Before I give my awards, I just want to take the time to say thanks to everyone for this game. I’ve said previously that my first game of this type was back in UOU, making this my second, but I do really think we have something special here. It’s cool seeing all these stories spring fresh from the minds of people who’ve been inspired by these characters, and even greater seeing new kids on the block like me trying to learn a thing or two from people like Retired and Byrd (when he deigns to appear). It really does bring me a lot of joy reading through the IC, and just chatting you guys up in the Discord. Excelsior, true believers!

As far as GM feedback goes, I also wanna give it up for the GM team. You guys have built us the little game that could. Somehow, you guys keep it up and we keep on attracting great new talent, thanks in no small part to your efforts. We’ve got this big crisis coming up, and we’ve got at least a dozen-odd characters turning up for the melle, and I’m excited as hell! You’ve done great, boys. If I had to request any one thing, I’ve been really fond of [@Lord Wraith]’s post reviews, and [@Retired]’s, for that matter. Not that anyone [i]has[/i] to, but it could be neat if we all made an effort as a community to start doing that for each other, if people are so inclined to accept. I know I want to start reviewing myself, time allowing, and I hope more people follow Wraith and Retired’s lead.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST CHARACTER CONCEPT[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   [@Hillan] as Eobard Thawne. To be fair, I loved this character once Hillan suggested it one day in the Discord. It’s completely turning a Flash story on it’s head, taking a story about a noble scientist just trying to get by, and turning it into a window into the machinations of a mad man. Hillan’s writing sells Eobard’s evil forced into this heroic archetype, and it’s a lot of fun to watch. I absolutely wouldn’t have expected it, but I guess that’s what you get when Dinoman comes to town. This is the character I bring up when I try to sell friends on joining this game;  [i]these[/i] are some of the lengths you can go to in your reimaginings, [i]this[/i] is a great example of all the kinds of fun, interesting stuff you can do with your character -- and that’s a Flash fact!

Runners up include [@Hexaflexagon] as Zatanna, and [@Byrd Man] as The Shadow.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   [@Hexaflexagon] as Zatanna. We haven’t seen nearly as much of her as I might’ve liked, but I’ve been hooked on Zatanna since the sample post. The clash between her magical and normal sides is great, and her conflicted feelings over her father are palpable in the prose. All that emotional turmoil, a kickass world, plus a plot about trying to figure out old Giovanni’s cryptic warnings? Sign me the hell up!

Runners up include [@Lord Wraith] as Batman and [@ComradeMaxx] as Doctor Fate.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST SEASON[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   Best Season is about something very different than the best arc category to me, although they can often end up one in the same. A great season isn’t necessarily as tightly plotted as the best arc of a similar length, but it’s got a consistent posting schedule and a hell of a lot of cool stuff to see along the way, and the promise of more down the road. For this reason, I gotta choose [@webboysurf] as Captain America. This season has taken Cap all around the world, fighting all manner of Nazis and mooks and even [i]werewolves[/i] for chrissakes. Cap and the team are a bundle of fun, and I can’t wait to see what bombastic things are in store for them next season.

Runners up include [@HenryJonesJr] as The Asgardians of The Galaxy and [@Bounce] as Captain Marvel.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST STORY ARC [/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   [@Roman] as Daredevil. Back in the time before I was caught up, somewhere in the middle of the season, Roman messaged me and (SPOILERS) said something along the lines of, “Say, would I be stepping on your toes if I killed Kingpin?” At the time I said “uh, sure, go ahead?” and then settled back to see if he’d actually pull it off. Pushing a hero to their breaking point can be very hard to do convincingly, but Roman pulls it off here, with Matt hunted by forces he can’t possibly surmount, with danger lurking around every corner. It’s a great Daredevil story that feels fresh yet classic. Great stuff.

