Dr Simon Reads...

Dr. Simon Reads Appendix N Part Twelve: Gardner Fox This is an ongoing sporadic series, in which I explore classic fantasy and science fiction works. Appendix N is the bibliography of Gary Gygax's original Dungeon Masters Guide, and lists a range of classic SF and fantasy authors that influenced his interest in the fantastical. See  the first part of this series  for more information. This time around, I have reached the works of: Gardner Fox Gardner Fox was born in Brooklyn in 1911, and was apparently influenced by ER Burrough’s John Carter books at a young age. He’s mainly known as a writer for DC Comics, including very early Batman and the first Flash stories, plus a bit of brief work at Marvel in the 1970s as well. I have to admit that , beyond these two titles, and some Justice League stuff, I’ve never heard of any of the characters that he wrote, but then I’m not a comic book buff.   The Kothar stories were written 1969-1970, with Kyrik a bit later in 1976; ...

Issue 43 The Vanith-Vadiren With the Inhuman Gods series finally at an end, this month’s selection is loosely tied by creatures that are generally found mounted, and is called And Some Came Riding . It’s only got three entries, mainly because each one is quite detailed. The Bug- Riders , by Jack Rick, are what it says on the tin – a race of insect-people that ride giant insects. The bug riders themselves are pretty much standard humanoid creatures, mechanically (with the ability to spit acid for 1d10 damage), and some have druidic abilities. There are also stats given for the various typical mounts – crane fly, wolf spider and red and black ants (giant versions thereof), and it’d be interesting to use these as different tribes at odds with one another.   The Lich-King , by Daniel Lucacinsky feels like another attempt at the Ringwraiths, after the “actual” Ringwraith stats and the “Night Riders”, and is also similar to the Four Horsemen. In this case, only two (not nine) e...