Post by Jaymz on Dec 8, 2013 13:49:39 GMT
www.palladiumbooks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=697:palladium-booksr-weekly-update-december-6-2013&catid=52:weekly-updates&Itemid=183
By Kevin Siembieda
Thanksgiving and the week that has followed seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye. Christmas Surprise Package season is a big part of that. We easily spend half our day selecting and pulling product, signing books, then packing and shipping them out. We love doing Surprise Packages, so please keep them coming, but they are a lot of work. Of course, this week was extra busy thanks to the release of Dead Reign™ Sourcebook 4: Fear the Reaper™ and The Rifter® #64. Both books look gorgeous and are getting high praise from those who have seen them. If you had a pre-order or are a Rifter® subscriber, your copies are on their way to you.
Rifts® Northern Gun™ One continues to sell like crazy and remains the Number One ‘requested’ item for the Christmas Surprise Packages, but the Rifts® Ultimate Edition, Rifts® Lemuria, Rifts® Black Market, Rifts® Vampire Sourcebook, Robotech® and Dead Reign™ (zombie apocalypse) are all right behind it. We’ve seen a lot of interest and requests for various Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™ and Nightbane® titles too, which is great to see.
UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun™ One Hardcovers & Crowdfunders
My apologies to the TOP 16 Rifts® Northern Gun™ One Megaverse Insiders. We have been delayed in shipping your packages, because we had been waiting for Chuck Walton to come in and sign the prints and some of the original art. Chuck has been dealing with car problems and kept getting delayed, but he came this evening all smiles and signed every print plus a couple hundred books for Surprise Packages. What a guy. We will now be able to send the last of the crowdfunding packs to you on Monday or Tuesday. If your address has changed, contact us now! As if you were not champing at the bit already, I have to say that the sneak preview prints of NG-2 artwork look fantastic. I think you’ll be very pleased. And Chuck signed ALL the prints, not just the couple originally stated in the NG-1 Insider offer, so that’s an additional bonus.
UPDATE: Mark Dudley
Artist Mark Dudley also came to the office for an hour and a half to sign books for Surprise Packages. He’s been busy with his day job and his work on the iMAGiNOs PLUS Comic Book, you can read all about it and his current Kickstarter elsewhere in this Weekly Update. This is a Kickstarter worth supporting.
UPDATE: Northern Gun One PDF for Megaverse Cyber-Insiders
Barring any unexpected surprises (we’ve already encounted a couple), the PDF version should begin being sent out over this weekend. Enjoy.
UPDATE: Phone call from Kevin Siembieda to Top NG-1 Insiders
I owe the top 16 NG-1 Megaverse® Insiders a 20 minute telephone call. You are NOT forgotten. In fact, I may start making calls this weekend. Unlike the previous Lemuria crowdfunding when I often went long on the conversion, I’m afraid I’ll have to try to keep these calls in the 20 minute range, as I’m busy as all get out.
NEW! Northern Gun™ One signed & numbered print – available now
The first 50+ prints went to a select number of the Megaverse Insiders, but starting with Number 55, you too can get a signed and numbered Northern Gun™ One Print. It is the striking Charles Walton, wrap-around cover without any text or logo to obscure the artwork. Limited to a total of 180 copies. Signed by Charles Walton (artist), Matthew Clements (author) and Kevin Siembieda (author and publisher) in silver. 16x10 image on 17½ x 11½ inch paper. Suitable for framing. Mailed rolled in a sturdy tube. Note: A print of NG-2 will also be made available after that book is released.
UPDATE: Fear the Reaper™ – Available now
Fear the Reaper™ (and The Rifter® #64) arrived Tuesday and shipped out to those who had pre-orders that day and the next. Fear the Reaper™ is an excellent resource and a fun read that shines more light upon the dark world of Dead Reign™ and the heroes in it. And, yes, you can request it in the Christmas Surprise Package. The Road Reapers™ and heroes like them offer hope in the Zombie Apocalypse. If you haven’t tried the Dead Reign™ RPG, you really should. I don’t think you will be disappointed. The Christmas Surprise Package might be a good way to get a copy. If you enjoy zombie-based TV shows, movies, comic books and novels, I think you will adore the Dead Reign™ RPG series.