Runners up include [@ComradeMaxx] as the X-Men for the Bayville High arc, and [@Dblade26] as Green Arrow for the Brick arc.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST POST[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   [@Morden Man] for [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4879818]this[/url] post. Morden’s stuff has been impressing me since UOU, but this post ended up striking me as something special. It’s got a lot of characters, but juggles them expertly, complete with action that cracks like a whip and boiling tension. Just what do Flag and Sabretooth want? Will Hudson survive? Great character, action, plot, and it left me wanting more. What else can you ask for?

Runners up are [@Hound55] for [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4895268]this[/url] and [@Bounce] for [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4907268]this[/url].

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST ANTAGONIST[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   [@Inkarnate] with his display of Lex Luthor. The dude isn’t even a proper villain yet and I’m chomping at the bit for more. Lex’s interview was a great flourish of style, confidence, and some kind of underlying menace that got me hooked, and I can’t wait to see him clash with Kara. Hell, I can’t wait to see him clash with other business heads. Blue Beetle x Luthor crossover, anyone?

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST SUPPORTING CAST[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   [@Hound55] as Blue Beetle. I wish I could do characters like this man. Punchy, often hilarious dialogue sells and endears us to a wide cast of characters, and instantly gets us hooked on their relationships. From Takamoto to Abner Jenkins, plus the new additions of the Pyms, the Blue Beetle corner is shaping up to be one of the liveliest in the game. Hound’s writing has a way of making me fall in love with these people, even without ever having touched a Blue Beetle comic. Kudos!

Runners up include [@Simple Unicycle] as Blade and [@Lord Wraith] as Batman.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST WORLD BUILDING[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   Though the magic corner [i]is[/i] killing it this season, I wanted to take this opportunity to shout out [@HenryJonesJr] as The Asgardians of the Galaxy. I’ve never really been a particular fan of Thor or the GOTG, but HJJ is really weaving them together spectacularly. It’s cool as hell to see space tech and the magic of Asgard smash together, and the laws and strengths of each world colliding as Thor and Quill try to find their way. At this point, I just need more War World -- and I need Thor to kick Draaga’s ass.

Runners up include everyone in the magic corner ([@Hexaflexagon], [@Natty], and [@ComradeMaxx]) and [@Ceta de Cloyes] as Valor.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   BEST CROSSOVER[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   Wonder Woman and Captain America by [@Star Lord] and [@webboysurf] respectively. It’s short but very sweet. I liked the insight into Cap and Diana’s character, and their relationships with one another. I honestly really liked that it was slower and more introspective, not filled with bombastic action, just two friends trying to help eachother out. It was an insight and a slowdown that I think helped to elevate both characters, just excited to see where their relationship goes next.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   THE ABSOLUTE BREAKOUT CHARACTER[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT]   [@Bounce] as Old Man Grayson & The Toy Wonder. To be honest, I wasn’t a tremendous fan of this concept. It seemed like it was maybe reaching and bending over too much to try and fit a Robin-shaped story in a world with Wraith’s Batman, but then Bounce started posting and all his posts so far have slapped me in the face for my insolence. Dick is a lot of fun, and even though we’re just getting started with him, I’m liking his relationship with Toyboy, and the more calculating nature of Toyboy himself. I’m interested to see where Bounce takes the pair of them into next season. Great stuff.

Runners up include [@Dblade26] as Green Arrow and [@The Bork Lazer] as Static.

[INDENT][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]◼   THE ABSOLUTE MVP[/COLOR][/B][/INDENT] Personally, I gotta give this one to [@ComradeMaxx]. I’ve been talking to him here and there since UOU, but he’s consistently been a super cool dude and totally willing to let me bounce even my stupidest ideas off him. On top of that he’s been handling his GM responsibilities like a champion, and was totally cool about my chronic lateness in our crossover. Mad respect, you da MVP in my heart.

Runners up include [@Retired] and [@Lord Wraith] for their post reviews. Also Dinoman for, well, being Dinoman, praise be his name.


Also, new Spidey post up tonight! Features a small crossover with another character. Well, maybe more of a [i]cameo[/i], but I enjoyed it.