I still feel bad hacking down an elf in the prime of his bright green tunic and boots. But in Sword of Fargoal, such are the things you do: hack everyone or be hacked by everyone. Maybe the developers could, oh I dunno know, dirty-up this elf, make him less clean and more, um, seedy.

Yeah, I could feel good about hacking down a seedy elf.

Despite Sword of Fargoal being my all-time favourite game on the iPhone/iPod Touch, there are certain moments I dread more than others. Chief among them is actually finding the sword. Why?

First, the sword rests in a maze on the 20th dungeon level. Given the time to explore the above 19 levels, fight every monster, collect every treasure, suffer every bruise — not to mention grind and buy your way to muscle bulk and spell-nirvana — well, its a bit of an investment. It gets better:

• Grab that sword and every monster in the place wants to give you a hug. Personally. Permanently.
• Grab that sword and a 4,000 second timer springs into action. With periodic earthquakes to remind you.
• Grab that sword and you have until the bell rings to bring that sword out of the dungeon. Yes, you’ll need to travel through those 19 levels above you again.
• Grab that sword and, should a monster get a little too close, it’ll steal that sword from you. And run.
• Grab that sword and it’s a guaranteed Game Over. Sooner than you think. Oh crap!

Free Comic Book Day is a single day – the first Saturday in May – when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores (*Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.)

Pack up the kids and use the official site’s Shop Locator to pick the biggest and brightest shop in your area. More info at the official site.

Haven’t read a comic in eons? I’d suggest buying a copy of the Watchmen. It’s not only a very well crafted story, but it’s also recently been made into a blockbuster movie. Read the book first!

Prototype image of a design - 'Meanwhile, back at the hidden fortress...'

I have this idea for a series of shirt designs: using a variety of comic book fonts to showcase a variety of comic book motifs. You know, BIFF! BAM! kerPOW! Or even better, the editorial or narrative boxes, those would be cool.

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