Paul Vanderwerk stands here before me as an X-Man.  I’m not talking in metaphors here.  It’s not that he’s performed any particularly heroic deeds, or rescued his high school sweetheart from a passing car. It’s that he, the owner of VS Paradise, is literally standing here dressed as Wolverine.

Paul is a legend in Vs. System, and at this $10K, it looks like he wants to bump his infamy up yet another notch.  You see, it all started with a rivalry and a bet.  Kieren Otton, owner of the infamous card hangout Sydney Games Centre, and his Arkham Inmates have long sought to shame out Paul and his favored X-Men.  The result?  Each wages an ongoing battle for their team’s glory, while seeking to publicly humiliate the other!  But it’s all in good fun, of course.  We hunted out Paul to give us the full low-down on his bizarre attire, and the story behind it.

Explain this rivalry between you and Kieren. When and why did it start? 

It’s been going on for probably two years now.  We started having an annual grudge match . . . and I’ve won the last two!  The rivalry itself isn’t about the prizes. It’s just the chance to rub it in to each other, really.

So, Paul.  The bet.  Spill it.

We’re constantly doing a lot of talking-up to each of our teams,and because both of us were entering $10K Auckland, we decided that whoever finished lower would have to wear the team costume to the next $10K (which was Brisbane). 
After nine rounds at Auckland, we were both at four wins and five losses, so it was decided on tiebreakers.  I came in 47th, and Kieren came in 44th! So close! There wasn’t much else to it. 

Is there anything riding on this $10K?  Should we expect to see Otton decked out with a tuxedo, top hat and cane a-la the Penguin if his deck doesn’t cut it today?

I want to, but Kieren thinks he has nothing to prove anymore . . . I just think he’s scared!  I would love to see him in the Penguin suit. Maybe we can do another bet at the next $10K.  Actually, no! I’d love to see him in my Wolvie outfit—that would be the ultimate public shaming!


So, you’re dressed up Wolverine.  Was it tough to decide which X-Man’s outfit made the cut?

There were a lot of suggestions that I should be Emma Frost or Jean Grey, and I was leaning towards just coming as something easy like Professor X—but then I saw this costume on the internet, and thought “Nah, I’ll go the whole hog.”  It’s mine to keep now!  I’m sure I’ll wear it often.


Are you standing loyal behind your X-Stall deck today?  Have you made any notable changes to your deck’s line-up?

Yeah, I am playing X-Stall.  I’m ashamed to say that I actually have at least 4 Arkham characters in the deck.  I’ve also added Captain Marvel and the Crisis team-up (Crisis on Infinite Earths) so I have a chance against Glock. 

How do you expect to place, considering the current meta? 

I’m 2-0 at the moment, but I usually start well and finish bad.  The deck is good, but it will all come down to matchups, really. 

Well, Paul, thanks for your time.  Good luck today, and we all look forward to seeing you (or Kieren) dressed up as Storm or the Penguin next time around.  Any last words?

Thanks very much!  And Kieren, the Penguin wouldn’t be afraid of a bet.