ContrarianJul 13, 2025
My only gaming-related purchase at this month's Ypsilanti #FleaMarket is a 1983 Michigan-made #comicbook featuring contributions by two #TTRPG artist/designers -- inking by #VillainsAndVigilantes' Jeff Dee and coloring by #HeroesUnlimited's Kevin Siembieda.
Show threadContrarianJul 13, 2025
Additionally, the comic's villains are The Mechanoids, the eponymous antagonists of Siembieda's 1981 #TTRPG, The Mechanoid Invasion.
Show threadContrarianJul 13, 2025

This "Cobalt Blue" #comicbook is actually a flipbook with "Justice Machine" issue 5 on the other side. In 1985, Siembieda wrote a Justice Machine supplement for #HeroesUnlimited.

The connections between #PalladiumBooks and Noble Comics are a forgotten footnote in #TTRPG history that only locals like me remember.

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I bought that #HeroesUnlimited book at The Comic Gallery, one of four #comicbook stores owned by Gary Reed in the 1980s. Gary apparently worked on one #PalladiumBooks #RobotechRPG product, too.

https://robotech.fandom.com/wiki/Gary_Reed

Jul 13, 2025 at 11:06pmWeb
Show threadContrarianJul 13, 2025

Gary also hosted an #AMradio show about #comicbooks with one of his store managers, Chester Jacques. (My brother and I listened to the show every week!) Chester also did some work for #PalladiumBooks , believe it or not. All these guys around Detroit knew each other!

https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/16489/

Show threadContrarianJul 13, 2025

Gary and Chet went on to found Caliber Comics, best known for being the original publisher of James O'Barr's #TheCrow

https://calibercomics.com/

Caliber Comics

Caliber Comics has brought readers amazing stories across all genre since 1990 in the form of graphic novels and comic books.

Caliber Comics
Show threadContrarianJul 13, 2025
I saw the #TheCrow movie at a campus dollar theater in 1995. I thought it was just OK, but when the lights went up, all the teenage girls in the audience were crying. That was the first time I thought to myself "I guess this movie isn't for my generation." I was only 23!
Show threadContrarianJul 13, 2025

My wife (who is 10 years younger), on the other hand, never stops telling me that #TheCrow soundtrack changed her life. (Like, seriously, I think it turned her #Goth for a decade.) If she was in the room with me now, she would be telling that story again, just because I've mentioned The Crow.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-08-16/the-crow-original-soundtrack-sketched-a-musical-alternative-in-time

‘The Crow’ original soundtrack sketched a musical alternative in ime

With a new remake of the cult classic out soon, creators of the original movie starring Brandon Lee look back at the music that helped make the film iconic.

Los Angeles Times
Show threadContrarianJul 14, 2025

Now I'm just rambling #everythingisconnected (to #PalladiumBooks, apparently), so I'll stop.

Gary Reed, by the way, eventually closed or sold all of his stores. The Dearborn store became Green Brain Comics, which is still the best #comicbook shop in Wayne County. I'm getting old, but life goes on.

https://www.pressandguide.com/2025/05/28/green-brain-comics-celebrates-40-years-in-dearborn-saturday/

Green Brain Comics celebrates 40 years in Dearborn Saturday

The shop will celebrate the milestone on Saturday.

Press and Guide
Show threadXauri'EL ZwaanJul 13, 2025
@contrarian the Crow soundtrack was the first CD I bought with my own money. Must have listened to it a few hundred times at least
Show threadPeejmaybeJul 14, 2025
@contrarian It's a fantastic soundtrack, in fact BOTH soundtracks are - because you had the setlist stuff, plus the orchestral movie music. I think the movie just needs to be left well alone though, practically every remake, sequel or attempt to revive it just ends in disappointment.