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March 20, 2013 8:25 AM Subscribe
Explore exciting worlds of fun, fantasy and adventure with Dungeons & Dragons...
...and here's a panel-by-panel breakdown.
...and here's a panel-by-panel breakdown.
Heh. I'm currently reading over the 5e (or D&D Next) packet and there's a lot missing so far. Like, Half-Orcs, to name just one thing. I guess that'll be coming in the near future though.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:37 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by Navelgazer at 8:37 AM on March 20, 2013
(more on topic, this is a great find.)
posted by Navelgazer at 8:38 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by Navelgazer at 8:38 AM on March 20, 2013
Just to show everyone has to start somewhere, most of the artwork was done by Bill Willingham, the New York Times–bestselling, Eisner Award–winning writer-creator of the Fables series and its multiple spinoffs.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:39 AM on March 20, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:39 AM on March 20, 2013 [4 favorites]
Why is Grimslade hanging out with those losers is what I really want to know
posted by theodolite at 8:40 AM on March 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 8:40 AM on March 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
You can't talk about horrible D&D art without including a link to the old Saturday morning cartoon!
posted by DigDoug at 8:42 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by DigDoug at 8:42 AM on March 20, 2013
Oh man, remember the Cub Scout comic that got turned into Metafilter propaganda? I'm thinking we need to brew a pot of coffee.
posted by boo_radley at 8:44 AM on March 20, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by boo_radley at 8:44 AM on March 20, 2013 [5 favorites]
That first one is one of the least competent comicS I have ever seen.
posted by Artw at 8:49 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 8:49 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
I believe, but I could be wrong, that the reason for the varying quality of the comics in the first link is because the first three were all interior-page ads but the last one was a back-cover ad. I think I'm remembering that right, but now I'm recalling that these ads came out right at the same time that comics were making the switch to direct sales and Baxter paper. Anyone know?
posted by Shepherd at 8:50 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by Shepherd at 8:50 AM on March 20, 2013
Indel? Who knew pointy ears were just a single mutation away!
posted by gurple at 8:54 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by gurple at 8:54 AM on March 20, 2013
I really need to randomly say "Look out! It's dripping!" at some point today.
posted by JoanArkham at 8:58 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by JoanArkham at 8:58 AM on March 20, 2013
I remember and love these.
I don't think they ever sold a product to me, but brand awareness?
HOSTESS PIE level.
I really need to randomly say "Look out! It's dripping!" at some point today.
One step ahead of you.
She did not think it funny.
posted by Mezentian at 9:03 AM on March 20, 2013 [7 favorites]
I don't think they ever sold a product to me, but brand awareness?
HOSTESS PIE level.
I really need to randomly say "Look out! It's dripping!" at some point today.
One step ahead of you.
She did not think it funny.
posted by Mezentian at 9:03 AM on March 20, 2013 [7 favorites]
I remember these fondly from my days of doing nothing but reading comics (different from today where I intersperse working and drinking beers in between reading comics) and it's nice to see them in sequential order since I haven't seen them that way before.
posted by josher71 at 9:08 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by josher71 at 9:08 AM on March 20, 2013
Having read them all, the green slime one is the only comic that stuck in my brain.
From Avengers Annual #10 if my memory serves.
I'd never seen the others. Good to know there was a story.
posted by Mezentian at 9:10 AM on March 20, 2013
From Avengers Annual #10 if my memory serves.
I'd never seen the others. Good to know there was a story.
posted by Mezentian at 9:10 AM on March 20, 2013
Just to show everyone has to start somewhere, most of the artwork was done by Bill Willingham, the New York Times–bestselling, Eisner Award–winning writer-creator of the Fables series and its multiple spinoffs.
Who, relatedly, also created this, familiar to AD&D diehards everywhere and perhaps my most prized geek possession. (Bill, you scamp [NSFW].)
posted by The Bellman at 9:11 AM on March 20, 2013
Who, relatedly, also created this, familiar to AD&D diehards everywhere and perhaps my most prized geek possession. (Bill, you scamp [NSFW].)
posted by The Bellman at 9:11 AM on March 20, 2013
SHIT INDEL, GET IT TOGETHER
posted by steef at 9:18 AM on March 20, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by steef at 9:18 AM on March 20, 2013 [10 favorites]
This is so great.
