Atari Force isn’t the only time DC and Atari worked together for a pack-in minicomic. In the 1980s, at the height of the Atari 2600’s success, the people at Atari at the time (I think this is before the Warner buyout and subsequent destruction) came up with an idea that’s possibly ahead of its time. Four games would be made for a series where the best players would meet in person and compete in a special version of the game for the chance to win actual physical treasures. The games were Earthworld, Fireworld, Waterworld, and Airworld. Sadly the video game crash meant that Airworld never saw the light of day and the gathering that would have happened for the special Waterworld prize never took place. That game would also only have a limited release.
Today we’re looking at the first comic in the series, that was tied to the game Earthworld, also the first in the series. By completing a certain puzzle you could get clues that were hidden in the art of the minicomic. I won’t be posting those panels knowingly because I didn’t play the game and I wouldn’t know where they are. We’re using the posting on the Atari Age website so if you have the game physically or emulated and don’t have the comic here’s your chance to play along. I also don’t know how well the comic matches the game story but I’m guessing there is some connection if not a proper adaptation. So learn more about the mystic world where these games take place.
I’m glad they didn’t stick with the original He-Man and She-Ra character designs.
Swordquest #1
“Earthworld”
DC Comics (1982)
CREATORS/WRITERS: Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway
I’m assuming they mean the comic’s creators and not the game’s. I’ve never heard of them being involved with the Atari games.
VISUAL CONCEPTS/ART: George Pérez and Dick Giordano
DESING: Neal Pozner
COLORIST: Adrienne Roy
LETTERER: John Costanza
EDITOR: Dick Giordano
