Dungeons and Dragons Comp Anim

In 2006, Dungeons & Dragons: The Complete Animated Series was released in a handsome 5-disc boxed set by BCI Eclipse. In addition to having all 27 episodes beautifully remastered, the set featured a ton of bonus content including featurettes, audio commentaries, a hardcover game supplement, a radio-style presentation of the final unfinished episode, and so much more. The set quickly became a fan favorite and helped set a new standard for modern cartoon classics on DVD. However, not long after, BCI encountered financial problems and was forced to close down operations for good. This meant that all of their DVD releases were now or would soon be out of print. In 2009, Mill Creek Entertainment acquired the rights to many of BCI's TV properties including the 'Dungeons and Dragon' animated series, which has been repackaged as a bare bones 3-disc set collecting the complete run of the series. For hardcore fans, this means that none of the supplemental material from the previous release will be carried over (thus, the one star rating deduction). However, for casual fans, the incredibly inexpensive retail price of this new collection makes it a more enticing purchase.

For the uninitiated, this series tells the tale of six kids who, after riding the Dungeons & Dragons rollercoaster, mysteriously get sucked into its fantasy world. There, each of them gains magical talents and abilities, all the better to survive their time in the Realm. The bow-shooting ranger, the acrobat, the thief, the cavalier, the wizard, and the boy-barbarian are soon joined by a baby unicorn, and tutored by the mysterious Dungeon Master. Opposing them is the evil sorcerer Venger, as well as various monsters and entities all intent on keeping the kids from getting back home. This was one of CBS' most popular animated series, airing from 1983-1986, and later on the Fox Kids network as reruns. Created by the legendary Marvel Productions, the series was based on the popular TSR role-playing game created in 1974, which spawned an entire industry. Here are the episodes featured in this set;

1. NIGHT OF NO TOMORROW- The kids meet the wizard, Merlin, who offers Presto an apprenticeship position.
2. EYE OF THE BEHOLDER- The gang enlist the aid of the knight, Sir John, who may not be a hero after all.
3. HALL OF BONES- The kids discover that their weapons are running out of power and must be recharged.
4. VALLEY OF UNICORNS- The gang must stop a wizard who wants to harness the power of unicorn horns.
5. IN SEARCH OF THE DUNGEON MASTER- The kids must save the Dungeon Master from a bounty hunter.
6. BEAUTY AND THE BOGBEAST- The gang must find a cure for Eric, who has been changed into a beast.
7. PRISON WITHOUT WALLS- The kids go to the Swamp of Sorrow to free a prisoner held by a spellbinder.
8. SERVANT OF EVIL- Bobby befriends the reluctant giant Karox to free his friends from Venger's grasp.
9. QUEST OF THE SKELETON WARRIOR- The kids help a former celestial knight who is now Venger's slave.
10. GARDEN OF ZINN- Bobby has been poisoned and the gang must find the foot of a yellow dragon to cure him.
11. THE BOX- The Dungeon Master tells the kids that using Zandora's box to free Zandora will get them home.
12. THE LOST CHILDREN- The gang meet a band of children with a mysteries ship that might taken them home.
13. P-R-E-S-T-O SPELLS DISASTER- Presto must rescue his friends after bungling yet another spell.
14. GIRL WHO DREAMED TOMORROW- The gang meet an Earth girl trapped in the realm who dreams the future.
15. TREASURE OF TARDOS- The kids travel to the walled city of Tardos to save its queen and free her people.
16. CITY AT THE EDGE OF MIDNIGHT- The gang learn of a city where children are being held captive.
17. THE TRAITOR- The kids are suspicious of Hank, who they fear may be hiding the truth of Bobby's kidnapping.
18. DAY OF THE DUNGEON MASTER- Eric is made Dungeon Master for a day after stating the job is easy.
19. THE LAST ILLUSION- The gang must regain their weapons from Venger and rescue an illusionist.
20. THE DRAGON'S GRAVEYARD- The kids decide to disobey the Dungeon Master and stop Venger for good.
21. CHILD OF THE STARGAZER- The gang help a man who has been imprisoned by a queen afraid of his power.
22. DUNGEON AT THE HEART OF DAWN- Eric accidentally frees Venger's master, an entity of pure evil.
23. THE TIME LOST- Venger's spell brings a World War II pilot to the Realm, where he befriends the gang.
24. ODYSSEY OF THE 12TH TALISMAN- The kids teams up with an orphan in their quest for the Stone of Astra.
25. CITADEL OF SHADOW- The gang finds themselves in a bitter family feud between Venger and a relative.
26. CAVE OF THE FAIRIE DRAGONS- The kids must free the fairie dragon queen and help her people.
27. WINDS OF DARKNESS- The gang enlists the aid of a reluctant woman in rescuing the kidnapped Hank.

