Back in the 1980s, Saturday mornings were ruled by cartoons. It didn't matter what station you turned on, you would find cartoons in one form or another. Back in 1983, and then in reruns for years after, a show called Dungeons & Dragons became a big hit. It has long since been off the air, but now it gets to live on with this DVD release of the entire series. Watching this brings back some great memories. I remember turning them on and just wasting away the mornings. Those days are long since behind me — now I choose to sleep as long as I can — and besides, Saturday mornings are not quite as chockfull of the animated treats as they once were.

Dungeons & Dragons had something of a built in fan base. Being built upon the popular and long-lasting role playing game has its advantages, although I must claim ignorance when it comes to the game. I was never into it, although it does seem to be ripe for the pickings of other mediums, as this show proved. It lasted a mere 27 episodes, but they brought a new world of action cartoons to the fore, pre-dating the arrival of such mainstays as GI Joe, He-Man, and Transformers.

The show centers on a group of six friends who were mysteriously transported to this dungeon-filled realm while riding a Dungeons and Dragons roller coaster. Once they arrive, they are greeted by the Dungeon Master, a Yoda-like figure who offers guidance in the form of riddles. He has bestowed upon the group magical weapons, things like a bow that fires arrows of light, a cloak of invisibility, and a hat with which you can cast spells. They are set on a quest to find a way out of this place and get back home.

Between the friends and their goal lies a world filled with dangerous creatures, demanding terrain, and the evil Venger, the one-horned face of evil who is out to get their weapons. There is also Tiamat, the fearsome five-headed dragon who is also foe to Venger, and Shadow Demon, Venger's right hand man. Each episode finds the six being sent on a quest by Dungeon Master, and invariably facing off with the forces of evil, learning about themselves along the way.

Watching them in big chunks may burn you out, but space them out and you will be in for a throwback treat. I say limit your intake because, as enjoyable as it is, the episodes do follow something of a formula, giving them a slightly repetitive feel. Still, the design and flow of the show is quite good, and different from a lot of the other shows around.