Converse Draw Swords with Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Surging once again in popularity thanks to its role in Netflix’s Stranger Things and the global lockdowns, Dungeons & Dragons is lining up plenty of collaborations to mark the half century, including a quartet of .
Commemorating the many elves, dragons, goblins and critters all populating the tabletop roleplaying game, each colourway is replete with various illustrations inspired by first edition artwork and graphics. Enlisting characters like Kelek, Warduke and Zarak, the partnership is especially exciting for old school fans who played the game when Dungeons & Dragons was actually called Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
In terms of design, there’s plenty to feast over here. Converse’s iconic Star Chevron has been deftly reworked to resemble the classic 20-sided die used in the tabletop game, while numerous other subtle fan services across the collection are sure to please – including character creation sheets on the tongues. Fans can even customise their own pairs by logging into the Converse By You platform. Of course, the packaging is another highlight, with each sneaker box referencing the look of a mimic, a shape-shifting monster.
Accompanying the four sneakers is also an apparel collection, which includes long and short-sleeve tees, shorts and trucker hats – all featuring artwork and graphics from the core rulebooks.
The entire collection first dropped at Gary Con XVI, an annual gaming convention in Lake Geneva which honours the life of D&D co-creator, Gary Gygax. Converse are following up with a release on April 11, 2024.