[OOC] Absolute Comics - Season Two: The Monster Within

[Stein]

<Snipped quote by Stein>



Baal is accepted!

@Lord Wraith

Thanks, loves! I'll post ICly right away. Don't worry, I won't try to shake things up too much. Mwah.

[Dblade26]

So! That's Connor's first arc almost finished! Since this is sort of an origin story though, if we have time beforehand there's gonna be a two-part epilogue/setup of sorts that'll fully establish Connor and hopefully prep him for the events of the Crisis.

[Bounce]

Marvelous... uh, I have no idea what day it is.

So just shut up and take this Billy post.

[Supermaxx]

Putting together a roll call for everyone looking to participate in the Crisis. If you wanna get involved, speak up, because things should be kicking off soon! The earliest we're looking at is sometime this week.

[Lord Wraith]

Putting together a roll call for everyone looking to participate in the Crisis. If you wanna get involved, speak up, because things should be kicking off soon! The earliest we're looking at is sometime this week.

@ComradeMaxx

Specifically, we need to hear from @IceHeart, @HenryJonesJr and @Xandrya.

[Supermaxx]

Paging @HenryJonesJr, @Iceheart and @Xandrya as those we haven't heard from yet via other channels

EDIT: Damn you, Wraith

[Retired]

Paging @HenryJonesJr, @Iceheart and @Xandrya as those we haven't heard from yet via other channels

EDIT: Damn you, Wraith

@ComradeMaxx

You had one job, and you failed.
Seriously, how do you expect us to believe you have any real authority here?

[IceHeart]

@Lord Wraith

Paging @HenryJonesJr, @Iceheart and @Xandrya as those we haven't heard from yet via other channels

EDIT: Damn you, Wraith

@ComradeMaxx

I feel like I'm being shamed into keeping up with the discord. I'm feeling oppressed! Trying to force someone into a discord channel!

Sarcasm aside, mostly using my desktop which unfortunately can't use Discord anymore for some reason so I have a perfectly valid excuse. Think of how many extra calories I'd have to burn to walk all the way to my laptop and open it up just so I could use discord! The nerve!

Anyway yes, I'd be interested in the Crisis plot so count me in!

[Retired]

Blah. I feel like that post was sloppy in places, and I had to take a break midway through to refocus. But, Kitty perspective is up, finally. I know some of you were looking forward to her introduction. Enjoy a shit ton of exposition.

[mickilennial]

A sloppy post is better than no post. Especially with the Crisis looming ahead.

[Bounce]

Kara does the Dew confirmed.

[Lord Wraith]

W E E K L Y A N N O U N C E M E N T S:

---

POST CHECK-IN:

As with last week, I'm doing a weekly check-in on players who have not posted in the past seven days. Again, this is not intended to be punitive, just checking in to keep the lines of communication open. The GMs will be doing this weekly going forward.

◼ @Moskau Spieluhr as Vixen - Last Posted 18 Days Ago, 4 Days Overdue.

◼ @Simple Unicycle as Blade - Last Posted 15 Days Ago, 1 Day Overdue.

◼ @HenryJonesJr as Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy - Last Posted 13 Days Ago, 1 Day Remaining.

◼ @The Bork Lazer as Static - Last Posted 11 Days Ago, 3 Days Remaining.

◼ @Hound55 as Blue Beetle - Last Posted 8 Days Ago, 6 Days Remaining.

CRISIS UPDATE:

The Crisis will be launching this week. We're still taking a head count for those who are interested in participating. We're trying to make it as accessible as possible for everyone who wants to participate but in the event that you aren't able to, there will be others in future seasons. We're really looking forward to wrapping up this Season and giving it a proper send off so be on the lookout for that.

END OF SEASON AWARDS:

As with past Singular RPs such as Ultimate One Universe, we'll be going Player Awards. These will be awards presented by you to those who you believe are most deserving of them. You're free to do as many or as few awards as you feel inclined to do, some suggestions for categories could include:

◼ BEST CHARACTER CONCEPT

◼ BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

◼ BEST SEASON

◼ BEST STORY ARC

◼ BEST POST

◼ BEST ANTAGONIST

◼ BEST SUPPORTING CAST

◼ BEST WORLD BUILDING

◼ BEST CROSSOVER

◼ THE ABSOLUTE BREAKOUT CHARACTER

◼ THE ABSOLUTE MVP

PLAYER FEEDBACK AND GM EVALUATION:

Last order of business, I'd like to hear from all of you. This Season has been a bit of a learning curve, and I would love to hear from each of you about how the other GMs and I did over the course of the season. What you appreciated, and what you'd like to see going forward with the game. If there's anything we excel at, we'd love to hear it but we'd also equally love to hear where you think we can improve and what can be done to make the game more enjoyable overall.

Additionally, if there is any player you feel would be a great contribution to the GM team, we'd also love to hear your input or nominations on that. Thank you everyone for the last three months and we look forward to many more.

[Roman]

END OF SEASON AWARDS:

@Lord Wraith

Do we make our votes publicly or privately or dealer’s choice?

