In the late ’70s and early ’80s, playing was all the rage across America. Back in the day, the TSR Inc.-produced roleplaying game became a true cultural phenomenon, fascinating teens and adults alike. And like any good pop culture obsession back then, it had an officially licensed magazine to go along with it. Starting in 1976, TSR published magazine, the monthly guide to all things . And if you’re wondering, yes, there was a companion magazine called .
pic.twitter.com/INMlLDzjxwHere’s something weird to wrap up your Sunday evening. In 1981, Dragon magazine published AD&D character stats for Bugs Bunny (15th level illusionist) and other cartoon characters.
Now, thanks to
, we’ve discovered that someone has dug up some old pages that showcase the stats of some very unusual (bet famous) playable characters. In the April 1981 issue of , issue 41 to be exact, many iconic cartoon charactershad their official stats published. These include Warner Bros. animated characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Marvin the Martian, and the Tasmanian Devil. They describe Bugs as “the last of a race of Lepus Sapiens,” and a native of “the Plane of Kartuwin.” (We see what you did there). He is, of course, Chaotic Good.pic.twitter.com/oFq6CBftOzFollow-up: In 1982 they added Donald Duck (10th level Berserker!), the Jolly Green Giant, the Tasmanian Devil, and Marvin the Martian.
Popeye the Sailor Man also joined in the fun, as did Donald Duck a year later. We can’t help but wonder how Disney felt about one of their characters in a magazine celebrating a game that many parents in America
labeled as“Satanic.” gave them the title of “Saturday Morning Monsters.” Even corporate mascots made the cut. Because the Jolly Green Giant had an entry too. Although really, a green giant who shouts “Ho-Ho-Ho” seems tailor-made for the fantasy world of already. He just needs a battle ax.
This kind of flagrant copywriter violation would almost assuredly not happen now. But this was a different era, before the internet. And it probably all flew under the radar. Still, we hope there was a
campaign where the noble Bugs and his knight-in-arms Daffy took on Popeye of the High Seas and champions Rocky and Bullwinkle. Maybe we see it in a future seasonon ? If so, here’s hoping Dustin gets dibs on Daffy Duck.The post
40-Year-Old D&D Magazine Has Stats for Cartoon Charactersappeared first on Nerdist.
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