It should be noted that in addition to this complete series set, Mill Creek has also released Dungeons & Dragons: The Animated Series- Beginnings on DVD. That collection consists of only the first 9 episodes and hardly seems worth it when one can simply spend a few dollars more and own the entire series. As for the show, it is unfortunate that some uninformed adults originally feared that the game and cartoon promoted occult activities (a claim that seems ludicrous in retrospect). Eventually, it was not magic that led to the show's premature cancellation in 1986, but rather sagging ratings. But thanks to this latest DVD release, fans can relive all these great adventures anytime they want.

This is an awesome show even though it is not fully dnd rule sets for the time. It is very entertaining non the less.

After two decades, all 27 episodes of the classic 'Dungeons & Dragons' animated TV series are finally available on DVD! This was a Saturday morning staple for many who have anxiously awaited its arrival on DVD for some time. BCI (who was also responsible for the exemplary He-Man and the Masters of the Universe DVD sets) has released not only the complete series, but a ton of extras in this beautifully remastered 5-disc boxed set. For the uninitiated, this series tells the tale of six kids who, after riding the Dungeons & Dragons rollercoaster, mysteriously get sucked into its fantasy world. There, each of them gains magical talents and abilities, all the better to survive their time in the Realm. The bow-shooting ranger, the acrobat, the thief, the cavalier, the wizard, and the boy-barbarian are soon joined by a baby unicorn, and tutored by the mysterious Dungeon Master. Opposing them is the evil sorcerer Venger, as well as various monsters and entities all intent on keeping the kids from getting back home. This was one of CBS' most popular animated series, airing from 1983-1986, and later on the Fox Kids network as reruns. Created by the legendary Marvel Productions, the series was based on the popular TSR role-playing game created in 1974, which spawned an entire industry. Here are the special features;

*All-new half hour documentary, 'Entering the Realm of Dungeons & Dragons' featuring interviews with the show's production team, writers, animators, and network executives

*Two commentary tracks for episodes 'Night of No Tomorrow' & 'The Dragon's Graveyard' with producer Bob Richardson, story editor/ voice director Hank Saroyan, writers Mark Evanier & Michael Reaves, and CBS executives Ted Field II & Judy Price

*Radio show-style presentation of the unaired final episode 'Requiem' featuring select original voice cast members

*Full length animated storyboard with interactive episode comparison for Episode #16 'The Girl Who Dreamed Of Tomorrow'

*'Choose Your Own Adventure' DVD Game & 'Uni's Fun Facts' Trivia

*50 characters, creatures & artifacts profiles with bios, images & clips, plus extensive gallery of original model sheets & memorabilia

*Short live-action film by fan Sean Kennedy

*Alternate and rare footage plus hidden easter eggs

*DVD-ROM features including scripts for multiple episodes (including the un-produced series finale script), complete storyboards and the original series bible

*Episode guide booklet with show's synopsis, writers and original air dates

*Official 'Dungeons & Dragons' hard-cover game supplement created exclusively by Wizards of the Coast featuring 32 pages of character profiles and stat blocks. The adventure is a prelude to the episode 'The Dragon's Graveyard' and is designed to bridge the game and the animated TV series. The characters and world within the animated series are now playable with the traditional RPG game.

It is unfortunate that some uninformed adults originally feared that the game and show promoted occult activities (a claim that seems ludicrous in retrospect). Eventually, it was not magic that led to the show's premature cancellation in 1986, but rather sagging ratings. But thanks to this DVD release, fans can relive all these great adventures anytime they want. For a small company, the now defunct BCI showed unparalleled commitment to modern cartoon classics through their beautifully remastered DVD sets and extensive supplemental material that were second to none. Fortunately for fans, BCI released a slew of classic cartoons on DVD before closing its doors for good.