I finally got the go ahead from my professor, who said that the Persian sea commander sounded like a good topic for the project(that or the Jewish funeral meal, but she told me to pick the one that sounded more interesting to me, no offense), so if you are still willing to let me help, I'm ready whenever.  Just let me know and then I'll start contacting you via PM.

I'm currently enrolled at Rutgers University in a MLIS(Master's in Library and Info Science) program and for one of my classes we have to find someone who needs to find some information and basically help them find whatever they're looking for as a term project.  I couldn't really think of anyone I know personally that needs that kind of help, so I thought this would be a good place to ask(and the professor ok'd it already).  Being a university student, I have access to a lot of databases and resources the average person probably doesn't, so that should be helpful to whoever is looking for something that they're having a hard time finding.

Anyway, please just let me know if I can help.  I haven't really thought of a fair selection process, other than that it has to be something more than some basic statistics or simple facts(as per the professor's instructions).  Obviously, I can only cover one person's needs for this project.  I'll try to come up with a fair way to pick someone when I see how many of you actually need/want my help.  Of course, if Jim happens to see this and actually wants my help, you guys are on your own  . 

Thanks!

I wouldn't worry too much about the marketability of the setting.  IMO, the setting probably won't matter nearly as much for marketability as having an imaginative, well-written story.  As long as you can somewhat accurately describe the city, it should be fine from my perspective.

Going off what jtaylor said, it would also depend on how close your character is to the ghoul. If she can get inside his range, she has a much better chance of parrying since the ghoul wouldn't be able to swing the sword fully if he swings it down at her.  The ghoul's intelligence level can be a factor here.  If it has the intelligence of the average ghoul, it might not realize that a sword is not the best weapon to use when someone with a smaller weapon is within the range of your sword.

I found the book in the Barnes & Noble in Salem, NH and I was tempted to buy it, just because I like Jim's style. The only thing that stopped me was a shortage of cash, though the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the Marvel-verse was a contributing factor, just not a huge one.

There's always the library.