Role Playing Games

Posted on September 29, 2015 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

This section will look at role playing games (RPG) and cover titles from TSR, Victory Games, Mayfair Games, West End Games, Tasa and others, as well as some magazine-based RPG such as 2000 AD’s Dice Man.

Dungeons & Dragons is probably the most well known RPG. It was first published in 1974 by TSR (Tactical Studies Rules). Below is a small selection of D&D examples along with some other TSR titles. For more great D&D ads see our main feature here

: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. 1989. US.

: Dungeons & Dragons. US. 1989.

: Dungeons and Dragons Welcome to Basic Training. 1986. US.

: Dungeons & Dragons. US. 1981.

: TSR Endless Quest Books. 1984. US.

: Dungeons Game. 1989. US.

: TSR Gamma Raiders. 1987. US.

: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. 1988. US.

: TSR Codename Spitfire. 1987. US.

: D&D Gazeteer. 1987. US.

: The Adventure Is Yours Role Playing Game. 1982. US.

: TSR Role Playing Game. US. 1983.

: Conan Role Playing Game. UK. 1986.

: Indiana Jones Role Playing Game. 1985.

Doctor Who, Fasa

Doctor Who Role Playing Game. USA. 1985.

James Bond, Victory Games

: James Bond Role Playing Game. 1983. US.

: James Bond Role Playing Game. 1984. US.

: James Bond Role Playing Game. 1984. US.

: James Bond Role Playing Game. 1983. US.

James Bond Role Playing Game. US. Starlog. 1985.

DC and Marvel

: DC Heroes Role Playing Game. 1985.

: DC Heroes Role Playing Game. 1985.

: DC Super Powers Role Playing Game. 1985.

: Marvel Superheroes Role Playing Game. 1985.

: Marvel Superheroes Role Playing Game. 1987.

: Marvel Superheroes Role Playing Game. 1988.

Others

: 2000 AD Dice Man #1 cover art by Glenn Fabry.

: Star Trek Role Playing Game. US. Starlog. 1985.

: Golden Quest Role Playing Game. UK. 1984.

: Sparrow Books Role Playing Game. UK. 1984.

: Robotech Rifts Role Playing Game. 1991. US.

: Robotech Role Playing Game. 1987. US.

: Man Myth and Magic Role Playing Games. US. 1982.

: Dragon Dice Role Playing Game. 1995. US.

Thank you for getting into character with us 🙂

Latest ads: Forbidden Planet, RPGs, Superhero Watches, Strawberry Shortcake and Big Jim

Posted on September 27, 2015 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

These latest retro paperworks from the UK, US and Brazil have just been added to the archive.

UK. 2000 AD’s Dice Man #1. 1986.

UK. 2000 AD Dice Man #1 cover art by Glenn Fabry. 1986.

UK. 2000 AD Dice Man #1. 1986.

US. Jonah Hex. 1978.

Brazil. Chico Bento. 1985.

US. Superman 296. 1976.

Skateboard ads from France -1977-78 and other skateboard ads

Posted on September 20, 2015 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

The skateboard craze of the late 1970s was captured quite nicely inside the pages of French comic Pif Gadget. Adverts, features, special offers, prizes and even a whole cover were given over to skateboarding during 1977 and 1978.

Issue #476 from 1978 featured an Aublé illustration of a skateboarder on the cover. Inside was packed with skateboard features, notably a competition in which you could win one of 50 skateboards and protective equipment as prizes.

Pif Gadget #476 1978. Skateboard cover by French illustrator Auble.

Pif Gadget #476 1978. Skateboard cover by French illustrator Aublé.

Issue #476 competition details first page.

Issue #467 competition details, second page.

Issue #476 competition details, second page.

Issue #476 also featured 6 skateboard-themed puzzle and cartoon pages, along with various product adverts and offers. The back page concluded with a skateboard-themed comic strip from Pif Gadget regular Hercule.

Issue #467 opening page of 6-page game section featuring skateboard-themed puzzles and cartoons.

Issue #476 opening page of 6-page game section featuring skateboard-themed puzzles and cartoons.

Issue #476. Skateboard offer from French company Chef Tamisee and their flour products.

France. Pif Gadget 476. 1978. Yabassi skate wear.

Issue #476. Yabassi skate wear.

