Blades of Steel artwork - Gretzky v.... Jonsson?

BrontyBronty
in Collector's Corner
cool photo posted today on game art facebook group.  Settles the debate about which players were used as reference on Blades of Steel.



Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky v New York Islander Tomas Jonsson



https://scontent.fyvr4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/38765198_10216998822023967_3444744606695030784_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=3bdcce36ff42631440d0dd92ebed4255&oe=5BC74E31

Comments

  • TulpaTulpa
    Interesting. Right at the height of the Oilers/Islanders rivalry.



    I like the subtle changes to avoid licensing, like changing the Great One to 89 and the Oilers logo to something nondescript (the Edmonton Elevators?)
  • The CountThe Count
    Now that is interesting. Somewhat related, I was curious who the Cub sliding in to second base on the cover for Major League Baseball for NES is and found that it's the legendary Bob Dernier. Really unrelated, I think with Kirby Puckett and Ozzie Smith that game might have the most Hall of Famers on one baseball game cover with two and possibly someday a third (Clemens). I was looking at active players at the time, so a game like Legends of the Diamond doesn't count. Jeff Bagwell, Ken Griffey Jr., Vladimir Guerrero, Tony Gwynn, Reggie Jackson, Randy Johnson. Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tony LaRusssa, Tommy Lasorda, Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, Cal Ripken Jr., Nolan Ryan, Ryne Sandberg, and Frank Thomas all appeared on covers of different games at one point as well and I must be missing others.
  • austin532austin532
    Who wouldn't take inspiration from the great one? Curious if the fight happening in the back was taken from a photo as well.
  • empireempire
    I like how they changed the colors and numbers of Gretzky but didnt care enough to change the other guy.



    Makes sense, all time great, both teams had dynasties in the 80's.
  • BrontyBronty
    Originally posted by: austin532



    Who wouldn't take inspiration from the great one? Curious if the fight happening in the back was taken from a photo as well.



    I asked the same question.    We might find out in a week

     
  • goldendark007goldendark007
    What issue is this from? Any links?
  • TheBiRDTheBiRD
    Wow niiice!
  • TulpaTulpa
    Originally posted by: goldendark007



    What issue is this from? Any links?

    I'm going to guess the May 23, 1983 issue.  



    https://www.si.com/vault/issue/43725/27



     
  • ZombieGuyGeezusZombieGuyGeezus
    Originally posted by: goldendark007

    What issue is this from? Any links?



    There's a day in the upper left hand side of the photo. Don't know if that helps
  • TheBiRDTheBiRD
    Couldn't resist and just bought the mag on ebay for 10$CDN shipped...!
  • WheelcakesWheelcakes
    Originally posted by: Bronty



    cool photo posted today on game art facebook group.  Settles the debate about which players were used as reference on Blades of Steel.



    Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky v New York Islander Tomas Jonsson



    https://scontent.fyvr4-1.fna.fbcd...



    Now time to see whos fightin in the back there. 

     
  • SilverspoonSilverspoon
    image
  • futuremanfutureman
    Originally posted by: Bronty



    cool photo posted today on game art facebook group.  Settles the debate about which players were used as reference on Blades of Steel.



    Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky v New York Islander Tomas Jonsson



    https://scontent.fyvr4-1.fna.fbcd...



    That's awesome. Which facebook group was it posted in? I saw you mention the group in another thread and would love to check it out.

     
  • BrontyBronty
    Here's a link Cody. https://www.facebook.com/groups/502536466816380/



    cheers,

    Dan
  • AirVillainAirVillain
    I don't see the resemblance.



    Haha, jokes. This is great.



    Thanks for sharing.



    I think they decided to change Wayne more because he was (obviously) more recognizable. Give him the ugly face and change the colour of his uniform. Both teams colours are the same, so it's logical to change Gretzky's to make it less obvious. Haha, great stuff overall.
  • phart010phart010
    Originally posted by: Bronty



    cool photo posted today on game art facebook group.  Settles the debate about which players were used as reference on Blades of Steel.



    Edmonton Oiler Wayne Gretzky v New York Islander Tomas Jonsson



    https://scontent.fyvr4-1.fna.fbcd...

    Lol.



    (While searching for the original Blades of Steel artwork, I happened upon this)



    If I’m out of line, I apologize in advance



     
  • BilltownSpartyBilltownSparty
    wow this is fantastic find! thanks for sharing
  • VmprHntrDVmprHntrD
    Wow I'm impressed, very good pick up on that piece of art history for the game box. Stuff like that often does feel it had to have been sourced somewhere, and well that's one mystery solved. Question is now, who was the guy on the Mega Man box.  
  • killerkobrakillerkobra
    Go Oilers! Cool find for sure
  • The CountThe Count
    http://puckjunk.com/2019/02/06/interview-tom-dubois-blades-of-steel-box-cover-artist/



    I'm guessing that you're the collector Tom DuBois is referring to in the article. Neat stuff!
  • AirVillainAirVillain
    Originally posted by: The Count



    http://puckjunk.com/2019/02/06/in...



    I'm guessing that you're the collector Tom DuBois is referring to in the article. Neat stuff!



    Excellent article, great share. Understood why the TMNT and Sunset Riders artwork is so badass. 



    I would say... that... the original cover art would be the most rare thing when it comes it video game collecting. Or, that's what I think, anyways.



    Think about it. The boxes and games were ALL mass produced. These paintings are a 1/1.



    Bronty is like a game art deity. Well done sir.
  • BrontyBronty
    Much like Sgt Schulz, I know Nahzing, I see nahzing
  • MrWunderfulMrWunderful
    Traded for a pc too eh? Pro move Dan.
  • BrontyBronty
    Not that it really matters, but that's not exactly what happened. Tom was offered a specific amount of money. He wanted a higher end computer costing roughly the same amount instead. It would have been easier to just pay cash but I took care of the details for him and had it delivered to his spot since that's what he asked.   It wasn’t a “trade” ... he just chose to spend the money on a specific item.
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