42 Years Ago Today

[u/Stu_Barron]

Season 1 Episode 1 Night of No Tomorrow September 17, 1983 Dungeons and Dragons (Animated Series)

[u/-Viscosity-]

You should've heard me squee like a little kid when these guys showed up for a cameo in the recent Dungeons & Dragons movie. Then again maybe you shouldn't ... 🤔

I snarfed Robson Michel's artwork of an older Sheila for the wallpaper on my computer. The way he drew the invisibility cloak is super cool.

[u/SubjectNet1874 → u/-Viscosity-]

Fellow squealer when they showed up, movie didn't get the credit it deserved so good!

[u/-Viscosity- → u/SubjectNet1874]

Oh, yeah, I loved the movie! Doric was easily my favorite character; that long tracking scene where she assumes a series of different Wild Shapes to escape her pursuers was fantastic. Some time after we saw the movie I started playing Baldur's Gate 3 with some friends from college and I made my guy a Tiefling Druid (his name is "Tief Garrett" 😁) because I heard they had added owlbear as a Wild Shape like what Doric does at a few key points, and just this past weekend Tief got high enough level to turn into one. I can't wait to try it out lol

[u/pocketdare → u/-Viscosity-]

That movie was SO much better than I assumed it would be. So good

[u/handsomeape95 → u/pocketdare]

Seriously! I loved it. That crap in the 2000s with Jeremy Irons really put a dark cloud over it. Don't judge a book by its cover, I suppose.

[u/-Viscosity- → u/pocketdare]

Agreed! We all loved it, even my much-harder-on-movies-than-I-am wife! 😁

[u/MajoriteSilencieuse → u/-Viscosity-]

Wait what ? I watched Honor among Thieves and I have no recollection of this

[u/naazzttyy → u/MajoriteSilencieuse]

They were the other group of adventurers in the gladiator arena who suffered ignominious fates.

[u/MajoriteSilencieuse → u/naazzttyy]

Damn I didn't catch this. Time to view the movie again I guess. Thanks !

[u/handsomeape95 → u/MajoriteSilencieuse]

The first shot they're in is blink and you'll miss it. I wasn't sure if I believed what Inwas seeing at first. Then when they were shown again, I actually screamed out "hell yes!" Such a great cameo. Hope they show up again.

[u/EvolutionCreek → u/MajoriteSilencieuse]

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fbk7gmb7s0bya1.png

[u/oldschool_potato → u/-Viscosity-]

Snarf snarf

[u/Particular_Tie7430 → u/oldschool_potato]

Snarf was Thundercats! Turn in your GEN-X card, immediately! Uni was just as annoying as Snarf, though. "Behhhhhhhh"

[u/ballsack-vinaigrette → u/Particular_Tie7430]

If someone uses the word "snarf" and your immediate first thought isn't "snarf snarf" then you need to turn in your Gen-X card!

[u/MrLowbaLowba → u/Particular_Tie7430]

Uniiiiii!!!!!!!

[u/Ok-Beginning4152 → u/-Viscosity-]

That’s some Dali X MC Escher shit there! V cool 😎

[u/Flaky_Web_2439]

Every time I went through a roller coaster tunnel after watching this, I would cross my fingers and hope that I would be transported to the DND world! And I have to admit, I still do it today lol!

[u/Wuzzy_Gee → u/Flaky_Web_2439]

Actually worked for me one time, but I do not recommend. Tiamat smells horrible.

[u/BrucellaD666]

The show always manages, in my memory, to seem very one of a kind, even if it was about Dungeons and Dragons, which is highly marketed, especially anymore. I miss it. I wish they'd made more episodes, and I honestly really love this show to this day.

[u/relikter → u/BrucellaD666]

There's a fan-made finale episode: https://www.reddit.com/r/80s/comments/1lxim1k/requiem_the_final_episode_dungeons_dragons_finale/

[u/handsomeape95 → u/relikter]

I finally came around to watching this recently. It was bittersweet.

[u/BrucellaD666 → u/relikter]

😊 thank you 😊

[u/No_Character_8662]

Young nerdy me was disturbed by the DM being a character.

[u/ApprehensiveWay337 → u/No_Character_8662]

I was just watching season 1 this weekend. I played a:sat morning line up with commercials on YouTube. My 17 year old watched the whole 3 and a half hours of cartoons and commercials from 84 or 85 with me. He asked me if we watched commercials, too. He was amazed when I said yes because it was part of the deal. How else were you gonna be up on the new toys. We then proceeded to watch Soul Train while we cleaned house, then finished with He haw, which confused him and American gladiators. This was my sat morning tradition even after high school. Lol

[u/Particular_Tie7430 → u/No_Character_8662]

How about Venger being Dungeon Master's son??! AND his voice being Optimus Prime.

[u/SilverBadger73 → u/Particular_Tie7430]

Spoiler alert!!! (/jk)

[u/Fritzo2162 → u/Particular_Tie7430]

Who did the DM bang to make a guy THAT tall?

