I think the series holds up rather well. For a brand-extending toyetic 80's kids show, the writing has a lot of humanity and imagination. And I like the extra goodies in the box, like 3.5 stats for the kids and their equipment. And then there's this fabulous piece of box art (click for a bigger version):
I'd totally adventure on that map.
In an upcoming episode of our new podcast at animalball, I actually talk about my experience with watching this with my kids. I was as friendly as you-- but did you check out the panty shot on Sheila in the first episode? What was that about?
ReplyDeletebut did you check out the panty shot on Sheila in the first episode? What was that about?
ReplyDeleteIt was about everything wonderful.
I've considered using the Realm from the cartoon as a B/X setting, myself. Unfortunately, the cool looking map on the box has almost nothing to do with the actual adventures of the kids in the Realm. It does not match any combination of the adventures in the actual series, and only two or three are references to locations mentioned in the cartoon. These guys:
ReplyDeleteMaps of the Realm
Have put together a pretty decent series of maps, but they still don't quite fit the adventures. The problem being, of course, that there was no map of the Realm for the writers to work from. As usual, they worked from the needs of the plot which, being a fairly strict setting constructionist myself, drives me bonkers.
Oh, and yes... RE: Sheila? Everything wonderful, indeed.
I have nothing but respect for your approach and the results on your site, that stuff is wicked cool. But I'm more happy with a jumble of cool-sounding names to use as a springboard for my own wacky adventures.
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd mention that it's not my own site, just one I found...
ReplyDeleteMy kid and I love that show. Her favorite episode is "City At The Edge Of Midnight", and we use the characters as examples of good and bad behaviors. "Youdon't wanna be a BADguy, like Venger, do you? No, you want to be good like Bobby, right?"
ReplyDeleteOh, and I've drawn plenty of Sheila fan sketches in the last few months.
ReplyDeleteI, uh, altered her figure a bit though.
I think that map is a pretty good model for what D&D maps can look like. We've done the strict, the map is like a AAA atlas thing for 30+ years. I'd like to see a map that's a lot more like something a person in a setting would draw, or a map that focuses on the cool stuff where people adventure and leaves out all the boring trade routes.
ReplyDeleteI loved this cartoon-had no idea that there was a game to go with it! What a revelation! Where can you buy such a thing?!
ReplyDeleteAre you asking where you can find the Dungeons & Dragons game? Here in Illinois you can buy the Basic set in most large chain bookstores and some toy outfits. Or search Amazon for "dungeons dragons basic" and check out the first result that turns up.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was. But I'm UK based-dammit. I'll try on amazon though-so thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteI noticed an earlier post you made about the D&D critical hit cards too-my RPG group have just got a pack-so much fun to be had :D
OK, so you want the game statistics for the cartoon! No I understand. The Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon boxed set comes with the official booklet of 3.5 stats. I don't know if this set has had a UK release.
ReplyDelete