I'm no fan of the brand of fantasy popularized by Dungeons & Dragons and Fighting Fantasy, but a book featuring the art of that genre will include magnificent work by the late, great Martin McKenna (above) and Russ Nicholson (below), along with lots of other talented folks obliged to earn their crust by continually depicting a world of cannon-fodder goblins, ale-quaffing dwarves, and vatic old men in taverns. So any wealthy gamebook collector is going to want a copy of Magic Realms: The Art of Fighting Fantasy and next month there's a launch party where you can get a copy signed by the author, Jonathan Green, and Sir Ian Livingstone.
Such talk on IP with the owners of said IPs. They have lost the plot with $$$ in their eyes. I always thought gaming was a time to escape to. We all worship Mammom to a greater or lesser extent. But feels like these IP owners have lost the idea and replaced it with merchandise opportunities.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think that's true of movies & big-budget TV (hence the endless sequels for Ghostbusters, Alien, Despicable Me, Planet of the Apes, etc) I don't think there even is a single IP brand in generic fantasy. It's really just a mishmash of tropes that are shared across most CRPGs and many old-school RPGs and gamebooks.
DeleteThanks for the heads up, Dave, I might buy this. I put the early FF artwork up there with the Frazetta Conan stuff we periodically refer to!
ReplyDeleteBeing a supposed gamebook enthusiast, I feel a bit guilty never having read any of Jonathan's work, other than 'You Are The Hero', which I enjoyed. So little time I suppose (says the man who just binge watched 'Breaking Bad'). I might take a look at a few of his FF efforts from my collection if I get chance anyway. After all, Paul Mason's 'Magehunter' was one of the best in the series when I relooked at his a few years ago (did he ever release his novel by the way?)
I also clocked Ian Livingstone's 'Dice Men', having wondered whatever happened to it, so might buy also. Albeit I've just read John Peake's review. Awkward!
Interesting to think about art, Andy. I'd certainly rate most of Russ's, Martin's or Leo's work up there with Frazetta in quality. And yet they are all so different from each other, it almost seems mad to compare them.
DeleteYou might have read some of Jon Green's work without knowing it, as I gather that some famous and rich gamebook authors get him in as their ghostwriter these days. But maybe that's just a rumour.
It transpires I have read a few of Jon's, Dave. Bloodbones and Howl of the Werewolf were good as I remember. I see from your recent post that you'll all be at FF5. I'd have liked to attend that and get some books signed, but can't make it unfortunately. It's perhaps just as well. I wouldn't have been able to resist trying to trick Sir Ian into signing your Eye of the Dragon.
DeleteNow you've said that, Andy, somebody's got to do it. As for meeting up -- hopefully we will at some point, but perhaps best done when there's more time, as I'll only be at FFF for a couple of hours anyway. What do you reckon to a trip to Binscombe some time?
DeleteThat would be brilliant, Dave. Should we happen to bump into Mr Whitbourn, I could also thank him personally for his invaluable suggestions and advice on my Horse Racing book, which improved it umpteen-fold. Assuming you meant the real Binscombe of course!
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