When was the Golden Age of Dragon magazine?

[Glyfair]

I've taken an interest in The Dragon, as it was called in the early days (now it's just Dragon) with my thread going over the various issues. A lot of times I will see comments on the boards complaining about Dragon and how it was better "in the old days."

My thread on reviewing the issues is all about comparisons. Comparing then and now is easy, I have the magazine for then and I have now. However, I'm not quite sure when these "Golden Years" are considered when it was at its height. Of course, the best way to find out is to ask.

When was "the Golden Age" of Dragon magazine to you?

 

[Gentlegamer]

My "golden age" was the Roger Moore era of the late 80s to early 90s. That is when I first came to the game and started reading Dragon.

I remember that time for Roger's editorials and Spike Y Jones's ecology articles starring the Farwanderer. The issue themes were usually very interesting, and the related cover and frontspiece art was often superb, not to mention the cover captions, like the "beholder valentine" issue.

I also loved the Twilight Empire comic that ran during that time.

Oh, and Voyage of the Princess Ark! And the fiction! Two that stand out in my mind are "The Lay of Droone" and "Thief on a String" . . . superb!

I was "published" in Dragon during this time . . . a "noob" question answered in the "Sage Advice" column by Skip Williams.

Historically, I'd say the late 70s to mid 80s was probably the true golden age with many historical articles and game developments happening.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

For me it would be between 190 - 230. Actually, I was going to "copy" your review idea, and review these issues...

 

[Piratecat]

It it wrong of me to say 'now'?

 

[Kvantum]

If there was a Demonomicon article and a Core Beliefs article in every issue, I'd have to agree with Piratecat. As they're only every 4th issue, I can't completely endorse the newest generation of Dragon.

I don't know what generation I'd say is the best. I've only personally subscribed since #200, although I have the Dragon Archive and a collection of actual issues back to #100, but I'd tend to go towards the Roger Moore years, too.

Now if we get a Demonomicon article for every Demon Lord (including Obox-ob - I love that freaky thing!), the current Dragon will reign supreme.

 

[Infernal Teddy]

It it wrong of me to say 'now'?

No, not really. I think we're looking at the second golden age right now. However, whereas in the age of Rogar of Mooria I'd find at least something that interested me, at the moment it's hit or miss.

BTW, what is Roger up to these days?

 

[James Jacobs]

Now if we get a Demonomicon article for every Demon Lord (including Obox-ob - I love that freaky thing!), the current Dragon will reign supreme.

As Obox-ob's the main deity of chaos and ruin in my home-brew campaign world... it warms my heart to see he's getting attention outside of my campaign!

He'll certainly be the topic of a Demonomicon one of these days... can't say for sure when, but I've certainly got a lot built up to blather on about him...

 

[Drowbane]

It it wrong of me to say 'now'?

QFT

 

[Largomad]

I have been reading the dragon magazine back in 1985 (and it was quite hard to do it in Spain belive me), and I think that we are already into what will be considered in a few years the Golden Age of Dragon.

Kind regards.

 

[delericho]

I've been reading since #150 or so (on and off), and I've never seen it better. So, either I missed the Golden Age, or it's now.