More than 30 years ago, atari and dc comics teamed up to release a series of video games for the atari 2600, swordquest, that tied into comic books published by dc. Swordquest is published by dynamite entertainment under the atari imprint. The quest for the reallife treasures of ataris swordquest. We were told there were lawsuits in the case of the earlier book because some overeager people hunting for the treasure were digging up peoples lawns and demolishing property. Dc created the comics to accompany each of the four video games while franklin mint created the treasure. Players would play the games and discover various numeric codes.
Back in 1982, atari launched their swordquest challenge, which would span four games and comic books that were included with the cartridges themselves. Anytime i see a company random example mcdonalds, cocacola, etc. Created and written by roy thomas and gerry conway, with visual concepts and art by george perez and dick giordano. It stands out as one of the best in a genre filled with mediocre attempts at translating comics to video games and vice versa. The swordquest series of games for the atari 2600 were very ambitious for their time. The quest to win the prizes from ataris swordquest challenge. Swordquest 2017 comic read swordquest 2017 comic online. The first of two atari graphic novels that dc comics put out. Much like gamers had to fill the gaps between games, bowers and sims have set out to get readers in the same head spacean immersive experience that allows fans to jump into the book games themselves. The means of entering these competitions was to find clues scattered throughout the game as well as in tiein comic books, created by dc comics, of which separate volumes were included with each game. Each game featured a number of clues hidden deep within them.
For the first time ever, the classic swordquest minicomics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, dick giordano, and originally packaged with the atari cartridges of their namesake are gloriously remastered and collected in a trade paperback for longwaiting fans to enjoy. But at no point did atari make it clear that the swordquest games were crazyhard. In its true essence, the idea of the swordquest game series is a great one. Swordquest is the name for an unfinished comic book series developed and published by dc comics, written by roy thomas and gerry conway and illustrated by george perez and dick giordano. With nothing else to look forward to, his obsession with swordquest is reignited, in a moreummm, interesting way written by chad bowers and chris sims xmen 92, down set fight and art by scott kowalchuk batman 66, down set fight. Swordquest waterworld comic book, the players strategy guide to atari vcs home video games, warlords graphic novel, yars revenge comic book. For the first time ever, the classic swordquest minicomics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, and dick giordano and originally packaged with the atari cartridges of their namesake are gloriously remastered and collected in a trade paperback for longwaiting fans to enjoy. Contest in 1983, atari ran the swordquest contest, in which contestants would play the game to get clues 2 numbers that would lead them to a certain page and panel in the included comic book that contained hidden words. For the first time ever, the classic swordquest mini comics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, dick giordano, and originally packaged with the atari cartridges of their namesake are gloriously remastered and collected in a trade paperback for longwaiting fans to enjoy. The story behind the source material for this comic series is like something out of a comic book. He was counting down the days to the release of the final game, airworld, only to be shattered when the news surfaced that it would never be released. I loose some respect for an otherwise upstanding company. The quest for the reallife treasures of atari s swordquest.
Jul 20, 20 comic based off the atari 2600 video game. Each game contained clues that revealed hidden messages in an accompanying comic book, and sending the correct message to atari earned you a chance to compete for a real, honesttogoodness piece. Dynamite entertainment producing new atari swordquest comics. Its a cool idea that was probably too big for the 2600 to do very well. After 34 years, dynamite entertainment is partnering with atari to bring back its epic video game saga swordquest in comic book form this spring. The ingame clues are not related to the comic book, either. Aug 06, 2017 it was the prototypical esports event, in a way. The four worlds encompassing the quest came from ancient science, when earth, fire, water and air were though to be the four basic elements of the cosmos. But when the game was discontinued, peter found himself without a game to finish. Dynamite entertainment producing new atari swordquest.
The original swordquest comics were packed in with the three released atari 2600 games. Mar 08, 2016 i really want to like swordquest but i find it hard to follow, even with the comic books. The video game, masters of the universe comic book, phoenix comic book, star raiders comic book, star raiders graphic novel, swordquest earthworld comic book, swordquest fireworld comic book, swordquest fireworld comic book concept, swordquest waterworld comic book, the players strategy guide to atari vcs home video games, warlords. Unfortunately while the comic books were well thought out, the games themselves were boring, difficult, and about as much fun as smashing your thumb over and over again with a hammer. So atari pulled the plug on the swordquest game before it got completed. Featuring the creative talents of comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, and dick giordano, this 48page mini comic measuring 5 x 7. See more ideas about comics, dc comics and comic books. Swordquest earthworld classic atari minicomic remastered.
And now that story is the basis for the new comic book youll be seeing from dynamite this year. Atari 2600 vcs books the worlds finest atari database. Help you solve the final puzzle of all four swordquest cartridges combined. They then sent in the correct words and their entry and a certain number of contestants were. If you dont know what atari force and sqordquest are been hibernating. According to the comic book, the twins are separated but both meet pretenders to the waterworld throne.
Released in 1982, this ambitious gaming series was a. Back in the heyday of the atari 2600, several games were shipped with mini comic books as an added bonus. Bowers and sims kicked it out of the park with this book swordquest. Swordquest waterworld the 3rd of what was to be 4 packin comics.
