A flying saucer flying saucer. Well played, Wham-O.
Archive Page 35
Close Encounters of the Third Kind Frisbee (Wham-O, 1978)
Published June 3, 2015 Close Encounters of the Third Kind , Frisbees Leave a CommentStar Frontiers Metal Miniatures: Robots (TSR, 1984)
Published June 2, 2015 David Trampier , Star Frontiers , TSR Leave a Comment
The minis are great, but it’s the brilliant cover piece by Trampier that caught my eye. I believe it’s original to this product. I did an image search to see if I could find the piece anywhere else and thought it really interesting that Jim Steranko’s cover for the Blade Runner Marvel Super Special repeatedly popped up in “visually similar images.” Notwithstanding the somewhat similar color schemes, I think Tramp’s work does have quite a bit in common with Steranko’s renegade sensibilities.
Tramp is rightly famous for his early AD&D work, but in my opinion his interior art for the Star Frontiers modules Mutiny on the Eleanor Moraes (1984) and The War Machine (1985) is just as good or better. You can see a few examples below courtesy of starfrontiers.com, an excellent resource and history site. Go there to browse the whole modules.
Marvel Super Special #8: Battlestar Galactica (1978)
Published June 1, 2015 Battlestar Galactica , Comic Books , Make Mine Marvel , Marvel Super Specials Leave a Comment
I posted the original Bob Larkin cover art on Facebook last week. Here’s some original Dave Cockrum art from the same issue. You can read the whole comic—written by Roger McKenzie and illustrated by Ernie Colón—at Alberto’s Flickr. It’s good stuff, and there are lots of extras.
Bonus: here’s a photo of some 1978 kids transfixed by the oversized beauty.
Battlestar Galactica Cylon Raider Latch-Hook Kit (Clarion, 1978)
Published June 1, 2015 Arts and Crafts , Battlestar Galactica 2 Comments
Return of the Jedi ‘Death Star Battle Sweepstakes’ Ad and Entry Form, 1983
Published May 29, 2015 Ads , Promotions/Contests/Sweepstakes , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) 1 Comment
Look at that Grand Prize, nerds! A “futuristic video room,” an Atari 800, and Atari’s Star Wars coin-op! I also dig the Darth Vader Speaker Telephone, even though it looks like a blender.
I love how the entry form requires at least some rudimentary knowledge of the movie and the game (which I never played). The ad art is very Berkey-esque.
Ad is from Starlog #76 (November, 1983) via Martin Kennedy. (If you’re not following Kennedy’s Tumblr, you’re really missing out.)
Sci-Fi Wallpaper, Circa 1979
Published May 29, 2015 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , Sci-Fi/Space Art , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) 2 Comments
Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back Wallpaper (Vymura, 1978/1980)
Published May 28, 2015 Sci-Fi/Space Art , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) 11 Comments
Are you not entertained?
(Images via Szmytke, Sara, Etsy, Etsy, Filmscore, Sam Howzit, Sam Howzit, Cheesebrush, and Rebel Scum Forums)
Star Wars `Wall Vinyl’ Banner Ad, 1977
Published May 28, 2015 Star Wars (Original Trilogy) Leave a Comment
Vymura was a British product developed by Imperial Chemical Industries in the early 1960s (see an ad here). The vinyl wallpaper was extremely popular throughout the decade because it was durable and washable, unlike standard wallpaper.
The ad is 18″ x 23″, and the wall vinyl is actually a mural (something like 4′ x 6′). Vymura also released Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back wallpaper that I’ll post later. Both featured beautiful original designs.
Arcade Zen: Malibu Castle Golf and Games, 1982
Published May 27, 2015 Magazines/Zines , Video Arcades , Video Games 1 Comment
The Redwood City Golf and Games was owned by Malibu Grand Prix and survived more than 35 years. Interesting that the “the mock-medieval enchantment” of the place is so closely associated with “the electronic gamer with a romantic soul.”
The article makes some historically interesting points about the “family fun center” trying to distance itself from the “less savory connotations of the word ‘arcade'”. The Redwood City location, says the writer, had an “atmosphere” and “ambiance” that “elevates the entire arcade experience.” And because the home consoles were becoming more popular, the arcade had to “become a greater and greater part of the attraction, rather than simply a place to be endured” while playing the games.
Craig Stieglitz, who grew up in the area and managed the center for 18 years, had this to say when it closed in 2013 due to exorbitant rent:
I grew up in the area, and I came here as a kid… I got a job here for the summer, and 18 years later, here I am. That’s the sort of place this is.
Another resident added:
It’s sad—it’s a piece of your childhood taken away from you… There’s nothing quite like it out here.
The property was bought by a developer less than a month later. Upscale office buildings are in the works. God bless America.
The article is from Electronic Games #8 (October, 1982).
2 Warps to Neptune 