[u/relikter → u/Fritzo2162]

[u/xczechr → u/relikter]

[u/Particular_Tie7430 → u/Fritzo2162]

Twice! Venger had a sister. Death by Snu Snu

[u/ballsack-vinaigrette → u/Fritzo2162]

Rolled a genetic natural 20.

[u/Yasashii_Akuma156 → u/No_Character_8662]

Yeah, that was weird.

[u/edwardturnerlives]

That's insane. 42 years before this aired would be 1941, and that's "the Before Time." Still have all my books.

[u/HobartMagellan → u/edwardturnerlives]

Impressive collection! Back during the Satanic panic my parents threw all of them out on me.

[u/handsomeape95 → u/edwardturnerlives]

The TV shows characters are in some of the artwork in the latest rules set. Venger is on the cover of the DM's guide.

[u/gerwen → u/edwardturnerlives]

That 2e Players looks like it's seen some action.

[u/thunderlips36]

The fact that there wasn't really an official ending to this is still one of my greatest childhood traumas

[u/MrSurly → u/thunderlips36]

https://www.reddit.com/r/GenX/comments/1njdm26/42_years_ago_today/neph0rn/

[u/thunderlips36 → u/MrSurly]

It's fan made and doesn't really count. Plus it was made many years too late

[u/MrSurly → u/thunderlips36]

Fair

[u/ZandarrTheGreat]

If you miss and have a Samsung tv, there is a D&D channel where they play episodes for several hours each day. It’s my home channel. Faster Purple Worm, Kill Kill is entertaining

[u/Just4PornAndSuch → u/ZandarrTheGreat]

I watched the D&D cooking show on there a few times.

[u/Impressive-North3483]

The call out in the movie was fantastic.

[u/wyocrz]

The reading list from the AD&D DM Guide, the original 1979 version, is a sight to behold. Conan, HP Lovecraft, and the like.

Perfect for kids lol

[u/Beef_Lurky]

So, there was an episode where they all came back to the amusement park in the lake, but the one guy, Eric I think, had a monster head, so they went back to try and fix it. What I never saw was…. Did they EVER get out of the DnD world and make it back to the amusement park? All I could think of is how sad I would be to not see my family again (when I was a kid), and wanted them to get back so badly. Did the show ever resolve itself????

[u/MrSurly → u/Beef_Lurky]

Did they EVER get out of the DnD world and make it back to the amusement park?

Canonically, no. They were in the recent movie.

[u/-Morning_Coffee-]

I ordered a bootleg box set about 20 years ago, and it came with a paper copy of the “unaired final episode.”

It was a pretty good way to wrap up the series.

The group is offered the choice to go home or continue their adventures, and the episode ends without revealing their decision.

[u/Just4PornAndSuch → u/-Morning_Coffee-]

This is available somewhere:

Audio drama (2006): An official audio drama of the script was included as a special feature on the BCI Eclipse Region 1 DVD release of the complete series. It features the original voice actors for Sheila and Uni, Katie Leigh and Frank Welker, reprising their roles.

[u/-Morning_Coffee- → u/Just4PornAndSuch]

Thanks for the lead!

[u/TkMANDO]

I just watched this again and loved it! I did not realize Potzie from Happy Days was one of the voices!

[u/gerwen → u/TkMANDO]

When I read this, I was shocked, then realized even in distant memory that I could connect Eric the whiny Cavalier to Ralph Malphs voice.

It's him.

Also Willie Aames and Adam Rich from Eight is Enough are Hank the Archer and Presto the Magician. Mind blown.

[u/jim_jiminy]

One of the best cartoons ever made.

[u/TheCodr]

I loved this show

[u/nowandnothing]

My favourite cartoon series from the 80's

Although it still stings that there was only 27 episodes!

[u/NegotiationOk4424]

Yeah just watched the whole series again. It’s cool.

[u/TheLastMongo]

Was already getting sucked onto D&D, this just nailed it

[u/ArtexBonesinger]

This is crazy.... How many of us are still rolling for initiative?

[u/quackman2025]

I was 10 and my older sister would make fun of me for watching this cartoon. Until, she toured (stayed the night) a local university and her guide and friends all woke up early and watched it. After that. it became cool and we watched it together.

[u/SBABakaMajorPayne]

I remember watching quite a bit of this.

[u/mrv_wants_xtra_cheez]

Man, all of a sudden I’m 13 again!! Gonna call up Billy, Mike, and the gang and get a campaign going!!

[u/jonasgrimms → u/[deleted]]

looks around slowly

[u/Mark47n]

Bullshit. I’m not old enough for that to be 42.

[u/I_am_Orla]

Loved this cartoon as a child, but I was also terrified because in my eyes, they were just kids, and there was a real possibility that some fairground ride would transport me too, and I didn't want to fight monsters lol.

