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What is the Drawingboard?
Hello and welcome to the
Drawingboard! What is it, you may ask? Well, it's a site
dedicated to "Space Cruiser Yamato"... If the title isn't ringing a
bell, this bit of Japanese animation was released here in the
early '80's as "Starblazers." Today, it's considered by many, to be
the father of Anamae.
Most fans of the story will also tell you, It gave
us all some really cool concepts in Sci-Fi...A space craft concieved from an old battle-ship, unlike anything that had come
along before. ( The one exception might be the "ATROGON", a movie made by TOHO in the late 60's...So, true fans, help me out...what
DID come first? ) Here was something unusual and totally original. The man responsible for this wild new look was Reiji Matsomoto
and Yoshinobu Nishizaki, the founders of Space-Battleship Yamato.
This creation was an anamated feature,
and became an instant hit in Japan. Another movie followed...Then the two stories were re-worked for T.V...Matsomoto was not
happy with these shows, ironicly, it is these re-worked, edited and dubbed television versions that hit a cord in the U.S.
under the title " Starblazers."
I saw my first episode of " Starblazers " as a
kid just beginning high-school...A friend sat me down and "forced" me to watch it... ( for all of five minutes )...then I
was hooked.
From that day on, I rushed home from school to catch the progress of the Starforce and Argo. ( Promptly driving
my other friends nuts! )
As an artist growing up in the sticks, I was frustrated by the lack of merchandise or images
related to the show...and drove myself nuts trying to draw the argo!
Below, Yamato and Wildstar/Kodai.
( Blacklight poster circa: 1985 )
With much imagination and years of study, I learned
about starblazers/yamato...Finding places to get model kits by mail-order, and hole-in-the-wall stores that had Yamato stuff.
( Anyone else out there, ever hear of "Mr Big's Toyland" in Waltham ,
Mass. ) How-ever, the extent of my knowledge is with the first two series...As that is all that I have seen.
How-ever,
I do know that the "Starforce" and it's "Argo" were lost in the year 2205. Here is where THIS STARBLAZERS/YAMATO SITE IS DIFFERENT.
Below, a still from a "Mr.
Bigs Toyland" comercial. Mr. Big is Arthur Sandberg. He and his
wife are retired and say "hello" to all who remember the store
:)
"Mr. Bigs Toyland" T.V.
spot... Circa 1981. ( By the way, I see a 1/500 scail Bandai model,
and the popy 800 sc. di-cast Yamato, recently re-issued...But what is
the little Yamato on the tall stand?? )
...The Big Disclaimer
This "Yamato/Starblazers" site is unusual...As
you will soon see. I have a collection of ships from the show, as well as ships that NEVER SHOWED! It is a place where fans
can invision a "What if?" look and feel...As well as to let me work in new designs to some sort of time-line...The drawings,
schematics and the story are from my mind, and If I somehow get crossed with events in the series of Yamato that haven't been
seen here in the States, yet..It's accidental. Anyway, Like I said, It is only a place to see new ideas based on Mr. Matsumoto's
concepts and creation, With great respect....So, If you like Space battleship mecha, and would enjoy some new designs... sit
back, and enjoy a new slant on what the E.D.F. was doing after the events in "Starblazers"...One final note: The events I
have written here are only a "sketch"...as I know that other fans have designed great new ships as well...case in point, the
"Virgina project"...A beautiful new E.D.F. Battleship design from the Argo mechanics site...FANTASTIC!
Last but not least...This site is a work in progress!!!I
haven't painted, drawn or even designed any of these ships in a great while, so what is here, are brand new pencil , pen and
Acrylic renderings...( This may help to explain the incomplete feel of the site )... I plan on doing some paintings of them
in the future...But for now, check out the NEW PAINTINGS page...there are the most recent acrylic/canvas works...More will
be shown as they are completed.
Brian D. Rivers
The artist... ( After too
many hours in front of the computer, with-out sleep :) No, he
dosn't always look this bad!
If you like the Artwork
and story here at the Drawingboard... Below, are links to my
OTHER SITES. :)
Hey there, you want a funny site, you say? Just visit 'Space: For Rent'... My Comic site! ( Warning, Rated 'R' )
Click here to read "GODZILLA: Terror in the Pacific!"
Attention all creative people!
I also admin a forum for artists of all types.
It's a place to show your work, discuss art,
or just have a laugh. However, it isn't for
the younger crowds. The humor is often
abit too mature fore kids. As are some of
discussions and concepts.
Fragmented Minds A forum for creative thinkers
Hello and welcome to aboard! If you like what you see here at E.D.F... hey, drop me a line, or sign the guest book...I'd love
to hear from you. Just CLICK HERE.:)
Above, the Artist and his kids...Aboard the
U.S.S. Massachusetts
Good Luck Discovery! Way to go!
A.P. Photo
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