When we the Trinity set out to create this site, we wanted it to be a home for Geeks and Nerds who managed to adapt within the confines of normal civilization. Those self proclaimed comic book, Star Wars geeks who managed to procreate and even own homes; needed a place to be themselves without fear of wet willies and atomic wedgies. There was one issue with this master plan. I myself was not a geek to those extremes. The things I would consider myself “Geeky” about where pc’s, video games and fantasy sports. Neither having read comic books in nearly 18 years nor having played tabletop games (aside from Trivial Pursuit & Monopoly) ever, I felt lacking as a contributing member of this Geek Trinity. In an effort to make up for this I embarked on a Geek’s Quest.  A Holy Crusade of Geekdom unlike any that has been set forth upon this land. Under the watchful and degrading tutelage of SarcasticBastrd, my journey began with Green Lantern: Rebirth,  led into the Blackest Night series, which has now morphed into monthly trips to visit Jake at Memory Lane Comics [insert gratuitous marketing drop here: www.MLCShop.com btw, you can pick up the whole Blackest Night series and all the action figures from Jake also: #imjustsayin]. During one of my visits I think Jake, being a seasoned comic guru, sensed something in me. Like a veteran street pharmacists looking for their next regular buyer, he calmly (but assertively) mentioned Heroclixs to me. I was immediately intrigued; after a recent run in with the Warhammer 40k tabletop games, my nerd-Chi was already flowing.

The only real constant between Warhammer and Heroclix is that you use scaled down figures and play on a table top. The Heroclix game was designed to be as simple as possible, on your table top you lay out a large map. The maps have a grid pattern overlaid on streetscapes or even the Batcave. You use two six sided die to determine who picks what map to play on; you also use the dice to determine hits, misses. The characters used to play with are collectable, with some rare or ‘chase’ figures stashed away in the packs. One of the guys at Memory Lane landed a Red Hulk roughly worth $35. There are hundreds of characters available to play; with some characters having multiple variations. In the older versions of the game a red circle on the base signified if the character was  a Rookie (yellow), Experienced (blue) or a Veteran (red); these colors have since been moved to the individual powers and abilities cards that accompany each character you land in a pack. Obviously; a Veteran character is stronger, and possibly rarer, than a rookie. Each character has a base attached to which allows the player to turn a dial when damage is inflicted. Each turn of the dial adjusts the player’s stats and abilities. Another lure to this game are these rare figures, there are currently Black Lantern Kal-L figures floating around in “The Brave & the Bold” booster packs valued at about $150. You can collect characters from the DC and Marvel Universes as well as others.  As for game play, it plays very much like a board game. You begin by assembling a team of your characters whose total points add up to a predetermined amount (for the Memory Lane league, we are using 300point teams). On a turn a player can move, make an attack from long range or attack in close combat. The game ends when either one team has been wiped out or an agreed upon time has been reached. Rumor has it a 300 pt game last about 45 minutes. All in all, it is very inexpensive to play; the games are short and you get to indulge your inner geek by collecting your favorite heroes. So just pick up a Blackest Night starter set and jump in!