My first D&D character was called Indel (I was very young indeed, and clearly a tad short on imagination) - suggesting that I had not really been paying attention since Indel, it turns out, is a total butt monkey.
posted by running order squabble fest at 9:20 AM on March 20, 2013
My first D&D character was called Indel (I was very young indeed, and clearly a tad short on imagination) - suggesting that I had not really been paying attention since Indel, it turns out, is a total butt monkey.
posted by running order squabble fest at 9:20 AM on March 20, 2013
Oh, if it's D&D Willingham drawn porn you want, you need to find Ironwood or the first Elementals Sex Special.
posted by MartinWisse at 9:25 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by MartinWisse at 9:25 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Alls I can say is that Saren was much more attractive in the 80s.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:33 AM on March 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:33 AM on March 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
Hey, the stress of being mind-controlled by a giant robot cuttlefish would age anyone's skin, man.
posted by running order squabble fest at 9:43 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by running order squabble fest at 9:43 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Man, I remember the ads that were all about the inherent tension between storytelling and simulationist school sof thought in role-playing games. Yeah, those really moved some product.
posted by GuyZero at 10:18 AM on March 20, 2013
posted by GuyZero at 10:18 AM on March 20, 2013
Ahaha, the gratuitous ass shot of the cleric checking the door while the mage and fighter look on...classic.
These are great, thanks.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:20 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
These are great, thanks.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:20 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ah, sending off for a mail-order catalog, still good fun in the 1970s, just like it had been in the 1950s. (at least, I assumed it had been going on that long, at the time.) Waiting and hoping was half the fun. See also: Calvin's propeller beanie.
God, I can't think of the last time I really, genuinely looked at a catalog. I don't even have the patience for the Costco fliers.
posted by Malor at 10:21 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
God, I can't think of the last time I really, genuinely looked at a catalog. I don't even have the patience for the Costco fliers.
posted by Malor at 10:21 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
The lettering is so bad on the first one my dyslexic brain thought it said "LOOK OUT IT'S CURTAIN DEATH!" and I was all 'oh D&D and your wacky monsters!'
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 10:21 AM on March 20, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 10:21 AM on March 20, 2013 [6 favorites]
Heh. I'm currently reading over the 5e (or D&D Next) packet and there's a lot missing so far. Like, Half-Orcs, to name just one thing. I guess that'll be coming in the near future though.
Check back like once a month, they're updated frequently. Also note: the last time I looked, the monsters in the Bestiary were considerably overpowered relative to the characters; a 1st level fighter gets a +1 to hit, but a goblin gets a +4. Apparently an ordinary human gets a three point to-hit bonus than a 1st level character! But word is the Bestiary hasn't been updated much recently, probably because they're focusing on character classes at the moment.
5E/Next uses a concept I rather like the idea of, called "Bounded Accuracy," designed to help keep low-level monsters in the fight longer (and give PCs a little more of a chance against higher-level opponents), by greatly slowing the progression of to-hit bonuses and sources of extra AC. I particularly like that it goes against the trend to increase the MMORPG-ness of level-based games, where if you're three levels off of an opponent either you or he's going to stomp the other side into dust.
As for the comics, they're pretty cool. They do a good job of capturing the mood of the time, where just pretending to be elves and wizards and shit was enough to carry a game.
posted by JHarris at 10:40 AM on March 20, 2013 [7 favorites]
Check back like once a month, they're updated frequently. Also note: the last time I looked, the monsters in the Bestiary were considerably overpowered relative to the characters; a 1st level fighter gets a +1 to hit, but a goblin gets a +4. Apparently an ordinary human gets a three point to-hit bonus than a 1st level character! But word is the Bestiary hasn't been updated much recently, probably because they're focusing on character classes at the moment.
5E/Next uses a concept I rather like the idea of, called "Bounded Accuracy," designed to help keep low-level monsters in the fight longer (and give PCs a little more of a chance against higher-level opponents), by greatly slowing the progression of to-hit bonuses and sources of extra AC. I particularly like that it goes against the trend to increase the MMORPG-ness of level-based games, where if you're three levels off of an opponent either you or he's going to stomp the other side into dust.
As for the comics, they're pretty cool. They do a good job of capturing the mood of the time, where just pretending to be elves and wizards and shit was enough to carry a game.
posted by JHarris at 10:40 AM on March 20, 2013 [7 favorites]
It's funny to contrast the awesome shittiness of these with Order of the Stick, which is so engrossing that I actually woke up the other morning thinking, "Wow, the Order of the Stick are really in deep shit now."
posted by COBRA! at 10:43 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by COBRA! at 10:43 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh hot damn memories. "It's green slime, you're a cleric!" was the line that inspired my magic user Obvioso, who would happily tell the rest of the party what was going on. Naturally this mostly involved repeating what the DM just said. ("The door is locked." "Egad! The door appears to be locked!") When he finally perished in a wholly arbitrary and totally unfair fashion which I shall not argue any longer, the others looked up as one and exclaimed "Oh no! Obvioso is dead!"
