I've moved!

It's still in it's early stages of development, but I'm proud to announce that I've finally got up off my arse and created a Wordpress site, which hopefully, you'll find easier to use than this one. Links need to be added, pages need to be filled, posts need to be posted, but for now, this is the first version of the blog.

So do whatever you have to do in order to make sure that you're receiving updates from my new blog instead of not receiving any updates from this one.

http://baneofkingswritingblog.wordpress.com/.

Fantasy Avengers Team!

Okay, following on from the last thread, but inspired by this blogpost here, I'm looking at who I think the best characters in a Fantasy Avengers Team would be. So, check below. I should point out that I don't own the images.

Vin (Mistborn)

Vin basically plays the role of Black Widow in my Fantasy Avengers team. Although I've only read The Final Empire, I've become a fan of her as a character (indeed, she's one of my favourite female characters in this genre), and she's pretty deadly and from the blurb that I've read of The Well of Ascension, it looks as though she's going to get even deadlier. 

King Arthur (Merlin)

Well, erm - I know he may already have been taken by Tor's Avengers list, but come on, he is a no-brainier really, even though I'm not a huge fan of the TV show Merlin from where this version of the iconic character originates from. He'd probably fill the role of Captain America in this team, mainly due to his leadership skills. 

Harry Dresden (The Dresden Files) 

One of the few non-epic fantasy characters on my list. Dresden would probably fulfil the role of Iron Man. He's humorous, and would provide some comic relief to the team. Plus, he's one of my favourite male fantasy characters, so he's in there straight away. Backup choices would be Hermione Granger (for the genius/magic side of things), or Gandalf for the same reason as Hermione. Dresden would also get into arguments with Arthur a lot, which would be quite amusing, particularly with Arthur's stance on anti-sorcery. (I haven't seen past 2 of Merlin, so I don't know if this changes or not). 

Robin Hood (Robin Hood BBC)

I initially had Legolas fulfil this role. However, there was one character, even more obvious than Legolas that I left out, and that character is none other than Robin Hood, the legendary archer of Sherwood Forest himself. The exchanges between Robin and Arthur would be interesting to watch, but all in all, Robin Hood as a character looks pretty interesting. I've used the version from the awesome BBC series that has unfortunately, finished, instead of the classics or the Russell Crowe version. Robin Hood is such an awesome character that I couldn't leave him out really, and the only reason why he was left out what because I forgot him briefly.

Arya Stark (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Come on, it's fantasy. How can you not have a GRRM character in the team? I know there are clearly many choices from A Song of Ice and Fire that would fit in this slot - Tyrion would be a contender, but I chose Arya for no other reason than she's my favourite female character in epic fantasy ever, outpacing even Vin. I don't really know what role she'd play in the Avengers team, but she has the advantage of displaying not only Great resourcefulness and cunning, but also an unflinching ability to accept hard necessity (yes, I did steal that from A Wiki of Ice and Fire). She's also a good horse rider, and she'd be underestimated by many of the villains that they'd face, and even her fellow team-mates with her young age, which would be an advantage. 

Ezio Auditore Da Firenze (Assassin's Creed)

Okay. Ezio could probably take out, in the right circumstances, everyone else in the team before they even knew he was there, particularly if it was in the middle of his home territory of either Firenze or Rome, and especially if the others were separated. He's a master assassin, would provide a wealth of tactical experience, and is another one of my favourite characters. Although he doesn't technically count as a fantasy/epic fantasy character I've decided to include him anyway, as I allowed Dresden in there. Another choice would probably be Kylar Stern (Night Angel Trilogy).

Okay, now that's out of the way, who would be a member of your fantasy Avengers team? Go and pick.

People that didn't quite make the cut:

Kylar Stern (Night Angel Trilogy)

Tyrion (A Song of Ice and Fire) 

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Legolas (Lord of the Rings)

Sigmar Heldenhammer (Warhammer Fantasy)

Gandalf the White (Lord of the Rings)

So, that's all from me. On a side note, which team do you think would emerge on top?

Team 1: Vin, King Arthur, Harry Dresden, Robin Hood, Arya Stark, Ezio Auditore Da Firenze

OR 

Team 2: Kylar Stern, Tyrion, Hermione Granger, Legolas, Sigmar Heldenhammer and Gandalf the White. 

Zombie Apocalypse Team

Inspired by the Demotivational thread in the Black Library Bolthole Forums (Off Topic), I decided to have a go. However, I'm disregarding the reading part because otherwise I'd have no images to show you. So, here's what I got.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Captain America 

MASS EFFECT 2

(Male) Shepard (and other characters who I won't mention here) 

SHERLOCK SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 - A STUDY IN PINK

(From Left to Right), John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes. 

