tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133705701046541281.post2293235787516602360..comments2024-03-27T08:01:47.218-07:00Comments on The Mystical Trash Heap: [Toys] [D&D] The Strange Case of Those AD&D ToysTrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01889179660165006042noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133705701046541281.post-45212650326220496232017-05-19T15:39:11.389-07:002017-05-19T15:39:11.389-07:00That makes sense. The cartoon show was already in ...That makes sense. The cartoon show was already in development and had character designs and stories and maybe even some animation done, and DDEC swoops in late in the production process and is like "hey, let's tie this fantasy-themed show to the Dungeons & Dragons brand" and it's a win-win for everybody. Perhaps if the show had stayed on the air longer they might have added more direct tie-ins with the LJN toys Trenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01889179660165006042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133705701046541281.post-11100812401763267842017-05-19T15:05:28.000-07:002017-05-19T15:05:28.000-07:00My understanding is that the cartoon was pretty fa...My understanding is that the cartoon was pretty far along in development by the time that it got attached to the D&D brand name, and would have required some major re-writing and artistic revision to tie into the LJN line. But Strongheart isn't the only one who made a cameo. Warduke did, too. And Tiamat was a recurring character. Chris T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17785848626481558691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133705701046541281.post-20282467547230148512017-05-17T10:50:15.771-07:002017-05-17T10:50:15.771-07:00Timothy Truman had a significant impact on the &qu...Timothy Truman had a significant impact on the "look" of D&D via the designs for these toys, but I still feel like it's a shame he didn't stay at TSR longer. His style was a nice counterpoint to that of Jeff Easley and Larry Elmore, without being super cheesy like Clyde Caldwell.Trenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01889179660165006042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133705701046541281.post-87673959993570934792017-05-13T15:36:22.098-07:002017-05-13T15:36:22.098-07:00I had brought up the Melf action figure to Gary on...I had brought up the Melf action figure to Gary on the phone once and he said all the characters were named by a non-playing marketing guy from the toy company. He said his name and that he was a "good guy" but he didn't play the game. It was just a coincidence. The TSR line versus the LJN lines were made by TSR's staff. Notice the ogre being exactly the same as the TSR mini ogre. The TSR ogre was also designed by a comic book artist (Rick Veitch) that was assembled artist Timothy Truman to hammer out the designs for TSR and LJN assuming around 1982. So they're all tied together in a big chaotic ball. The merchandising was huge and the LJN images were on everything. The shit that was in the store in 1983 was like a D&D gold rush for other companies too. There were knock offs galore. I still have a few downstairs. I had all the big LJN monsters except the Tiamat. I wanted the second wave of LJN figures, that included the Tiamat, but they were obscure no matter where I looked and I was looking.Gene Weigelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812473577976271609noreply@blogger.com