town, and it turned out to be a hell of a game overall. Even if I did find myself cringing when I clicked on the thread topic in dread of what happened next, it also provided some brutal fights, awesome character moments, and just some of the best RPing I've ever seen.

Best Solo Story Arc: Ultimate Gotham Goes to Hell (Master Bruce)

While the rest of the Ultimate DC heroes were getting smacked around by Despero, MB was in the process of telling a Batman story worthy of the official canon. The siege of the Gotham court house, the riot in Blackgate, and the stellar handling of all of the characters involved (particularly Two-Face and Batman himself) made for some awesome reading. Even if it took for-freakin'-ever for MB to post the next bit of it.

And yes I know more people jumped in at points (particularly in Blackgate), but for the most part, it was MB's show.

Best Hero Nominees: Ultimate Superman (Spike_x1)

I'm sure I'm going to be arguing with him from now til doomsday over whether the Silver Age or Byrne-era Superman is the best (Silver Age, dammit! ), but all minutiae aside, Spike's a Superman fan to the core, and his portrayal of the Ultimate Man of Steel proves it.

Best Villain Nominees: The Joker (Keyser Soze)

Like there's any contest. The guy pulled the wool over everyone's eyes with that cryptic "Project: Icarus" stuff, gassed Metropolis, and KILLED THE GODDAMN BATMAN. Keyser was running the freakin' Villain Olympics!

Best Team Nominees: The Teen Titans (World of Heroes)

As tempted as I was to give this one to the Justice League, the Titans had such an awesome chemistry with each other. Between the classic Titans and the new generation, these guys lost more than any other team during the DA arc, and displayed a fantastic solidarity throughout. While the Justice League keeps scattering and coming back and scattering again, the Titans will still be together.

Death Scene of The Year: Batman (WoH)

I honestly didn't think they would do it. I mean, really--kill Batman?! Even in a superhero universe where characters die and come back so much that their graves oughta have revolving doors installed, the thought of actually offing the Dark Knight seemed unthinkable. But kill him they did, and JRK and Keyser Soze pulled it off amazingly. It honestly made me feel sick while reading it--and in a good way (if that's possible).

WTF Moment of The Year: Apartment Hunting in Toxic-Gas-Filled Metropolis

There are rookie mistakes, and then there are ones that make you embarassed for the people who wrote it. And then there's Brotha-Man looking for an apartment and fighting a big robot in a city that's just been hit by a weapon of mass destruction, and not even noticing it. Reading Keyser's bombing and then immediately following that up with Brotha-Man was so surreal that I started to question my own sanity.

I know I shouldn't pick on newcomers, but....damn.

Best Developed Character: Robin (Catman_prb)

This was another tough one, but Cats has done some fine work with one of the DCU's most maligned characters (for further study in that department, see trustyside-kick/Aquaman) The dueling inner monologues is a unique touch.

Best Fight: Brainiac vs. Goddamn Everybody (WoH)

Watchman's Cyborg/Amazo hybrid had everybody on the ropes, and just as the League was starting to get its act together and fight back....things got a whole lot worse. Brainiac in Doomsday's body? I think just about everyone reading that had to change their pants afterwards. And the ensuing fight was every bit as epic and apocalyptic as it should have been.

Funniest Post: The Joker: Lord of the Naked Chicken-Dance!
http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=14596290&postcount=1658

Two lines of text, one mouthful of Dr. Pepper spewing out through my nostrils.

Best Post: Funeral for a Bat (MaskedManJRK et al)
http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=287016&page=96

The initial death of Batman and the Joker's reaction was fantastic, but what really summed up the whole thing for me was the collection of posts showing the various figures in Gotham (as well as the Justice League itself) having to learn how to get by without him. JRK really knocked it out of the park.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Best Developed Character: Robin (Catman_prb)

This was another tough one, but Cats has done some fine work with one of the DCU's most maligned characters (for further study in that department, see trustyside-kick/Aquaman) The dueling inner monologues is a unique touch.

