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Can you identify this hero? Has a cape and a sword.

I only have this terrible-quality picture from Secret Service, a computer games magazine, from 1993, and would like to know what hero it is.

https://archive.org/details/secretservicemagazine-1993-01/page/n21/mode/1up

enter image description here

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  • 2
    Is there any reason to expect this is a science fictional or fantastical character rather than just a warrior or some such?
    – TheLethalCarrot ♦
    Mar 27, 2021 at 21:43
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    @TheLethalCarrot - It looks pretty fantasy-esque. I'm minded to give it the benefit of the doubt.
    – Valorum
    Mar 27, 2021 at 21:44
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    Here’s the same image in color on a kids collectible: colnect.com/en/kids_meal_toys/kids_meal_toy/…
    – Spc_555
    Mar 28, 2021 at 9:53
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    @Spc_555 - Those pogs appear to have crudely copied (and presumably unlicensed) characters from a range of sources including Ming the Merciless; milkcapmania.co.uk/386-Rondos.html
    – Valorum
    Mar 28, 2021 at 11:49
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    @Tom, I used to own this magazine as a kid. I always assumed it was Thorgal Aegirsson.
    – Kao
    Mar 28, 2021 at 19:08

3 Answers 3

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+100

I found the original picture! It's a clipart from Corel Draw 3 called "Capeman.tif".

enter image description here

All images from the "LIBRARY\PHTPAINT\FANTASY" folder:

enter image description here

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    How did you find it?
    – Valorum
    Apr 27, 2021 at 10:34
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    @Valorum I checked on Wikipedia what DTP and DTP-alike programs were popular in 1993 and then I downloaded them from sites like archive.org. I checked: Aldus PageMaker 5, QuarkXPress 3, Ventura Publisher 3, Micrografx Picture Publisher 3 and CorelDRAW 3. I also downloaded ClickArt CDs. And I just checked all of the files. I found the Capeman in LIBRARY\PHTPAINT\FANTASY with a few other fantasy characters.
    – Tom
    Apr 27, 2021 at 11:22
  • CorelDraw 3 was released on 15 May 1992; I'm guessing the magazine used the image (modified) for its May '93 release.
    – TylerH
    Apr 28, 2021 at 15:22
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This image is used by Secret Service Magazine (May, 1993) to illustrate the 'barbarian' character from the Amiga game Times of Lore. It's not clear whether this was an original illustration by the makers of the magazine or culled from elsewhere.

You may wish to note that this image has appeared elsewhere in this form, for example on these (copyright infringing) Rondo milk caps where he's described as "Capeman".

enter image description here

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    Actually, I don't think this image ever appeared in the Times of Lore ads, manual, game box, etc. I think it was an image from somewhere else that Secret Service slapped in place near descriptions of fantasy games).
    – Buzz
    Mar 28, 2021 at 0:54
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    @Tom It is definitely reminiscent of Frazetta's famous cover for Conan the Adventurer.
    – Buzz
    Mar 28, 2021 at 1:10
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    @Tom I think you should remove the accepted answer checkmark here, there’s no evidence this image has anything to do with the Times of Lore game
    – Spc_555
    Mar 28, 2021 at 11:06
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    @Valorum yes, please see my comment to the question. Seems like this was a widely available image in the 90s and this magazine just used it to illustrate games. Also I’ve looked through all Times of Lore manuals/packaging/marketing materials I could find on the Internet and this image is nowhere to be seen. Also it seems that the original version is indeed with a cape, you can find a lot of “caped” copies being used as avatars etc and none without a cape.
    – Spc_555
    Mar 28, 2021 at 11:44
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    @Spc_555 - I've been through about twenty issues of Secret Service and can't find any other uses of the picture. Additionally, all of the pictures used in the magazine appear to relate directly to the game being shown, with no common illustrations for game type (e.g. Barbarian doesn't have this same picture, nor does Doman, although both are 'barbarian versus baddies' type games)
    – Valorum
    Mar 28, 2021 at 11:53
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The original image has been already found and the resemblance with Conan has already been mentioned in the comments. Also it has been stated that it's pretty difficult to find the "inspiration" for the clipart but it doesn't look like Frazetta inspired to me but taken from the great John Buscema.

Following it's an image from Conan by Buscema with a similar outfit and pose. According to this site, it's taken from Savage Sword of Conan Vol 1 222 (June, 1994)

Conan by John Buscema

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4
  • Very similar indeed!
    – Tom
    Apr 28, 2021 at 9:36
  • What's the date on this illustration? It is highly likely that one was directly inspired by the other.
    – TylerH
    Apr 28, 2021 at 15:19
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    @TylerH It seems that it was published in june 1994 but Conan and Buscema have got a long previous relation.
    – RubioRic
    Apr 28, 2021 at 15:54
  • This image isn't head on like the one in the question. They may have a similar origin but they're different.
    – Spencer
    Apr 28, 2021 at 16:24

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