Who is the Commavid artist ?

[strudders]

Like most of us, I've always loved the Atari 2600 artwork used on the boxes/labels. Tim Lapetino's book was a major event when it came out - shedding light on so many artists and their work.

 

One publisher's artist seems to be a mystery though - that being Commavid.

 

The early artwork (Video Life, Cosmic Swarm) is nothing to write home about but I love the style of later games like Mines of Minos (a real hidden gem game in my opinion) and Cakewalk etc.

 

Searching around the internet I can't find any mention of the artist though. Looking at the signature on some of the boxes gives some pointers, but I'm not particularly good a deciphering these.

 

Probably the clearest example is on Minos below:

 

 

Does anyone have any info on the artist or want to take a stab at guessing the name ?

 

I'm pretty certain the first name is 'Jack' but the second is not clear enough - maybe 'Bray' or 'Berry' ?

 

 

[+-^CrossBow^-]

The DP website only states that they originally hired a local artist and that She also did work on arcades for a local arcade manufacturer but that they then later found another and more professional artist later. It is the later artist that you are looking for.

 

http://www.digitpress.com/archives/cc_commavid.htm

[strudders]

The DP website only states that they originally hired a local artist and that She also did work on arcades for a local arcade manufacturer but that they then later found another and more professional artist later. It is the later artist that you are looking for.

 

http://www.digitpress.com/archives/cc_commavid.htm

 

Hi, yes, that's the one. I think the local artist was used for the early version of Cosmic Swarm (there was an excellent version done by the later artist for Europe but I think it was only used in adverts) and Video Life. It's the "more professional artist" I was interetsted in. I did see that Digital Press article. It appears to have the most info about CommaVid in general.

[glazball]

To my eyes, I would say the first name looks like Zack (with a cursive-y 'Z') not Jack.

[CDS Games]

Looks to me most like an initial N: "Nash B----". Cursive Z possible but that typically has a loop at the bottom. "J" seems really unlikely....at least the way we were taught cursive.

[CDS Games]

Played with the image a bit to get that last name:

 

[strudders]

Thanks all. Yes, I see what you mean with Nash. Any ideas on the last name ? I still dont see what it could be.

[Shawn]

Thanks all. Yes, I see what you mean with Nash. Any ideas on the last name ? I still dont see what it could be.

 

Could be Mary for the first name and Barry or Berry for the last?

[Zwackery]

Looking at the boxes in my collection, I think the artist's name is Noel Berry.

[CDS Games]

Looking at the boxes in my collection, I think the artist's name is Noel Berry.

 

I think you got it Zwackery! What looked like the "h" part of "Nash" is actually just part of the capital "B". It probably is actually a lowercase l.

 

Could you post a high-res photo?

[Shawn]

Looking at the boxes in my collection, I think the artist's name is Noel Berry.

 

Yep I can see it as Noel now that you mention it. Funny how a low quality photo of handwriting can be interpreted in so many different ways depending on the person who is looking at it.

[strudders]

Great work guys !

Google doesnt show much other than an indie game developer and a model. Anyway, not sure what I hoped to achieve. Would just be nice to know for the history books I guess.

[Zwackery]

 

I think you got it Zwackery! What looked like the "h" part of "Nash" is actually just part of the capital "B". It probably is actually a lowercase l.

 

Could you post a high-res photo?

 

I'll try to get a better image - I think the signature is easier to see on the Room of Doom box than Mines of Minos.

 

[CPUWIZ]

[strudders]

Excellent ! To me it does read Noel Berry.

 

CPUWIZ is that your Cosmic Swarm European box ?! Didnt even think that was released. Prototype ?

[Rom Hunter]

Excellent ! To me it does read Noel Berry.

 

CPUWIZ is that your Cosmic Swarm European box ?! Didnt even think that was released. Prototype ?

 

That box was also released in NTSC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[strudders]

Ah, really ? I see it on your site ROM. But isnt that just a copy the Digitally Press Guys got from the founders of Commavid ?

[Rom Hunter]

Ah, really ? I see it on your site ROM. But isnt that just a copy the Digitally Press Guys got from the founders of Commavid ?

Actually, it's the same box as the European one, but without yellow sticker on the back.

 

 

 

[+Nathan Strum]

That box was also released in NTSC.

 

That's the one I have, too. Picked it up in a bargain bin after the crash. Kay-Bee Toys, probably.

[CPUWIZ]

Yes, it is the NTSC box, without the German sticker. Pretty nice shape too.