You ****ing trying to say something?! You trying to be cute, boy?!
Yea...I suppose I do love to torture my characters a bit...throw stuff at you you don't see coming...everyone loves to see a hero struggle...

 

[Andy C.]

Technically, I meant that you and Cats are great at using two characters that most people hate, but what you said works too.

 

[trustyside-kick]

...I stand by what I said.
Misread the maligned part...

 

[Byrd Man]

The ballot has been updated. Keep 'em coming, you have until Monday.

 

[Spike_x1]

Boffo, I up for stuff this year!

 

[Spike_x1]

Overall MVP (in all catagories): Byrd Man
Because he amuses me.

MVP (in Marvel): Byrd Man
What the hell. I don't even post in the Marvel section, so what do I know?

MVP (in DC): Master Bruce
Mostly for his great work in UDC.

MVP (in Misc): NiteMare Shape
There's a reason why I made him an AGM in CAH - this guy is dedicated.

Best RPG: Ultimate DC
Great storylines, original spins on familiar characters; really, the only complaint I have about the game is the slow pace at the moment.

RPG Lifetime Achivement Award: SuperFerret
He'll always have a soft spot in the bottom of my underoos.

Best Foreign Poster Nominees: Keyser

Most Improved Player Nominees: Blacklight

Break-out Player of the year Nominees: Trusty
The Despero arc in UDC. 'Nuff said.

G.O.D. (Games Operational Director) Award Nominees: Master Bruce

Best Newcomer Nominees: I haven't really taken part in games with any newcomers that come to mind, so this one goes toooo...

Byrd Man

Best Multiple PC Story Arc: Despero

Best Solo Story Arc: Uhh... Byrd Man!

Best Hero Nominees: Andy C.'s Superman

Best Villain Nominees: Keyser's Joker

Best Team Nominees: The JLA in WoH

Death Scene of The Year: People died?

WTF Moment of The Year: Any of Asteroid-Man's posts in CAH.
Overthrowing/obliterating whole countries within one or two posts, setting up an asteroid satellite with a direct line to the UN, making battle armor out of asteroids, etc.

Best Developed Character: Superman in WoH

Best Fight: Asteroid-Man vs. Project: Icarus
A battle of epic proportions.

Funniest Post: Asteroid-Man's PM to Icarus.
I had completely forgotten about that until Keyser posted his nominations, and then I remembered how hard my sides were splitting when I first read it. t:

Best Post:

IC:

The Kryptonian had acted as expected, only further playing to Despero's delight. A most curious being this one was. In the flash of an instant, Despero vanished and re-appeared behind Superman. Before Superman knows he is behind him, Despero locks his arms around him, and Superman tries to fight him off.

"Why do you value such pitiful, meaningless lives, Kryptonian? The world could die and start anew, with how this Yellow Sun nurtures you...you would still be standing."

Superman starts to use his superspeed to launch them in the air with flight. They start to soar above the clouds all the while Despero keeps his hold and his smile never seems to shift as they continue to ascend. They are just short of being out of the Earth's atmosphere when Superman finally stops.

"Go on, Kryptonian. Look. This is the world and planet you have dedicated your life defending and taking care of. Now, try to merely comprehend how small a star system like this is. It could be taken by you alone into the palm of your hand. So why not conquer it? What drives you to just..."

Despero enters Superman's mind, and searches into the deepest corners of it through all of his old and frequent memories. To his surprise as he searches Superman's mind, a certain face echoes in the background.

Ah...it is her, isn't it? You cannot stand the very thought of her seeing you for what you truly are. So you fight against all instincts...your very nature as a Kyrptonian to but spare you the look on her face when she discovers what you are truly capable of. But you cannot hide it forever, Kryptonian.

Despero starts to take them back down to Earth from the atmosphere, Superman dazed as Despero continues to probe his thoughts and cloud his mind. Despero lets go of Superman, keeping his telepathic link with his mind and halts in mid-air; Superman continues to crash down from the heavens mesmerized.

