Games

In the early 21st century (specifically the 2000s), there was a period when DC Comics had an opportunity to overthrow Marvel in terms of popularity. While Marvel has been widely praised during this time, it’s important to remember that DC was holding its own and delivering outstanding stories that have stood the test of time. Narrowing down the best stories from this decade is challenging because I adore all of them, even the less-than-perfect ones. This list will focus on mainline DC comics rather than Vertigo books, which will be covered in a separate list at a later date. Here are ten standout DC stories from the 2000s that showcase the brilliance of DC Comics and may spark your love for their universe:

1. “Identity Crisis” by Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales (2004-2005)
2. “Infinite Crisis” by Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, and others (2005-2006)
3. “52” by Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, and others (2006-2007)
4. “Countdown to Final Crisis” by Paul Dini, Tony Bedard, Keith Giffen, and others (2007-2008)
5. “Final Crisis” by Grant Morrison (2008-2009)
6. “Batman: The Court of Owls” by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo (2011-2012)
7. “The New 52” relaunch (2011-ongoing)
8. “Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang” (2011-2016)
9. “Justice League: The Darkseid War” by Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, and Francis Manapul (2015-2016)
10. “DC Rebirth” by Geoff Johns, various artists (2016-ongoing)

It seems Nintendo has hinted that they are potentially planning to bring the original Super Smash Bros. game to their Nintendo Switch Online service. For those unaware, this initial Super Smash Bros. title was fittingly named Super Smash Bros., and it was exclusive to the N64 console. Released in 1999 by HAL Laboratory, the game received a score of 79 on Metacritic, which suggests it didn’t particularly impress critics. However, it did leave a strong impression on N64 owners, ultimately becoming the fifth best-selling game for the console, trailing only behind The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, Mario Kart 64, and Super Mario 64 in that order.

Ezekiel Stane initially met Ironheart under the alias Joe McGillicuddy, a tech dealer on the black market who assisted Riri Williams in building her new Ironheart armor. It wasn’t long before he unveiled his true identity as Obadiah Stane’s son (the antagonist from the first phase of Iron Man). This revelation came to light when Williams inadvertently got him arrested. Later, Ezekiel was freed by Parker Robbins and underwent enhancements with bionics and technology, mirroring his father’s villainous path while also drawing inspiration from another Iron Man adversary, Ivan Vanko, by acquiring electrical powers similar to those demonstrated in ‘Iron Man 2’.

After the recent turmoil, I’ve noticed everyone seeking clarification. As per a piece in The Seattle Times, it appears the colossal tech entity worth a trillion dollars is aiming to streamline its finances, with an intention to boost its investments in Artificial Intelligence.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve picked up some exciting news straight from VGC’s Andy Robinson on their latest podcast – he mentioned that there’s been talk about pitches being considered to reboot the platformer! The last installment we had was “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts,” which, while innovative, didn’t sit well with many of us due to its departure from what made the series so special.

Evil Dead II came six years after its forerunner, The Evil Dead. Unlike the initial installment which intensified the fear factor, Raimi and Bruce Campbell opted for a different approach in this sequel. Rather than ramping up the frightening elements, they produced a timeless classic instead. Horror enthusiasts have always cherished Evil Dead II, and it’s now more accessible than ever before.

Back in 1985, I stumbled upon an animated gem titled “The Black Cauldron.” This cinematic treasure was birthed from the timeless Arthurian legends, spun from the imaginative tales penned by Lloyd Alexander. In this captivating tale, a young man named Taran, who happens to be a swineherd by trade, unwittingly embarks on an extraordinary adventure that echoes the grandeur of classic Arthurian lore.

During his journey, he encounters Princess Eilonwy, bard Fflewddur Fflam, and the peculiar creature Gurgi – a being that is both endearing and chilling at the same time. Despite its current status as a cult favorite, “The Black Cauldron” was initially overlooked by audiences, hindering Disney from producing more films of its kind.

Alongside these issues, Engadget’s sources also expressed reservations about Microsoft’s AI strategies. Microsoft is aggressively integrating AI into every aspect of their business, as one Halo Studios employee stated, “they are making a strong effort to replace jobs with AI agents whenever possible.” The potential integration of AI into games against the wishes of developers raises questions among Halo fans, and there has been widespread disapproval from the general public about AI being imposed in games. In fact, even the mere suggestion of AI use in development has sparked significant backlash for the past two years, and it appears that this negative sentiment is unlikely to subside anytime soon.

The developer has recently made a declaration to the community, reassuring fans that the core team responsible for the game’s day-to-day operations over the past few years remains the same. This team consists of veterans who were involved in the original project, as well as new members with impressive skills who have joined to aid us in realizing our vision for Subnautica 2.

As new powers continue to enhance Superman, each villain has unique strengths and vulnerabilities to exploit when facing the Man of Steel. Some will pack a powerful punch, while others might present more personal challenges for him. From classic tales to lesser-known ones, not every major nemesis will be included in this exploration. Let’s dive right in!