Daily Archives: March 22, 2020

Board games are social experiences, and they can galvanize groups of people together. But many personal collections, squirreled away inside the coat closets of the average American home, are filled with dated titles that no one wants to play. Luckily there are dozens of fresh options available online.

The last decade has seen an explosion of digital adaptations of excellent tabletop games, including options for mobile devices and modern consoles. Heres a selection of introductory games that will work well regardless of your audience. Best of all, they all have options for online multiplayer.

Love Letter is a light game that goes great with cocktails. In the fiction youre trying to win the heart of a young princess, and the art is themed to match with flowing dresses and dapper noblemen. The game skillfully blends strategy and social deduction into a very non-intimidating package. Best of all, it plays very quickly, so its easy to get a few rounds in.

You can get Love Letter on Steam, the Apple App Store, and on Google Play.

Mysterium is another extremely social game, but also one that works surprisingly well online. Players take on the role of mediums sent to discover the secrets of a murder inside a mysterious mansion. One player takes on the role of a ghost, sharing cards that represent visions that the mediums all experience at the same time. Using these visual clues alone, players must then solve the case before time runs out.

This version of the game includes online multiplayer of course, but it also has a pass and play mode so that you can simulate the experience of the tabletop game itself at home. Theres also a story mode, including solo play with AI partners.

You can find Mysterium on Steam, the Apple App Store, and on Google Play.

In todays trying political climate, we know how difficult it can be during the holidays and stressful situations, like we find ourselves in now. Sometimes the DC and the Marvel fans get into it, and theres simply no way to calm them down. Thats why were recommending Sentinels of the Multiverse. Sentinels is a card game based in a comic-book hero universe of its own creation. Its a tremendously well-regarded system, and the digital version does a great job at introducing new players. It also features pass-and-play as well as split-screen action, and multiplayer even works across platforms.

Sentinels of the Multiverse is available on Steam, via the Apple App Store, on Amazon, and through Google Play.

Talisman is an old game, first published in 1983, known for being ponderously long and at times boring. The latest version of the tabletop game is far superior to the original, and most of its best features are included in Talisman: Digital Edition. Theres plenty of strategy and tactics, but by-and-large its Candyland for RPG geeks. It also helps that its compatible with modern consoles. There are also multiple versions, including the Warhammer 40,000-themed Talisman: The Horus Heresy.

You can get Talisman: Digital Edition on Steam, the Apple App Store, on Google Play, the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo Switch, and on PlayStation 4.

One of the oldest digital board games on this list, Ticket to Ride is a also among the most robust. While it might look like a game about railway barons at the turn of the last century, its actually about taking trips across the United States. There are also additional expansions that change the setting to Europe, Switzerland, Asia, India, and more.

But I mentioned robust, above. Thats because Ticket to Ride is a truly cross-platform title, allowing people to play together on many different devices. The game is available on the Apple App Store, Steam, Google Play, Xbox Live (where its available via Game Pass), and for the Amazon Kindle Fire. Theres also a web version. You can also play against and with your Alexa device.

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5 digital board games for PC, mobile, and console to play together at home and online - Polygon

McFarlane Toys has dropped some official images of their upcoming DC Multiverse Arkham Asylum Batman and The Joker figures. The two upcoming figures are based on the highly popular Arkham Asylum video game series.

You can view the new images along with the detailed information about each figure below.

McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse 7 Joker Arkham Asylum Deluxe Figure

Highly detailed Joker figure from the popular Arkham Asylum video game franchise

McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse 7 Batman Arkham Asylum Deluxe Figure

ighly detailed Batman figure from the popular Arkham Asylum video game franchise

ABOUT MCFARLANE TOYS:

Grammy-and Emmy-winning producer/director Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn, is the creative force behind McFarlane Toys, one of Americas top action figure manufacturers. McFarlane Toys has become an industry leader, redefining the standards within the action figure market. For complete information on this pop-culture powerhouse, visitwww.mcfarlane.com.

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OFFICIAL IMAGES OF THE MCFARLANE TOYS DC MULTIVERSE ARKHAM ASYLUM BATMAN AND JOKER FIGURES - DC Collectors

After Legends of Tomorrow revealed that Charlie is one of the three Greek Fates, the next question is obvious: who are the other Greek Gods in the Arrowverse? Charlie was hiding that shes not just a shapeshifter, but Clotho, who spun the threads of fate, giving her some control over the lives of mortals. She didnt want that responsibility, so she destroyed the Loom of Fate and spread it across the multiverse.

