Edward Spence | Attending PAX U
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edwardspence.bsky.social
Edward Spence | Attending PAX U
@edwardspence.bsky.social
1.2K followers 330 following 550 posts
He/Him. Producer, actor, accomplished self-deprecator. Award-nominated Game Master. Game Designer for Warcradle Studios. All views my own.
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edwardspence.bsky.social
Fancy trying out Force of Extinction, the new TTRPG system powering @transplanarrpg.bsky.social's latest arc? Chad Pytel, one of our writers, will be running a session of this apocalyptic game!

Join below for a one-shot at 2pm Eastern, and tune in to Transplanar's The Chaos Protocol at 8pm Eastern!
The image of a post-apocalyptic survivor. Roughly cut hair frames her pallid features, and a necklace of fingers hangs over a dirty tank top. She wields a machete, and looks upwards as a shadow of something giant looms over her.
October 25, 2025 at 5:24 AM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Thank you, Ian! ❤️

@gailsimone.bsky.social, I couldn't agree more. From mechanics to layout, it's a stunning translation of Tolkien's world. We're coming to the end of our three season charity campaign; it's been a gift to play.

twitch.tv/collections/QOhfOpY3yxdz7g

Our first episode, if you fancy!
October 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Today sees the incomparable @rahrah.bsky.social moderate a panel with the happiest people you know, talking the importance of sadness in stories!

Join @howdylovedarlin.bsky.social, @kendomakesfilms.bsky.social, @ohheyitsgina.bsky.social, @taylorannnx.bsky.social and myself at 12pm to laugh and cry.
The promo image for a Gen Con panel, titled "Using Your Heart For Flair: The Methods of Sad Story Telling in TTRPGs". The names and headshots of each of the participants are displayed - Taylor (she/her), Gina (she/her), Kendo (any/all), Meadow (she/they), Edward (he/him), Rahrah (they/he) - under which the details of the event can be found: Friday, August 1st, 12pm-1:30pm. Tennessee Room at the Marriott. Tickets are free.
August 1, 2025 at 12:07 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
GenCon is fast approaching, and you can catch me at the following events:

- Live show and demo games of @forceofextinction.com
- Using Your Heart For Flair by @rahrah.bsky.social!

If you see me on the con floor, please don't hesitate to come say hello - I'd love to meet you!
Edward (pale features, wavy brown hair, wearing a dark blue collarless shirt) sat against a beige backdrop. His GenCon schedule reads: Thursday 31st July: 1pm - Force of Extinction Demo Friday 1st August: 12pm - Using Your Heart For Flair: The Methods of Sad Story Telling in TTRPGs 1pm - Force of Extinction Demo Saturday 2nd August: 12pm - Force of Extinction Live Show 3pm - Force of Extinction Demo Sunday 3rd August: 11am - Force of Extinction Demo (SOLD OUT)
July 29, 2025 at 10:14 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
The best thing to come back to after a week away running a table at D&D in a Castle? Finally getting my hands on a physical copy of @navaarsnp.bsky.social's The Corrupted. It is, of course, stunning.

So... who's up for telling some post-apocalyptic zombie stories?
Ed (pale features, brown wavy hair and moustache, wearing a white shirt) stood against a bookshelf, and holding up a copy of The Corrupted.
July 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Sasha's new favourite spot.
Sasha (brown cat with black stripes and a white chin) sat on a pile of white towels in a white tiled bathroom.
July 20, 2025 at 7:39 AM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Like Big Blue himself, Superman '25 is colourful, goofy, unabashedly earnest, more chaotic than you'd expect, and full of heart.

To paraphrase Grant Morrison: Superman isn't a figure of hope, but one of action. He shows us how important it is to ACT, now more than ever.

Love is the new punk rock.
A cinema ticket for Superman 2025 resting on a copy of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's All-Star Superman, the cover of which displays Superman in his red and blue ensemble flying into the sky.
July 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Not a care in the world.
Sasha (brown striped cat with a white chin) lounging on stone steps that lead upwards through an overgrown garden.
July 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Reasons to tune in to Shadows of Gotham's finale:

1.) Our incredible cast.
2.) Their beautiful characters.
3.) @persephiroth.bsky.social's incandescent guest spot.
4.) A tease of things to come...
5.) Ha. Ha. Ha.

And speaking of teases, how about a title reveal? We'll see you tomorrow...
July 8, 2025 at 12:47 AM
edwardspence.bsky.social
And that's it for this week! We'll be back again next Tuesday at 12pm Pacific for our penultimate episode! And trust me... it's going to be a BIG one.

