In today’s Eberron Campaign Guide preview, we take a look at Xen'drik as well as examine the religion of Eberron -- including a look at Lady Vol!

In today's Divine Power preview, we present new feats for the paragon tier, including for each of the divine classes!

This is the final preview for the Player's Handbook 2 miniatures. To wrap things up, we show off the Male Genasi Paladin, Female Human Cleric, and Male Human Invoker. It's a divine power hullabaloo!

One of Grant Morrison’s themes while writing Batman was that everything in Batman’s 70 year publishing history actually happened in some manner or another.  This included the Batman stories of the 1950’s, where stories like Batman being transported to an alien planet where he has powers like Superman were common place.

Grant Morrison decided to bring these stories back into the fold by introducing the concept of Batman’s “Black Casebook”.  Sort of like Batman’s personal X-Files, this is where he cataloged all of his experiences that didn’t make any sense.

The events of the Black Casebook came up many times during Grant Morrison’s run.  They proved to be the major driving force behind Batman: R.I.P.  The only problem was that many of these old stories were somewhat obscure and difficult to find.

Well, not anymore.  Batman: The Black Casebook compiles these Batman stories from the 1950’s in one easy to read volume.  Since these stories are only connected by virtue of having been referenced during Morrison’s run (especially during Batman: The Black Glove and in Batman: R.I.P. ) I will be looking at each separately.

A Partner for Batman

This basically is a story about Robin’s insecurities.  While Robin is laid up with a broken leg, Batman takes to training another superhero named Wingman.  Robin becomes increasingly convinced that Batman intends to make Wingman a permanent replacement for him.

During Morrison’s run on Batman, Wingman pops up during the Batman: The Black Glove storyline as a member of the Club of Heroes.

Story: 3 out of 5 bats (You never truly believe Robin will be replaced)

Relevance to Batman R.I.P.: 3 out of 5 bats (Nice to know who Wingman is, but not essential)

Batman – Indian Chief

This story introduces Man-of-Bats and Little Raven, two Sioux Indians named Great Eagle and Little Eagle, who have taken Batman and Robin as inspiration.   Great Eagle is injured by his enemy Black Elk and Batman and Robin decide to impersonate the duo so that Black Elk will not be able to confirm his belief that Great Eagle and Man-of-Bats are the same person.

During Morrison’s run on Batman, Man-of-Bats and Little Raven, now know as Red Raven, are also members of the Club of Heroes.

Story: 2 out of 5 bats (mostly due to the casual racism)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 3 out of 5 bats (Nice to know who Man-of-Bats is, but not essential)

The Batmen of All Nations…

Apparently there are Batman wannabes all around the world.  Knight & Squire from England, the Musketeer from France, the Legionary from Rome, The Gaucho from South America, and the Ranger from Australia all travel to Gotham City to learn from the legendary Batman.  Once there, the criminal “Knots” Cardine runs circles around Batman, even with all of the extra help.  What could be Caradine’s secret?

Story: 4 out of 5 bats (I liked that the other “Batmen” weren’t straight clones)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 4 out of 5 bats (This is nearly the entire cast of the Club of Heroes)

The First Batman…

Batman finds a Batman costume hidden in his father’s desk.  After a little research, Batman determines that his father had a brief (one time) career as Batman.  He also learns that his father’s death might not have been a result of random street crime after all.

Story: 2 out of 5 bats (I really hate it when they mess with the origin story)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 4 out of 5 bats (The costume plays a prominent role in the story)

The Club of Heroes

Batman nominates Superman for the chairman position in the Club of Heroes.  However, John Mayhew wants it to go to the most heroic member of the club, and a new superhero in Metropolis named Lightning-Man begins upstaging Superman.

Story: 2 out of 5 bats (This had a lot of silver age elements that I liked the least)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 2 out of 5 bats (While this had both the Club of Heroes and John Mayhew in it, the story was really a Superman story.  Also, Superman’s presence in the club really detracts from the Batman: The Black Glove storyline)

The Man Who Ended Batman’s Career

Professor Milo manages to give Batman a phobia of bats, to the extent that he can’t hold a batarang or look at his own shadow.  Batman briefly takes on the identity of Starman, but realizes that it won’t be long until the criminals realize who he is and begin using bats against him.  It looks like Batman’s career will be over for good.

Story: 4 out of 5 bats (I like that Robin saves the day on this one)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.:  4 out of 5 bats (The concept of taking down Batman psychologically is key to the Batman: R.I.P. storyline.  Plus in Grant Morrison’s mind, it ties in to the Batman - The Superman of Planet X story)

Am I Really Batman?

