These days, video game box artwork is virtually interchangeable. It's all about the logo and branding, which is a horrible, corporate shame.
What's that, idiot? "They do that so the games can stand out on the shelves?"
Is it? Is it now? Is that why they do it? Only, game boxes were once a quarter the size they are today, and STILL managed to feature bright, colourful artwork that leapt out at you, and grabbed your eyeballs and licked them. Now what have you got to say for yourself?
"I'm an idiot."
Yes. Yes you are - and that's why everyone hates you.
For any fan of gaming in the 80s, there's no question that the art of Bob Wakelin, which graced scores of games published by Imagine and Ocean Software (he also did a lot of work for Marvel Comics UK), was leagues ahead of anything else.
Though now semi-retired, Wakelin was once prolific, often turning around up to three designs a week - all of them notably better than 99% of any other game artwork of the time, and 1,000% better than modern cover art.
Indeed, it's hard to argue against him being a major factor in Ocean's dominance of home computer gaming, as that would be a dull argument to have, and who really cares? Nevertheless, his gorgeous designs often helped to shift many otherwise unremarkable games.
Here's a brief gallery of some of his finest work.
What's that, idiot? "They do that so the games can stand out on the shelves?"
Is it? Is it now? Is that why they do it? Only, game boxes were once a quarter the size they are today, and STILL managed to feature bright, colourful artwork that leapt out at you, and grabbed your eyeballs and licked them. Now what have you got to say for yourself?
"I'm an idiot."
Yes. Yes you are - and that's why everyone hates you.
For any fan of gaming in the 80s, there's no question that the art of Bob Wakelin, which graced scores of games published by Imagine and Ocean Software (he also did a lot of work for Marvel Comics UK), was leagues ahead of anything else.
Though now semi-retired, Wakelin was once prolific, often turning around up to three designs a week - all of them notably better than 99% of any other game artwork of the time, and 1,000% better than modern cover art.
Indeed, it's hard to argue against him being a major factor in Ocean's dominance of home computer gaming, as that would be a dull argument to have, and who really cares? Nevertheless, his gorgeous designs often helped to shift many otherwise unremarkable games.
Here's a brief gallery of some of his finest work.
EPIC
Though far from my favourite Wakelin piece - it lacks the cohesion of some of his other art - the cover of Epic is a favourite of many. Albeit mostly Amiga owners, for whom polished turds are something of a delicacy.
Contrary to urban legend, Wakelin didn't design the iconic logo for Ocean Software. However, he did take the logo - as created by some unnamed graphic artist - and give it the sleek, airbrushed look with which it would become synonymous.
Contrary to urban legend, Wakelin didn't design the iconic logo for Ocean Software. However, he did take the logo - as created by some unnamed graphic artist - and give it the sleek, airbrushed look with which it would become synonymous.
BATMAN
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - BATMAN!"
Definitely in my top three Wakelin pieces, the cover of Ocean's Batman felt like a lost Brian Bolland masterpiece. I would yearn for an entire Batman book illustrated by Wakelin. Well, I say "yearn"... I might have thought about it briefly. What can I say? I'm just trying to pep this piece up a bit.
Still, I did stare at the cover for slightly longer than might be considered normal, trying to work out how he did the things he did.
Definitely in my top three Wakelin pieces, the cover of Ocean's Batman felt like a lost Brian Bolland masterpiece. I would yearn for an entire Batman book illustrated by Wakelin. Well, I say "yearn"... I might have thought about it briefly. What can I say? I'm just trying to pep this piece up a bit.
Still, I did stare at the cover for slightly longer than might be considered normal, trying to work out how he did the things he did.
MIKIE
Wakelin reportedly hated having to do more cartoonish covers, but Mikie demonstrates his versatility. Also, like many malfunctioning teenagers, I had a slight crush on one of the characters. Which one? The caretaker at the back, who appears to have had a stroke.
BILLY THE KID
A truly gorgeous, sepia-tinged illustration, ruined by a logo which appears to have been partially rendered from red "fun fur". My only bone of contention here is that the feller's gun on the left is an entirely different hue to the rest of the piece.
CABAL
"Look, mum! Whirlybirds!" shouts the excited main figure in this image. If Wakelin hadn't been so busy working for Ocean Software, he could've been illustrating 1980s action movie posters.
Plus we've all "laid a few cabals" haven't we, lads? Few as impactful as this one, I'd wager. Although, one of mine did once land so hard that it cracked the pan.
Plus we've all "laid a few cabals" haven't we, lads? Few as impactful as this one, I'd wager. Although, one of mine did once land so hard that it cracked the pan.
DALEY THOMPSON'S DECATHON
This earns its place in the list because I once saw Daley Thompson in a park. What was he doing? Poo under the slide, yeah?
OPERATION WOLF
It might seem an odd thing to say, but two of the things I really liked about Wakelin's figure work were the way he painted powerful forearms and soulful eyes. And yes: that is what I look for in a man.
Also: clammy plums.
Also: clammy plums.
WIZKID
Again demonstrating Wakelin's versatility, the Wizkid cover was a spot-on R.Crumb pastiche. Also, there's a cat or a dog or something on a toilet, which is hard to argue against. Apologies for mentioning toilet stuff again, but there's something wrong with me.
THE NEW ZEALAND STORY
What I really loved about the way Wakelin did his more cartoony pieces was how he'd combine intricate airbrushed detail and shading on characters with a thick black outline. It had a massive influence on my own work when I arrived at Teletext; those thick black lines around the characters in Turner The Worm were no accident.
WHERE TIME STOOD STILL
The sort of cover you could never get away with these days, due to the saucy lady whose nip-nips - the third rudest part of the human body - can be seen clearly through her tight t-shirt.
Sadly, while Wakelin had the anatomy of ladies down to a fine art, that t-rex is an abomination. It doesn't even have a hat on!
Sadly, while Wakelin had the anatomy of ladies down to a fine art, that t-rex is an abomination. It doesn't even have a hat on!
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