Power Lords

[ManekiNeko]

Here's a question for both science-fiction and Odyssey2 fans (I'm looking in your direction, PDF). There was an extremely rare Odyssey2 game called Power Lords which was apparently based on a popular board game. Is this the game?



I found it at a garage sale with TONS of other nostalgic items... lunchboxes with pop culture icons on them, license plates endorsing former presidential candidates, and board games... lots and lots of board games. I didn't buy this particular item, going home with a Pac-Man lunchbox and cup instead, but I was kind of wondering if the Power Lords game has any value. Does anyone have any idea of its approximate worth? Would anyone here want it?

JR

[Bratwurst]

The Oddyssey game and this board game were based on a toy line from the early 80's. Character designs by Wayne Barlowe, who did some very creative creature art in the 70's. I have no idea what this is worth.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

Not sure how much the board game is worth. I believe Power Lords started as a cartoon, and the video game, board game, figures and comics were licensed from there. I'd never seen the board game before though!

A lot of the PL items are worth - sadly - next to nothing these days. But hey, that's an interesting find.

[o2william]

The Power Lords seem to be basically a ripoff of the He-Man concept -- an attempt to build a merchandising empire around action figures. It apparently wasn't that successful.

Here's some info from my web site:

Judging from advertisements I have seen, the Power Lords were originally action figures released by Revell toys (in 1982?), which is owned by Strongin/Mayem Int'l. The figures were at least moderately popular, and comic books, video games, and even a Saturday morning cartoon show were planned to be based on their adventures. I have an ad which pictures six figures, though there may be more. Figures included "Shaya" and "Arkus, the Evil Dictator." Another was "Adam Power," a human who could become the "Power Lord," who I believe you're supposed to portray in the Odyssey² game. These show up from time to time on eBay, if you're into that kind of thing.

Our heroic action figures were treated to a three-issue miniseries by DC Comics in 1983. The three-issue set does not appear to be too difficult to find today. Check your local comic book store. Incidentally, a recent edition of the Overstreet Comics Price Guide listed each comic as having a worth of 80 cents, making them the absolute least valuable comics in the entire guide!

I didn't know who did the character designs. Thanks for the info, Bratwurst!

[Bratwurst]

I didn't know who did the character designs. Thanks for the info, Bratwurst!

Word. I got the dinosaur scientist guy as a kid for Easter one year, no telling what happened to it. The board game box art is pretty apparent but the actual toys looked a little goofy compared to what Barlowe did.

[vintagegamecrazy]

Interesting find there. It'd be kinda' cool ta' try it just ta' see whadit's like.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

For you B5 fans, Barlowe also provided some character, tech and scenic designs for the Babylon 5 movie "Thirdspace."

[AB Positive]

Nothing much to add to this thread, but huge thumbs up at your avatar PDF

-AG