Suspense—pleasurable excitement and anticipation regarding an outcome—is such a powerful force. It enthralls and dazes people. They become so focused on the object of their anticipation that nothing else really matters. They tune it all out. Watch a good suspense movie and you’ll see what I mean, especially if it has a terrible plot; as long as the suspense is done right, you won’t care that the plot holes are big enough to drive an Escalade through. All you’ll care about is what’s going to happen next.

Suspense in movies is achieved in many different ways. The best way, in my humble opinion, is through the careful application of music and sound. I always see people in scary movies covering their eyes when it gets too hot for them. When I was a kid, though, I always found myself plugging my ears when I got scared. I reasoned that if I couldn’t hear the sudden burst of sound when the monster jumped out, I wouldn’t be nearly as afraid of it. I also couldn’t be freaked out by the Danny Elfman music playing hauntingly in the background.

Part of the reason suspense is so powerful a force is that many people today are impatient because of the speed of modern life. Good suspense makes people slow down, which is unnatural for them. They can’t wait to get their gratification. The gratification is the best part of the suspense in many people’s eyes. They don’t realize that what made the gratification so strong was the wait. It’s a give and take.

Sadly for us Internet writers, all the information readers need is right at their fingertips, so they aren’t forced to wait any longer for gratification than it takes to load a page. We can’t build suspense. All you have to do is scroll down to get the information you really came here for. However, it isn’t nearly as gratifying as it is for those who wade through seemingly endless text while trying to get to the Holy Grail they’re seeking. It’s for readers like you, and I stress readers, that we write all of these words that get so casually scrolled past by so many people. So, from all of us who try to give you a little more than just a picture of a card, I want to say thanks for reading.

For your patience, I present you with Tattooed Man, Living Ink.

Not the same Tattooed Man, Abel Tarrant you got used to. My little boy’s all grown up. And he’s gone from a bald head and a tank top to a full head of hair and a nice purple cape.

One of my favorite things about the way that Upper Deck handles multiple versions of cards is the amount of flavor they infuse into the versions. They make each card represent a facet of the character. This newest version of Big Tats represents his ability to make those wonderful constructs from the tattoos that are his namesake.

It’s really hard to tell how spectacular this card will be until I get a chance to see the full spoiler. After all, I need to know what 1-drop Army characters have been added to the format. However, with what we already have in the format, he has some amazing potential.

The Qward deck that made such a splash at the DC Modern Age PC in Indianapolis wanted as many characters as possible in play to abuse fully the effect that Qward generates. The deck’s previous 5-drop of choice was Element Man. While his ability can be quite good, the deck might actually want to have a few more characters in play to foil any attacks opponents might try to make. Tattooed Man, Living Ink searches the deck and gets two copies of the deck’s marquee character, Shadow Creatures. The more characters in play, the better Evil Star (the man so evil that even his clutches are evil) gets on the next turn. Add in the fact that this ability does not require an activation and the fact that it isn’t restricted to the build phase, and there is potential for some really cool tricks.

I’m really interested in seeing what the new set brings to the table, too. Us writers don’t get too much more information than you get. We get the new card and an explanation of the mechanics, and we get to see the cards that are previewed before our deadline. We can ask a few questions but, understandably, Upper Deck is fairly secretive about the rest of the cards. I have no idea what 1-drop Army characters are available in the new set, but I have no fear that there will be at least one with the potential to break this card wide open. I’ve always said that a good broken character should, in turn, break the rules of the game. Under the current game rules, characters cost resource points. Previously, cards that allowed free characters were absurdly powerful. Take Dr. Light, Master of Holograms, for example. Last I heard, he was pretty good. As long as this guy has some firepower to work with, he has the potential to do some truly sick things. Until the rest of the set comes out, I suppose I’ll just have to sit here in suspense.

I guess that unless some 1-drop Army characters are previewed on this site, the first time I’ll find out how powerful Tattooed Man really is will be at the Sneak Preview tournament. Anyone who reads these articles with any sort of diligence (and I thank you) should know that I’ve been gearing everyone up recently to dominate their local Sneak Preview events. Sneak Previews are among my favorite tournaments. I frequently comment on how much I love formats that are as of yet undiscovered. It’s kind of like my love for travel—I love exploring places I’ve never been before.

Another thing I really love about Sneak Preview tournaments is the feeling I get when I crack into that first pack. Everyone who plays this game can relate to that. Remember how you felt when you opened your very first pack of Vs. System? That mix of wonder and anticipation that you felt? That’s how I feel every time I open the first pack of a new set. I never know what, exactly, will be staring back at me. The combination of the social atmosphere and the suspense that comes with the knowledge that I’ll soon be seeing new cards keeps me coming to the Sneak Preview tournaments.

As I write this, I have almost more anticipation than ever before. I’m gearing up for a month-long vacation in California. For those of you who are unfamiliar with where I come from, I live in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s a great place and I love where I live, but I’m talking about California. The land of beaches, movie stars, smog, and Mischa Barton! Ah, Mischa Barton. I get to spend a month hanging out there with a few local friends. I also have a Sneak Preview coming up. It’s going to be the first release tournament for any set in any game that I’ll play away from my home store. I can’t wait. And believe me, you’ll hear about it. Also, if you’re lucky enough to frequent the store I choose for my Sneak Preview, don’t worry—I’ll sign all the autographs you want.