"Dungeons & Dragons" Cartoon on DVD

[FCWesel]

Saw this note on http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=4760

Quick, name a show that stars the voices of "Tommy and Nicholas Bradford" (Willie Aames and Adam Rich of Eight Is Enough), "Ralph Malph" (Donny Most of Happy Days), and "Optimus Prime" and "Megatron" (Peter Cullen and Frank Welker of the original Transformers).

Need more clues? Okay, the writing staff included Michael Reaves, Mark Evanier, and Lost writer (and one of the main men behind Warner's '90s revitalization of the DC Comics superhero cartoons) Paul Dini. Oh, it's worth noting that Reaves and Dini also spent time writing Transformers stories, too, while Evanier is well-known for his Garfield & Friends cartoons. But where in 1983 could you find all of this talent in one place?

TSR's hot game "Dungeons & Dragons" (usually characterized as a "board game", but anyone who's played it knows that there isn't any board...although there ARE plenty of dice) was turned into an animated series by Marvel Productions, and aired on ABC Saturday mornings from 1983 to 1985. 27 episodes of Dungeons & Dragons where made, about the adventures of Hank, Eric, Sheila, Presto, Diana and Bobby. One day these kids go on a roller coaster ride in our own world, at a normal everyday amusement park. Before they know it, though, the ride coasts them into a world of magic, where the diminutive Dungeon Master shows up from time to time to give them guidance and direction. He also gives them each a magical weapon that they must use to get themselves out of many a scrape with the fearsome monsters of this realm. Along the way they befriend Uni the Unicorn, who accompanies them on their quests.

Marvel's works had been the property of Saban ("Power Rangers") Entertainment for a long time, and when Disney bought Saban this property had likely gone there with the rest. The paper-and-dice game, though, was owned by TSR, which was bought in recent years by "Magic: The Gathering" card game company Wizards Of The Coast. So we're not sure who exactly would be putting this out on DVD, yet the industry rumors we have heard are indeed that we all can most likely expect this long-awaited cartoon classic to make it's way onto DVD in North America sometime in 2006.

Mind you, it's *just* a rumor at this time...but it comes to us from a very good source who has proven reliable in the past. We wanted to share it with you this Christmas Eve, as our gift to all the fans of this show (whether you celebrate Christmas or not) who have waited so patiently for it. Stay tuned, and we'll keep you updated with news on this potential release as we get it!

 

[ToddSchumacher]

I am SO buying this when it comes out.

 

[Green Knight]

I'll definitely be getting them when they come out.

Incidentally, anyone else had the crazy notion that it'd be fun to play a campaign based off of the D&D cartoon? My idea was to use D20 Modern mixed in with some other fantasy world (Maybe Forgotten Realms, or Ravenloft), and have the six players playing each of the six D20 Modern classes. Then when they get to the Fantasy world, they multi-class into the appropriate fantasy class (Barbarian, Fighter=Cavalier, Monk=Acrobat, Ranger, Rogue=Thief, Wizard=Magician). Either that or play a regular Midnight campaign (With natives, not with people from our world), since each of the six classes there correspond to the D&D cartoon characters (Barbarian, Channeler=Magician, Defender=Acrobat, Fighter=Cavalier, Rogue=Thief, Wildlander=Ranger), and there's no Cleric class available, so the players aren't missing out on that aspect.

In either case, throw in a Venger type of villain, a Dungeon Master character (Who could be Elminster, if it's Forgotten Realms. Making Venger his Half-Fiend son would be cool, especially since Dungeon Master is Vengers father in the cartoon), and Ancestral magic items (You know, those magic items that you put XP into them to awaken new powers), and you'd be set.

 

[frankthedm]

About time. I was almost ready to order a Pal version of this & 'region 0' DVD player.

Good Campaign idea GK!

 

[WayneLigon]

I'll have to get this. It is still my guilty pleasure idea that, someday, I will play a ranger with a bow like Hank's.

 

[Green Knight]

I'll have to get this. It is still my guilty pleasure idea that, someday, I will play a ranger with a bow like Hank's.

I always thought it was weird that, after having it in the cartoon, that no D&D supplement has EVER been made in which a bow like Hank's was introduced. At least none that I've read.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I'll have to get this. It is still my guilty pleasure idea that, someday, I will play a ranger with a bow like Hank's.

You mean you haven't already?

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I'll definitely be getting them when they come out.

Wow, you're still alive GK.

I'm interested in this, even though I thought the show was REALLY campy. On the to-buy list w/ many other things.

 

[WayneLigon]

You mean you haven't already?

Not yet! I actually have not played in Ranger in many, many years. I need to correct that, then take Archery as my combat style, then.... +2 Brilliant Spell-Storing Large Composite Bow. (Specifically, it can only store a Hold Person spell with the special effect that the 'arrow' wraps around the enemy and holds them). And whatever the one is that lets the bow do stunning damage instead of normal.