DI Greg Lestrade 

So, what do you think? Would the combined forces of Captain America, Shepard, Mycroft & Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, and DI Lestrade be able to fight off a zombie apocalypse? 

Also, who did you get? 

2012 Superhero Movies

This blog does defiantly seem to be having a more superhero feel to it, lately, doesn't it? I mean, my last post was my look at the Top 5 Super-Hero movies that I'd seen. Now though, we're looking forward to what the rest of 2012 will bring us, and what 2012 has already brought us in terms of the superhero. First off, check out this trailer below:

So, as you're probably all aware by now, the New Dark Knight Rises trailer was released earlier today, and I must say that it looks EPIC, and it might just be one of the best films coming out this year. Avengers Assemble, which I saw on Saturday, was very, very good, and the bar has been set high for what to follow. But, as I've said elsewhere, if one film can beat  Avengers Assemble this year, it will most likely be either Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Rises or The Hobbit P1, which hits cinemas in December. Dark Knight Rises though, looks incredibly awesome - and waking up to see this trailer in the morning just made my day, I can't wait for it to come out in the cinema, and it's most likely one of the superhero films that I'll be going to see in the Cinema later this year. Well, you're probably going to wonder, what are the other ones coming out this year?

Firstly, I'm going to return to the awesomeness that is Avengers Assemble, which managed to not only be action-packed, but also entertaining, enjoyable, and had caused the audience to laugh in quite a lot of moments. It truly was a great film, and Marvel have, as mentioned above, set the bar very high for The Dark Knight Rises, and the other superhero films that come out later this year. Here's one of the many trailers for Avengers Assemble. Check it out below:

Like I said, isn't it just awesome?

Next up is the one that is probably going to be the dark horse of 2012's remaining big superhero movies. There may only be three really big ones, two which I've already touched on, but this third, well - this third is one that I'm rather on the fence about, and it's called The Amazing Spiderman, and is a remake of the first Spiderman trilogy, which I didn't like, and I'm wondering why they bothered to remake them in the first place, especially this soon. However, at first, I didn't think that The Amazing Spiderman would be any good, but the trailer is now starting to sway me over. Why don't you take a look for yourself?

So, what do you think? It does look pretty good, and it looks like it could be good in 3D. Then again, I thought that Avengers Assemble would be good in 3D, and it turned out that they didn't add anything at all. However, we'll see what The Amazing Spiderman can do for us, seeing as it's the next Superhero film that's coming out in the cinemas.

Top 5 Superhero Movies

Alright folks, here it is again, to celebrate the impending release of Avengers Assemble in my cinema tommorow, I've decided to post the trailers of the Top 5 Superhero Movies that I've seen. (and I haven't seen all of them mind you.) And for once, these are all in order, with my most favourite Superhero Movie being number 1. So without further ado, enjoy:

Number 5 - Hancock

Number 4 - Iron Man 

Number 3 - Watchmen 

Number 2 - X Men: First Class

And, this means that there is only one obvious remaining choice. My current favourite Super-Hero movie is...

Number 1 - The Dark Knight

So there you have it folks. Hancock, Iron Man, Watchmen, X-Men: First Class and The Dark Knight are my Top 5 Superhero Movies that I have currently seen. Falling slightly behind the Top 5 but still worthy shout-outs are X-Men 2 and Batman Begins, both of which were awesome. So, what's your favourite superhero movie? 

Top 5 Black Library Short Stories

Yep, that's right folks - it's another Top 5 post, this time looking at my favourite short stories set in either the Warhammer 40,000 Universe (Horus Heresy), or the Warhammer Fantasy Battles Universe (Time of Legends), published by Black Library.

And without further ado, here they are, out of five.  (Note, these are only the ones that are currently available as eBooks on Black Library's Website.)

#5 - Bloodraven by Sarah Cawkwell - Time of Legends Anthology. 

THE STORY
For many long years, the remote dwarf hold of Karak Ghulg has stood against the attacks of Chaos-touched human marauders. But now the last assault is coming. With the women and children sent to safety, King Skaldi Ironjaw and his stalwart warriors prepare to sell their lives dearly to stop the crazed killers, led by the greatest of Khorne’s champions, Valkia the Bloody.

ABOUT THE BOOK 

A short story from the Age of Legend anthology.
You can download the short story individually here.












#4 - The Beast of Calth by Graham McNeill - The Iron Warriors Omnibus. 

THE STORY

Calth has been saved and the Iron Warriors defeated, but rumours spread of a vicious beast haunting the tunnel-cities, a beast that may still have the power to destroy the world…

ABOUT THE BOOK

A short story from Iron Warriors: The Omnibus.

You can download the short story individually here. 

#3 - At Gaius Point by Aaron Dembski-Bowden - Legends of the Space Marines Anthology.

