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Overdue Who Review: Logopolis

Fourth Doctor, Season 18, 1981 – four 25 minute episodes

It’s Tom Baker’s final Doctor Who story!

Floating through space and time, we learn that the TARDIS has a Cloister Bell to warn of trouble (have we seen this before or since?) but the Doctor decides to go to modern England to fix the TARDIS’ chameleon circuit – the device that allows it to appear as any object, and the reason why the TARDIS has been stuck in the shape of a British police box for hundreds of episodes. For some nonsense reason, in order to effect repairs, he has to take precise measurements of an actual police box and take them to the what I like to call The Holy Order of Maths on the planet Logopolis.

The Doctor’s arch nemesis The Master gets wind of this plan and materializes his own TARDIS around the police box, which causes a recursion loop (whatever that is) and traps the Doctor and Adric. A very big problem but it actually isn’t as they soon appear outside the TARDIS for reasons unexplained.

A mysterious white watcher figure tells The Doctor to go to Logopolis immediately, where a bunch of old white dudes are doing math in their heads to hold the universe together. The Doctor asks their help with his Block Transfer (whatever that is) but the Master ruins the computations by shrinking some of the old men and now the TARDIS is shrinking with the doctor inside. This is resolved in short order with more maths.

The Master keeps messing with the old men and now the universe is unraveling, cause people to be eaten away by special effects, buildings to crumble, and electronics to stop working (sometimes). Entropy is accelerated!

Now to save the universe The Doctor has to team up with The Master. They flee back to Earth to an observatory to use the antenna to shoot a data program into a Charged Vacuum Emboitment (whatever that is), but the dish has to be realigned. Once this is done, the Master naturally betrays the Doctor, and broadcasts to the entire universe that they must acknowledge his rule, otherwise the universal collapse will continue.

The Doctor runs to disconnect a cable but falls off to his death, or rather his regeneration.

So this is a pretty weakly-written story that introduces two new companions (Tegan and Nyssa) and a new Doctor (Peter Davison). Some of the ideas are legitimately great but the execution is mostly sloppy and nonsensical. They could have made the recursion loop interesting and dangerous but instead it’s just a couple minutes of “oh no! we’re trapped!” until they move on. The control room of the Logopolans was, in universe, built to model an Earth observatory for what I have to assume is budget reasons, and the Fifth Doctor appearing as a white shrouded figure throughout the episodes is another interesting idea that really only seems to usher them to the next plot point.

Worth watching if you want to see the transition between the doctors, or if you’re a fan of The Master, but otherwise, meh.

Next episode: Castrovalva

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No, Eric Does Not Need A Sword

In the 1983 cartoon Dungeons and Dragons, six teenagers were transported from America into “the Realm” and each received a magic weapon and a title from their (tor)mentor, Dungeon Master.

Hank was “Ranger” and was given a magic bow. Sheila was “Thief” and was given a magic cloak. Eric was “Cavalier” and was given a magic shield.

A common complaint for decades now is that Eric the Cavalier should have been given a sword. He is, after all, a cavalier, which is a kind of a knight, and all knights have swords. Sure, granted, although technically cavalier is a mounted knight so maybe he should have a magic saddle? Or a lance? Anyway….

Mark Evanier, who wrote what could be termed the show bible, famously tells the story of his involvement of the series creation on his blog all the way back in a post from 1997. https://www.newsfromme.com/pov/col145-2/

To my knowledge, it’s not precisely stated officially why Eric was given a shield and no characters received a sword. Some maintain that since this was the 1980’s, cartoons weren’t allowed to have actual swords or knives. Well, tell that to He-Man or Lion-O or Blackstar. Also, lightsabers were and still are very popular around that time, if they wanted to give a character a magic sword, they could have done so without making it a sharp blade. That’s how they handled Thundarr the Barbarian, after all.

Art by artist unknown!
Art by artist unknown!

No, the REAL reason – in my opinion – is that an offensive weapon is antithetical to Eric’s character. Eric is portrayed throughout the series primarily as a coward – a sarcastic and dissenting opinion who calls Dungeon Master on his B.S.

Here’s a quote from Evanier’s development bible:

Interestingly, Evanier also writes that the shield has the power of levitation and propels Eric into battle. This of course never materialized in the series, but what we do see on numerous occasions is that despite Eric’s aversion to put himself in harm’s way – when the chips are down and Eric is the only one who can save the group, he rises to the occasion. On one occasion he even foregoes his greatest wish- to return home – in favor of returning to the hell that is The Realm to help his friends.