Dynamite entertainment is digging into the vault as the classic swordquest minicomics are collected for the first time ever. The quest to win the prizes from atari s swordquest challenge. This is the perfect comic book series for fans of the classic atari and new fans alike. The books were an integral part of ataris swordquest adventure game series for the atari 2600. Atari force would later become a fullsize comic with a run of 20 issues. The swordquest series was an ambitious video game comic contest by atari and dc comics.
The swordquest series was a series of packin comics developed by dc comics to accompany the intended fourgame swordquest series for the atari 2600. Each of the games came with a comic book that explained the plot, as well as containing part of the solution to a major puzzle that had to be solved to win the contest, with a. Apr 04, 2008 especially when you start throwing in comic books, zodiac signs, and whatnot. George perez fan page heres another surprise from my man spencer beck. In 1982, atari was the subsidiary of warner communication, which also owned dc comics and franklin mint. Transcript of avgn episode swordquest angry video game nerd. Dynamite entertainment is partnering with atari to bring back its epic video game saga swordquest in comic book form this spring.
Atari commissioned dc to produce the story of the series through comic books packaged with each title. Released in 1982, this ambitious gaming series was a pretty unique. Reier to the next world in the swordquest series, fireworldru. The original books were packaged with atari 2600 games to delve further into each games story. For the first time ever, the classic swordquest mini comics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, and dick giordano and originally packaged with the atari cartridges of their namesake are gloriously remastered and collected in. Released by atari for the 2600, swordquest was a large scale of contests that consisted of 4 games that would each crown a champion, with a grand finale with all four champions vying for a grand prize. Swordquest series group description ataris swordquest series of adventure games. Swordquest earthworld the 1st of what was to be 4 packin comics. A mixedmedia gaming competition atari launched at the height of its early 80s success, swordquest pitted players far and wide against a series of. Ready player one book atari video games golden treasure game prizes golden crown comic book panels classic video games first game geek culture. For the first time ever, the classic swordquest minicomics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, dick. The atari force comics shipped with the games defender, berzerk, star. Well, the comic book was a lot better than the game anyway. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.
Mar 08, 2016 the quest for the reallife treasures of ataris swordquest. The books were an integral part of atari s swordquest adventure game series for the atari 2600. Sep 11, 2017 for the first time ever, the classic swordquest minicomics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, and dick giordano and originally packaged with the atari cartridges of their namesake are gloriously remastered and collected in a trade paperback for longwaiting fans to enjoy. I really want to like swordquest but i find it hard to follow, even with the comic books. In total, 10 different comic books were created, most of which were produced by dc comics. The swordquest series was a unique attempt to combine comic books and videogames into a contest of epic proportions. Ataris bringing back its swordquest comics polygon. Atari even held a competition for players, encouraging them to unlock the mysteries within the game. The books included clues to solve the puzzles within each. For the first time ever, the classic swordquest mini comics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, and dick giordano and originally packaged with the atari cartridges of their namesake are gloriously remastered and collected in a trade paperback for longwaiting fans to enjoy. Swordquest is an unfinished series of video games produced by atari, inc. The pal version has a different solution and clues.
Many of the games puzzles require the player refer to the book to find the hidden clues and solve the riddles. The books included clues to solve the puzzles within each of the. These are listed as covers for the swordquest series of digestsized comics that i drew for atari, but i believe they were actually used as the back covers at least for the issues actually printed i never drew the fourth issue. Swordquest is a blatant example of how greedy atari was. Welcome to the first installment of our swordquest series. Of these ten comics, two formed a related series of books.
Swordquest earthworld, swordquest fireworld and swordquest waterworld. The atari age returns to comics with the most unexpected story of the year. Swordquest is the name for an unfinished comic book series developed and published by dc comics, written by roy thomas and gerry conway and illustrated by george perez and dick giordano the books were an integral part of atari s swordquest adventure game series for the atari 2600. Waterworld atari 2600, 1983 at the best online prices at ebay. This was the 2nd generation atari force of sorts, with the main character from the original series, martin champion. This is the swordquest comic weve been waiting for since 1983. Swordquest as the cover implies is inspired by the swordquest video game series from atari, or at least most of those video games since the series never actually finished. Swordquest was a series of atari games that were more than just a game. Weve had a lot of people ask for this, and after some research, im happy to say that we can come through for all of you. Also, other objects can be in the correct rooms, besides the objects you need.
Earthworld mini comic is gloriously remastered and rereleased. Yeah, i know the series will be different from the original comic books, but you know what. On the surface, its an intriguing story of how companies were super ambitious even. For the first time ever, the classic swordquest minicomics created by comic book industry legends roy thomas, gerry conway, george perez, and dick. Originally slated to be 4 atari 2600 games with corresponding comics only 3 games were ever produced. For the first time in 35 years, the classic swordquest. But swordquest is coming back, at least in comic book form, thanks to dynamite entertainment.
Feb 21, 2017 over 30 years after its original release, atari has decided to resurrect one of its most beloved game franchises. The atari force comics shipped with the games defender, berzerk, star raiders, phoenix, and galaxian. Refer back to the enclosed comic book and hint at the solution to the earthworld ouzzle. A year after the atari force mini comic series ran, dc decided to do an official fullsize comic spinoff of the original story and characters. The gifts start appearing around the nerd youd be wearing your swordquest tshirt with your comic books and posters, drinking out of your gold chalice with your crown, philosophers stone and sword, and not to mention your swordquest video gaming cartridges exclusive from atari.
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