The “D&D” animated series had a three-season run on CBS from 1983 through 1985 and was generally well-received by audiences and critics alike. A thread of nostalgia binds the animated series to those who’ve grown up playing the tabletop RPG, and it is pretty cool to see a group of young protagonists battle beasts in an unknown realm and step into their power.
This group comprises Hank (The Ranger), Eric (The Cavalier), Diana (The Acrobat), Bobby (The Barbarian), and Sheila (The Thief) — together, they receive assistance from the Dungeon Master, who grants them various abilities and weapons to help them in their quest. Apart from being a fun series about adventure, the animated show also fleshed out the emotional landscapes of its characters, thus making them relatable to younger audiences, who were the target demographic of the show. Interestingly, some storylines veered into serious territories, such as the one in which Venger, the big bad, travels back in time to World War II and alters history forever. Yikes.
In the “Honor Among Thieves” clip, Sheila seems to be missing from the usual group of six, but the others are unmistakably a nod to the characters in the CBS show. As only one group can make it out of the area labyrinth alive, and it is bound to be the one led by Edgin, our group of five might meet their end at the hands of the displacer beast. This is no reason for serious concern, of course, as their presence is simply meant to delight longtime “D&D” fans, and I’m sure these kids were able to successfully defeat Venger at some point and safely make it back home, tough as they are.
“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” hits theaters on March 31, 2023.
