The subject of Superhero Comics and MMO's is currently big news, with comic fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming release of DC Universe Online and the recent announcement that Marvel are planning to try again to get a some multiplayer online goodness flowing, now that they have struck up a new partnership with games company Gazillion. With all of this in mind, I decided to have a search around the grid to find the must see places that any wanabee superhero really should check out.

There are several superhero roleplay areas in SL, but one of the most popular and most established is Gotham City, a condensed version of the crime riddled home of everyone's favourite dark knight, Batman. The sim features many of the landmarks you would expect, from a suitably creepy Arkham Asylum, to the impressive Wayne Tower. The roleplay is very loose, with not much in the way of structured story, with the sim more dedicated to action and combat, utilising the DCS2 Combat system. So, if you're looking for a ruck, you can throw on your tights, and head on over.


For those who prefer their Superheroes a little more cosmic, you can check out Beta Quadrant, a Green Lantern themed RP sim. With some truly stellar builds, the sim is constructed over several levels, with giant power batteries, Guardian's council, and also some battle spaces, with automated laser firing robots for you to duke it out with. While there, you can apply to join the GL Core, a fan group that has grown to also live up to their namesakes, patrolling SL, fighting crimes like griefing, helping noobs in need of guidance, and even raising money for charity. You can get applications to join up at the Beta Quadrant sim itself.


Marvel based roleplaying areas are unfortunately a little more hard to come by, although currently under construction is an area titled X-Men Armageddon Aftermath. This place promises to be very much concentrating on story lead rp, themed within a world when the evil mutant Apocalypse has taken over, and Professor X is gathering together the scattered mutants, to fight back. Many of the roles of the established characters have already been taken, but contact Niklaus Cuttita if you wish to get involved, being in mind that they only want people who can fight and RP, and they can then organise a role for you, either of an existing Marvel Character, or one of your own creation.

For those looking to do a little shopping, the mall at Aftermath 2 has got a lot on offer, with branches of some of SL's most reputed superhero costume makers, and hero themed gadget creators (I found some particularly good Green Lantern rings there which can shoot, sheild, and create coloured objects, and with the current war of light going on in the comics, you can find the Sinestro, Star Sapphire, Red, Blue, Orange and Violet rings on offer). Once you have shopped til you drop, you can then check out the builds of the Daily Planet building or the Hall of Justice, or maybe cause mischief by shooting down some of the sci-fi flying cars zooming around.



Of course, if you want to show your love of caped crusaders, while still keeping and element of fun and cuteness to your look, you are gonna LOVE these Tiny ChibiBat and ChibiCat avatars available from United Dealerz


If you happen be looking to fill some gaps in your collection, but can't tear yourself away from the fun you're having inworld long enough to get down the comic shop. If so, fear not as the BBR Comic Shop has come to your aid, touting themselves as "the 1st fully functioning comic shop in Second Life." You can order your comics from the store by clicking the book you want, which will then take you to their website, and they will then ship your titles to your RL door. Just another reason to never leave the house then!


And finally, I would be remiss to do any piece for comic fans without mentioning the comic writer who got me into SL in the first place, all that time ago. Warren Ellis, writer on Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Astonishing X-Men, Anna Mercury, Freakangels and many more titles besides, has been known to spend a fair amount of time in SL, even writing about the subject for the Reuters website. Inworld he goes under the name Integral Danton, and has a home base in the Wastelands. If you are a fan, you can also join his inworld group, the Army of Filth to keep up to date on the latest news on the Internet Jesus, and also to pick up some very cool Warren Ellis themed freebies from time to time.


Excelsior! (sorry, always wanted to say that)