From publisher blurb:
How long have you been waiting to combine golden age comic book gaming with old school game rules? Okay, since 1st edition? Well, wait no longer -- because HIDEOUTS & HOODLUMS Second Edition is here!
What is H&H 2nd ed.? Well, it's still a d20 game, so it's class- and level-based. It lets you play superheroes, but it's not just a superhero game -- you can play fighters, magic-users, and mysterymen too. The game emphasizes exploration (of hideouts) and character interaction almost as much as combat (vs. hoodlums and other cool stuff).
Why emulate the Golden Age of Comic Books? And so specifically the pre-war years? Comic books were pretty gonzo crazy back then. You could have a dope ring-busting G-Man, a funny animal character, and a planet-hopping galactic explorer all in the same anthology comic book -- back to back! It's that anything-is-possible feel I most wanted to emulate in H&H. Adventures also tended to be short and for small groups of heroes in the Golden Age -- perfect for the time-strapped small group of friends who want to get together to game on weekday evenings.
What's different about H&H in 2nd edition? There are skills now. There are new mobster and trophy types. There is a sample metropolis to use as a home base -- plus lots of tweaking in between.
Why is this a "basic" book? This is everything you need to get your heroes from levels 1 up to level 6. That should keep you busy for awhile. Past level 6, you can look back to 1st edition, or wait for the Advanced Hideouts & Hoodlums books coming out in the future!