In the meantime, check out the incredible work of the artists mentioned, go read some comics, and I'll see you again next week!

Man, I love comics.
June 28, 2025 at 12:58 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Finally, this episode saw Red Hood and Lyla McCabe (@heycalamityyy.bsky.social) make an oath by candlelight. The same that Dick Grayson made in Detective Comics #38 (1940), this oath has endured for over 80 years, appearing most recently in Chip Zdarsky & @jorgejimenezart.bsky.social's Batman #138.
Batman and Robin with their hands placed together in front of a candle. Batman says "-and swear that we two will fight together against crime and corruption and never to swerve from the path of righteousness!", to which Robin answers "I swear it!" Art by Bob Kane. Batman looming over Robin, who holds his hand up beside a lit candle. A caption says "That night, with only God - and the Batman - as my witnesses, I swore an undying oath..." Batman says "Swear that you will fight together against crime and corruption, and never swerve from the path of justice!", to which Robin answers "I swear it!" Art by Jim Aparo. Batman and Robin with their hands placed together in front of a candle. Batman says "Batman and Robin." Captions beside them read "I made a promise to my parents that I would rid the city of the evil that took their lives. That remains unchanged. Only now... I am no longer alone." Art by Tim Sale. Batman and Robin with their hands placed together in front of a candle. Batman says "This is the beginning of a new life, son. Of service to others, of helping", to which Robin answers "I- I am... I vow to help" Art by Jorge Jimenez.
June 28, 2025 at 12:58 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
The episode also saw an all-too literal "hung jury", calling to mind the Hangman killings featured in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's iconic Dark Victory, their iconic follow-up to the classic Batman story, The Long Halloween.
The cover for Batman: Dark Victory, featuring Batman and Robin leaping down from above against an orange background.
June 28, 2025 at 12:58 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Two other characters referenced this week were Great White Shark (created for @danslott.bsky.social and Ryan Sook's Arkham Asylum: Living Hell), and Black Mask, created by Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake in 1985 as part of their iconic Batman run, and rising to prominence in 2004's Batman: War Games.
Great White Shark (pale, hairless features, no nose and no lips, with sharpened fangs) staring out with dark eyes and saying "The Great White Shark." Art by Don Kramer. The cover for Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, featuring Batman stood before the gates of Arkham, his cloak slowly twisting into hundreds of screaming faces. Black Mask (obsidian, skull-like features, white teeth and red eyes, wearing a black coat over a white shirt and black tie. He is saying "...comes courtesy of the Black Mask." Art by Tony S. Daniel. The cover for Volume One of Batman: War Games, featuring its various players, from Batman, to Penguin and Scarface.
June 28, 2025 at 12:58 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
In fact, Harley's vignette was full of @pauldini.bsky.social references, from Anthony "Little Italy" Marchetti and his partner Mister ZZZ to The Broker (co-created with Don Kramer and @guillemmarch.bsky.social respectively), all featuring in Dini and Dustin Nguyen's amazing Streets of Gotham (2009).
Mister ZZZ (tall, pale and bald, with hulking proportions and cracking his knuckles) stood behind Little Italy (short, with slick black hair, and holding a gun) who says "And once we blast Harry Potter into Magicland, we're free and clear." Art by Don Kramer. The Broker (sharp, pale features, slicked back brown hair and shades) adjusting his black tie. He says "You know me, Max. This whole thing, dealing with criminals, it's just business." An off-panel voice replies "Yes, sir." Art by Dustin Nguyen. The cover for Volume One of Streets of Gotham, featuring Batman stood upon a gargoyle, his cape sweeping in front of him.
June 28, 2025 at 12:58 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
This week had us meet the one and only Harley Quinn, effortlessly played by @superdillin.bsky.social!

Modelled after Arleen Sorkin, Harley was created by @pauldini.bsky.social and Bruce Timm for the 1992 animated series, with 1993's tragic 'Mad Love' cementing her as a staple in the Batman mythos.
Harley Quinn (pale features, wearing a red and black jester outfit with a white collar and cuffs), covered in a variety of weapons, and blowing a kiss to the reader. Art by Dan Mora. The cover to Mad Love: The Deluxe Edition, showing Batman and Joker charging at one another while Harley stands between them, smiling and wielding a gun with a cork in the barrel.
June 28, 2025 at 12:58 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AND IT'S AWFUL.
Edward Spence (pale features, wavy dark hair, black and white suit) and Dillin (pale features, curly dark hair and shaved undercut, headphones) against a black and white backdrop of rain.
June 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Thank you to @modiphius.bsky.social for my copy of Fallout: The Roleplaying Game! I can't wait to take my first steps into the wasteland.