UPDATE: The Rifter® #64 – Available now
The Rifter® #64 (and Fear the Reaper) arrived at the Palladium warehouse on Tuesday and have been shipped out to those who had pre-orders. Man oh man, the warehouse was jumping, and we pulled in all hands to ship out both titles in a day and a half. Whew. Yes, you can request it in the Christmas Surprise Package. The Rifter® #64 is my favorite issue of the year, and they have all been darn good. It contains both official and unofficial game material, all of it is outstanding, and there is a wide selection of material: Rifts®, Dead Reign™, Nightbane®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Heroes Unlimited™ and Palladium Fantasy®, as well as other fun stuff. See the whole description for The Rifter® #64 elsewhere in this Update.
Palladium Collectibles available in Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store
Alex has added a number of Palladium collectibles to my online store, including out of print titles, redlined proofreader photocopies signed by me and the staff, signed manuscripts with editors’ corrections, some original art, hardcover books (including Rifts® Northern Gun™ One) and other items available just in time for Christmas. There are also hundreds of toys and action figures all from my personal collection. Alex will keep adding Palladium items over the next week. All items in the store are from my own personal archives and collection. Take a look, there may be some items that are perfect as holiday gifts.
stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles
Rifts® Northern Gun™ One Sneak Preview – available now on DriveThruRPG.com
Wayne has posted a FREE Sneak Preview of Rifts® Northern Gun™ One available on DriveThruRPG.com right now for your enjoyment. There are also previews available for the Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ (Revised Edition), Rifts® Black Market, Rifts® Lemuria, Dead Reign™ RPG, Endless Dead™ sourcebook and others. The original Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms World Book is also available as a PDF on DriveThruRPG, for those of you who may be interested.
More than 90 other Palladium titles can be found on DriveThruRPG.com as PDFs, including Splicers®, Rifts® RPG (the edition before RUE), The Rifter® #1-52, and first edition rule books and sourcebooks for Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Heroes Unlimited™, The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy, Beyond the Supernatural™ and lots of other good titles. DriveThruRPG.com also offers the Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® Game Master Kits ($5 each; both written by Carl Gleba and complete with maps, combat matrix, character sheets, spell list, and 20 pre-rolled characters created by Julius Rosenstein). Check it all out.
Will there be a Fear the Reaper™ or The Rifter® #64 preview? We’ll see.
2014 Gen Con® Indy – Palladium gaming events needed
We need Game Masters to run Palladium games – and we need you to send in your game submissions to Gen Con by January 15, 2014!! Yes, I’m talking Gen Con 2014. We want to make a HUGE Palladium push at Gen Con in 2014, and we sincerely need your help to make it happen. Game Masters, PLEASE submit your Palladium games for Gen Con 2014 by their January 15, 2014 deadline! If Game Masters act fast to submit their games in time for this FIRST deadline, they are guaranteed to be listed in the Gen Con program book.
Palladium is planning to make the 2014 Gen Con® Indy its biggest and best in decades. Our booth will be twice the size it was this year, and we’ll have the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ game and expansion packs, as well as many new RPG products.
If we can get enough gaming events in place by January 15, 2014, Palladium can get a dedicated gaming area for ALL of our events – or even a specified game room. That will mean a place where Palladium G.M.s and fans can game around the clock, 24/7. With this being the 30th Anniversary of Heroes Unlimited™ and a big release year for Robotech® RPG Tactics™, we want to shout to the world that Palladium Books is back with a vengeance. Please help. Thank you.