My next character was named Shutup.
posted by Spatch at 10:52 AM on March 20, 2013 [12 favorites]
My next character was named Shutup.
posted by Spatch at 10:52 AM on March 20, 2013 [12 favorites]
I recently moved again, and just like I have for the last 15 years, I took all my D&D stuff with me.
It's funny how something like carrying these books can be a comfort. They're like a warm blanket for me. When I'm feeling anxious or stressed, I pop open an old 1st edition book and just read about awesome stuff.
At this point, I have the core of the 1st edition stuff (along with some cool ones like the original hardback Fiend Folio), almost every book released for 2nd edition (yes, including all the random brown Adventurer's Guide to.... books ((even the green Vikings one!))), the core books for 4th ed, and so much Dark Sun campaign materials that they require their own tub.
Not to mention a fishing tacklebox filled with the 70s era pewter minis, two full sets of the 1991 TSR Factory Set Trading Cards, and...well, a lot more. When I packed it all for the move, I ended up have 5 16 gallon tubs of just D&D stuff, weighing in at about 225 lbs. And that doesn't even start to touch the TSR novels.
I guess what I'm saying is, if anyone's in Philadelphia and wants to nerd out sometime, I have the gear.
posted by lazaruslong at 11:01 AM on March 20, 2013 [10 favorites]
It's funny how something like carrying these books can be a comfort. They're like a warm blanket for me. When I'm feeling anxious or stressed, I pop open an old 1st edition book and just read about awesome stuff.
At this point, I have the core of the 1st edition stuff (along with some cool ones like the original hardback Fiend Folio), almost every book released for 2nd edition (yes, including all the random brown Adventurer's Guide to.... books ((even the green Vikings one!))), the core books for 4th ed, and so much Dark Sun campaign materials that they require their own tub.
Not to mention a fishing tacklebox filled with the 70s era pewter minis, two full sets of the 1991 TSR Factory Set Trading Cards, and...well, a lot more. When I packed it all for the move, I ended up have 5 16 gallon tubs of just D&D stuff, weighing in at about 225 lbs. And that doesn't even start to touch the TSR novels.
I guess what I'm saying is, if anyone's in Philadelphia and wants to nerd out sometime, I have the gear.
posted by lazaruslong at 11:01 AM on March 20, 2013 [10 favorites]
I bought my daughter an old Dennis the Menace comic the other day, and it had one of these ads in it. She was nonplussed by my rambling diatribe about rust monsters and fighter-magic users. Three year olds, man.
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:32 AM on March 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Kafkaesque at 11:32 AM on March 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
The Bellman: "Just to show everyone has to start somewhere, most of the artwork was done by Bill Willingham, the New York Times–bestselling, Eisner Award–winning writer-creator of the Fables series and its multiple spinoffs.
Who, relatedly, also created this, familiar to AD&D diehards everywhere and perhaps my most prized geek possession. (Bill, you scamp [NSFW].)"
Aaaaaaaah. The lovely and talented Blackrazor.
Oh, you were talking about the woman...
posted by Samizdata at 12:46 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Who, relatedly, also created this, familiar to AD&D diehards everywhere and perhaps my most prized geek possession. (Bill, you scamp [NSFW].)"
Aaaaaaaah. The lovely and talented Blackrazor.
Oh, you were talking about the woman...
posted by Samizdata at 12:46 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Blackrazor’s blade is as black as the night sky and sparkles with the stars of alien constellations. The chill of the endless void emanates from Blackrazor, and those who stare into its blade too long get the eerie feeling that the stars within are slowly drifting closer...
Fuck. Yes.
posted by lazaruslong at 12:50 PM on March 20, 2013
Fuck. Yes.
posted by lazaruslong at 12:50 PM on March 20, 2013
Oh, and I got to play a beta version of Dangerous Dimensions/Journeys with EGG himself running the game a good few years ago.
posted by Samizdata at 12:56 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Samizdata at 12:56 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Suddenly a figure steps out of the shadows
This is how we handle missing/late players too.
posted by Sauce Trough at 1:13 PM on March 20, 2013 [4 favorites]
This is how we handle missing/late players too.
posted by Sauce Trough at 1:13 PM on March 20, 2013 [4 favorites]
I totally remember those and I also remember thinking WTF?! when the production value of the art changed radically after the first comic. I think I remember those running in the Daredevil comic books in the late 70's or early 80's?
