Riding the Retro Metro: Saturday July 14, 1984!

Redartz:  Come one, come all; it's time again for a quick quest back to the Bronze Age, courtesy of the Retro Metro!  On the docket today is that epochal year 1984, a true high point in 80's pop culture. In the news, everyone's talking about the US presidential campaign, specifically Democrat Walter Mondale's choice of Geraldine Ferraro as his Vice-Presidential running mate: the first woman on a major party ticket. And there's the Los Angeles Olympic Games, opening despite the boycott by the Soviets. 

There's big news on the music front, as well. The number one song on the US Billboard Chart:  Prince, "When Doves Cry"

The genius from Minnesota gives us this gem from the soundtrack to his current film "Purple Rain". The whole album is incredible, and this cut is one of the best.

Rounding out the top five: 
2.  Bruce Springsteen, "Dancing in the Dark"
3.  The Pointer Sisters, "Jump (For My Love)"
4.  Billy Idol, "Eyes Without a Face"
5.  Duran Duran, "The Reflex"

This is one of those rare occasions when the top five all score high on my personal favorite list. Springsteen's hit is danceable, and infectiously melodic. Billy Idol's "Eyes" is a moody,masterpiece. And Duran Duran score another very catchy hit. 

Some other current hits of note:  Laura Branagan, "Self Control"; just a great song. Ray Parker Jr., "Ghostbusters"; impossible to get out of your head; the theme (obviously) to the current smash hit summer blockbuster film . Eddy Grant, "Romancing the Stone", another excellent movie song; from the man who took us to "Electric Avenue". Thompson Twins, "Doctor! Doctor!"- perfect pop from a fine new group (containing no twins, incidentally).

Tops in the UK:  Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Two Tribes"

Great song and a cool video; and speaking of video, thanks to MTV and the various video music programs for exposing such acts to those of us in the US starving for the latest sounds from 'across the pond'. And one of these days I might just be seen wearing one of those "Frankie Say" t-shirts.



Ah, before we forget: being Saturday, there may be some benefit to checking out the Saturday morning cartoon highlights:   


Charlie Brown and Snoopy, Bill Melendez brings Charles Shultz' characters to Saturday mornings. It's one of the highlights, well worth a look. 
 



Dungeons and Dragons, based upon the immensely popular role playing game. Our D&D group enjoys catching this show. 

Bugs Bunny, Smurfs, Thundarr the Barbarian, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man- all veteran shows by now, but still worth watching. Especially Bugs; you can never go wrong with Warner Bros. cartoons!














As far as prime time is concerned, for tonight's televised offerings, let's check out the TV Guide...

US Television Schedule: 

William Shatner

ABC:  T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island

 These days I'm usually busy on Saturday nights. I've missed seeing William Shatner as T.J. Hooker , but I still catch Fantasy Island from time to time. Tattoo never gets old...

CBS:  Whiz Kids, Airwolf, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer


NBC:  Diff'rent Strokes, Silver Spoons, Mama's Family, People are Funny, The Rousters

 




 NBC relies pretty obviously on it's comedy schedule on Saturday nights. I do have to give a nod to "Mama's Family": Vicki Lawrence is a hoot. Loved that whole shtick since it originated on the incomparable "Carol Burnett Show". A fine comic cast, as well...



 





BBC1:  The Saturday Film: Rio Bravo, Dynasty, Bird of Prey

BBC2:  Primal, Countdown to the Moon, Mick Burke Award 1984, Saturday Review, Cricket: Third Test, Newsnight International: Iran


You know, Saturdays are a perfect time to hit the comic shop (if you're fortunate enough to have one nearby) or the newsstand . Therefore, let's see what's new on the spinner racks:

There's still plenty of excellent reading in comics today! John Byrne continues his epic run on the Fantastic Four, and his Alpha Flight displays some of his finest writing (the terrific artwork needs no explanation). Walt Simonson's Thor is quickly becoming the subject of much attention. Beta Ray Bill is a new character with loads of potential..

There are a couple big anniversary issues out this month, Hulk 300 and Superman 400 (one of those spectaculars with a veritable "Who's Who" of creators involved; buy it for the pinups if for no other reason). 

Then there's "Secret Wars"; Marvel's big company wide project from Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck. Some love it, some hate it; I find it fairly entertaining. 

Away from the Big Two, the indies have loads to offer. Bill Messner-Loebs' "Journey" is one of the most unique, most engaging epics in comics. And "Love and Rockets", by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, is truly wonderful. Graphically beautiful; not really for kids but perfect for a college art student!
So perfect, in fact, I'm off to read an issue. Thus, we say goodbye to 1984, and return to whenever/wherever we find ourselves now. Hope we triggered a few fond memories; if so, be sure to share!

All in the Game: Dungeons and Dragons!

Redartz:  Good day, everyone! Whether it was reading comics, watching movies, or playing games, most of us spent a fair amount of time in what some might call a 'fantasy world'. One game in particular was  /is particularly well-suited to the exercise of imagination: Dungeons and Dragons, or "D&D", as it is commonly called. 

My veteran dice...

For those uninitiated to the realms of this pioneering role- playing game, the premise is simple: a group of players ("player-characters") join together to undertake a quest, guided by the plot and plan of the Dungeon Master (DM). Unlike board games, there is no actual 'board' involved. Instead, there are maps, character sheets (which detail each player's abilities and weaknesses), often representative figures, and lots of dice. The DM prepares a storyline and sets up various monsters, traps, pitfalls, and of course treasure. The players then 'act out' the adventure using their collective imaginations, with the assistance of the various game accessories and books. Beginning D&D can be fairly uncomplicated, but as you gain levels and abilities, the threats grow commensurately greater. Many players have favorite characters they've created and nurtured over many adventures. And the death of a character can be a tough blow.

I know; I played countless games, both as player and DM. I first learned D&D as a high school senior, but really got involved in college. We had a group that would meet every Sunday evening for a session of adventuring. It usually took several hours, a welcome respite from studying. It was almost a party atmosphere: often we'd order a pizza, snacks and drinks. Normally there were about four or five of us; sometimes more, at times less. My roommate and I both served as Dungeon Masters, alternating adventures so we could also play our characters. 

As we were attending art school, creativity was abundant- our adventures were quite varied, and at times bizarre. One quest was based upon "Wizard of Oz", another involved time travel. Our group was mixed- several guys, and a couple of girls. We covered the whole range of characters; mine included a grumpy dwarf, a tall female cleric, a duck warrior, and (my favorite) a half-elf magic user. (Brief comic book-oriented aside: my elven wizard had a familiar, a small creature called a 'pseudo-dragon'; about that time Kitty Pryde in the X-Men found her dragon friend "Lockheed", and I found them both enchanting). 

Over several years, we played innumerable games; some one-night affairs, others lasting for weeks. Eventually our group started graduating, marrying, and joining the working world; we stopped playing. Years later  my oldest son discovered the game, and I passed on to him my old books. I still have the dice- I'd dearly love to play again, once in awhile...

Any other D&D veterans out there? Who were your favorite characters? Did you have some memorable quests, magnificent victories, tragic deaths? Roll your 20-sided die and take your shot.

The animated "Dungeons and Dragons" cast