Please coordinate with Bill Korsak and Palladium’s Megaversal Ambassadors to run ‘official’ Palladium gaming events throughout the 2014 Gen Con weekend. If you were planning to run already, please submit your game event forms to Gen Con by January 15, 2014, but also coordinate with us. Let us know what events and how many you are running so Palladium can make special arrangements with Gen Con to feature your games! If you weren’t planning to run, but want to get in on the action, please contact Palladium Books (734-721-2903) or the Megaversal Ambassadors at ambassadors@palladiumbooks.com.
Order those Christmas Surprise Packages in time for Christmas!
Get those orders in NOW to get Surprise Packages in time for Christmas – without having to pay an arm and a leg for shipping! While Palladium can NOT promise Surprise Packages shipped via Media Mail (the least expensive method of shipping) will arrive by Christmas, the odds are still in your favor that it should. And if it doesn’t matter if you get it in time for Christmas, Media Mail is the least expensive way to go. UPS Ground (not too expensive and can be tracked), Parcel Post, Priority Mail and other methods are fast and viable. Best deal of the holidays – the Palladium Christmas Surprise Package.
What is the Christmas Surprise Package offer? It’s a way to get a boat load of Palladium RPG product on the cheap ($80-$95 worth for $40 plus shipping and handling), get autographs and Erick Wujcik Keepsakes, too. And if you’re into it, you can request a number of limited edition prints and even original artwork (limited as all art is donated by the artists). The perfect holiday gift for the gamer in your life. Or maybe for yourself. The Surprise Package is a great way to try new RPGs and plug holes in your collection. Have you tried Dead Reign™? Splicers®? Nightbane®? Rifts®? Robotech®? Here’s your chance.
Why does Palladium do it? Because we love and appreciate you. Really. We do it to brighten the holidays for YOU – the greatest fans in the world. It’s our way to say, you are appreciated and thank you for everything. See the full Surprise Package section in this Update or the full description in the Palladium Online store. It is so worthwhile. And fun. I always try to make everything fun and special, especially something like this which is a holiday gift (even if it’s for yourself). And don’t forget, you can get a bonus Erick Wujcik Keepsake item upon request. See below.
Some current Kickstarters you might find interesting
Mark Dudley’s iMAGiNOs PLUS Kickstarter Comic Book – 15 days left!
This project is the brainchild of Palladium’s very own Mark Dudley and friends. Mark’s artwork has graced the pages of dozens of Palladium RPG titles including Rifts® Ultimate Edition, Heroes Unlimited™, Rifts® New West™, Rifts® China 2, Shemarrian Sourcebook, Northern Gun™ One and many, many others. So you know Mark Dudley as an artist, but you don’t know Mark Dudley the comic book storyteller and innovator. And boy is he great at both. Check out this Kickstarter and get a glimpse. Support the iMAGiNOs Plus Kickstarter (I am), and you’ll be part of his first step into the beginning of something outstanding and potentially big. And all it will cost you is FIVE DOLLARS.
iMAGiNOs Plus is an anthology comic that presents several dynamic comic stories that Mark and company hope to expand into full-fledged comic book series. One of them, Candy Coated™, was inspired by Mark’s Heroes Unlimited™ campaign that has run for years. Part of the “plus” in iMAGiNOs Plus is one of Palladium Books’ own secret projects: The Adventures of Erin Tarn™ as a Girl. Yeah, a sort of ongoing origin story. The project has been shelved, but we still hope to bring this and other Palladium IP based comic book titles to life – and this is your first look at the initial 6-8 pages of one such project.
So is this Kickstarter worth backing? I think it is. In fact, I’ll be making a more generous pledge myself, but you don’t have to. If only 700 Palladium fans pledge just $5 the Kickstarter would be completely FUNDED, and you’ll get the iMAGiNOs Plus™ PDF version of the comic book, and a peak at the Erin Tarn comic book concept from Palladium Books! Personally, I’m going for a higher pledge, because I want the physical comic which could become a collector’s item in the future. I believe in Mark Dudley’s plans for iMAGiNOs Plus so I’m in. Spread the word.
Cross Hares: Testing Ground Kickstarter – New Board Game from 1A Games
An old pal of mine is one of the guys behind this fun-looking board game. Cross Hares: Testing Ground is already off to a great start, and I thought you might be interested, so take a look.
