The summer WHFB webzine roundup!

Hey! A post!?!

So as of late I have been really bad about posting when a new WHFB webzine has been released and what I think of it. I figured now would be a good time for a quick "roundup" post with a few details on what has come out recently! Here we go... (in no particular order)

The Doom Seeker #5

While this webzine originally started as a Slayer-centric publication it has morphed over time into something a bit more general that is mostly focused on the hobby aspects of Warhammer. The layout is looking much better with every issue (aside from a few personal pet peeves) and this issue starts out strong with an article/interview about Garagehammer - a WHFB podcast. You'll also find some info on the Araby fan-made army book, info on 8th edition, fiction, terrain creation, and more. 

Overall: Three out of five naked Slayer butts.

Skavenblight Gazette #9

Ahhh rat-things!! The mad rats over at Skavenblight Gazette have the best ad featured in the Bellower and they put out a pretty good webzine too. This latest issue isn't quite as lengthy (or flashy) as some of their past efforts but the overall layout and content is still top-notch. With articles on Fantasy Roleplay, painting tips, and Rat Ogres how can you go wrong! Check it out.

Overall: Four out of five screeching giant rats in your pants. 

The Word of Hashut #9

If I had to pick one WHFB webzine I most look up to when it comes to creating my own it would have to be the Word of Hashut. Really great layout and design and the content is usually very focused, interesting, and well put together. This issue is lacking in a few areas (as Willmark had some challenges in his life - best of luck buddy!) but for a second year anniversary issue you could do far worse. Features here include a brief time line of CDO, tons of great model pics, regular staples like excellent Shadow and Flame comic, new units, fiction, scenarios, blood bowl, battle reports... the list goes on and on. Even though the Bellower ad featured in the issue is an old one (I kid Willmark, I kid!) this zine is still worth your time and attention.

Overall: Four and a half stunty slaves out of five.

The Invocation #5

Last but not least we have a bit of undead goodness from the folks over at the Carpe Noctem forums. This fifth and latest issue is everything you may have come to expect of The Invocation starting with a quick overview of changes to the Vampire Counts army in 8th edition, how-to guides, background, a really long piece of fiction, tournament/battle report, and more. Kudos to the Disciple of Nagash for stepping up the overall visual quality and layouts of this webzine, it has really come a long way in the past few issues. Hop out of your graves and see for yourself!

Overall: Four out of five moldering zombie heads.

Well I think that about covers it for the "usual suspects". I'd love to hear what you think about any or all of these WHFB publications and YES the new issue of the Bellower should be out "soon". Getting things together for issue #3 has been quite a chore but we're getting a little closer each day. Honest!

New Slayerbrotherhood - The Doom Seeker Issue #2 out now.

The second issue of The Doom Seeker has just been released. You can download it here or read it here.

While I am still a fan of the idea behind this webzine, and I applaud the New Slayer Brotherhood community for their continued efforts, the overall presentation of this new issue is still rather poor. A cluttered layout, mix-and-match font styles, and abundant use of clipart fail to impress visually while the content is a mixed bag with few standout pieces. My favorite thing featured in this latest issue is the awesome cover art. Very "Dwarf Slayer".

As a whole this issue seems to focus more on the entirety of Warhammer with very little Slayer-centric content (only 6 pages of 32 in total), and the presentation is lacking a unified vision. I hope future issues can maintain a more focused approach to the Slayer army while including some of the additional content featured in issue #2. Perhaps a longer duration between issues would help increase the quality of the articles used - I am sure there is not a ton of content readily available for any Storm of Chaos army (even the mighty Slayers).

What would a post about Slayers be if it did not feature at least one mention of beer!? Here is a brew I reviewed after my trip to Fort Collins, CO last winter.

Odell Brewing Company - 5 Barrel Pale Ale

Beer Type: English Pale Ale

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle featuring a red and beige Odell style label. Beer poured a clear amber-gold color with a thick off white head.

Smell: Some toasty malts, spicy hops, and caramel sweetness.

First Drink: Lots of earthy flavors and a little bit of the hops. Plenty of sweet malt, almost too much to make out the hop flavor.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and well carbonated. No complaints here!

Last Drink: More of the hops flavor now, with a bit more mellow biscuit sweetness.

Drinkability: One of my favorite Odell brews so far. A nice little departure from the normal pale ale, but not too far out there.

Notes: This is my last beer from my trip to Fort Collins, Colorado last January. I need to go back and get more of Odell's excellent beers!

Verdict: 4 out of 5.

Links: Beer Advocate and Odell Brewing Company

New Slayerbrotherhood - The Doom Seeker Issue #1 out now.

Hot on the heels of Gold and Glory we have the first issue of The Doom Seeker - a new Storm of Chaos/Slayer-centric WHFB webzine from some of the same team.

Overall this issue follows many of the thematic lines set out by the new issue of Gold and Glory, including the least attractive elements like liberal use of clip art and a variety of fonts. I don't consider myself to be a master of design but someone needs to step up as "Art Director" to help guide the layout and style of these webzines. While there is likely some great information in this work I find it hard to make myself read something that is presented in such a bland and uninspired style.

The issue's contents include various pictures (of varying quality), fluff/history articles, a woefully under thought out Slayer army list (did anyone play test this!?), some tutorials that don't teach much, and a random assortment of seemingly unrelated how-to and showcase pieces.

I really want to like this webzine, and I applaud the (small) community for their efforts, but the presentation really must improve if they want anyone to take a Slayer army seriously. As a Slayer fan myself it hurts to see the low quality of something like this as I feel it portrays the army and it's fans in a less than stellar light. Perhaps I should "put my money where my mouth is" and step in to help out somehow, or at least offer more specific critique and ways for the staff to improve.

Here's hoping the next issue blows the orange dye out of my hair and the piercings from my face.

It has been awhile since I posted a beer review (it always seems to be that way!) and I am getting behind on that end of the hobby (about 6-10 reviews waiting to be added to the site right now, not including my own homebrew). To rectify that situation, and to celebrate the might Slayer lifestyle, here is a review of one of the brews I had back in January from Fort Collins, CO.

Odell Brewing Company - Odell Isolation Ale

Beer Type: Winter Warmer

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle featuring a very wintery Odell style label. Beer poured a burnt orange-amber color with a thick off white head that faded quickly but left a nice lacing.

Smell: Lots of sweet caramel malt with a hint of hops.

First Drink: Big caramel malt flavor up front (like the smell) that is followed up by a mellow bitter hops and some more earthy flavors.

Mouthfeel: Great done mix of carbonation and full mouthfeel. You can feel it warming up your insides as it goes down.

Last Drink: A bit of smokey aftertaste, with maybe a little piny hops in the finish.

Drinkability: Well crafted and executed, I didn't like this beer much when I first tried it but I am appreciating it in a new way for this review.

Notes: Odell's brewery is in Fort Collins, Colorado and I brought this back with me on my trip. A really cool brewery and I hope I get the chance to go back at some point to try more of their excellent beer.

Verdict: 4.25 out of 5. Even though it is about 85 degrees outside right now, I really enjoyed this wintery brew!

Links: Beer Advocate and Odell Brewing Company.