THE STORY

Emerging from the wreckage of a crashed Thunderhawk gunship, Brother Zavien of the Flesh Tearers embarks on a desperate hunt. His quarry is more dangerous, more vicious and more deadly than any other in the jungles of Armageddon. Zavien knows this, because he hunts Jarl, his own battle brother, taken by the Black Rage and a threat to friend and foe alike.

ABOUT THE BOOK 

A short story from the Legends of the Space Marines anthology. 

You can download the short story individually here. 

#2 The Iron Within by Rob Sanders - Age of Darkness Anthology. 

THE STORY

Years ago, the Iron Warriors left Barabaras Dantioch, a crippled warsmith, on the world of Lesser Damantyne. Now, having declared their allegiance to the traitor Horus, they have returned. As the planet’s garrison prepares for war, Dantioch must choose between loyalty to his legion or to the Emperor.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A short story from the Age of Darkness anthology.

You can download the short story individually here.

#1 Savage Weapons by Aaron Dembski-Bowden - Age of Darkness Anthology.

THE STORY

For two years, the Dark Angels have battled the Night Lords on the worlds of the Aegis sector, and they are no closer to victory. When the traitor’s Primarch – the Night Haunter – issues a challenge, Lion’El Johnson of the Dark Angels descends to an abandoned world for a final confrontation with his treacherous brother. But the Night Haunter has a darker purpose...

ABOUT THE BOOK 

A short story from the Age of Darkness anthology.

You can download the short story individually here. 

So, now that's out of the way, what do you think? Do you think my choices are any good? Would you choose differently? Let me know by commenting below! 

Books in the Post (26.03.2012)

Now, I know I didn't receive these books today, in fact - I received them the other day, but I've neglected to put them up in a post until now, so yeah - my apologies. Again, this is pretty much all Black Library related stuff, so enjoy.

Bloodsworn by Nathan Long (Ulrika the Vampire #3)

Returning to Nuln after her adventures in Praag, Ulrika finds the Lahmian vampires preparing for war. Across the Old World, their rivals, the sinister von Carsteins, attack their strongholds and lead the witch hunters to their hidden lairs. Spurned by her sisters, Ulrika forms an uneasy alliance with the von Carsteins in a plot to destabilise the Empire by striking at its very heart – they plan nothing less than the assassination of Emperor Karl Franz. With enemies on all sides and the Empire in flames, Ulrika must decide whether her future will see her living among the humans, or as their enemy.

The Ultramarines Second Omnibus (Ultramarines #4,5,6) 

The Ultramarines have been the honourable cornerstone of the Adeptus Astartes throughout their ten thousand year history. Captain Uriel Ventris fights to prove that he is worthy to return to the hallowed ranks of the Chapter after his exile to the Eye of Terror, and that he is free of the insidious taint of Chaos. But as the Iron Warriors move against Ultramar, a grim premonition comes to light: Ventris will have a part to play in the coming war, for good or ill.

The ongoing story of the Ultramarines continues in this omnibus edition, featuring the novels The Killing Ground, Courage and Honour and The Chapter’s Due, as well as exciting short stories from New York Times best selling author Graham McNeill.

The Emperor's Gift by Aaron Dembski-Bowden (Grey Knights #1)

The Grey Knights are all that stands between mankind and the ravages of Chaos. Since their secretive beginnings during the Horus Heresy, these legendary Space Marine daemon hunters have journeyed into the dark realms of the warp – and beyond – in pursuit of their supernatural enemies. Through an intensive regime of psychic training, new recruits are brought to the clandestine fortress of Titan to join the hallowed and vaunted ranks of the 666th Chapter. More than ever, these legendary battle-brothers must be vigilant and ever ready to defend the Imperium for the forces of Chaos are never truly defeated, and Armageddon beckons…

Butcher's Nails by Aaron Dembski-Bowden (Horus Heresy Audio Drama)

The primarch Angron: gladiator-king and Horus’s lunatic attack dog. Never having hidden his resentment for his brothers, he now carves a bloody swathe through the galaxy in the Warmaster’s name, with the Heresy providing a convenient excuse to indulge his love of brutal warfare. When they are tasked with a secretive mission alongside the Word Bearers Legion, the World Eaters’ violent tendencies soon attract the attention of xenos raiders, troubled by the portents surrounding the primarch’s berserk fury and his ultimate destiny as ‘the Blood God’s son’...

I also got a copy of The Primarchs by Various Authors in the post as well, but I already picked up a copy of that at Black Library Live 2012. If you're looking for reviews of some of these titles, by fellow members of TFF who were present at BLL2012 and/or got their novels in the post, check below:

The Emperor's Gift by Aaron Dembski-Bowden (Lord of the Night's Review)
Butcher's Nails by Aaron Dembski-Bowden (EJ Davies' Review)

Right, that's all for now folks. Stay tuned for more, eventually.

Bane of Kings Out.