MUST SEE ONLINE FUN: Our House – an 8 minute movie you’ll want to see
As you know, Palladium Books has fans across all spectrums of the entertainment fields. One of those people is a long time Palladium fan, gamer, and friend, Andrew Cooke. Drew has been in the film business for a while now, but this is a personal project that he knocked out of the park, at least in my opinion. Our House is fun, worth watching and FREE. Just click on the link, turn out the lights, and watch the show. I loved this short film. Those 8 minutes fly by as if they were 3 minutes. I don’t want to say any more, because I don’t want to ruin anything. Take a look and enjoy. And let me know, is it just me, or could Drew Cooke write and direct a great Nightbane® or Beyond the Supernatural™ movie? By the way, Drew is one of the forces out in Hollywood pushing for Palladium IPs being turned into movies.
vimeo.com/78043461
Fun Fact: Rawson Marshall Thurber
I should have mentioned this when the darn movie came out in the summer, but it is recently released on DVD. Rawson Marshall Thurber, who wrote one of the Rifts® movie screenplays for Jerry Bruckheimer Films, is the director of the popular comedy, We’re the Millers. He did a great job directing a very funny movie. I thought you might enjoy knowing that.
William Bailey – Friend, Brother, Father, Gamer
Kathy Simmons’ brother, and my friend, William “Bill” Bailey (age 65), died unexpectedly the day before Thanksgiving. We loved Bill and he will be missed. Bill was more than a pal. For me he was, in effect, my brother-in-law. He was also a Palladium freelancer who worked in the Palladium warehouse from time to time from 2004 to 2007. Some of you will have Bill’s autograph in books shipped in Surprise Packages during that time period. For those of you who might want to read more about Bill, see my Murmur from the Megaverse® entitled: Missing you, Bill Bailey.
It’s ironic, but Bill’s unexpected passing only punctuates what I said in the last Weekly Update and my write-up in The Rifter #64 – actually, I have shared this sentiment for years, especially around the holidays – be certain to tell the people who matter in your life that you love them.
Let them know how much you appreciate them. This is as good a time as any to show that with a gift, a card, a note, phone call, text, or email as well as with a kiss, hug or hearty handshake. It doesn’t matter how you show it or say it, just do it. Because tomorrow, out of the blue, they (or you) might be gone, and you don’t want to have to regret a word of love or friendship left unsaid. Besides, human beings like to be loved. We like to know others appreciate us and our efforts, let alone love and respect us. So contact Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, Uncle, Auntie, your grandparents, best friend, old pals, and all of those who matter and let them know you are thinking about them and that they are loved.
Speaking of communication . . .
As promised, I’m back online posting Murmurs and on the Palladium Facebook Page. I’m trying to post two or more Murmurs a week. I’ve been too caught up in work and I haven’t been around like I should. I don’t know how it’s possible, but we all seem to be busier than ever and working harder than ever. Time flies by in the blink of an eye. I miss not being more available online to share my plans, thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and updates like I used to do all the time for many, many years. Well, I’m back. From now on, you can count on much more frequent Murmur postings and Facebook posts. I’ll also try to catch up with my Private Messages. (I’m behind a few months and something like 100 messages. Sorry.)
Online changes are coming for Palladium
Speaking of changes, Palladium is kicking around a number of changes and additions to the Palladium website. This includes some policy changes, new people helping out and more fresh material. Some of it will happen quickly and some of it you’ll see appear in the months to come. We’ve been meaning to implement these changes for quite some time, but work, life and other things seem to keep getting in the way. All the changes are intended to make the Palladium website and message boards an exciting, fun and positive home for gamers. I think you’ll like what we have in mind. Coming soon.
Happy Holidays
Hanukkah is already in full swing. Christmas, Kwanzaa and Winter Solstice are right around the corner. Regardless of the holiday you celebrate, all of us at Palladium Books wish you and your families the warmest holiday greetings. May your holidays be filled with laughter, love, joy and maybe a bit of gaming.
– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher & Surrogate Santa
By Kevin Siembieda
Thanksgiving and the week that has followed seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye. Christmas Surprise Package season is a big part of that. We easily spend half our day selecting and pulling product, signing books, then packing and shipping them out. We love doing Surprise Packages, so please keep them coming, but they are a lot of work. Of course, this week was extra busy thanks to the release of Dead Reign™ Sourcebook 4: Fear the Reaper™ and The Rifter® #64. Both books look gorgeous and are getting high praise from those who have seen them. If you had a pre-order or are a Rifter® subscriber, your copies are on their way to you.
Rifts® Northern Gun™ One continues to sell like crazy and remains the Number One ‘requested’ item for the Christmas Surprise Packages, but the Rifts® Ultimate Edition, Rifts® Lemuria, Rifts® Black Market, Rifts® Vampire Sourcebook, Robotech® and Dead Reign™ (zombie apocalypse) are all right behind it. We’ve seen a lot of interest and requests for various Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™ and Nightbane® titles too, which is great to see.
UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun™ One Hardcovers & Crowdfunders
My apologies to the TOP 16 Rifts® Northern Gun™ One Megaverse Insiders. We have been delayed in shipping your packages, because we had been waiting for Chuck Walton to come in and sign the prints and some of the original art. Chuck has been dealing with car problems and kept getting delayed, but he came this evening all smiles and signed every print plus a couple hundred books for Surprise Packages. What a guy. We will now be able to send the last of the crowdfunding packs to you on Monday or Tuesday. If your address has changed, contact us now! As if you were not champing at the bit already, I have to say that the sneak preview prints of NG-2 artwork look fantastic. I think you’ll be very pleased. And Chuck signed ALL the prints, not just the couple originally stated in the NG-1 Insider offer, so that’s an additional bonus.
UPDATE: Mark Dudley
Artist Mark Dudley also came to the office for an hour and a half to sign books for Surprise Packages. He’s been busy with his day job and his work on the iMAGiNOs PLUS Comic Book, you can read all about it and his current Kickstarter elsewhere in this Weekly Update. This is a Kickstarter worth supporting.
UPDATE: Northern Gun One PDF for Megaverse Cyber-Insiders
Barring any unexpected surprises (we’ve already encounted a couple), the PDF version should begin being sent out over this weekend. Enjoy.
UPDATE: Phone call from Kevin Siembieda to Top NG-1 Insiders
I owe the top 16 NG-1 Megaverse® Insiders a 20 minute telephone call. You are NOT forgotten. In fact, I may start making calls this weekend. Unlike the previous Lemuria crowdfunding when I often went long on the conversion, I’m afraid I’ll have to try to keep these calls in the 20 minute range, as I’m busy as all get out.
NEW! Northern Gun™ One signed & numbered print – available now
The first 50+ prints went to a select number of the Megaverse Insiders, but starting with Number 55, you too can get a signed and numbered Northern Gun™ One Print. It is the striking Charles Walton, wrap-around cover without any text or logo to obscure the artwork. Limited to a total of 180 copies. Signed by Charles Walton (artist), Matthew Clements (author) and Kevin Siembieda (author and publisher) in silver. 16x10 image on 17½ x 11½ inch paper. Suitable for framing. Mailed rolled in a sturdy tube. Note: A print of NG-2 will also be made available after that book is released.
UPDATE: Fear the Reaper™ – Available now
Fear the Reaper™ (and The Rifter® #64) arrived Tuesday and shipped out to those who had pre-orders that day and the next. Fear the Reaper™ is an excellent resource and a fun read that shines more light upon the dark world of Dead Reign™ and the heroes in it. And, yes, you can request it in the Christmas Surprise Package. The Road Reapers™ and heroes like them offer hope in the Zombie Apocalypse. If you haven’t tried the Dead Reign™ RPG, you really should. I don’t think you will be disappointed. The Christmas Surprise Package might be a good way to get a copy. If you enjoy zombie-based TV shows, movies, comic books and novels, I think you will adore the Dead Reign™ RPG series.
