Judges Guild: Operation Ogre | Welcome to the next edition in Rediscovered Realms’ series where we unearth some of the coolest fantasy artwork from classic Dungeons & Dragons modules. We’re taking this one all the way back to a D&D tournament from 1979 that includes some incredible illustrations by soon-to-be Palladium (and Heroes Unlimited and Robotech and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Rifts) RPG game creator & publisher, Kevin Siembieda!
Wow, that is proper old school D&D art in that module. Don’t think I ever played that one but it looks great
Really enjoyed the song this week J.Q. and talking of songs, whenever I see Grendel it always makes me think of the epic 17 minute song by Marillion which is one of my favourites of theirs. The movie certainly has a decent cast so we’ll see how it goes. Also really looking forward to War of the Rohirrim. A new LOTR movie is always worthy of celebration 👍🏼
Thanks Dan. Holy moly - I never heard that ballad by Marillion but am listening to it now! Epic is right! https://youtu.be/I2jb2B-H27c
I'm hopeful the new Grendel movie will be good, but have to say there was a really good version I saw about 10-15 years ago or so. It was from Grendel's perspective but I can't seem to track it down right now. Don't think it's the Gerard Butler one or the made for TV version. I believe it was a foreign film. It had a lot slower pacing and was very atmospheric. I need to find it now because it's been haunting me since I watched it.
Here's to also hoping the War of the Rohirrim will also be worthy!
Another great blast from the past! Thank you, J.Q., for these awesome posts. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG was one of the first I ever played (it was really my brother's, but he let me use it to make my own characters, and I ran my own solo adventures even though I didn't really know that was a "thing" until much later... of course, my brother would never dare let his little sister play with him and his buddies, LOL!). I looked up Kevin Siembieda on Wikipedia and lo and behold, he's from Detroit! (I'm from Metro Detroit myself). So cool!
The news about the Jim Henson Creature Shop being involved in a Grendel movie has me pumped. CGI has made incredible advances in the past few decades, but nothing is better than practical effects, IMO. The puppetry and designs from the Creature Shop stand the test of time. I can't wait for this movie!
Thank you, Jennifer!!! I am so sorry I missed your comment here. I mean, it's only been . . . 5 months . . . 😶
TMNT was so AWESOME. The RPG, the comics, the TV show, the Nintendo game . . .
but that RPG and their supplements were one of my favorite things to read (never got a chance to play, so I'm jealous.)
It makes sense Siembieda and you have a similar origin location - coolness tends to coalesce together.
The one "good" thing about me finding your comment so late is that it reminded me about the Grendel movie. I just looked it up and . . . crickets. I sure hope this gets made!
I will be so bummed if the Grendel movie falls through. Let's hope the lack of recent news is because they are in production and don't want to hype it too much until they are in post-production... *fingers crossed*
Theres something about old school, AD&D art that puts my mind back into middle school era, dreaming up fantasies. Despite 3rd edition already being around (and my only foray into RPGs at the time) the art of the older versions evoked so much more in my imagination. Maybe because so many of the artists also graced the covers of all the old fantasy novels in the library. It's a strange and beautiful thing.
Totally agree, Ceastlic! Well said - this style of artwork is a "strange and beautiful thing" that I can't really put my finger on either. It captures and ignites the Imagination like no other. (I am so sorry for missing your comment from so long ago. Thank you for sharing and Keep the Adventure Going Strong!)
Totally, Stacy! It's amazing to me how things organically evolve when there's a die-hard community of fans who love fantasy. Mad respect to our fantasy forebearers!
The old art always brings me back to the beginning, when everyone was just making it up as they went and anything was possible. Stalactites have a c for ceiling, stalagmites have a g for ground.
😁 I like your Stalactite/Stalagmite mnemonic, Patrick! The one I always remember is "stalactites" have to hold on "tight" because otherwise they would fall down.
I totally agree that back in that time anything was possible as that fantasy genre was a wide-open field of fun & adventure.
Growing up, when it came to D&D, I was what you would call an 'orthodox' TSR guy - official releases, Dragon and Dungeon magazine only. But I was always curious about the ads I would see in Dragon for unofficial products like Judges Guild and Role Aids. It's really cool to see some of the art from these 'forbidden fruits'. Doubly so when its a chance to see what Siembieda was doing pre-Palladium. Keep 'em coming.
I'm glad to see the puristry of your youth has somewhat softened, David! 😁 Just joking. I was sort of the same way. TSR was the gold-standard to me, and I didn't often stray far from them for D&D products. There's another newsletter edition I did about a couple of the Role Aids books . . . if you want to embrace more fruity temptation, that is . . . https://www.rediscoveredrealms.com/p/rpg-fantastic-treasures-myth-magic-folklore
it's really neat to see the older art. It brings one of my GMs to mind as I know it would be something they love to see sometimes we would listen to them talk about similar things during breaks in game.
That artwork really brings you back. I'm reminded of sitting with my aunt and spending hours going through modules and manuals. The DnD monster manual and the TMNT and Other Strangeness manual were at the top of the list. That time with her was to core my love of all things fantasy.
I love the old art. One of my biggest regrets is not pursuing RPG art as a career more. I was published in Dragon Magazine once, but got so busy elsewhere I never followed up.
This was one of my favorite newsletters so far! Great old-school nostalgia!
Thanks, Damon! I appreciate that. I just shared this with David Roberts, but if you like non-TSR D&D aids, here's an article you may like: https://www.rediscoveredrealms.com/p/rpg-fantastic-treasures-myth-magic-folklore
Wow, that is proper old school D&D art in that module. Don’t think I ever played that one but it looks great
Really enjoyed the song this week J.Q. and talking of songs, whenever I see Grendel it always makes me think of the epic 17 minute song by Marillion which is one of my favourites of theirs. The movie certainly has a decent cast so we’ll see how it goes. Also really looking forward to War of the Rohirrim. A new LOTR movie is always worthy of celebration 👍🏼
Thanks Dan. Holy moly - I never heard that ballad by Marillion but am listening to it now! Epic is right! https://youtu.be/I2jb2B-H27c
I'm hopeful the new Grendel movie will be good, but have to say there was a really good version I saw about 10-15 years ago or so. It was from Grendel's perspective but I can't seem to track it down right now. Don't think it's the Gerard Butler one or the made for TV version. I believe it was a foreign film. It had a lot slower pacing and was very atmospheric. I need to find it now because it's been haunting me since I watched it.
Here's to also hoping the War of the Rohirrim will also be worthy!
Another great blast from the past! Thank you, J.Q., for these awesome posts. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG was one of the first I ever played (it was really my brother's, but he let me use it to make my own characters, and I ran my own solo adventures even though I didn't really know that was a "thing" until much later... of course, my brother would never dare let his little sister play with him and his buddies, LOL!). I looked up Kevin Siembieda on Wikipedia and lo and behold, he's from Detroit! (I'm from Metro Detroit myself). So cool!
The news about the Jim Henson Creature Shop being involved in a Grendel movie has me pumped. CGI has made incredible advances in the past few decades, but nothing is better than practical effects, IMO. The puppetry and designs from the Creature Shop stand the test of time. I can't wait for this movie!
Thank you, Jennifer!!! I am so sorry I missed your comment here. I mean, it's only been . . . 5 months . . . 😶
TMNT was so AWESOME. The RPG, the comics, the TV show, the Nintendo game . . .
but that RPG and their supplements were one of my favorite things to read (never got a chance to play, so I'm jealous.)
It makes sense Siembieda and you have a similar origin location - coolness tends to coalesce together.
The one "good" thing about me finding your comment so late is that it reminded me about the Grendel movie. I just looked it up and . . . crickets. I sure hope this gets made!
I will be so bummed if the Grendel movie falls through. Let's hope the lack of recent news is because they are in production and don't want to hype it too much until they are in post-production... *fingers crossed*
Potential side quest/replay option: slay that ogre on the cover, retrieve Freddie Mercury's pants, and return them to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
LMAO, Desmond! I'm giving you 3, yes 3 (very) belated guffaws for that comment! 🤣
Theres something about old school, AD&D art that puts my mind back into middle school era, dreaming up fantasies. Despite 3rd edition already being around (and my only foray into RPGs at the time) the art of the older versions evoked so much more in my imagination. Maybe because so many of the artists also graced the covers of all the old fantasy novels in the library. It's a strange and beautiful thing.
Totally agree, Ceastlic! Well said - this style of artwork is a "strange and beautiful thing" that I can't really put my finger on either. It captures and ignites the Imagination like no other. (I am so sorry for missing your comment from so long ago. Thank you for sharing and Keep the Adventure Going Strong!)
Very nice!
I love how the moduals I played in the early 80's evolved from this work.
Totally, Stacy! It's amazing to me how things organically evolve when there's a die-hard community of fans who love fantasy. Mad respect to our fantasy forebearers!
The old art always brings me back to the beginning, when everyone was just making it up as they went and anything was possible. Stalactites have a c for ceiling, stalagmites have a g for ground.
😁 I like your Stalactite/Stalagmite mnemonic, Patrick! The one I always remember is "stalactites" have to hold on "tight" because otherwise they would fall down.
I totally agree that back in that time anything was possible as that fantasy genre was a wide-open field of fun & adventure.
Wonderful to see the old art, it gives such a visceral feel to how far things have come
Growing up, when it came to D&D, I was what you would call an 'orthodox' TSR guy - official releases, Dragon and Dungeon magazine only. But I was always curious about the ads I would see in Dragon for unofficial products like Judges Guild and Role Aids. It's really cool to see some of the art from these 'forbidden fruits'. Doubly so when its a chance to see what Siembieda was doing pre-Palladium. Keep 'em coming.
I'm glad to see the puristry of your youth has somewhat softened, David! 😁 Just joking. I was sort of the same way. TSR was the gold-standard to me, and I didn't often stray far from them for D&D products. There's another newsletter edition I did about a couple of the Role Aids books . . . if you want to embrace more fruity temptation, that is . . . https://www.rediscoveredrealms.com/p/rpg-fantastic-treasures-myth-magic-folklore
Awesome, those are some pretty cool magic items. I'm definitely going to have to track some of these down.
it's really neat to see the older art. It brings one of my GMs to mind as I know it would be something they love to see sometimes we would listen to them talk about similar things during breaks in game.
Very cool, Karris! There's a definite universality to that old school fantasy artwork that speaks across generations. Thanks for commenting!
Thanks for the Isometric website! He has lots of cool stuff on there. Can’t wait to try some of his tutorials!
Mee too, Robin! There were a lot of other awesome isometric tutorials on that site. <bookmarked!>
Wonderfully cheesy stuff…but there was heart in it. It was new. No expectations, no canon, no ‘industry standards.’
Gaming was FUN in those days. It was all new and brilliant.
Totally. No agenda. No expectations. No apologies. Pure fun.
That artwork really brings you back. I'm reminded of sitting with my aunt and spending hours going through modules and manuals. The DnD monster manual and the TMNT and Other Strangeness manual were at the top of the list. That time with her was to core my love of all things fantasy.
Sounds like you have a really special Aunt, Eric. Those 2 RPG resources you mentioned were (and still are!) so incredible.
She definitely was and I know she would have loved your articles.
💗
I love the old art. One of my biggest regrets is not pursuing RPG art as a career more. I was published in Dragon Magazine once, but got so busy elsewhere I never followed up.
I hear you Henry. It's never too late! Let's you and I combine forces to create and self-publish something epic. 👑
I would like that. I am preparing a Kickstarter of my RPG comic, and I've done several KS illustrations for others already.
Badass! Hit me up on email to discuss further.
Will do. I'll also send you art samples.