[Lord Wraith]

<Snipped quote by Lord Wraith>

Do we make our votes publicly or privately or dealer’s choice?

@Roman

It's not a vote. The Awards are just a time for you to reach out and acknowledge the writers you personally enjoyed. We won't be tabulating the awards to declare a winner so please post your awards publicly and show a little love for your peers.

[Ceta de Cloyes]

CETA'S STAMP OF APPROVALNESS

◼ BEST CHARACTER CONCEPT

• @Bounce with Toy Boy
  
  • This is such a great and fun out of the box take on this character, and I've seen a lot of weird Robins. This one just seems very fresh and well in character isn't the word, but it's thematic, it really works well in the DC Universe, but also it just fits with whats going on here in our own little universe!

◼ BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

• @Star Lord and Wonder Woman
  
  • Difficult one to narrow down, but I feel like Diana has been steadily evolving both as a person and as a hero. There's a lot of past that's been drudged up that she's supposed to just deal with now, so I expect her growth is still underway. I'm really hoping to see her solidify as a leader either in or after the coming Crisis.

◼ BEST STORY ARC

• @Bounce with Billy Batson
  
  • Hands down my favorite story to follow, it's got space battles and alien pals and it's got history that ties him in to Earth. Billy's personality and dynamic with everyone is just really good and appreciable!

◼ BEST ANTAGONIST

• @Inkarnate with Lex Luthor
  
  • Ah! I recall being major satisfied reading that Prodigal Son post, because yes! Exactly perfect execution of everything Lex is that so many skimp out on just to make him appear slimy and villainous. His charisma and character are way more than that and you really just capture that and harvest it for your own nefarious deeds and I'm living for it!

◼ BEST SUPPORTING CAST

• @Lord Wraith with Bruce Wayne
  
  • Do I even need to say why? Watching the discord roasting the old bat is reason enough tbh.

◼ BEST WORLD BUILDING

• @Natty with Illyana and honorable mentions to @Hexaflexagon with Zatanna and [@Saint Maxx] with Fate
  
  • Them girls go to work, the whole supernatural underground is weird to me, I don't know much about it, but I feel like there's a lot that goes into these posts as the girls navigate that weirdness with a sense that it's all normal. All three have different feels and styles and individually and all together I think they do a lot of good interaction with the world.

◼ BEST CROSSOVER

• @DocTachyon and [@Saint Maxx] with the X-Men and Spiderman
  
  • First of all, Spiderman is so much fun here, and the commentary among the X-Men is fantastic. The good dialogue and the awkward Spidey mesh really well together!

◼ THE ABSOLUTE BREAKOUT CHARACTER

• @Hillan with Flash
  
  • To be honest, reluctant heroes interest me, but not villains pretending to be heroes. I didn't expect to find these posts as fun as I did, but there's definitely a laugh to be had about Thawne and all the trouble he's got himself in.

◼ THE ABSOLUTE MVP

• @webboysurf with special shout out to @Retired
  
  • Both players are super helpful and conversational, I feel like every good RP needs a positive dialogue between players to be successful, and webby really brings that, while Ret offers our group personalized reviews and advice to improve our writing which is really unique and rare, and neither of them are overbearing with including people but instead just kinda put themselves out there for the group to interact with.

[mickilennial]

Inkarn-awards

_{◼ BEST CHARACTER CONCEPT}

I know a hectic life caused him to step away from the game, but I think conceptually speaking @AndyC has the most experimental and interesting concept. Between the inter-dimensional pushback against an Earth-1 Superman, the personal demons weighing him down, and an obscure entity hunting down kryptonians across space-and-time. It's all very interesting and I was curious about how Absolute's Earth was going to be effected by Kal-L's consequences.

_{◼ BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT}

@Bounce is a great character writer and his development of his corner of the universe is most definitely my favored choice for this category. Between Batson’s callbacks to McCarthyism, Eisenhower’s America, and his development being away from the planet for decades, there’s a lot to grasp here. Marvel Monday’s (and the occasional Saturdays) has kept Billy’s character have momentum and for us, as readers, to attach to how the character was, what they’ve experienced, and where they are going forward.

_{◼ BEST STORY ARC}

I know it’s yet to be finished, but I’m on the edge of my seat for @Lord Wraith’s “Welcome to the Masquerade”. Adding Terry McGinnis (with all of the bells and whistles) to a pseudo-modern 2019 is interesting by itself, but throwing in threats that are more psychological and horrific than Terry is used to fighting in the comics or television series intrigues me. I’m very interested how it’s going to tie in to the crisis.

_{◼ BEST POST}

There were two posts I liked standout throughout the whole season. This post from @Hexaflexagon and this post from @Lord Wraith. As you can see both share similar tones, while having very different content and themes. I love language like this; tones of suspense and unease. It’s some of my favorite writing to read; the audience gripping the edge of their seat as they take in the atmosphere that the writer is conveying. Both of these posts do very well here with that. They both deserve recognition.