UPDATE: The Rifter® #64 – Available now
The Rifter® #64 (and Fear the Reaper) arrived at the Palladium warehouse on Tuesday and have been shipped out to those who had pre-orders. Man oh man, the warehouse was jumping, and we pulled in all hands to ship out both titles in a day and a half. Whew. Yes, you can request it in the Christmas Surprise Package. The Rifter® #64 is my favorite issue of the year, and they have all been darn good. It contains both official and unofficial game material, all of it is outstanding, and there is a wide selection of material: Rifts®, Dead Reign™, Nightbane®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Heroes Unlimited™ and Palladium Fantasy®, as well as other fun stuff. See the whole description for The Rifter® #64 elsewhere in this Update.
Palladium Collectibles available in Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store
Alex has added a number of Palladium collectibles to my online store, including out of print titles, redlined proofreader photocopies signed by me and the staff, signed manuscripts with editors’ corrections, some original art, hardcover books (including Rifts® Northern Gun™ One) and other items available just in time for Christmas. There are also hundreds of toys and action figures all from my personal collection. Alex will keep adding Palladium items over the next week. All items in the store are from my own personal archives and collection. Take a look, there may be some items that are perfect as holiday gifts.
stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles
Rifts® Northern Gun™ One Sneak Preview – available now on DriveThruRPG.com
Wayne has posted a FREE Sneak Preview of Rifts® Northern Gun™ One available on DriveThruRPG.com right now for your enjoyment. There are also previews available for the Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ (Revised Edition), Rifts® Black Market, Rifts® Lemuria, Dead Reign™ RPG, Endless Dead™ sourcebook and others. The original Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms World Book is also available as a PDF on DriveThruRPG, for those of you who may be interested.
More than 90 other Palladium titles can be found on DriveThruRPG.com as PDFs, including Splicers®, Rifts® RPG (the edition before RUE), The Rifter® #1-52, and first edition rule books and sourcebooks for Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Heroes Unlimited™, The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy, Beyond the Supernatural™ and lots of other good titles. DriveThruRPG.com also offers the Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® Game Master Kits ($5 each; both written by Carl Gleba and complete with maps, combat matrix, character sheets, spell list, and 20 pre-rolled characters created by Julius Rosenstein). Check it all out.
Will there be a Fear the Reaper™ or The Rifter® #64 preview? We’ll see.
2014 Gen Con® Indy – Palladium gaming events needed
We need Game Masters to run Palladium games – and we need you to send in your game submissions to Gen Con by January 15, 2014!! Yes, I’m talking Gen Con 2014. We want to make a HUGE Palladium push at Gen Con in 2014, and we sincerely need your help to make it happen. Game Masters, PLEASE submit your Palladium games for Gen Con 2014 by their January 15, 2014 deadline! If Game Masters act fast to submit their games in time for this FIRST deadline, they are guaranteed to be listed in the Gen Con program book.
Palladium is planning to make the 2014 Gen Con® Indy its biggest and best in decades. Our booth will be twice the size it was this year, and we’ll have the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ game and expansion packs, as well as many new RPG products.
If we can get enough gaming events in place by January 15, 2014, Palladium can get a dedicated gaming area for ALL of our events – or even a specified game room. That will mean a place where Palladium G.M.s and fans can game around the clock, 24/7. With this being the 30th Anniversary of Heroes Unlimited™ and a big release year for Robotech® RPG Tactics™, we want to shout to the world that Palladium Books is back with a vengeance. Please help. Thank you.
Please coordinate with Bill Korsak and Palladium’s Megaversal Ambassadors to run ‘official’ Palladium gaming events throughout the 2014 Gen Con weekend. If you were planning to run already, please submit your game event forms to Gen Con by January 15, 2014, but also coordinate with us. Let us know what events and how many you are running so Palladium can make special arrangements with Gen Con to feature your games! If you weren’t planning to run, but want to get in on the action, please contact Palladium Books (734-721-2903) or the Megaversal Ambassadors at ambassadors@palladiumbooks.com.