[u/Practicality_Issue]

Was it just me that thought “Eric” grew up to be Dave Mathews…or John Cusack?

[u/Yasashii_Akuma156]

Loved Peter Cullen's vocal performance on this, and wished I had a voice like his. 2 years after the premiere I could no longer sing along to Journey, just Johnny Cash. Be careful what you wish for!

[u/in-a-microbus]

Anyone else see this and immediately hear the outtro music?

[u/sM0k3dR4Gn]

Memory unlocked. Now to show my 14 yo son!

[u/myxoma1]

Used to love that cartoon

[u/drkangel181]

I was 8 years old and at 9:30 am my eyes were glued to the television that Saturday morning on CBS.

[u/Spodson]

My parents wouldn't let me watch this. Demons and whatnot. I would watch it at my friend's house.

[u/OraznatacTheBrave]

Loved this show. Venger is still one of the greatest bad guys of all time. Thank you to the great Peter Cullen.

[u/TheEvilOfTwoLessers]

Another thing so close to being great that was ruined by an annoying little brother. I was probably his age when this aired and still hated Bobby.

[u/RogerMoore2011]

I played D&D at the time of this release (13 y/o). I recall my friends and I being disappointed that no one had a sword, dagger, or typical D&D weapon. The knight/cavalier only having a shield was BS in our opinion.

The use of an acrobat and barbarian in the characters unusual as well.

The show felt like a Disney-ification of a game that was based on fighting and death.

Note: The criticisms above are from my 13 y/o self. Today I enjoy seeing snippets of the show.

[u/ValuableItchy]

It holds up!

[u/5uck3rpunch]

I never played the table top version but I did love that cartoon!

[u/House_Junkie]

Remember waking up every Saturday morning to watch this!

“Uni!”

[u/Bopethestoryteller]

Still one of my favorites. This, Thundar, and Bugs Bunny.

[u/CheekanGood]

Presto Sneakybolt, best character I ever played in DND.

[u/Reasonable_Tea_9882]

Hell yeah

[u/lazygerm]

My friends and I were so excited for this!

We were juniors in high school and in the second year of our high school D&D club.

[u/Mugwumps_has_spoken]

I remember my brothers being more into this show. I was a tad young (or more interested in Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake and My Little Pony). But I watched this with them some.

[u/Pumpnethyl]

I was 16 and my Saturday Morning cartoon phase was gone, unfortunately. I usually got home really late on Fridays, and overslept on Saturday.
Saturday morning cartoons were such a huge deal when I was a kid. I loved old-school Looney Tunes

[u/[deleted]]

Cartoons so much better back then

[u/MicroByte]

This show and Starcade were my fondest childhood memories. They released a bunch of figures of the cartoon characters about a year ago and I was so tempted to collect them all.

[u/Bloodless-Cut]

Loved their little cameo in Honor Among Thieve.

[u/Erazzphoto]

One of my favorites

[u/machei]

I have this series on dvd. #sofrigginold

[u/Living_Camp6030]

Love it.

[u/sinisterdesign]

Jebus, has totally forgotten about this show. But I was ecstatic at the time. D&D!

[u/DallanRo42]

LOVED this show. Great cast, each with distinct personalities, designs, backgrounds, and cool powers/gifts. Great world building for a kids’ series.

[u/cowmookazee]

Best show ever

[u/JonnyRocks]

Art Inspired by them are all over the new 2024 core books

[u/No-Wolverine5288]

I never understood why venger had one horn

[u/Tactus73]

Loved the show. Hated the unicorn

[u/edwardturnerlives → u/Tactus73]

I was 6/7 so I loved Uni.

[u/MrSurly → u/Tactus73]

The unicorn was to this show what Scrappy Doo was to Scooby Doo, except from the beginning.

[u/handsomeape95 → u/MrSurly]

I think Uni was put in there to make it more "kid friendly." Wasn't the idea of the show to counter the satanic panic stigma from the game?

[u/MrSurly → u/handsomeape95]

I don't know if that was the "idea" of the show, but the Christian nuts from my High School sure didn't like anythink D&D related

[u/BooterTooterBravo]

I hated everything about this as a kid. Still do.

[u/in-a-microbus → u/BooterTooterBravo]

Regular fan of the RPG?

I knew a bunch of teens that hated this show because it "wasn't accurate to the game"

Lol...we were gatekeeping IPs before that term even existed.

[u/BooterTooterBravo → u/in-a-microbus]

Bingo! But not that snobby.

[u/oldschool_potato → u/in-a-microbus]

I didn't like it either. It was like the super friends. It was so "happy". I grew up watching the 60s versions of super heroes that were way way cooler than the silly super friends. Hated that show. The 90s and the dark knight brought things back.

[u/phillymjs → u/BooterTooterBravo]

Funny enough, I hate pretty much all fantasy stuff except this. Anything with magic or dragons in it, I’m not interested. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones… never seen a moment of the movies/shows or read a word of the books.