Batman wakes up in an insane asylum where he finds out that “the real Batman” has dumped him.  He escapes and makes his way to stately Wayne Manor, only to find Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson both their already!  Can Batman unravel what is going on?

Story: 3 out of 5 bats (I felt the resolution did not match the build up.  It does feature Professor Milo again though, even if he looks completely different)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 2 out of 5 bats (This story could be skipped)

Batman – The Superman of Planet X!

While flying around in his Bat-Plane, he is transported to the Planet Zur-En-Arrh by the Batman of that world.  There is an alien invasion coming, and he needs our Batman’s help to repel it.  Luckily, Batman has Superman’s powers on Zur-En-Arrh.

Story: 3 out of 5 bats (A very strange Batman story)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 5 out of 5 bats (Batman spends a decent portion of RIP running around proclaiming himself to be “The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh” and talking about “The Bat-Radia”.)

Batman Meets Bat-Mite

This story introduces the Bat-Mite, a fourth dimensional imp like the Superman foe Mr. Myxyzptlk.  Bat-Mite tries to be helpful, but his help might be more than Batman and Robin can survive.

Story: 3 out of 5 bats (this follows the template of almost any Bat-Mite story)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 3 out of 5 bats (While Bat-Mite plays a major role in the Batman R.I.P. story, he is better known than most of the characters in these stories)

The Rainbow Creature

While visiting a “South American Republic”, Batman and Robin encounter a Rainbow Colored Creature which has various Gygaxian powers tied to its colors.

Story: 1 out of 5 bats (Seriously?)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 1 out of 5 bats (Batman mentions this in passing while flipping through the Black Casebook)

Robin Dies At Dawn

Batman wakes up on an alien planet with no knowledge of how he got there.  Robin appears to help him out, but is killed by a four-armed alien at the break of dawn.  It is then revealed that Batman had volunteered for a military experiment on the effects of sensory deprivation on the human mind.  He leaves the facility, but his problems with hallucinations are far from over.

Story: 5 out of 5 bats (This story was a lot of fun.  The way the hallucinations are resolved seemed more like a modern Batman story)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 5 out of 5 bats (Without this story, there is no Batman R.I.P.)

The Batman Creature!

Batman is turned into a bestial version of himself.  So horrible in fact, that he makes Batwoman cry!  He is eventually returned to normal.

Story: 0 out of 5 bats (It didn’t even have the Gygaxian fun of the Rainbow Creature)

Relevance to Black Glove/R.I.P.: 0 out of 5 bats (Reading this does nothing for the Batman R.I.P. experience)

Final Thoughts

So, what do I think of Batman: The Black Casebook overall?  It is a great companion piece to Batman: R.I.P.  I would definitely recommend picking it up to read first if you are picking up Batman: R.I.P. in the trades.  In fact, my biggest complaint is that they didn’t release this while the actual Batman: R.I.P. storyline was going on in the comics!

For more GND awesomeness visit their website:

» Geeks Next Door

GND on DM #1:

It’s not that kind of game night!

GND on DM #2:

How does this work?

GND on DM #3:

Night of a Thousand Ones

GND on DM #4:

The Endless Debate

GND on DM #5:

Getting to Know You

GND on DM #6:

Here We Go!

GND on DM #7:

Evasive Maneuvers!

Thoughts from the Geeks Next Door

The GND crew agreed to give their thoughts and comments on the strips they write for Dungeon Mastering.

Let us know what you think by leaving a comment. I hope you enjoyed the webcomic.

JESSI

NEVER mess with Maggie’s beer.  Someone’s about to get their ass kicked, for sure.  Barry, er, Llew, definitely made a big mistake here.  I wonder, though -  what’s your favorite in-character “oh-crap-I-shouldn’t-have-done-that” moment?  Ooh, and, did you live to tell the tale?  Everyone has their stupid moments - it’s always wise to look back, laugh, and say, “…yeah, I’m not doing that again”.  By the way, even though we won’t be able to make it to GenCon this year, we will be at Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland on July 17-19.  If you get a chance, please come by the Artists Alley and say hello!

MATT

I don’t usually have players that are that cowardly.  But running away is a time-honored tradition, I have to admit.  And a tavern brawl to unite the party is an equally time-honored tradition.  All that remains now is luring Jessi’s character into the mayhem….which may take a bit of thought.  Evil, evil, DM thought….

MAGGIE

That’s so true.  If he spills my beer, HE DIES.  But it was probably like a super-good beer, or, like, a magical healing beer – like Guiness.  Inexcusable.  It’s a little something called “common courtesy,” you stupid elf.  I want two beers for the one spilled.  That’s common beer law.  If he doesn’t follow through, I’ll take his wallet.  …coin pouch.  …whatever. The Instant DM e-book. More play. Less Prep. Download your free copy: Dungeon Mastering Free E-Book Download

*Gushes* Jeffrey Ford on Philippine Speculative Fiction IV.