Having done that, Charlies sisters, the other two Fates, were angry at her, but she managed to stay just one step ahead of them. With the Arrowverse'smultiverse (seemingly) collapsing just to Earth-Prime, however, the Loom can more easily be reassembled. Constantine wants the Loom to fix what went wrong with Astras life to stop the Encores, and Charlie wants to destroy it for good to keep the other Fates from getting their hands on it. With that, Legends of Tomorrows main storyline for season 5 is in motion.

Related:Legends Of Tomorrow Killed Off A Major Arrowverse Villain

The question is, who are the other two Fates on Legends of Tomorrow? As goddesses, theyre going to be very powerful. If Charlie is any indication, they will have abilities similar to the Fates roles in Greek mythology. Clotho spun the thread of every mortal, giving her the ability to change her form. The other two have abilities that can be powerful and scary if taken to their logical conclusion. Theres Lachesis, who measured out the thread, deciding how much life any mortal could have. The final fate is Atropos, who cut the thread when a mortals time had come, deciding how they die.

While its not confirmed, Legends of Tomorrow has already shown the most likely character to be Lachesis. Astra has been working closely with a woman in Hell, currently credited only as the Coin Maker. In the episode A Head of Her Time, shes shown to be able to change the time available for people to live. She uses a machine to advance Constantines lung cancer by ten years. She doesnt change anything about how he dies, but changes the time table greatly. When Astra discovers that Constantine plans on using the Loom of Fate in "Romeo V. Juliet: Dawn of Justness", she also shows some recognition of the Loom. While the show doesnt confirm that shes one of the Fates, everything points to her being Lachesis, trying to use Astra to get control of the Loom of Fate before Charlie/Clotho can destroy it.

This leaves the final Fate, Atropos. Legendsof Tomorrow has given much less specific information about the third Fate. Since the other two Fates are on Earth (Clotho) and in Hell (Lachesis), it would make sense that Atropos is in Heaven. Legendsof Tomorrow hasnt explored Heaven yet, but Constantine does call out to the archangel Gabriel to try and make a deal to prevent his death, so they may explore Heaven as well. Shes most likely going to be Joanna Vanderhams villain, a ruthless killing machine with daggers made of bones who has a past connection with Charlie. That description could very well fit an Angel of Death, putting her in Heaven as the Fate who ends mortals lives. If her powers are anywhere as strong as her sisters, this makes her a very formidable foe for the Legends.

All of this is deep speculation, but it fits well with everything shown on Legends of Tomorrow shown so far. The Fates (minus Clotho) are set up to take Astras place as the main antagonists of season 5, and there are plenty of hints of who they are and just how difficult theyre going to be to deal with.

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Legends of Tomorrow Theory: Who The Arrowverse's Other Greek Gods Are - Screen Rant

WARNING: The following contains spoilers forGhost-Spider #8, by Seanan McGuire, IG Guara, Ian Herring and VC's Clayton Cowles,on sale now.

Gwen Stacy of Earth-65 may not be a full-time hero on Earth-616, but she does travel between dimensions for school, which means -- at least sometimes -- she assumes her superhero identity of Ghost-Spider in the main Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, that means C.R.A.D.L.E., the laws that ban independent superhero activity from anyone under 21, affect Gwen, too.

She learns about her new restrictions from Earth-616's Peter Parker inGhost-Spider #8 and their conversation isn't pretty.

Released alongsideOutlawed #1, which kicks off the teen superhero-centric event for the rest of Marvel's young heroes,Ghost-Spider #8 reveals the wider-reaching implications ofC.R.A.D.L.E. and what it might mean for heroes throughout the multiverse. Gwen is in a unique position since she universe-hops,but if anything, that just makes her anger at the situation even more justifiable. When Peter pulls her aside after class to talk about the new law and what it means for her, she gets defensive and righteously pissed off.

Related: Outlawed #1 Channels Some Righteous Teenage Anger

Ghost-Spider has dealt with a significant amount of trauma in her young life. She's watched friends die and fought hard at every turn for the safety of not just Earth-65, but the entire multiverse. To be told by Peter Parker, an adult with her dead best friend's face, that young heroes can't save people's lives is quite a blow. What makes it worse is that Gwen knows Peter got his own powers as a teenager, but now he's going along with C.R.A.D.L.E. She calls him out on his hypocrisy and reminds him that whether or not teenage heroes are "legal," they'll still be targets for supervillains. They'll still have to put their lives on the line to save others.