In a way, the shield is the perfect item for Eric. Eric uses his sarcasm and braggadocio as a coping mechanism to hide – or to shield – his insecurity. We’ve heard him state in the episode “City on the Edge of Midnight” that his rich father isn’t a great dad. We can infer that despite his wealthy home life, his childhood hasn’t been great. Like many of us, he puts up walls to protect himself from being hurt, and deflects criticism.

And if Eric had a sword? Let’s look at the episode The Dragon’s Graveyard. Eric finds and picks up a magic trident which shoots out lightning, and Eric, startled, drops the dangerous weapon in horror. Eric is not Bobby, who will attack any perceived threat at the drop of Presto’s hat, regardless of the danger. Eric has a mind of his own and he has no interest in physically harming anyone or anything. The only offensive weapon Eric has and needs is his sharp, cutting wit.

Like this kind of stuff? Check out my youtube series in which I, a storyboard artist and Dungeon Master, analyze the cartoon series

…and my 20 Minute Monster drawing series!

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20 Minute Monsters – Adapted for Your Publication

You may have seen my 20 Minute Monster series on reddit or facebook or indeed my youtube channel.

Some small publishers have asked me to provide slightly adapted (sometimes just converted to black and white) versions for their publications, which I was happy to do for a nominal fee!

If this is something you think you might like, here are the samples:

ABOLETH – original:

Aboleth adjusted:

STIRGE – original:

Adjusted black and white:

YETI – original

Yeti adjusted:

ACHAIERI – original

Achaieria adjusted

BEHIR – original

Behir adjusted:

CARRION CRAWLER original:

Carrion crawler adjusted:

ETTERCAP – original:

Ettercap adjusted:

I also have some stock art on drivethrurpg, hoping to add more at some point:

 https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/4575/toren-atkinson

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Overdue Who Review: The Keeper of Traken

Fourth Doctor, Season 18, 1981

So they took Doctor Who off Tubi but thanks to my good friend and occasional Caustic Soda Podcast guest Allan I was able to continue my journey on DVD. And so:

The Fourth Doctor and Adric are visited on the TARDIS by the wizened Keeper of Traken, who warns that a great evil has come to his planet in the form of a Melkur – a calcified statue. The Keeper is nearing the end of his reign and seeks the Doctor’s help in preventing the evil from taking control of the bio-electronic Source that is the keystone of the Traken Union‘s civilization.

The planet Traken is described as a place of such good and niceness that evil cannot exist there. This isn’t explained, and indeed the opposite is shown as some of the people are greedy and manipulative, though this could be explained by the Keeper about to expire causing a time of tumult. Anyway, the Melkur landed in a garden some time ago and one of the leading body on Traken (Kassia) has tended to its paralyzed, inert form (thanks to the goodness) for years, but in that time she has become twisted by it and now seeks to put it in place of the Keeper. She manipulates the council, and the rising evil is blamed on the Doctor, who is imprisoned, but finds an ally in the science-minded consul Tremas (also the husband of Kassia, and the father of the young lady Nyssa). I thought for sure Nyssa was going to leave the planet at the end of the story and join as a second companion, but I was wrong (but not for long, it seems).

Anyway, spoilers – the eye-laser-shooting Melkur is a vessel for the return of Doctor Who’s version of Moriarty – The Master – and for a time his plan succeeds and he becomes the Keeper. However Adric saves the day by sabotaging the bio-electronic Source. But at the very end The Master takes possession of Tremas (notice what that name is an anagram for) and further evilness is teased in upcoming episodes.

All in all this is a skippable, by-the-numbers episode, The Doctor doesn’t actually do much and there’s not much of interest to look at.

Next: Logopolis – the last Tom Baker episode.

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Okayama – Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden, Omotechi Shopping Center

We will start this entry with me wandering around Okayama in the morning, before most shops have opened, as is my wont.

View from the hotel

A lovely canal

Everyday scenes and objects

It’s just how they park cars here!

I came across a nice lady who was just opening her shop on the streetside. I purchased a donut for breakfast

Scenes from a train ride:

Rural!