_{◼ BEST SUPPORTING CAST}

@Hound55's Blue Beetle has one of the most interesting dynamics with his supporting cast. The chemistry between Janet, Pym, and Hank is just as good as the chemistry between Hank and the business side of Kord Industries. I look forward to the character interactions and dialogue above all else, though I will say Hound's world-building (or inclusive world-building) is just as good. I'm really looking forward to seeing more mentions of Kord's business partners as well as how Kord's friendship with The Ant and The Wasp grows. Hound has such a good grasp of the character's here.

_{◼ BEST WORLD BUILDING}

Definitely @Natty's Magik. With rich characters and well thought out narrative and characterization, Illyana Rasputina has one of the most filled out corners in season one. With the additions of John Constantine and Doctor Fate, and the return of Zatanna I feel like the magical corner of Absolute will be only more lively going forward. It's going to get better and better.

_{◼ BEST CROSSOVER}

We haven’t had a lot of these this season, so this just becomes a nature of what you’d prefer in a crossover. For me, the chemistry between Spider-Man and the X-Men is what wins out. @DocTachyon has set up a very interesting headspace for Pete while still keeping him as sarcastic, anxious, and witty. @ComradeMaxx has put forward a green X-Men team in a loaded world. A misunderstanding between him, Scott, and Jean led to good, snappy dialogue and some interesting introspective moments. The inexperienced and [accidentally] invasive Jean, the straight-laced Scott, the distrusting but sarcastic Pete. It was good. I wanted more.

_{◼ THE ABSOLUTE BREAKOUT CHARACTER}

@Ceta de Cloyes’s Legion. It takes a lot for me to be convinced of a concept that I either don’t know a lot about or don’t care very much for. Ceta does the latter camp with being the breakout new face here with posts that are actually quite well-written and consistent. I was surprised by my enjoyment of the Legion considering I didn’t really care for the “amnesiac stuck-in-the-past” thing. I’m curious how Ceta develops it even more going forward in Season Two.

_{◼ THE ABSOLUTE MVP}

From start to finish, @webboysurf has been posting consistently since the moment he was accepted to the moment the crisis was only seven-to-fourteen days away. There’s a punchy, touch-and-go approach about the Captain America posts that are dynamic on top of this reliability to drive their character forward. Adding onto this reliability includes a two-player crossover and an eagerness to communicate both OOC and on the Discord, I don’t think there’s any other player who’s had the best contributions to the health of the game in both lanes.

[Xandrya]

In time for a crisis!

[Retired]

@Byrd Man

As requested:

First Post:

Aside from minor mistakes and some diction choices - some repeating words and phrases in close proximity that disrupt the flow - I don't have many comments on the writing itself. Really, I'd just suggest as I have for everyone to thoroughly proofread your posts out loud. These sorts of things would be caught most of the time with just that much effort.

It's a nice introduction to your story. Relatively short, but providing us with enough backdrop to keep things appealing. I enjoy the portrayal of Grendel; their quick, brutal efficiency is just what I like to see in villains who prefer getting close-and-personal. Though, I suppose "villain" may not be apt depending on their full motives. Which you teased but left open enough to keep me interested. I find myself more drawn to the '23 perspective as it feels like there's a larger mystery there, and, at the moment, seems to have more of a story to unfold. But, of course, I fully expect that to change as things progress.

I do wish, however, you had clarified what SMP was before using the abbreviation. I know it's the Shanghai Municipal Police based on your character proposal, but these sorts of things should always be established in the actual posts themselves. Especially when it's something that most people wouldn't be familiar with on a general basis.

Second Post:

So, the Shadow is a Jedi. Got it. Mind tricks abound.

Several mistakes throughout that, I believe, stem from past versions of the post. Things that weren't caught during revisions, but stick out when reading through. Again, just vocal proofreading to make sure you get all these each time you change something.

It wouldn't be a Byrd arc without handling controversial, real-world topics.

I feel like you make your posts very streamlined, if that makes sense, in the sense that you keep things brief and to the point in most cases. While this is certainly not a bad thing, it does have the tendency to sometimes make them seem like there's less for us as readers to digest. Though, maybe this is just your preference in an attempt to leave us wanting more.

---

I'd like to see some more introspection from some of the recurring POVs, but so far it's nothing that detracts from your writing. Just a personal taste. I like how you're balancing the past and present currently, giving each its fair due to keep your readers wanting more.

If it weren't for the slip-ups and repetition, you'd have a really solid flow going on. It's easy to get lost in and appreciate your story, for the most part.

I don't have much more feedback for you at this time as both posts were relatively short in content, and there aren't as many noticeable disruptions in flow here. But as your posts continue I'm sure I'll have more to say.

[Simple Unicycle]

◼ @Simple Unicycle as Blade - Last Posted 15 Days Ago, 1 Day Overdue.

@Lord Wraith

Still here boss. Just been reeling from Retired's savage feedback adjusting after moving a few states away. I'll be sure to get something up before the week is out at the very least, if not in the next day or two.

[mickilennial]

With that issue in the bag, I've got one more post until I'm free-and-clear for the crisis crossover event start. I think.