"The modern master of the gamebook format" (Rob Sanders)... "Can do dark very well" (Jonathan Oliver)... "Green gets mileage out of his monsters" (SFX Magazine)... "It takes a firm editorial hand and a keen understanding of the tone of each piece to make a collection this diverse work, and Green makes it look effortless" (Starburst Magazine)... "A charming blend of camp creatures, humour, and genuine horror" (Set the Tape)
They say, what's old is new and what's new is old. Well they couldn't have said a truer word about the new White Dwarf Magazine.
I subscribed to White Dwarf for many years, even when I was no longer writing for the Black Library, but when the old monthly split to become Warhammer Visions and the weekly I called it a day. I am not a hobbyist and so Visions did not appeal. I didn't dislike the weekly White Dwarf, it was just that as it was only available in stores, it was too tricky to get hold of on a regular basis.
But now the old monthly mag is back - as the new monthly mag. And as far as I can see, it's a return to form. One of the things I used to like the most about the old incarnation of White Dwarf were the articles about the lore of the Warhammer World and the ones that added depth to the Warhammer 40,000 universe of the 41st millennium. The good news is that elements of those background articles have returned, notably in 'Illuminations' (this month focusing on the Deathwatch) and 'The Ultimate Guide To...' (the Kightly Houses, in this particular issue).
The old familiar favourites are all there, including battle reports and painting guides, but there is also a new section called 'Temporal Distort' which looks back to an old issues of the mag. On this occasion the issue is question is WD202, published in October 1996.
This is the issue that featured the two new armies in the 5th edition of Warhammer - the Lizardmen and the Bretonnians - but it also a memorable one for me for another reason.
In August 1996 I had moved from Nottingham (where I had been doing freelance work for Games Workshop, amongst other things) to live and work in West London. October 1996 found me writing my first short story for Inferno! magazine - fan-favourite 'Salvation'. That first story led to more and more, and then to novels, and, in a big way, to where I am now writing-wise.
So, to sum up, as it says on the cover, the new White Dwarf is bigger and better, and I may just have to renew my subscription.
The Wicked Wizard of Oz is a nightmarish solo-RPG gamebook inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, but with a dark Dieselpunk twist. The book is written by Jonathan Green and illustrated by Kev Crossley, the team behind Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland.
Play as Dorothy...
The Scarecrow...
The Tin Woodman...
And the Lion...
Or even play as the Wicked Witch of the West herself!
In two days' time, THE WICKED WIZARD OF OZlaunches on Kickstarter. In THE WICKED WIZARD OF OZyou step into Dorothy’s silver shoes and become the hero of the story, taking on the role of either Dorothy Gale herself, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, or the Lion. You decide which path to take, which risks to brave, and even which of the strange inhabitants of Oz, you will meet along the way, to engage in battle. Success is by no means certain and you may well fail to complete the adventure at your first attempt. However, with experience, skill, and maybe even a little luck, each new attempt should bring you closer to your ultimate goal. THE WICKED WIZARD OF OZ will be illustrated by Kev Crossley, a very talented artist already known to fans of ALICE'S NIGHTMARE IN WONDERLAND, who is moving away from Alice's Steampunk aesthetic to more of a Dieselpunk look for this book.
Dorothy Gale reimagined by Kev Crossley
Kev's character designs and penmanship are remarkable, and we are very lucky - and thrilled! - to have him joining us on our journey to the Marvellous Land of Oz! Just check out these sketches for the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Lion.
In addition, the first 20 people who pledge to receive a physical copy of the THE WICKED WIZARD OF OZat the DOROTHY rewardlevel or above (so not including the WIZARD orSCRAPS level rewards, unless they are selected as add-ons) will receive a pair of Emerald City-style, green-tinted, Dieselpunk goggles!
They're what everyone's wearing in the Emerald City these days!So put 1.00pm on Saturday 3rd September in your diary, and maybe I'll see you, somewhere over the rainbow...
They say, what's old is new and what's new is old. Well they couldn't have said a truer word about the new White Dwarf Magazine.
