Process Video: 1989

As an exclusive perk for our paid subscribers, we present this video showing the step by step creation of Stan!'s cartoon homage to "Spelljammer."

After a couple of vignets, this week’s cartoon homage is more of a standard glamor shot—three adventurers striking a pose in front of an atmospheric background (although in this case the word “atmospheric” is punnier than usual). On the other hand, the product it is celebrating is anything but “standard.” Spelljammer—AD&D Adventures in Space represented a whole new milieu for gamers, and a whole new perspective for how characters could see their campaign worlds.

Jeff Easley’s cover painting really brings home the unique dichotomy of Spelljammer. The two human figures have a classic feel to them, while the illithid spellcaster hints at an aspect of dark horror, and the ship—and even more the orbital view of a planet—clearly states the sci-fi angle. I never played in a game that made use of Spelljammer back in the ‘80s or ‘90s, but about eight years ago I got the chance during a lunchtime game at Wizards of the Coast. I don’t know what I was expecting exactly, but I was surprised how it very much felt like classic D&D while simultaneously feeling fresh and new—unlike any other D&D campaign I’d been in (and I’ve been in A LOT). Most of all, it was a lot of fun!

I hope I was able to capture all of those feelings in my cartoon homage.

Subscribers to this newsletter got to see this drawing last week, whereas the general public are only just getting their first glimpses of it today. But there’s still something left that’s JUST for the paid subscribers—a process video showing the step-by-step creation of this cartoon homage. (If you’re currently a free subscriber, now would be a great time to upgrade.)