tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post7588243189862636120..comments2024-03-09T01:28:45.518-08:00Comments on A Return to the Keep : Dragon Magazine: Where To Start My Quest? Blackwardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15071644608526918072noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-47388939429004147712016-11-06T19:53:38.636-08:002016-11-06T19:53:38.636-08:00Issue 39 was a few years before my introduction to...Issue 39 was a few years before my introduction to D&D and several more before my first Dragon Magazine copy. It has interesting cover art. I wonder what you thought of it at the time?<br /><br />Off the top of my head I recall several distinct dragon themed covers. The blue dragon vs. adventurers issue along and the dragon vs. a fighter jet all come to mind. But one of the most iconic that I remember without flipping through my collection (or Googling) is the cover titled Bridge of Sorrows. The cover depicts an armored centaur and a Gandalf-like wizard attacking a red dragon which hovers over a crumbling bridge. I'm not sure if this is the one your talking about or not but it's the one I thought of immediately after reading your comment. I'll have to break out my copies this week to see if another issue matches your description more closely.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, by the way.Blackwardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15071644608526918072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-71380892667372327122016-11-06T18:16:04.498-08:002016-11-06T18:16:04.498-08:00Here's my much delayed reply. Ha!
I like mos...Here's my much delayed reply. Ha!<br /><br />I like most of the covers you listed as well. Issue 140 certainly does suggest a story. Larry Elmore titled it, Avalyne the Life Giver. I wonder if she will be able to help the fallen fighter. He looks like he is in bad shape. I also wonder why the giant does not return to engage the cleric. Definitely a story waiting to be told.<br /><br />Issue 125 is one of my all time favorites as well. I've always been a fan of Arthurian stories, especially the ones that reflect the "historical" nature of the legend rather than the idealized version. Roger Raupp knocked it out of the park on this one.<br /><br />Jim Holloway's orcs are definitely intimidating. What draws me to your favorite cover however is the fact that the focus is not on the heroes. Looking at the cover forces one to take the perspective of orcs/the bad guys rather than the traditional view. That technique didn't seem all that common at the time.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing you favorites. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to acknowledge your contribution.Blackwardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15071644608526918072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-43993444655776850052016-11-06T12:49:55.181-08:002016-11-06T12:49:55.181-08:00Those covers bring back some great memories.
I st...Those covers bring back some great memories.<br /><br />I started with issue #39.<br /><br />Favorite cover is one I do not recall the number: the one with the knight/paladin charging...I think it was a dragon.<br /><br />David S.<br />Minnesota, USAThe Dale Wardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12864432866927396245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-23309439223246705312014-09-25T08:21:53.608-07:002014-09-25T08:21:53.608-07:00That's interesting that you chose #32 as your ...That's interesting that you chose #32 as your favorite. It's not a bad piece by any means, just different from what one usually finds gracing the covers of Dragon. It's definitely a Foglio piece. I'd recognize that style anywhere.<br /><br />#64 is a great cover as well. Mine is falling apart. I think I'll need to look on Ebay for a replacement soon.<br /><br />Thanks for your advice!Blackwardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15071644608526918072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-11488991895421958272014-09-21T10:28:22.944-07:002014-09-21T10:28:22.944-07:00I started collecting with issue 121 (Japanese warl...I started collecting with issue 121 (Japanese warlord on the cover) and stopped with 306 (when the covers began to resemble those of "men's magazines" I canceled my subscription). That was back when everything Japanese was BETTER -- katana? It's like a sword but BETTER! Castles with paper walls? BETTER! Ninjas? Ninjas are just BETTER than EVERYTHING! :)<br /><br />I also grabbed the pdf CD as soon as it came out.<br /><br />For what it's worth, I agree with jimmd. Start with the Strategic Review (since it's on the CDs anyway) and take a look from the very beginning.<br /><br />Favorite cover? First I'll give you the runners up ...<br /> <br />140 & 150 - both Elmores that suggest story<br />125 historical dark ages Arthur w/o any fantasy elements<br />137 evocative of lonely "Northerness"<br />126 "Last Arrow" ranger vs undead giant - I still wonder if she gets that shot off and if it even matters<br /><br />The Winner: 127 ... I built a whole campaign off of this one image. In fact, I would say that it changed my approach to crafting villains in my games. They are "just" orcs, the same ones you've been snuffing out since first level, but man, you can read each one's personality in that one moment in time. This opened my brain up to the possibility that there could be so much more behind the stat block then a nameless, faceless mook.Jarrett Perduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09781934913113611353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-86016225675580092102014-09-18T19:27:00.611-07:002014-09-18T19:27:00.611-07:00I have to agree with Tim B: Start at the beginnin...I have to agree with Tim B: Start at the beginning. But why limit yourself? What about the Strategic Review? Actually those really old issues clearly show the origins of D&D in miniatures wargaming.<br /><br />My collection runs from around #70 to around #300 with a few holes. I'd love to have a copy of that cd! Early on several of my friends and I bought issues randomly until I eventually subscribed.<br /><br />Not sure of my first, but my oldest survivor is #64, with a nice Hildebrant dragon on the cover. Just seeing it brings back fond memories of poring over that issue; reading it front to back and back to front many times over.<br /><br />With so many favorite artists and great subjects, it's hard to narrow it down. If you insist on holding a gun to my head, I would have to go with #32. A great, humorous Phil Foglio piece. I'll leave it to everyone to Google it.jimmd68https://www.blogger.com/profile/18123896941641810076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-77796797194026402942014-09-16T18:18:02.233-07:002014-09-16T18:18:02.233-07:00That's good advice.
Did you do the entire run...That's good advice.<br /><br />Did you do the entire run of White Dwarf? That would be an epic task!Blackwardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15071644608526918072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415869862465771785.post-13459864719238871522014-09-15T20:24:27.367-07:002014-09-15T20:24:27.367-07:00Having done this with White Dwarf and now Owl &...Having done this with White Dwarf and now Owl & Weasel I say go with Issue #1. Compare and contrast with what you know with what was printed then. Timothy S. Brannanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923526503305233715noreply@blogger.com