I also vividly remember that Willingham illustration on the White Plume Mountain pack and thinking it was the raddest thing I'd ever seen in my whole life. It's too bad no one ever airbrushed it (w/ girl) on the side of a chevy van. Total shaggin' wagon stuff for sure.
posted by photoslob at 1:22 PM on March 20, 2013
I also vividly remember that Willingham illustration on the White Plume Mountain pack and thinking it was the raddest thing I'd ever seen in my whole life. It's too bad no one ever airbrushed it (w/ girl) on the side of a chevy van. Total shaggin' wagon stuff for sure.
posted by photoslob at 1:22 PM on March 20, 2013
Wow, that takes me back. Nice find, griphus.
posted by homunculus at 1:49 PM on March 20, 2013
posted by homunculus at 1:49 PM on March 20, 2013
Did the end of their quest lie there? DON'T STOP NOW!
posted by Kevin Street at 1:51 PM on March 20, 2013
posted by Kevin Street at 1:51 PM on March 20, 2013
In other news: Electronic Dice Gauntlet Takes You Into Dangerous Uber-Nerd Territory
posted by homunculus at 1:52 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 1:52 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
"Wow, the Order of the Stick are really in deep shit now."
Oh god, aren't they? It's the Roy and Haleylan show at the moment. My guess is the fiends will possess V and use her to take out some chunk of the Linear Guild... and the kobold secretary will kill Belkar. The gate gets blown up and everyone runs for the next one.
But now I've predicted it, it can't take place. (phew!)
Back on topic: Speak with Monsters
posted by Sebmojo at 3:38 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh god, aren't they? It's the Roy and Haleylan show at the moment. My guess is the fiends will possess V and use her to take out some chunk of the Linear Guild... and the kobold secretary will kill Belkar. The gate gets blown up and everyone runs for the next one.
But now I've predicted it, it can't take place. (phew!)
Back on topic: Speak with Monsters
posted by Sebmojo at 3:38 PM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh my God! I've wondered for about 30 years what happened after the Dimension Door led them to an ancient castle. For the love of Veccna, please let there be more of these.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 4:37 PM on March 20, 2013
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 4:37 PM on March 20, 2013
Jeff Dee did a Kickstarter last year that revisited some art form his D&D days, so maybe he could be convinced to continue the story, seeing as he had a hand in the original.
In the meanwhile, this reminded me of Tim Sievert's excellent web comic, The Clandestinauts which is worth a read if you enjoy this sort of thing.
posted by zueod at 6:14 PM on March 20, 2013
In the meanwhile, this reminded me of Tim Sievert's excellent web comic, The Clandestinauts which is worth a read if you enjoy this sort of thing.
posted by zueod at 6:14 PM on March 20, 2013
The 5E/Next materials were updated yesterday. Although it states monsters have been updated this time, Kobolds and Human Commoners (all stats at 10) still get a +3 to hit, and Goblins a +4. So, if a Commoner gained a level as a Fighter, he'd suddenly lose +2 to hit. I assume the to-hit portion of the monster design has been neglected this revision.
I'm not necessarily against the idea that lowest-level humanoids could be a little more agile with weapons than 1st level humans, especially since character classes have other advantages and Next is supposed to match up with the power scaling and design of classic D&D a bit better (the playtest materials even include a port of the adventure portion of Keep on the Borderlands). But the Commoner thing is head-scratching.
posted by JHarris at 2:37 AM on March 21, 2013
I'm not necessarily against the idea that lowest-level humanoids could be a little more agile with weapons than 1st level humans, especially since character classes have other advantages and Next is supposed to match up with the power scaling and design of classic D&D a bit better (the playtest materials even include a port of the adventure portion of Keep on the Borderlands). But the Commoner thing is head-scratching.
posted by JHarris at 2:37 AM on March 21, 2013
I was going to post this on the front page, but couldn't find a hook:
Jeff Dee and Jack Herman, the creators of the old-school super-hero roleplaying game Villains & Vigilantes, have won a copyright and trademark lawsuit over the game's publisher Scott Bizar of Fantasy Games Unlimited.
posted by Mezentian at 10:54 AM on March 22, 2013 [2 favorites]
Jeff Dee and Jack Herman, the creators of the old-school super-hero roleplaying game Villains & Vigilantes, have won a copyright and trademark lawsuit over the game's publisher Scott Bizar of Fantasy Games Unlimited.
posted by Mezentian at 10:54 AM on March 22, 2013 [2 favorites]
In other news: Electronic Dice Gauntlet Takes You Into Dangerous Uber-Nerd Territory
I love the dice glove. It's so bad.
posted by running order squabble fest at 11:50 AM on March 22, 2013
I love the dice glove. It's so bad.
posted by running order squabble fest at 11:50 AM on March 22, 2013
(Although... isn't it really a dice bracer?)
posted by running order squabble fest at 11:50 AM on March 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by running order squabble fest at 11:50 AM on March 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:33 AM on March 20, 2013 [1 favorite]