NIGHT SCENES

This is the bridge between Korakuen Gardens and Okayama Castle

The Asahi Rivers, as viewed from Tsurumi bridge to Korakuen Garden

The Asahi Rivers, as viewed from Tsurumi bridge to Korakuen Garden

COMING UP NEXT: OMOTECHO SHOPPING CENTER…

(and then, Korakuen Garden, and then, Okayama Castle)

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It’s the Most Discounty Time of the Year – Original D&D & other TTRPG Art! Hexmas Sale

These original pencil drawings (and a couple of inks) were produced for various D&D and other RPG books and are marked down from now until Christmas.

Everything listed here is on offer for $45 USD (unless you’re in Vancouver and we can arrange in person, then $45 CAD)

CONTACT ME at :

You can see more D&D art going all the way back to AD&D/2nd edition at https://torenatkinson.com/dungeons-and-dragons-original-art/ and I’ll be giving discounts on offsale stuff too if you buy two or more pieces!

Oh, you wanted Cthulhu art instead? Ok: https://torenatkinson.com/artwork/original-art-for-sale/

Shipping to the US is typically $20 and that includes tracking and stiffening boards for maximum protection.

Arbalest

From Terror in Freeport – Reikert

From If Thoughts Could Kill (Monte Cook/Malhavoc Press) – crystal consciousness amulet

From Egyptian Adventures: Hamunaptra (3.5 edition, Green Ronin)

Skull & Bones (Green Ronin)

From BONDS OF MAGIC (Malhavoc Press)

From THIEVES WORLD GAZETEER (Green Ronin)

Demonologist (slight blemish from ink bleed through on left edge)

BOOK OF ELDRITCH MIGHT

From MINDSCAPES: BEASTS OF THE ID (Malhavoc Press)

From CAVALIER HANDBOOK (Green Ronin)

Cults of Freeport (Green Ronin)

From Temple Quarter (Game Mechanics/Green Ronin)

From Advanced Players Manual (Green Ronin)

From Advanced Bestiary (Green Ronin 2004)

From Minions (Chaosium, Call of Cthulhu)

From Monte Cook Presents: Year’s Best d20 (Malhavoc Press)

From Shaman’s Handbook (Green Ronin)

From Wrath and Rage: A Guidebook to Orcs, published by Green Ronin

From Spaceship Zero: The Roleplaying Game (2001 Green Ronin)

From Liber Bestarius (Eden Studios 2003)

From Black Sails Over Freeport (Green Ronin)

From MONSTERS OF THE MIND (Green Ronin)

From Book of the Righteous (Green Ronin)

From Monte Cook’s Arcana Unearthed D&D 3rd edition pencil on paper

From Bastards & Bloodlines D&D 3rd edition (Green Ronin Publishing) pencil on paper:

From Black Company (Green Ronin Publishing):

Book of Fiends (Green Ronin Publishing)

Aasimar and Tiefling: A Guidebook to the Planetouched (Green Ronin)

Mindshadows (Green Ronin)

Noble’s Handbook (Green Ronin)

From ORK! The Roleplaying Game (Green Ronin)

From Chaositech (Malhavoc Press)

From Creature Collection (White Wolf)

From Jade Dragons and Hungry Ghosts (Green Ronin)

From Creatures of Freeport (Green Ronin)

From Denizens of Freeport (Green Ronin)

from Touched by the Gods (Atlas Games)

From Thieves World (Green Ronin)

From THIEVES QUARTER (Game Mechanics)

from Unholy Warrior’s Handbook (Green Ronin)

From HARP (High Adventure Roleplaying Game – Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE)

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How to Draw: Atmospheric Perspective

Hey if you don’t want to read the text – watch the video!

From wikipedia: Aerial perspective, or atmospheric perspective, is the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as viewed from a distance. As the distance between an object and a viewer increases, the contrast between the object and its background decreases, and the contrast of any markings or details within the object also decreases. The colours of the object also become less saturated and shift toward the background colour, which is usually bluish, but may be some other colour under certain conditions (for instance, reddish around sunrise or sunset).

So, how do you do this with your drawing/painting? Here’s my techniques:

METHOD ONE – This applies particularly with black and white line art.

Imagine your composition has 3 layers (it might have more, but let’s pretend) – the foreground, the middle ground and the background.

– Give the foreground layer the MOST DETAIL and THICKER STROKES
– Make background layer with MINIMAL DETAIL and THINNEST STROKES
– The middle layer (or layers) can have degrees in between.

