Dungeons & Dragons: 40 Years Strong!

This year marks my 34th year playing RPGs and, like many, Dungeons & Dragons was my gateway into the world of gaming. I remember playing with a few classmates back in elementary school and stopping by the Half-Priced Bookstore throughout middle school to buy my own set of 1st edition AD&D books and tons of miniatures. Oh, and graph paper. LOTS of graph paper. Why? Appendix A: Random Dungeon Generation in the Dungeon Master's Guide, that's why. Whenever I was bored, I spent hours rolling a new dungeon up or working on a new level to one I'd already started.
The first character I ever made was based off an amalgamation of Hobbits that I named Sam the Sneaky. I played him for about six months before working on other characters and trying every option available to me. Eventually, I made a fighter that I named Darkon, who was based off a miniature of an evil fighter that I'd bought a few months before. Unlike Sam or any of the others, he was a brutal fighter that cut a swath through his enemies with a black blade and rode the country side on his shadowy steed! Hey, what did you expect? I was 11 by this time and heavily influenced by the stories I'd read through the years. 
As time moved on, I started playing other games and other genres. I remember selling a horde of comics to get my first Marvel Superheroes Adventure Game by TSR, as well as Breeder Bombs and the first miniatures box back in '84. Or saving enough money to get Star Frontiers: Alpha Dawn at the Command Post after staring at the cover for months. 
These days, as many know, I work in the industry as a freelance artist and writer, having worked for such great companies as Khepera Publishing, Hero Games, Craft Games, Blackwyrm Games, Green Ronin and Xion Studio, who publish my Acts of Villainy books. But, when you break it right down, it's Dungeons & Dragons that started me on my path 34 years ago today. So, happy birthday to one of the greatest games ever created. Thank you for your years of fun, inspiration and excellent reading. Keep rolling dice, everyone, and keep having fun no matter the game you may play. 

I'd also like to give a special thanks to all the players who've sat at my table either face to face or virtually through the years. I've always felt lucky to have some of the greatest friends and gamers that a gamemaster and person could have. I'm hoping that sometime in the future. I'll get a chance to roll dice with you again. Thanks, gang!

Acts of Villainy Day: Two Heads Are Better Than One

Acts of Villainy: Duo #1 is LIVE! Need a challenge for a few heroes but not looking for a full scale team? Acts of Villainy: Duo #1 has you covered! Meet Twist & Shout, a pair of criminals that work well together to challenge your campaign's heroes! Armed with stretching and sonic powers, they're ready to take on the next contract against the city's protectors. Twist & Shout, only in AoV: Duo #1 and only $1.99!

Get your copy of Twist & Shout today!

Acts of Villainy Day: Looks Like There's A Gremlin In The Machine!

Acts of Villainy: Solo # 56 is LIVE! Remember that time that your hero's powered suit malfunctioned? Or maybe the time that heat pistol shot just lukewarm air? Did you think they were a fluke? If so, you were wrong. That was the work of Gremlin. Thief and corporate spy, this shrinking villain will not only steal your plans, but also cause them to go haywire! Gremlin, only in Acts of Villainy: Solo #56 and only only 99¢!

Get Gremin before he gets you!

 

Acts of Villainy Day: Get in on the Hustle

Acts of Villainy: Solo #55 is LIVE! The ultimate grifter has shown up in your campaign city! Hustle is here and he's looking to make a big score while also pulling the wool over your heroes' eyes! The only person who knows who he'll be next or what scam he'll be working on is you! The Hustle, only in Acts of Villainy: Solo #55 and only only 99¢!

Get your copy of AoV: Solo #55 featuring Hustle today!

Acts of Villainy Day: Featuring Time Traveling Villainy and more!

Welcome to Acts of Villainy Day here at The Sketchpad! 2014 begins with a BANG! Introducing Paradox, a time traveling villain that's presented at three different power levels. Is he just a random criminal with a time machine? Or maybe he's a villainous mastermind that uses time against his foes? Or he might possibly be a master of time and space, making him a deadly foe for any hero team! You decide as he invades your campaign with stats for him through three different time periods! Paradox, only in Acts of Villainy: Solo #54 and only at the low price of 99¢! 

Grab Paradox today to add some time travel villainy to your next adventure!

In other news, this is the first issue with the new format. As I've said in a few places, the format is, in theory, supposed to make it easier for layout when an issue of Collected is assembled. Here's hoping.

Our friends at Hazard Studio, makers of the SUPERS! RPG, have unveiled their new message boards. If you have a chance, stop by and check them out. I know I'll be popping in here and there myself. A little while back, I had a chance to check out the game and it looks awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing the final version when it hits shelves.

Happy New Year to all of our fans! We hope you had a fun and safe holiday filled with villains and rolling dice. We have some exciting characters coming out this year, along with a few surprises along the way. So please, stay tuned and stay villainous!