To say Ben digs the guys over at Penny Arcade is an understatement. At first one might think what could some comic book guys possibly have to do with D&D? The answer is actually a hell of a frickin’ lot.

It began with their legendary D&D 4E podcast series with Wizards of the Coasts back in May of 2008. And it gleefully continues with a second series in 2009.

The Penny Arcade crew is also starting to sprinkle in some occasional product reviews of D&D accessories too. Even better, they’re creating some homebrew items as well. Check out the cool effect conditions! Of course, Ben wishes he could buy or download them.

So pop over to their Blog for weekly content updates and give their Gabe a say hey on Twitter.

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After a traumatic product line shift and long layoff, D&D Miniatures returns with a whole new packaging system and rules format (sorry skirmish vets). Player’s Handbook Heroes is the first set exclusively developed for Fourth Edition.

The first set totals 18 miniatures (3 per pack, 6 packs in all) and the randomness removed. All the figures are completely visible. Another forty-piece set will be released in May entitled Monster Manual: Dangerous Delves. Thus, they’ve taken a full set and spread it over two months.

The paint jobs including the faces are much better so the higher price isn’t a huge deal. However, taking previous sculpts and essentially re-painting them is a big bummer. And Ben also thinks they went a little over board on all the chick minis.

Here’s our top five: Male Goliath Barbarian (you see him, you run), Male Elf Ranger (love the bird), Female Eladrin Sorcerer (nice use of see-through blue), Male Human Cleric (love the paint job), and Male Dwarf Paladin (total package).

And here’s our bottom five: Female Elf Druid (lame pose), Male Half-Elf Fighter Warlock (too much Flash Gordon), Male Tiefling Warlock (two words – ham hock), Female Eladrin Wizard (powder puff), and Male Human Fighter (light as a feather).

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Sadly, RPG fans have little to choose from in terms of quality audio entertainment. So when one finds a tiny gem among a garbage-sized pile of copper coins, youthful exuberance reigns supreme.

The crown jewel of which I speak is the D&D Podcast with Penny Arcade and PVP. Originally recorded in May of 2008, this podcast is the perfect introduction into the relatively new 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. Penny Arcade even sprinkles in some kick-ass comics for added flavor.

The adventuring party is dubbed “Acquisitions Incorporated” and played by a group of guys anybody would kill to drop some dice with on any given game day. My personal favorite character is Jim Darkmagic (of the New Hampshire Darkmagics) but Binwin Bronzebottom is a close second.

My only knock is that the podcasts themselves are often just too darn short (sometimes as little as 30 minutes) and branded merchandise (shirts, mugs, etc) are still nowhere to be found.

Happily, the cast and crew are back with their second series and this time it includes former Star Treker, Wil Wheaton.

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