The Queue: Colin Hay, WoW, Tailspin, Darkwing Duck, and Scott Pilgrim
Today's Queue is a jam-packed bonus Queue. You see, I was screwing around on our Twitter account last night looking to say something controversially stupid like "Darkwing Duck is a hack" or "Scourge McDuck is the 1%, and he deserves it." But then I got to thinking, after about 900 million of you tweeted about your favorite late '80s/early '90s cartoon: We need a special Queue today.
So for the first half of the Queue, WoW questions.
For the second half, cartoon questions.
And for the third half, a postmodern deconstruction of Scott Pilgrim (the comic series, not the movie) with an eye toward the role of the ethical self in modern versus classical society. Spoiler: Is it really Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour, or is it just a reflection of the power structures of society that bind us to determine standard outcomes of ethical dilemmas? Is Scott's killing Gideon justified under today's systems, or is it just a throwback to the times before the modern social contract?
Pancakes.
Jamies asked:
So I guess if we do get Pandaren as a playable race & as a neutral/available to both sides. Would this be the first step toward a neutrality for players as a whole?
I know it doesn't seem to be WoW's style but neutrality is everywhere from the groups like the Argent Crusade to my character being Neutral with Gilneas joining the Alliance.
The whole concept really seems like one step away.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and use my crystal ball, looking 10 to 15 years into the future. The playerbase has diminished to a few million worldwide, expansions are coming out a pace of about once every three years (or slower), and patches and bug fixes are not as frequent.
At that time, yes, I believe that faction-absent grouping and player organizing will be allowed. Notice that I'm not saying faction-neutral, because I believe the conflict of the Horde and Alliance is a foundational element of the story, and Blizzard hasn't given any indication it ever intends to let up on that. (Even in Wrath, they were fighting each other, and that's as close as we ever got to peace.)
I wouldn't put money down on Pandaren being a faction-neutral playable race yet, either ... I've heard this, but I've heard other things too.
And I'm not bullshitting or giving you all a line either. Wait and see, along with all of us.
Bellajtok asked:
What's your favorite Hallow's End pet?
Creep Crate, hands down.
TimR asked:
When during the panels do you expect the next expansion to be announced? The WoW preview panel early the first day seems the likely spot to me.
The expansion will be announced at the opening ceremony and then immediately elaborated on at the preview panel. Blizzard won't allow much time between the announcement and filling in more information; doing so would lead to a level of speculation unheard of.
Andres asked:
Are there plans to implement more in-game events, not like holidays but events that advance the story. Like the events that take place when a new expansion is going to be released.
I know you wanted this asked at BlizzCon, but the answer is already yes. Blizzard has stated before that there will be additional in-game events for the next expansion, and that it really likes the way things have gone with previous expansions (of course, learning from mistakes and what-not).
Lady Silverdragon asked:
I thought I remembered hearing on this site that one of Blizzard's goals with patch 4.3 was to expand archeology, by giving people an option to turn in artifacts to the Dwarven Exploration society (or the horde equivalent). However, I haven't heard anything about this. Was this something Blizzard stated, or was this my own wishful thinking? If it was Blizzard, have they mentioned anything about Archeology since?
This was mentioned several times in designer Q&As, in blue posts, etc. So far, not a whole lot has materialized. That doesn't mean Blizzard can't implement something soon.
I have this feeling that archaeology will be expanding to include Pandaren artifacts in patch 4.3, and that Blizzard's waiting to release information on that until after the expansion announcement at BlizzCon.
Jeff asked:
I know Blizzard is reducing the number of required boss kills in trollroics as part of 4.3, but do you think they will nerf the dungeons a bit? I'm looking at you Jindo, god I hate healing that thing.
I would suspect so, yes. I'm not sure if we'll see it in patch notes or just as a stealth nerf, though. Also remember that the overall gear level will increase yet again with this patch (thanks to the new heroics and Raid Finder), so groups are going to be organically more powerful.
Time for Part II!
Mementh asked:
Which Star Trek: The Next Generation cast members were on Gargoyles?
Marina Sirtis and Jonathan Frakes had major roles throughout, while Michael Dorn, Brent Spiner, Colm Meaney, Avery Brooks, Nichell Nichols, Katherine Mulgrew, and LeVar Burton also had either recurring or guest roles.
JavVick82 asked:
How many seasons did TailSpin run?
It's a little surprising, but it technically ran for only one season, although that season had 65 episodes in it. That's more than enough for a few seasons nowadays, but back in the good old days of 1991, real seasons had 65 episodes. Not 13. (I'm looking at you, Doctor Who.)
FatherTouk asked:
What exactly is Gonzo? And why was he allowed to influence our baby frogs and pigs with his shenanigans?
Let's get philosophical here. Gonzo is a child's imagination, representing that which is developed and produced through a confluence of odd thoughts, sounds, and images. All of a child's senses contribute to his or her imaginary friend, and Gozno represents that -- running around, playing a grownup at times, while other times pulling childish pranks on those around him. He is the kid of the kids, and he loves it.
According to various sources online, Gonzo is often know to call himself a turkey, while at other times, he denies it. But perhaps that's part of the point -- as kids, we don't really know what we are until we grow up. Gonzo is right there along with us as kids in this unknown journey of self-realization and understanding.
Danidal asked:
Why does everyone hate Scrooge McDuck? I always liked him as a kid.
Well, think about him for a minute. He was rich old man who didn't like kids (at first) and wanted nothing more to collect money. That's a lot of greed and selfishness, and those are pretty unattractive traits. But that said ... His character underwent a lot of development in Duck Tales, and I think one could argue that in the canon of the NES video game, he actually turns out to be an OK guy.
