OK, so, After the Bomb is the post-apocalyptic setting from Palladium that uses Erick Wujcik’s mutation system from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG, without totally being a TMNT game (it was a way to have some of the TMNT material they were producing not be contingent on the TMNT license, even though TMNT comic artists contributed quite a bit of art to the line). The main rules detailed the violent struggle between mutant animals and humanity on the East Coast of the US. Road Hogs (1986) details what is going on over on the West Coast.

Here, the human Americorps are the good guys and the bad guys are a reaving army of mutant bikers. Its Mad Max, but with anthropomorphic animals, basically. There are lots of new mutant types, including aquatic animals (whales?) and a lengthy section on vehicles that includes rules for combat and building new rides.    

I can’t honestly judge the new rules because I only have the slightest grasp on the old ones – Palladium’s approach has always baffled me. I will say that Road Hogs never captured my imagination like some of the other books in the line did. Despite how appealing the core idea is when you hear it, there is just not enough material fleshing out the world. It doesn’t come close to measuring up to your hopes.

I like the art though. You can’t go wrong with an Eastman cover. Walter Storozuk’s interiors are fun, sticking to the established vibe of the TMNT books while also not sacrificing his personal style. Love that octopus guy.