Sarah O'Donell
Get ready to celebrate the golden jubilee of the iconic Dungeons & Dragons, first introduced by TSR in 1974. To mark this milestone, NECA is all set to delight fans with a series of action figures, reminiscent of the popular LJN figures from the ’80s. The company has already launched several figures that elevate the original LJN designs to contemporary standards. Now, they’re planning to release variants in vintage toy colors, all packaged in retro-style blister cards.
Where Art Thou, Paladin?
First in line is Strongheart, the human knight. Instead of the more weathered “Ultimate” paint scheme, he’s decked out in bright blue and silver, just like the original. His cape is a simple piece of cloth, a departure from the stitched, wired modern toy engineering, and his arsenal includes a sword, sheath, and dagger. The packaging is a standout feature, adorned with vintage art that harks back to the game and gamebook designs. Plus, he’s a bargain at $29.99, $5 cheaper than the previous release.
Peek at the back of the card and you’ll see that Warduke, Zarak, and Elkhorn are also set to receive the LJN toy-colors makeover. This ensures a balanced battle, with a full-sized fighter and smaller warrior on both the good and evil sides. While a Fortress of Fangs might be wishful thinking, NECA has surprised us with some impressively large items in the past. As an added bonus, these 7-inch scale figures should blend seamlessly with Super7’s D&D figures based on the ’80s cartoon series.
Interesting observation: Have you noticed how “good” and “evil” are enclosed in scare quotes on the back card art? It’s a subtle reminder that these concepts are relative, depending on your character and who holds the moral high ground. Well played, D&D.
The modern, grittier version of Strongheart is already available. The toy-colors variant is expected to hit the shelves in March. Check out the official images and decide if you prefer the new version or if you’re a fan of the original.