So really, Scrooge McDuck is a character of redemption over greed. It's a relatively classic tale, and because of that, I think people can identify with him -- at least, the later versions. Given the times that we live in now, I wonder how such a character would be perceived. Might be interesting.
Cko asked:
Isn't Darkwing Duck really the continuation of Duck Tales?
No. Darkwing Duck is a spin-off of one episode of Duck Tales (the first season "Double-O-Duck" episode). None of the main characters of Duck Tales continue on, so it's not a sequel or continuation.
Filed under: The Queue






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
Arkonn Oct 20th 2011 11:04AM
AMAGAD BLIZZCON! /splode
Arkonn Oct 20th 2011 11:13AM
But seriously, on today's Queue - serious kudos's's! What a lovely bumper edition for us to digest over the next 20 minutes! Thank you Adam ^___^
lazymangaka Oct 20th 2011 11:15AM
I know, right?
IT'S TIME.
Arkonn Oct 20th 2011 11:46AM
These next 25 and a half hours are going to be torturous to say the least!
Dr Watson Oct 20th 2011 2:16PM
In the meantime you can watch this video:
90's Childhood in 3 Minutes
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2539916142295
Pyromelter Oct 20th 2011 2:58PM
Have to agree, +1 to Adam for an absolutely epic The Queue today. 11 questions answered, and many of them with well thought-out and researched answers. And I learned some new things about some cartoons that I didn't know existed. Well done, sir. /golfclap
Ilmyrn Oct 20th 2011 11:06AM
Wait. Since when was Launchpad not a main character of Duck Tales?
MattKrotzer Oct 20th 2011 11:11AM
Not only that, but he won Gamespot's tournament for "Best Video Game Sidekick," beating out early favorites like Tails and Luigi.
Hanketsu Oct 20th 2011 12:03PM
Yeah, what about Launchpad? I thought he was a main character in both Duck Tales and Darkwing Duck. I liked Launchpad. ^^
Luotian Oct 20th 2011 12:20PM
Yes, Launch Pad is, but there isn't really any continuity between the two. Launch Pad of Duck Tales did stuff that Launch Pad in Darkwing Duck hasn't. It's more like a prequel, actually, of stuff Launch Pad might have done before he started working for Scrooge. Gizmoduck shows up at least once, too, confusing any semblance of a time line more.
Kar On E Oct 20th 2011 12:24PM
Agree 1000% with this.
On a similar note, why did no one ever try to give Launchpad his own show? I would've so watched that.
Ilmyrn Oct 20th 2011 12:24PM
And didn't Gizmoduck pop up a few times in Darkwing Duck? He may not have been a MAIN character, but he was recurring.
Drakkenfyre Oct 20th 2011 12:43PM
I always took Darkwing Duck to be running concurrent with DuckTales. Launchpad was hanging around Darkwing Duck when he wasn't doing things for Scrooge.
I wouldn't call it a prequel, really, since characters from both showed up in either show.
Lennox Oct 20th 2011 1:17PM
Launchpad is interesting because he was created just for the Duck Tales show. Most of the episodes in the series were based on various stories from Disney Comic's Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck books. Since Duck Tales did not use Donald Duck for most of the stories, Launchpad was created to fulfill the same role. The only Duck Tales episode they could not get around this was the one where Donald got possess by the spirit of a pharaoh, so Donald was used there.
Scrooge got a little of a makeover too, in the books he was a bit meaner, well to Donald anyway he still adored Huey, Dewey and Louie. He still had way more of a conscience then his competitors though.
Wouldn't the closest thing to Duck Tales have a sequel be Quack Pack? I know that show has some issues being a sequel, and that's not even mentioning the quality drop.
JiBJUB Oct 20th 2011 1:35PM
@ Kar On E
Interestingly enough, according to wikipeida (which never lies), Launchpad was originally going to be the main character of Tailspin. Not sure what happened ... maybe rehab? Maybe Baloo didn't want to retire yet so he wanted another show and Launchpad refused to move tailspin back an hour? Who knows?
Jamie Oct 20th 2011 11:06AM
Who is this "Jamies" you speak of?
PS. Gee willikers thanks for answering my question!
EverythingRuned Oct 20th 2011 11:07AM
HAHAHA SCOURGE MCDUCK. Okay, that's out of my system now.
How do you describe the different shaman specs without getting into game terms?
Warriors are soldiers, berserkers or phalanx defenders. Warlocks focus on curses, demons or fire & brimstone. Hunters are archers, animal trainers or trappers. Druids focus on shapeshifting, the powers of life, or the powers of the sun, moon & stars. Etc. etc
I can describe each class this way, except I can't define the differences between elemental, enhancement and restoration without saying "ranged, melee and healing... and they all use totems/the elements/spirits."
EverythingRuned Oct 20th 2011 11:12AM
Well, okay, now that I think about it, paladins are a little tough, too.
MattKrotzer Oct 20th 2011 11:16AM
Restoration shamans are more attuned to the water element, using its ever-fluid nature to heal and restore.
Enhancement are largely of the wind element, cutting keenly and swiftly into their opponents like a sudden gust.
Elemental pick up the remaining, fire and earth, a tumultous blend that they can direct to disastrous effect against their foes.
restodr00d Oct 20th 2011 11:22AM
Shamans are that, shamans, people that can speak with the spirits of everything and paladins are crusaders, priest that have decided that just the word is not enough to defend people from evil of course I'm not saying priests are weak they just have different methods of "how to spread the word".