EXAMPLES: Henry Justice Ford

METHOD TWO – particularly for greyscale art with tones

Let’s say you’re drawing with different pencils, or different colored markers, paints…whatever. Digital also applies of course.

– The foreground layer is the DARKEST ink/tone (or colors)
– The background layer is the LIGHTEST ink/tone (or colors)
– The middle laer (or layers) again has varying degrees between the lightest and darkest brush strokes.

Examples:

W. Heath Robinson:

Howard Pyle – the man in the foreground with the hat has some of the darkest lines and tones in the image:

Henry Justice Ford – notice how the soldiers in the midground have much less detail and the colors are washed out. The castle in the very back has very thin linework and almost no color:

Rando Internet samples:

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The 28th Episode of the Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon

What if there was a 28th episode of the 1983-85 cartoon series Dungeons and Dragons? As a fun exercise, let’s find out together!

Phase 1: We will start with a pitch, beat sheet, outline, script

Phase 2: Create designs, model sheets, backgrounds as needed

Phace 3: Record voice acting and create storyboards and animatic

THE PITCH

TITLE: SECRET OF THE SHADOW DEMON

In yet another failed attempt to acquire the Weapons of Power, Venger blames the failure on Shadow Demon. Venger proclaims that SD will be punished/imprisoned, and replaced, so SD flees. 

His replacement is a total badass, much more powerful and much more of a threat to the kids. Let’s call him Zarak (an actual toy in the 80s toy line for the show, who was never used in the show). Zarak’s first job for Venger: track down & capture Shadow Demon. 

Shadow Demon approaches the kids to help, it will be in both their interests to defeat Zarak and have SD reinstated as Venger’s spy. An unlikely alliance is formed, as the kids and SD trick both Zarak and Venger in some clever way. At the end SD is back in Venger’s good graces and the kids move on. 

In this episode we learn a bit of Shadow Demon’s backstory. Maybe we even visit the Shadow Realm.

Behind the scenes: coming up with some plot ideas:

THE BEAT SHEET (In progress)

in progress

DESIGNS

MODEL SHEET: SKYLLA, EVIL MAGIC-USER

Behind the scenes:

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A Day in Hiroshima and Miyajima

PART ONE: Getting There… (January 2025)

There’s restaurants in Hiroshima Station!

Momiji manjū is a type of wagashi that is baked. The confection is a buckwheat and rice cake shaped like a Japanese maple leaf, and is a local specialty on the island of Itsukushima (Miyajima) in Hiroshima. It is typically filled with red bean paste

We enjoyed our lunch at Kanawa ASSE かなわ, Unfortunately it appears to be permanently closed now 🙁

PART TWO: The Atomic Bomb Dome, Children’s Monument and Peace Memorial Park

A somber monument.

Life goes on!

Ota River and the Motomasu Bridge

Children’s Peace Monument

Peace memorial Park

PART 3: Miyajima Island!

The boat we took from Hiroshima to Miyajima.

At the front is a video that showcases the city as you move through. It tells you how each bridge fared the atomic blast, and other geography. I remember there was an island where people lived, and then the bomb dropped, and then a hurricane came, and then landslides. People don’t live there anymore.

It’s no Nara Deer Park – but they sure are friendly!

Miyajima Syukudou Bekken restaurant serves oysters and delicious treats!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iHmCMaVK1XcqS9NAA

Did I mention the area is famous for oysters?

Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street

Did I mention this place is famous for oysters?

Momiji manjū is a type of wagashi that is baked. The confection is a buckwheat and rice cake shaped like a Japanese maple leaf, and is a local specialty on the island of Itsukushima (Miyajima) in Hiroshima. It is typically filled with red bean paste. Try it!

I sense a food stacking trend!

Naturally there is a Ghibli boutique!

Itsukushima Shrine / Torii Gate

(厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its “floating” torii.

Return to Hiroshima and Okonomiyaki

We took the train back to downtown Hiroshima

Okonomimura is a multi-storey building in Shintenchi that houses multiple teppan restaurants serving okonomiyaki – sort of like a street food stall but indoors.

Don’t worry there’s English menu too

Did I mention this place is famous for oysters?

You don’t get hashi (chopsticks) or a fork to eat your okonomiyaki – you get a personal spatula!

They even have gachapon with little okonomiyaki keychains – yes I got one!

Next Blog entry will be: Kobe!