Odin #1. Gonna try out this horror series that was rec'd. The story of an undercover journalist who'd do anything for a story going to Norway with Neo-N*zi punks who are absolutely going to make the mistake of looking for Odin? I love a Norwegian forest and hate N*zis, so I'm in for the ride.

Helen of Wyndhorn. This was described as Conan the Barbarian vs. The Wizard of Oz. So, absolutely sold. It's a contained story with gorgeous art. Probably going to read this first.

Harley Quinn x Elvira. Issue 6. I have this series as my main subscription. This is basically just my personality as a comic book.

Witchblood. I've been into a lot of Indies lately, and this reminds me of a PBtA game I'd play in. Vampire Bikers are hunting down a Witch through the Southwest because they want her magic blood. Can't wait to crack it open.

Today, I got Absolute Winder Woman Vol. 1 I'm a sucker for Wonder Woman in general. I was sold on the fresh new origin story and the gorgeous art, which is a more magic gothy take. Any comic that makes me want to cosplay again is a 10/10.

Another faction is based on the deep brutality of pinstripes as an allegory for 1940's gangsters. It's not Gothabilly really, but all bards in this faction are very into The Cramps, and have Bettie Page chain wallets that emulate bags of holding.

There's an entire faction based on the Lip Service rubber vinyl line. When you choose to play one of these twisted creatures, you get an extra die on charisma rolls, but disadvantage on stealth as we hear you squeaking before we see you.

I suppose now it's time to show you all the edgy dark character classes from my new hardcore ttrpg based on old Lip Service and Tripp NYC catalogs. While it looks exactly like VtM or Visigoths vs. Mallgoths, it's not. It's actually a secret third more dark thing.

I am dead serious. I'd put my ability to write for this in my eternal coffin shaped slumber against anyone in our industry. Anne Rice's work is literally the reason I became a writer. And yes, this is me at this year's Ball in New Orleans.

Went to Neotropolis as Ambassador Thotcrimes to do some grade A field research in a way I haven't done since 2019. I'm working on a theory of immersion at SoCal festivals, why we tell the stories we tell, and how we change them to what we need when we don't actually want to play in the same world.

They asked me to NPC for them, and I got to die dramatically. The world is a mess, but I always have hope for the future when I let my students do weird shit. Tomorrow I have two more groups!

Did the projector work today for class enabling me to show my syllabus? No. Did I absolutely make my students make larps using gym equipment like the giant parachute? Absolutely.

And to cap off tonight, Alice Coltrane's Huntington Ashram Monastery. If you like mind expanding jazz played on the harp and piano then you want this in your life. Hell, listen anyway. Turya and IHS are my favorites, but the whole album is a dream.

Moving along to AFI's new postpunk glory, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun. This came with a box of matches. Holy Vision, Behind the Clock, Marguerite...whole album is fit to spin. Straight Goth club bangers. Funnily enough, I got to share the floor of my favorite club with the lead singer this year.

Switching Gears entirely, the Soundtrack to KPop Demon Hunters is the pre-dinner album. This came with a collectible card and a lyrics poster. My personal favs are How It's Done, Free, Your Idol and Takedown. Gorgeous packaging and absolutely one of my favs this year.

The Cure's P*rnography is now spinning. It's a 40th anniversary picture disk. One of my favorite albums from them, standouts here for me are 100 Years, Hanging Garden and A Strange Day. Problem with picture disks is they come with a clear window and that also means no inner sleeve for protection.

Florence and the Machine's Everybody Scream, is #3. I have the Bloodwood Edition. Love Florence in general, but this album really speaks to me as someone coming back from burnout. Standouts here are You Can Have it All, One of the Greats, Perfume and Milk and Music by Men.

Next in the rotation is FKA Twig's M3LL155X. I'm a huge fan of her sound in general, but Glass and Patron, I'm Your Doll, and Mothercreep make this EP super special and made for living room dance performances. Plus the artwork is gorgeous and futuristic body horror beauty.

Time for my annual listen to all the records I bought but haven't spun yet. First up, a pristine 2021 German pressing of the rereleased Batman Forever soundtrack. In case you forgot this is FIRE. Sure A Kiss From a Rose, but PJ Harvey, Massive Attack, Method Man, Mazzy Star...Nick Cave. All Bangers

I'm not much of a dice person, but my local game store, Game Santa Cruz had Will-o-Wisp from Dispel dice that glow in the dark. My spouse bought them for me for New Year's and now I gotta figure out which friends are gonna be forced to play with me while hearing me scream, "THEY GLOW IN THE DARK."

The form was hilarious and thoughtful, and Chase really kept up the banter as a put upon prodigy trying to keep me out of Catholic Hell. They handcuffed me to the soul of a crystallized sinner and then proceeded to tell me what level of hell I would go to. And then tried to sell me indulgences!

The final game I got to play was actually a performance piece which to me was a larp. I sat down opposite a "lawyer" who quickly revealed themselves to be an intermediary between god and hell. They could represent me and help me out in the future. But first I had to do paperwork.

Filled with tropes, I was not expecting to see this ttrpg asshole we all know. The game actually rewards you for some harsh, but non toxic choices. And your dates? They can DIE. Very silly and filled with dark humor.

This is a Cosmic Horror/Humor infused dating sim that uses contrasting art styles and fonts to embody each datable character. Smart writing, great music, and holy fuck the character design. Like this moth lady? THIS MOTH LADY.

I think a part of the reason I love going to historical events dressed in historical clothing despite the fact someone will pull a historical racism at me at least once is because my ancestors couldn't fight back, but I can. Anyway, I just finished all this braiding and making custom silk buttons.

Last week I did some research in New Orleans on liminal play spaces. I got the chance to attend the Anne Rice Fan Club's annual ball; a childhood dream come true. For a ball that's not a larp, I sure did forget I wasn't an immortal coquette.

Listen, the world is a mess. I have class to prep, several meetings, but please look at this Banana Slug. I am obsessed. I love them. They are everywhere.

Did I pick up some contraband? Maaaybe. Was it the last issue available? Absolutely.

As a designer this tells me that artistically I'm just going to ignore both D&D and CR as staple points for anything creative and focus on doing something that appeals as both text and a unique roleplaying experience. People want your weird little games far more than you think!

As an indie designer, I am always interested to see what titles get stocked the most. Thirsty Sword Lesbians is huge. But so is Lucian Kahn's work. Visigoths vs. Mallgoths, Dead Friend, etc. Thousand Year Old Vampire by Tim Hutchings and anything by Grant Howitt and Jay Dragon are staples as well.