This is particularly true for Gwen, who no longer has a secret identity on Earth-65. It's the entire reason she's going to college on Earth-616 -- trying to pursue an education in her own universe when everyone knows she has superpowers is really difficult. Universe-hopping has presented its own issues, though. Gwen reveals to Peter that his universe's Jackal went after her and is now stuck on Earth-65, which makes him her problem. She takes responsibility for that, because she created the opportunity for him to jump between worlds.Taking responsibility iswhat superheroes -- whether they're "legal" or not -- are supposed to do.

RELATED: Sony Spin-Off Spider-Man Movie Gets October 2021 Release Date

In Gwen's mind, Peter opting to go along with C.R.A.D.L.E. rather than fight means he's bowing out of his responsibility as an adult superhero. When he tells her it might be a good idea to take a leave of absence from school until everything settles down, she begins to transform into Gwenom in her anger.

Back on Earth-65, Gwen saves several people from a burning building and stews in her feelings. While her immediate anger is aimed at Peter, it's clear she's mad about C.R.A.D.L.E. and its implications as a whole. Kamala Khan is in the hospital and Miles Morales is AWOL. Gwen may not be a full-time hero alongside them, but she knows enough about being a hero in her own universe that she can definitely empathize.

However, no one on Earth-65 has ever tried to outlaw superheroes below a certain age. To do so is, frankly, madness. Gwen is right: regardless of age, superpowered individuals will always be targets, especially if they use any part of their time to help others. Although most heroes don't choose to get superpowers, having them means taking responsibility -- something Peter Parker once infamously took to heart.

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Samantha Puc is a culture critic and essayist whose work focuses on LGBTQ and fat representation in pop culture. She is a comics editor at CBR, as well as the co-creator and editor-in-chief at Fatventure Mag. Find her on Twitter @theverbalthing.

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Ghost-Spider: Outlawed Gives Gwen Stacy a Rude Awakening on Earth-616 - CBR - Comic Book Resources

Kit Haringtons Black Night has been getting a lot of buzz lately, but he is hardly the only new character joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2020. Scarlett Johanssons first stand-alone film, Black Widow, will feature a few new faces, and a whole new group of heroes will be introduced when The Eternals hits theaters this November. With the start of Phase 4 right around the corner, heres a look at all the new characters in Marvels upcoming lineup.

This year, Marvel will showcase a slew of new heroes, some of whom are associated with the Avengers. So far, the studio has announced six movies in Phase 4 of the MCU, plus eight television shows on Disney+.

For 2020, Marvel is only planning on releasing two films, Black Widow and The Eternals, and two television shows, Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision. Although this is a relatively light year for Marvels standards, all of these projects include new characters.

The expansion of heroes will continue in 2021, with Marvel scheduled to release a whopping four movies in a single year. This includes Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Spider-Man 3.

That, of course, could all change in light of recent delays. But if things go according to schedule, Marvel fans will be introduced to a handful of important characters this year alone.

Between the four projects that are set to premiere this year, quite a few new characters will be featured. In Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Marvel will be bringing in John Walker, who also goes by the name U.S. Agent.

In the comics, Walker was named the new Captain America in the 1980s. Unlike Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), however, Walker tends to be more aggressive fighting the bad guys. He also has a difficult time getting along with other superheroes, something that might be explored on the show.

When it comes to Marvels The Eternals, the movie will feature a handful of characters who will likely play an important part in the MCU moving forward. According to Screen Rant, this includes Gemma Chans Sersi, who is easily one of the strongest Avengers in the comics.

Not only does Sersi have the power to manipulate matter, but shealso possesses all of the powers of the other Eternals. She also develops aromance with Black Night, who is set to appear in the film as well.

There is a good reason why fans are excited about the introduction of Black Knight into the MCU. Aside from seeing Game of Thrones star Kit Harington take on the role, the Marvel character might be the most important member of the Avengers squad.

Black Knight is widely regarded as being the best swordsman inthe universe and possesses a very powerful weapon called the Ebony Blade.