On less optimistic news, Jeremiah Tolbert's aunt needs help.

Interviews

• Publishing Trends interviews Juliet Ulman.
  

Advice/Articles

• Monica Valentinelli on Why Not Every Book Promotion Will Work For Your Book.
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• Shine Anthology on Crazy Story Ideas, part 4A: Ageing in the EU.
• Jeff Gerke on Show or Tell?
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• Jason Henninger on Luke, I Am Your Spoiler Warning!
• NK Jemisin on Push It! (just not too much).
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• Editorial Anonymous on Bookstores and Not-Bookstores.
• Sharon Wheeler on Think Before You Twitter.
• Justine Larbalestier on Pontificating About How Writers Get Paid.
• Kristine Kathryn Rusch on The Freelancer’s Survival Guide: Money, Part Four.
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News

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Gone fishing.
Clarkesworld Magazine #34

From USA Today's best-seller list (you can find out their basis here):

1. Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
   
2. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
   
3. Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck
   
4. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
   
6. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
7. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
8. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
   
9. The Shack by William P. Young
10. Catastrophe by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann
    

The bad news is that the game didn't happen because I had forgotten that I had another commitment which clashed with the gaming schedule. The good news for that is that I've got more time to prep for the adventure and I finally know what I would like to be playtesting for 4E.I've managed to get 3-4 interested players but would like to have one more to try out the new default number of 5. I think Questing GMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498040036123327415questinggm@gmail.com0

Today, we published a small set of updates for the Player’s Handbook, Forgotten Realms Player’s Guide, and Martial Power.... (More)

Picture by Rumpleteaser

In our last installment, we prepared for a deadly battle between the Ancient Red Dragon and the Ancient Gold Dragon.

According to readers’ comments, Red was the favorite to win, but not by as wide a margin as you’d think. Of course, all of the staff members here at DungeonMastering were shoe-ins for Team Red. (Really, Expy! Don’t eat me!)

As some readers pointed out, it would be unlikely for old dragons to square off like this. They’d rather throw armies at each other. But that kind of battle takes a really, really long time to hash out, so you’re stuck with the more improbable (and more fun) scenario of a one-on-one draconic death match.

Others thought that the difference in mechanics from MM1 to MM2 would make the battle unfair. Did it? Let’s find out…

Round 1

It started with some smack talk, the likes of which no self-respecting dragon would ever engage in. Phrases like ‘overgrown newt‘ and ‘kindling‘ were tossed about. Then Gold took the initiative, and it was ON! It was a flurry of claws, wings, and inferno breath. After the smoke cleared (about 45 minutes later), one dragon emerged victorious: The Ancient Red. He was bloodied, but his breath and claws finished off his opponent. There was much gloating throughout the lair.

Score: Red 1, Gold 0

Round 2

This time, Red took the initiative and started the battle off with his incendiary halitosis. Gold wasn’t able to withstand the damage due to his lack of fire resistance (imposed by Red’s evil secondary attack). Gold was able to dish out some decent physical damage, but he succumbed to Red’s fire attacks in fairly short order.

Score: Red 2, Gold 0

Round 3

Yeah yeah, this was a best 2 out of 3 competition, so there wasn’t really a need for a Round 3. But we decided to be thorough (and we were having a blast), so we went for it. Gold won the initiative roll. Red’s player managed to roll pretty craptastically this time (a known hazard), but due to Red’s superior hit points and fire resistance, and his ability to negate Gold’s fire resistance altogether, Red still edged out a victory.

Final score: Red 3, Gold 0

In a 4E battle between ancient wyrms, the red dragon was the deadliest monster. *insert gong of victory sound byte here* Maybe the mechanics did have something to do with it. Or maybe Red dragons are just the ultimate badasses.

Want to see who would emerge the victor in a battle between dragons and uber-wizards? Check out Critical-Hits and their “Real Ultimate Showdown – Final Round“.

Deadliest Monsters 2: ?? vs ??

The dragon vs dragon fight was a lot of fun for everyone involved. So, if you had your choice, who would you want to see facing off against each other? More dragons? Laughable minions? Liches? Maybe even a battle between gods? The next “Deadliest Monsters” battle is in the works, so speak now to let us know which fight you’d like to see!

(And be sure to congratulate Expy on Red’s win.)

The Instant DM e-book. More play. Less Prep. Download your free copy: Dungeon Mastering Free E-Book Download