Issue #476. Le Roller-Side – also marketed as ‘The Outrider’ was not a skateboard but shared some similarities.

Pif Gadget. 1978.

Issue #476. Back cover showing Hercule comic strip.

Other Pif Gadget issues showing skateboard-related pages

Another Yabassi ad, this time from Pif Gadget #495, 1978.

France. Pif Gadget. 1981.

France. Pif Gadget 496. 1978. American skateboards direct from the US.

Detail of the above ad showing US skateboards available to order.

Detail of the first half of the ad from issue 496 ad showing US skateboards available to order.

Second half of issue 496 showing order details.

France. PIf Gadget #451. 1977. This J.L.M. promotions offers a FREE tee-shirt with each purchase of a skateboard.

Gepy skateboard footwear. France. PIf Gadget #467. 1978.

The cut out section of the Gepy advert shows an offer to buy a Gepy skateboard and tee-shirt.

This Christmas promotion offers Sancheski boards either in plastic or wood as well as knee and elbow protection gear. Pif Gadget #456. 1977.

Skateboard apparel. France. Pif Gadget. 1978.

Detail from above advert showing the white tee-shirt with ‘Skateboard’ design.

Other skateboarding ads

US advert. Star Wars comic 1978. The Park-Rider skateboard by Nash.

Thrashin’. Directed by David Winters. 1987 ad from Alpha Flight #47.

Italy. Topolono. 1987.

UK. Star Wars Weekly. 1978.

Denmark. 1988.

Denmark. 1987.

Skateboards. Spelboom Club Journal. 1987. Netherlands.

Superman: Action Comics #1 advert from 1974

Posted on September 12, 2015 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

In 1938 it cost just 10 cents… Last year a copy of it sold for a comic book record of 3.2 million dollars. This 1974 advert illustrates nicely the excitement that has always surrounded the famous Action Comics #1 since its original publication.

US. Tales of Mystery. 1974.

Cover of Action Comics 1 Jun 1938 DC Comics Joe Shuster and Jack Adler

Action Comics #1, featuring the first appearance of Superman, is the most valuable comic book in history and has consistently nabbed headlines.

To date it holds the ‘most valuable’ record since smashing it’s way past the 3 million dollar mark when sold on eBay on August 4th, 2014 for the sum of US$3,207,852.

What the heck is that? SSP: Super Sonic Power from Kenner!

Posted on September 8, 2015 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Toy giant Kenner produced many great toys over the years, such as the Bionic Man and Woman, Star Wars, Duke the Super Action Dog, and the Daddy Saddle …

Yet, none of these prepared me for the greatness which awaited when I finally came across these 1970s ads for Kenner’s gyro-powered Super Sonic Power (SSP) line, featuring the Rockin’ Rick Stunt Cycle Show and the Herk Action Stunt Set.

Oh boy!

“What the heck is that?”

US. The Unexpected. 1972.

It’s Rockin’ Rick! He’s a posable wild rider!

US. The Twilight Zone. 1976.

Vantastic Vader!

Kenner didn’t miss a trick by linking their Star Wars license with their SSP line, plus the craze for customised vans – by proudicing the fantastic SSP Star Wars Van Set…

Star Wars SSP van set. 1978. US.

SSP Racers

Kenner’s SSP as seen in the early 1970s!

Kenner SSP Racers. Weird War Tales N°1. 1971.

SSP Racers. Weird War Tales N°1. 1971. Detail.

SSP in 1997, the SSP Pro Series

SSP. More Fun From Kenner catalogue. 1997. US.

See also: Kenner’s TTP Turbo Tower of Power toyline

Thanks for looking 🙂

1983 ads for the Philips Odyssey Home Video Game Console

Posted on September 1, 2015 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

The following scans of the Philips Odyssey home video game console are part of a four page centre spread found in a 1983 Brazilian Disney comic Pato Donald.

Brazil. Pato Donald. 1983.

More Philips gaming adverts

UK. 2000 AD. 1983.

Early video game advertising from Philips. France. Télé Junior N° 4. 1977.

France. Télé Junior. 1977.

Pateta 36 1984 Odyssey Philips videogame

Brazil. Pateta 36. 1984

The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Showcasing 20th century print advertising and pop culture curiosities. Specialities: toys, fashion, comic books, movies and art. One of the most comprehensive archives you'll find on the net. Established 2011.