One day, she and the rest of the world with all the citizens you look after...will see you for what you are.

Still dazed, Superman just continues to fall. Despero practically drools from the enjoyment of toying with the Kryptonian's mind.

They will see.

Despero starts to finally slowly descend as he keeps his ever watchful third-eye on target with Superman.

And when they do? They'll betray you. Abandon you. The very people you've come to know and love...

With a loud thud, and what sounds like an Earthquake, Superman collapses into a cornfield in Kansas.

...Will leave you.

Despero teleports down to Superman's exact location, looking down on the being as it lays in the crater its fall created.

"You wished to know who I am, Kryptonian. I am Fear and Death incarnate, molded into but one body; one supreme entity. I am the very Vessel in which Evil pours from...I am Despero."

And with the blink of his third eye, Superman vanishes.

 

[trustyside-kick]

Wow, Spike. Of all the characters I never expected to get any recognition for Despero. Villains are not really my thing after all.

Much appreciated.

 

[Batman]

Overall MVP (in all catagories):MVP (in DC): Master Bruce
Mostly for his great work in UDC.

Best RPG: Ultimate DC
Great storylines, original spins on familiar characters; really, the only complaint I have about the game is the slow pace at the moment.

G.O.D. (Games Operational Director) Award Nominees: Master Bruce

You're just trying to butter me up so I'll rejoin CAH, aren't you?

...

It's working.

 

[NiteMare Shape]

You're just trying to butter me up so I'll rejoin CAH, aren't you?

...

It's working.

Good...

we need everyone we can get...and you do own over there...come back....please.

 

[Watchman]

Overall MVP (in all catagories) Keyser Soze

MVP (in Marvel): Bkhedr

MVP (in DC): Byrd Man

MVP (in Misc): N/A

Best RPG: World of Heroes: The DC RPG

RPG Lifetime Achivement Award: Master Bruce

Best Foreign Poster Nominees: Harlekin

Most Improved Player Nominees: Blacklight

Break-out Player of the year Nominees: Blacklight

G.O.D. (Games Operational Director) Award Nominees: Byrd Man

Best Newcomer Nominees: Absonic

Best Multiple PC Story Arc: Indiana Jones and The Dark Alliance

Best Solo Story Arc: Blacklight's Blue Beetle tale (DC)

Best Hero Nominees: Captain America (Bkhedr)

Best Villain Nominees: Joker (Keyser Soze)

Best Team Nominees: JLA (DC)

Death Scene of The Year: Batman RIP

WTF Moment of The Year: Adventure in Metropolis with Brotha-Man

Best Developed Character: Superman (Andy C)

Best Fight: Brainiac Royal Rumble

Funniest Post: The Joker vs. Brotha-Man

http://forums.superherohype.com/showpost.php?p=14596290&postcount=1658

Best Post: Requiem for a Bat

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=287016&page=96

 

[Byrd Man]

That's it!

Time's up and here's your 2008 Ballot.

Overall MVP (in all catagories) Keyser Soze, Master Bruce, Venom160, Byrd Man, wiegabo

MVP (in Marvel) Venom160, Syn, Bkhedr, Harlekin

MVP (in DC) Byrd Man, Andy C, Keyser Soze

MVP (in Misc) Wiegabo, Spike_x1, Johnny Blaze

Best RPG: World of Heroes: The DC RPG, Ult. Marvel

RPG Lifetime Achivement Award: Watchman, SuperFerret, Blacklight, Master Bruce, Spike_x1

Best Foreign Poster Nominees: Catman, Senseiofcheese, Keyser Soze, Harlekin

Most Improved Player Nominees: Blacklight, SSF, Syn

Break-out Player of the year Nominees: Blacklight, The Tangerine, Keyser Soze, JRK, Watchman, Andy C., Johnny Blaze