He was also one of the leaders of the Avengers throughout the80s and 90s. In fact, he was so important to the team that he was basicallythe center-piece of the franchise and often appeared on the cover.

That said, we do not know how Marvel is adapting his story to the MCU. But considering how they cast a high-profile actor for the part, it is safe to say that his importance will not be understated.

The introduction of new characters is certainly exciting, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic threatens to push back premiere dates. Marvel recently announced that Black Widow will not open in theaters on May 1.

The studio has not announced when the film will be released intheaters, but it will likely remain out until sometime this summer.

Marvel also postponed filming for Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which was scheduled to continue production in Prague this month. No word yet on whether or not that project will be delayed as well.

With Black Widow not due out in theaters until thissummer, there is a good chance that Marvel will push back the premiere date forThe Eternals too.

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Marvel Phase 4: Kit Harington's Black Night Is Not the Only New Character Joining the MCU in 2020 - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Flash Season 6, Episode 14, "Death Of The Speed Force."

"Crisis on Infinite Earths" brought some major, reality-altering changes to the Arrowverse. Multiple Earths were combined to create what is now Earth-Prime, merging characters who previously belonged to the multiverse such as Supergirl and Black Lightning into the primary universe of The Flash and Arrow. In The Flash's"Death Of The Speed Force" episode, several characters make a return to the series, including Wally West and Cisco. Cisco tooksome time to explore the newly made Earth-Prime, mentioning some of the differences between their previous Earth and this new one. Among the many additions to Earth-Prime is the existence of Atlantis, which was mentioned when Cisco said that he wants to "wash the Atlantean fish smell" from his clothes. This could bebe an indication Aquaman, the King of Atlantis, could one day appear in the Arrowverse, though that might not happen anytime soon.

RELATED: The Flash Brings Back His Worst Villain, But Not How You'd Expect

This isn't the first time that Aquaman was teased in the Arrowverse series, as Atlantis was referenced multiple times on the second and fourth season of The Flash. In "The Darkness and the Light" (Season 2, Episode 5), Hunter Zolomon mentions his love for Atlantis, as well as one of his best friends being from there. During "Welcome to Earth-2" (Season 2, Episode 13), Barry gives his parents plane tickets to Atlantis as their anniversary gift. Most recently, Tom Cavanagh's Harry Wells dropped a reference to Aquaman's home in Season 4, Episode 3 "Luck Be A Lady," when Harry, commenting on a glitch in Wally West's break-up cube, blames the malfunction on "that darn Atlantean plastic." A deleted scene from the pilot episode of The Flash had Barry running through a list of investigative cases, including one that involved "a man who could talk to fish."

Other Justice League members have also been teased over the years. Bruce Wayne is a frequently mentioned character throughout the Arrowverse. Ferris Air, the airline that recruits Hal Jordan as a pilot in the comics, has made several appearances along with Coast City, Hal's place of residence. On the episode "Welcome to Earth-2" (Season 2, Episode 13), the names Diana, Hal and Bruce appeared on the telephone of Earth-2's Barry Allen, suggesting Diana Prince, Hal Jordan and Bruce Wayne could have existed as part of the Justice League in the multiverse.

RELATED:The Flash: Mirror-Iris' Identity Brings 'Tragic Consequences' to Team Flash

Whether this tease would amount to an actual appearance by Aquaman in the Arrowverse remains to be seen. If the CW does indeed bring Aquaman to the small screen, it is likely that it could either be in the form of a spin-off featuring related heroes, such as Aquagirl, or with the King of Atlantis making occasional appearances and participating in crossovers akin to Tyler Hoechlin's run as Superman on Supergirl. All in all, it is unlikely to mean much for the Arrowverse shows, much like what happened with the other Justice League references throughout the years. This may have to do with the rules imposed on the television shows by DC and Warner Bros. which make it difficult for a character who appears in the movies to also appear on television, with only a few notable exceptions such as Superman and The Flash, with the film version of the latter even making a brief cameo during "Crisis." For now, though, it is safe to say that the newly created Earth-Prime could carry many surprises and teases, giving fans a glimpse into the future of the Arrowverse.

Airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/CT on The CW, The Flash stars Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Tom Cavanagh, Jesse L. Martin, Danielle Nicolet and Hartley Sawyer.

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The Flash Teased Justice League Hero Aquaman's Addition to the Arrowverse - CBR - Comic Book Resources