Order those Christmas Surprise Packages in time for Christmas!
Get those orders in NOW to get Surprise Packages in time for Christmas – without having to pay an arm and a leg for shipping! While Palladium can NOT promise Surprise Packages shipped via Media Mail (the least expensive method of shipping) will arrive by Christmas, the odds are still in your favor that it should. And if it doesn’t matter if you get it in time for Christmas, Media Mail is the least expensive way to go. UPS Ground (not too expensive and can be tracked), Parcel Post, Priority Mail and other methods are fast and viable. Best deal of the holidays – the Palladium Christmas Surprise Package.
What is the Christmas Surprise Package offer? It’s a way to get a boat load of Palladium RPG product on the cheap ($80-$95 worth for $40 plus shipping and handling), get autographs and Erick Wujcik Keepsakes, too. And if you’re into it, you can request a number of limited edition prints and even original artwork (limited as all art is donated by the artists). The perfect holiday gift for the gamer in your life. Or maybe for yourself. The Surprise Package is a great way to try new RPGs and plug holes in your collection. Have you tried Dead Reign™? Splicers®? Nightbane®? Rifts®? Robotech®? Here’s your chance.
Why does Palladium do it? Because we love and appreciate you. Really. We do it to brighten the holidays for YOU – the greatest fans in the world. It’s our way to say, you are appreciated and thank you for everything. See the full Surprise Package section in this Update or the full description in the Palladium Online store. It is so worthwhile. And fun. I always try to make everything fun and special, especially something like this which is a holiday gift (even if it’s for yourself). And don’t forget, you can get a bonus Erick Wujcik Keepsake item upon request. See below.
Some current Kickstarters you might find interesting
Mark Dudley’s iMAGiNOs PLUS Kickstarter Comic Book – 15 days left!
This project is the brainchild of Palladium’s very own Mark Dudley and friends. Mark’s artwork has graced the pages of dozens of Palladium RPG titles including Rifts® Ultimate Edition, Heroes Unlimited™, Rifts® New West™, Rifts® China 2, Shemarrian Sourcebook, Northern Gun™ One and many, many others. So you know Mark Dudley as an artist, but you don’t know Mark Dudley the comic book storyteller and innovator. And boy is he great at both. Check out this Kickstarter and get a glimpse. Support the iMAGiNOs Plus Kickstarter (I am), and you’ll be part of his first step into the beginning of something outstanding and potentially big. And all it will cost you is FIVE DOLLARS.
iMAGiNOs Plus is an anthology comic that presents several dynamic comic stories that Mark and company hope to expand into full-fledged comic book series. One of them, Candy Coated™, was inspired by Mark’s Heroes Unlimited™ campaign that has run for years. Part of the “plus” in iMAGiNOs Plus is one of Palladium Books’ own secret projects: The Adventures of Erin Tarn™ as a Girl. Yeah, a sort of ongoing origin story. The project has been shelved, but we still hope to bring this and other Palladium IP based comic book titles to life – and this is your first look at the initial 6-8 pages of one such project.
So is this Kickstarter worth backing? I think it is. In fact, I’ll be making a more generous pledge myself, but you don’t have to. If only 700 Palladium fans pledge just $5 the Kickstarter would be completely FUNDED, and you’ll get the iMAGiNOs Plus™ PDF version of the comic book, and a peak at the Erin Tarn comic book concept from Palladium Books! Personally, I’m going for a higher pledge, because I want the physical comic which could become a collector’s item in the future. I believe in Mark Dudley’s plans for iMAGiNOs Plus so I’m in. Spread the word.
Cross Hares: Testing Ground Kickstarter – New Board Game from 1A Games
An old pal of mine is one of the guys behind this fun-looking board game. Cross Hares: Testing Ground is already off to a great start, and I thought you might be interested, so take a look.