G.O.D. (Games Operational Director) Award Nominees: Byrd Man, Master Bruce, Wiegabo

Best Newcomer Nominees: Absonic, The Tangerine, Optikal


And the IC awards

Best Multiple PC Story Arc: Dark Alliance Part 2: ****in' Up Your **** Evil Style (DC) Ult. Cable (Ult. Marvel)

Best Solo Story Arc: The Rise and Fall of Harvey Dent (OU) Amazing Ricochet Man! (Ult. Marvel)

Best Hero Nominees: Superman (Andy C.) Ult. Dazzler (Noon), Ult. Hawkeye (Catman), Nightwing (Byrd Man), Batman (MaskedmanJRK), Spider-Man (EBJ), Ult. Superman (Spike_x1)

Best Villain Nominees: Joker (Keyser Soze) Randall Flagg (Keyser Soze), Ult. Cable (Syn), Magneto (Johnny Blaze), Cyborg Superman (Watchman), Brainiac (JB)

Best Team Nominees: JLA (DC) Ult. X-Men (Ult. Marvel), Teen Titans (DC)

Death Scene of The Year: Batman Bites It (DC), Cable Cuts Out (Ult. Marvel) Deathstrokes Dies (DC)

WTF Moment of The Year: Soze pwns Brotha-Man, Cable pwns X-Men into drinking Dazzler's blood, Brotha-Man says "what posionous gas?!" Deathstroke Dots Lian Harper's Eye

Best Developed Character: Spider-Man (OU), Ult. Spider-Woman (Ult. Marvel), Daredevil (OU), Superman (DC), Robin (DC)

Best Fight: Deathstroke vs. Green Arrow Family (DC), The X-men vs. Rumekistan (Ult. Marvel), Brainiac vs. Almost Every PC Hero (DC)

Funniest Post: Soze pwns Brotha-Man (DC), Peter Parker ****ing Flash Thompson up (Ult. Marvel), Project Icarus pwns Asteroid-Man, Iron Fist hits Luke Cage's spot (Marvel)

Best Post: Batman is Dead (Keyser Soze, DC) The birth of May Delilah Drew (EBJ, Ult. Marvel), Batman's requim (MaskedmanJRK)

Voting starts now and ends on the 20th.

Good luck to all those nominated.

 

[Batman]

I didn't see you nominate anyone, *****!

 

[Byrd Man]

As host, I can't nominate or vote...except I did it last year. Blast you!

Anways, MB. Hop on MSN so we can speak about matters of importance....aka buttsecks.

 

[wiegeabo]

Is MB going to be the man this time?

 

[Batman]

Yes.

And Byrd gets to be the goat.

 

[wiegeabo]

Yes.

And Byrd gets to be the goat.

I'd expect nothing less of Herd Fan. Poor bastard...

 

[Spike_x1]

Aw, Asteroid-Man's CAH posts didn't make the "WTF Moment" ballot. Same with Trusty's Despero post as the best.
When did the nominations close? Cuz I assume I was too late. Or were there a certain amount of noms needed to make the ballot?

 

[wiegeabo]

Byrd obviously hates you.

Or he was distracted by the though of buttsecks with MB.


Or both.

 

[Spike_x1]

Then I retract all of the nominations that I gave to him. Which was about half of them.
Byrd = Dirty dog penis.

 

[wiegeabo]

I think that's what MB calls him!

 

[Byrd Man]

Aw, Asteroid-Man's CAH posts didn't make the "WTF Moment" ballot. Same with Trusty's Despero post as the best.
When did the nominations close? Cuz I assume I was too late. Or were there a certain amount of noms needed to make the ballot?

Sorry. This nominating process was open to every nationality...except Canadians, didn't you get the memo?

Seriously, I need to add a few more noms to the ballot. I'm just being a slack ass.

 

[Batman]

MSN, dammit!

 

[wiegeabo]

I am!

Oh...oh, you were talking to byrd. I get it. I didn't want to talk to you anyway...

*sniff*