2 Warps to Neptune

Archive Page 43

Heavy Metal T-Shirts Ad, 1977

Published March 24, 2015 Ads , Fantasy Art , Magazines/Zines Leave a Comment

From the first issue of the magazine, which you can read at the Internet Archive. The ad was designed by a young Tom Canty, who has since won multiple World Fantasy Awards for Best Artist.

High School Yearbook Covers, 1977 – 1979 (Part Two)

Published March 24, 2015 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , High School Yearbooks Leave a Comment

Part one is here.

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Metal Miniatures Ads (1983)

Published March 23, 2015 Ads , D&D 2 Comments

From Dragon #74. If there’s one thing that can make your gaming session a real hoot, it’s a life-sized owlbear. Just don’t invite Tom Hanks.

The Art of the Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Game (TSR, 1985) (Part One)

Published March 23, 2015 D&D , D&D Art , D&D Toys , Jeff Easley , Timothy Truman , TSR 6 Comments

The Art of the Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Game focuses on the heavyweights of the day: Easley, Elmore, Parkinson, and Caldwell. Thankfully, there’s also quite a selection of Timothy Truman, who I think is generally underrated. Almost all of the art above, most of it Truman’s, is sourced as “product design,” referring to the AD&D LJN toys released in 1983.

Many of Truman’s illustrations made it onto the action figure and adventure figure (PVC) cards, including the popular first series releases Warduke (Evil Fighter), Elkhorn (Good Fighter Dwarf), Zarak (Evil Half-Orc Assassin), and Melf (Good Fighter Elf). The same illustrations appear later in Quest for the Heartstone (1984), a module that includes many of the characters from the LJN line (and others that were meant to be part of the line but didn’t make the cut).

Truman’s gnoll illustration (sixth image down) is originally from Return to Brookmere by Rose Estes (1982), an Endless Quest book. His Orc (third image down) appeared on the back of the Orcs of the Broken Bone adventure figure card (below). His awesome Skeletal Warrior did not, for some silly reason, appear on the back of the Skeleton Soldiers of Sith card. The less awesome substitute is below.

There’s a nice trio of inks by Jeff Easley (seventh image down), also sourced as product design. I’m not sure if or when they were published.

Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers Sunglasses (Larami, 1978-1979)

Published March 20, 2015 Battlestar Galactica , Buck Rogers in the 25th Century , Larami Toys 1 Comment

If you think cyborgs don’t need protection against harmful UV rays, you are an insensitive ass and may be guilty of speciesism.

(Images via eBay and eBay)

Battlestar Galactica Rub n’ Play Magic Transfer Set (Colorforms, 1978)

Published March 20, 2015 Battlestar Galactica , Colorforms , Presto Magix/Dry Transfers , Rub n' Play 1 Comment

This set is a little different than Presto Magix and later Rub n’ Play sets. You had to rub pieces of a character or vehicle into an outline, which you would then prop up in a slot.

I believe the Rub n’ Play line started in 1978, as did Presto Magix. I’ve also seen Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, and Hollie Hobby sets from the same year.

Sir Gordon the Gold Knight (Marx Toys, 1970)

Published March 19, 2015 Marx Toys/Playsets Leave a Comment

There were two knights and two vikings in the series, and each figure came with a horse (sold separately). The second knight was Sir Stuart the Silver Knight. The Vikings were Odin the Viking Chieftain and Brave Erik.

The “Noble Knight” series came out first, about 1968, and included four knights, all of which I hope to post here. As you can see, the attention to detail is striking. Marx put out many Medieval-themed playsets starting in the ’50s. A couple of them are here.

Dragonriders of the Styx Toys: Demon Flyer, Serpent Rider, and Skull Sled (DFC, 1983)

Published March 19, 2015 Dimensions for Children (DFC) , Fantasy Toys/Playsets Leave a Comment

The most priceless “free wheeling” fantasy toy line of the ’80s, and I’m not talking about cash value. The action figures are here.

TV Schedule for Saturday, September 7, 1974

Published March 18, 2015 '70s Movies/TV , Land of the Lost , TV Guide 2 Comments

From The Ledger in Lakeland, Florida. How did we ever have time to leave the house?

Land of the Lost (NBC) is up against Valley of the Dinosaurs (CBS), an animated series with a very similar premise. This is the day both shows premiered. It was the debut of the new Saturday season, actually: The New Adventures of Gilligan, Partridge Family 2200 A.D., Devlin, and Korg: 70,000 B.C., another prehistoric-themed adventure (listed as `Kong – 70,000 B.C.’ in the listing), were also new.