But where in the wasteland? And why now? Well, keep your eyes peeled. You can expect more news soon...
Ed (pale features, wavy brown hair, moustache and stubble) smiling and holding a copy of Modiphius' Fallout: The Roleplaying Game.
June 23, 2025 at 7:02 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
And that's it for this week! Once again, thank you for your continued support, to our peerless cast, our amazing guests, and to these amazing writers & artists for their inspiration.

Shadows of Gotham continues next Tuesday, 12pm PT! And in the meantime? Why not go read some comics?

See you soon!
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
And finally, there are those strange words that keep appearing through our series: Zur-En-Arrh.

The name of an alien planet created in 1958 by France Herron and Dick Sprang, these words found new meaning in @grantmorrison.bsky.social's seminal Batman R.I.P.

But what does it mean for our story...?
A panel of Batman looking shocked, staring at a red and purple version of himself. A caption reads: "Stunned, the great crime-fighter stares at a strange figure - an unearthly likeness of himself!" Batman says "The planet of Zur-En-Arrh?" The doppelganger replies "Yes - located in a star system far from yours! I doubt if your astronomers know of our existence!" The cover for Batman R.I.P., featuring Batman throwing open his cloak as it forms the shape of a bat's wings.
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Last night saw another name brought up for the second time: Bess Keller.

First featuring in @ssnyder1835.bsky.social and @jockbsky.bsky.social's The Black Mirror (a personal favourite), Bess was Barbara Gordon's best friend, tragically murdered by James Gordon, Jr. when they were just children.
The cover for Batman: The Black Mirror, featuring Batman stood before a white backdrop, his cloak disappearing into a swarm of bats.
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Episode 4 started with a bang, and the appearance of a long-teased character: Red Hood.

The second Robin following Dick Grayson, Jason Todd's death by reader poll in 1988's A Death in the Family saw him later return as Red Hood in @juddwinick.bsky.social and Doug Mahnke's Under The Red Hood (2004).
Red Hood (dark grey kevlar with a red bat-symbol on his chest, his features obscured by a red helmet and white eyes), adjusting his brown leather jacket. The cover for Batman: Under The Red Hood, featuring Batman and Red Hood, bloodied and standing side-by-side against an army of guns.
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
We also saw our first appearance of Batman this series! Or did we...?

While that particular mystery is yet to be resolved, his final words this episode ("A fitting end for his kind.") are a direct reference to Batman's first story in Detective Comics #27 (1939), The Case of the Chemical Syndicate!
Two panels from Detective Comics #27. In the first, a man tumbles through some railings as Bat-Man watches on, while over his shoulder a man exclaims "He's falling right into the acid tank!" In the second panel, Bat-Man responds "A fitting end for his kind."
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Amongst the morning headlines, there was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to Violet Paige!

Created by @jodyhouser.bsky.social, Tommy Lee Edwards and Gerard Way, she first appeared as the titular star of Mother Panic (2016), one of the most exciting characters to come out of Gotham this decade.
Mother Panic (white superhero outfit, with a triangular-shaped helmet and a long white cloak), leaping towards the reader as a vehicle explodes behind her. The cover for Volume One of Mother Panic, featuring the titular character flying forward on a white hover bike, silhouetted against the shadowy figure of Batman behind her.
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
Another Gotham institution referenced in our third episode? The Gotham Gazette, the city's enduring newspaper publication. Introduced all the way back in Batman #4 (1940) by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the Gazette has played host to many iconic characters, including the one and only Vicki Vale.
The offices of The Gotham Gazette, in which two figures speak with one another behind a bank of cubicles. The first says "I hope to hell you know what you're doing, kid." The second responds "Me too, Warren. Me too."
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
edwardspence.bsky.social
And amongst their patients? Daedalus Boch (aka. Doodlebug), played by the amazing @howdylovedarlin.bsky.social!

Created for the stunning Arkham Asylum: Living Hell (2003) by @danslott.bsky.social and Ryan Sook, Doodlebug is - to coin another piece of Bat-media- a fully functioning homicidal artist.
Doodlebug (dark features, black hair in short locks, with wide red eyes), his Arkham inmate uniform stained with blood as he smiles up to the sky. Art by Ryan Sook. The cover for Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, featuring Batman stood before the gates of Arkham, his cloak slowly twisting into hundreds of screaming faces.
June 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM