Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks are some of the most fun you can have by yourself (keep it clean, now).
The Forest of Doom was released 40 years ago yesterday, on April 7th, 1983, as the third installment in the Fighting Fantasy series by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone (Ian wrote this one by himself). It was a groundbreaking adventure that introduced many readers to the thrilling world of interactive fiction, where they could choose their own path and shape their own destiny.
For me, it was my 1st and only Fighting Fantasy book I was able to get as a kid. Originally released in Great Britain, it came to the U.S. the following year in 1984.
That’s when I snagged my copy from the Scholastic Bookmobile not too long after some TSR Endless Quest™ Books.
The Dell U.S. cover has always been one of my favorite pieces of fantasy artwork ever. There’s something about its composition of Fantasy, Adventure and Cool Graphic Design that just seems perfect.
My original copy from the original U.S. Dell release in 1984
Feast your eyes upon the hero bravely battling the cougar creature savagely groping to claw his chest, barely being held at bay by the hero’s shield. See the verdant misty forest behind him with all sorts of beasties waiting in line to get their turn.
Is he scared? Heck no! He’s got his sword cocked and a look of steel on his face.
The best part - that hero is YOU!
What are those stones, you ask? Well, this is an adventure, so “aventurine”, of course!
Don’t believe me? The scrolly-banner at the top of the book tells you so: “A FIGHTING FANTASY GAMEBOOK IN WHICH YOU BECOME THE HERO!” - before it blends into the twisty woody-vine border encircling the book title and our alternate-self indomitable hero.
So, yes, I DID buy this book based purely on its cover and feel absolutely no shame.
Released in the golden heyday of fantasy products, these books were found on shelves alongside TSR’s Endless Quest™ books and other popular fantasy novels of the time.
TSR was so prolific at that time and tried to reach every demographic it could!
Endless Quest™ series: 40 interactive fiction books (in the 1980s) for middle grade to young adult readers, based on Dungeons & Dragons™, Gamma World™, Top Secret™ - even some on Conan™ and Tarzan™!
Fantasy Forest™ series: 10 books of simplified interactive fantasy (D&D) & sci-fi (Star Frontiers) for younger kids. Several of these even featured female protagonists instead of the common gender-neutral or male protagonist POV.
Heartquest™ series: 6 interactive fantasy (D&D) romance novels targeted towards young, primarily female, teenage readers!
Without regular visits to the Waldenbooks, Borders, Bookstop, Books-A-Million, B. Dalton (Ah, the bookstores of yore!), you wouldn’t even know these existed, and even then, bookstores didn’t always carry these types of books, so you got ‘em wherever you could.
(Featuring artwork from Clyde Caldwell & Luke Eidenschink!)
The Scholastic Book Fair (or Bookmobile) was oftentimes a kid’s only lifeline to fantasy products.
But the gap between Scholastic visits was sparse enough that the next book in a series you were waiting for could be skipped, or the series dropped entirely from their catalog!
“Don’t cancel me, Bro!”
“Who knows what monstrous creatures lurk in Darkwood forest?
Only the foolhardy would risk an encounter with the unknown perils that lurk in the murky depths of Darkwood Forest. Yet there is no alternative, for your quest is a desperate race against time to find the missing pieces of the legendary Hammer of Stonebridge — fashioned by Dwarfs to protect the villagers of Stonebridge against their ancient doom.
Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all you need to make your journey. YOU decide which paths to take, which dangers to risk and which monsters to fight.”
—The Forest of Doom - Back Cover ("Dragon" Edition)
The cover artist for my copy of The Forest of Doom is the amazing award-winning Richard Corben, best known from comic books and underground comix & fanzines (including Vampirella) and Heavy Metal magazine. He even co-produced the animated film, Heavy Metal, where his character, Den, was voiced by the late great John Candy.
Richard Corben album cover - That bat better watch out in case Ozzy’s around.
Another of his famous accomplishments included the album cover for Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell. He did 7 covers for the Fighting Fantasy gamebook Series, had 2 covers for Hero’s Challenge: Sagard the Barbarian gamebooks, and 6 Lone Wolf™ gamebook covers! His artwork had such vibrant colors and surreal compositions - such a unique talent.
Richard Corben died on December 2, 2020, following heart surgery at 80 years old. Here are some links to learn more about him:
“Richard was married for 56 years to Dona, and is the father of watercolor artist and comic book colorist, Beth. His life and love was devoted to his family and his art. He was a humble man and an extremely kind, good man.”
Original UK cover for The Forest of Doom by Iain McCaig (1983)
The cover for the original UK edition of The Forest of Doom™ was done by the artist, writer and filmmaker, Iain McCaig who was involved with Star Wars (designing Padme and Darth Maul!)
He also has credits for: Terminator 2, Hook, Interview with the Vampire, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Charlotte’s Web, Peter Pan, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Spiderwick Chronicles, John Carter of Mars, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Jungle Book, and Outlander.
I’ve never heard of any of those movies. Have you?
Oh, and he did the cover for Jethro Tull’s album, Broadsword and the Beast.
Wait a minute! Shouldn’t that be a flute instead of a sword?
It looks like Iain has done over 12 covers & interior illustrations for the Fighting Fantasy™ gamebook series, as well as illustrations for Fighting Fantasy™ colouring books, novels, a d20 module, a jigsaw puzzle, and more. He even has 2 Lone Wolf™ cover credits!
“Dragon” cover of The Forest of Doom by Iain McCaig (1987)
The interior art (and map) of The Forest of Doom™ was illustrated by Malcolm Barter.
I love this style of artwork and the captions that went along with each main illustration. His adornments were super-cool too (swords, helm & gauntlet).
I couldn’t find much info on Malcolm. It looks like gamebook credits are just for The Forest of Doom™, and something else on Demian’s Gamebook Web Page for Webs of Intrigue - The Money Spider and The Water Spider.
Goodreads provides the following list:
It appears he’s on LinkedIn as a Freelance Illustrator but hasn’t been active in the last couple years. I’ll have to see if I can find out more about him, but in the meantime, let me say,
“Thank you, Malcolm for contributing so greatly to the joy of countless fantasy fans with your illustrations in The Forest of Doom”
Amazing interior illustrations by Malcolm Barter
Sir Ian Livingstone is a fantasy author and entrepreneur - a legend. There’s not much I can write here about him that hasn’t been written already. I must do a dedicated article on him in the future, but suffice it to say, he is one of the main reasons I love fantasy so much.
From the hundreds of awesome fantasy RPGs, games, and books from Games Workshop (Warhammer™, anyone?) to White Dwarf™ magazine to of course . . . Fighting Fantasy™ gamebooks.
I mean, this guy was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2006!
And if that wasn’t enough - he was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2013!!
. . . and . . . if THAT wasn’t enough - he was knighted in 2022!!!
Sir Ian Livingstone - One of Fantasy Gaming’s Founding Fathers
Amazing. That’s all I can say - oh, and thank you, Sir Ian for The Forest of Doom!
I guess there is one thing I could ask him: Who ever saved the world and won the £25,000?
Adjusted for inflation, £25,000 in 2023 USD is ~$93,000!!!
UPDATE 04.17.2023: Adam Dawes contacted me and had already answered the question of who won the £25,000 from Eureka! - as well as winners from several other Play-to-win old school computer games in his excellent blog article for Retro Gamer Magazine: https://adamdawes.com/retrogaming/rg_17_playtowin.html
Different covers over the years: "Wizard" cover (2002), "Shield" cover (2011), "Scholastic" cover (2017), "Scholastic Circle" cover (2018)
Even turned into a computer game . . . in 1984!!!
And even a d20 Module!!! (listing courtesy of Noble Knight Games - an AMAZING old school fantasy shop - www.nobleknight.com)
The Forest of Doom™ is a classic gamebook that has stood the test of time and inspired generations of fans and authors. It is a testament to the creativity and imagination of Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson, who pioneered the genre of interactive fiction and made it accessible and enjoyable for millions of readers. The Forest of Doom™ is not only a gamebook, but also a piece of history and culture that deserves to be celebrated and remembered.
So what are YOU waiting for? Grab your dice, pencil, and paper, and enter The Forest of Doom!
One of my favourite Fighting Fantasy books and one I still haven't managed to beat haha. I owe a lot to this series, it sparked my lifelong love of fantasy in primary school when I found The Sorcerer's Crypt in the library! I love playing them on the app now I don't have the physical copies anymore, but many a summer day has been spent rolling dice and slaying monsters with these great books!
My first fighting fantasy was #7 Isle of the Lizard King. Pretty sure Forest of Doom was my second. I don't think I ever successfully finished it.
I've got a few off Amazon.uk which Ive managed to compete with a lot of effort. I think the best Ive done was Talisman of Death.
One of my favourite Fighting Fantasy books and one I still haven't managed to beat haha. I owe a lot to this series, it sparked my lifelong love of fantasy in primary school when I found The Sorcerer's Crypt in the library! I love playing them on the app now I don't have the physical copies anymore, but many a summer day has been spent rolling dice and slaying monsters with these great books!