MUST SEE ONLINE FUN: Our House – an 8 minute movie you’ll want to see
As you know, Palladium Books has fans across all spectrums of the entertainment fields. One of those people is a long time Palladium fan, gamer, and friend, Andrew Cooke. Drew has been in the film business for a while now, but this is a personal project that he knocked out of the park, at least in my opinion. Our House is fun, worth watching and FREE. Just click on the link, turn out the lights, and watch the show. I loved this short film. Those 8 minutes fly by as if they were 3 minutes. I don’t want to say any more, because I don’t want to ruin anything. Take a look and enjoy. And let me know, is it just me, or could Drew Cooke write and direct a great Nightbane® or Beyond the Supernatural™ movie? By the way, Drew is one of the forces out in Hollywood pushing for Palladium IPs being turned into movies.
vimeo.com/78043461
Fun Fact: Rawson Marshall Thurber
I should have mentioned this when the darn movie came out in the summer, but it is recently released on DVD. Rawson Marshall Thurber, who wrote one of the Rifts® movie screenplays for Jerry Bruckheimer Films, is the director of the popular comedy, We’re the Millers. He did a great job directing a very funny movie. I thought you might enjoy knowing that.
William Bailey – Friend, Brother, Father, Gamer
Kathy Simmons’ brother, and my friend, William “Bill” Bailey (age 65), died unexpectedly the day before Thanksgiving. We loved Bill and he will be missed. Bill was more than a pal. For me he was, in effect, my brother-in-law. He was also a Palladium freelancer who worked in the Palladium warehouse from time to time from 2004 to 2007. Some of you will have Bill’s autograph in books shipped in Surprise Packages during that time period. For those of you who might want to read more about Bill, see my Murmur from the Megaverse® entitled: Missing you, Bill Bailey.
It’s ironic, but Bill’s unexpected passing only punctuates what I said in the last Weekly Update and my write-up in The Rifter #64 – actually, I have shared this sentiment for years, especially around the holidays – be certain to tell the people who matter in your life that you love them.
Let them know how much you appreciate them. This is as good a time as any to show that with a gift, a card, a note, phone call, text, or email as well as with a kiss, hug or hearty handshake. It doesn’t matter how you show it or say it, just do it. Because tomorrow, out of the blue, they (or you) might be gone, and you don’t want to have to regret a word of love or friendship left unsaid. Besides, human beings like to be loved. We like to know others appreciate us and our efforts, let alone love and respect us. So contact Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, Uncle, Auntie, your grandparents, best friend, old pals, and all of those who matter and let them know you are thinking about them and that they are loved.
Speaking of communication . . .
As promised, I’m back online posting Murmurs and on the Palladium Facebook Page. I’m trying to post two or more Murmurs a week. I’ve been too caught up in work and I haven’t been around like I should. I don’t know how it’s possible, but we all seem to be busier than ever and working harder than ever. Time flies by in the blink of an eye. I miss not being more available online to share my plans, thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and updates like I used to do all the time for many, many years. Well, I’m back. From now on, you can count on much more frequent Murmur postings and Facebook posts. I’ll also try to catch up with my Private Messages. (I’m behind a few months and something like 100 messages. Sorry.)
Online changes are coming for Palladium
Speaking of changes, Palladium is kicking around a number of changes and additions to the Palladium website. This includes some policy changes, new people helping out and more fresh material. Some of it will happen quickly and some of it you’ll see appear in the months to come. We’ve been meaning to implement these changes for quite some time, but work, life and other things seem to keep getting in the way. All the changes are intended to make the Palladium website and message boards an exciting, fun and positive home for gamers. I think you’ll like what we have in mind. Coming soon.
Happy Holidays
Hanukkah is already in full swing. Christmas, Kwanzaa and Winter Solstice are right around the corner. Regardless of the holiday you celebrate, all of us at Palladium Books wish you and your families the warmest holiday greetings. May your holidays be filled with laughter, love, joy and maybe a bit of gaming.
– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher & Surrogate Santa
