D&D (2024) Here's The New 2024 Player's Handbook Wizard Art

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I am not sure how me criticizing the image is somehow denigrating people who disagree. As I said, technically competent, but squarely in the superhero imagery for me, I mean the similarity is uncanny

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no, as if the 'wizard' struck the pose for her TikTok followers, that says nothing about anyone on this forum

That is the context that does come to my mind, it's not like she is facing any threats, she is just showing off. The clothes remind me of Wakanda (sleek, stylish, modern), so modern times, and TikTok is not too far away from that thought


I do not recall wondering

It's been mentioned before, but this style is heroic, not superheroic, and is found in classical art, long predating comic books. Comics were one of the first places female characters were depicted in such poses though. See Red Sonja for example. The Statue of Liberty is an earlier example, or justice on the Old Bailey, but these were concepts rather than real (fictional) females being embodied.

(for those who don't know, this guy was actually obese, and could barely stand due to a bad leg.)

The point is to make the subject look powerful. The standard technique is to use a low vantage point, so the viewer is literally looking up at them. Eyes often looking off into the distance, the observer is beneath their notice, or staring challengingly right at the observer. And, of course, and assertive/aggressive/confident posture. Oh yeah, padded shoulders!

The technique has always been common in fantasy art, and was of course aped in the classic Star Wars poster.

It's something that can even be applied to things that are not human at all. The USS Enterprise design is particularly good for this, and it's discussed in the DVD commentary on the remastered TOS. JJ Abrams does it to death.

 

[Gravenhurst48]

That seems to be Y'shtola, the best NPC from Final Fantasy XIV, so not anime, though it is Japanese.

But protective force bubble certainly is pretty ubiquitous visual, and I doubt it originated from anime.

I gave thumbs up only because I am familiar with comics, as I recognize the Fantastic Four image you posted. But this forum is about Dungeons and Dragons, so keep your references to the subject so others can relate or your counter argument example is thrown out the window.

 

[CreamCloud0]

there's been alot of talk about people having issues with this wizard's pose and something occured to me, minus the floating, it's very reminiscent of the 2014 sorcerer art, and that's not a good thing IMO, the wizard and the sorcerer are meant to have different vibes so directly mimicing features of the image of the sorcerer channeling wild power to the wizard art, who uses magic with precise control bleeds over the former's concepts into the latter. even before i joined the thread people had been saying 'this feels more like a sorcerer', 'i think they'd be a divine soul'.

they've even got the glowing eyes.

 

[Gravenhurst48]

It's been mentioned before, but this style is heroic, not superheroic, and is found in classical art, long predating comic books. Comics were one of the first places female characters were depicted in such poses though. See Red Sonja for example. The Statue of Liberty is an earlier example, or justice on the Old Bailey, but these were concepts rather than real (fictional) females being embodied.

(for those who don't know, this guy was actually obese, and could barely stand due to a bad leg.)

The point is to make the subject look powerful. The standard technique is to use a low vantage point, so the viewer is literally looking up at them. Eyes often looking off into the distance, the observer is beneath their notice, or staring challengingly right at the observer. And, of course, and assertive/aggressive/confident posture. Oh yeah, padded shoulders!

The technique has always been common in fantasy art, and was of course aped in the classic Star Wars poster.

It's something that can even be applied to things that are not human at all. The USS Enterprise design is particularly good for this, and it's discussed in the DVD commentary on the remastered TOS. JJ Abrams does it to death.

CORRECTION: I realized after my reply the Threads Subject is about the inside art, and I thought cover art, so I deleted my comment.

 

[Gravenhurst48]

The similarities in art style are enough to make my point...




Maybe not. I don't read comics, not familiar with all that is out there for them.

But that's not the point.

Again; it's not like I pulled my impression out of thin air...

Yes, I agree that any Japanese amimation - aka Anime, can be related to Anime. Lol. So don't let anyone here tell you otherwise. And this thread is about Dungeons and Dragons, so don't let anyone detract you from your opinion about the art subject by using other mediums to disagree with your opinion. Unless you counter with art depicting a western Cowboy rustling up a herd with the sun on their backs lasso flying in the air with a dust cloud shield with sun motes. Then you are on your own buddy.

 

[Gravenhurst48]

there's been alot of talk about people having issues with this wizard's pose and something occured to me, minus the floating, it's very reminiscent of the 2014 sorcerer art, and that's not a good thing IMO, the wizard and the sorcerer are meant to have different vibes so directly mimicing features of the image of the sorcerer channeling wild power to the wizard art, who uses magic with precise control bleeds over the former's concepts into the latter. even before i joined the thread people had been saying 'this feels more like a sorcerer', 'i think they'd be a divine soul'.

they've even got the glowing eyes.

Write the spell, queen, and I will use it.

If this was not D&D, I would have walked on by.

 

[Reef]

Dude, you are so reaching. Seriously? The oppinion of the image looks super-heroish and you counter with this dribble? I can not understand how some simple question turns into 132 pages long. Well, my addition proves we all got sumfin to say, but it is rediculous. I may post my opinion when I finish sifting thru all this silly counter debatable rubbish but methinks I may inflame the thread to a new level as some examples have slowly mentioned the true reason why this Players Handbook image is garbage and forgettable.

And nay-sayers wonder why no one is willing to say “oh well, to each their own” and let it drop.

“It’s garbage!” Is such a hyperbolic statement that it practically guarantees another 1000 posts. It’s miles beyond “yeah, I don’t like it”. Some posters are complaining that their opinions aren’t being respected and are being challenged,and yet “it’s garbage!” Is basically challenging the opinions of everyone who does enjoy it.

Like it or don’t like it. But come on, it’s a competently rendered illustration that pretty much fits in with every other piece of art this edition. People are treating it like it’s a sign of the apocalypse. No wonder people are responding with confusion and questions.

 

[mamba]

The point is to make the subject look powerful. The standard technique is to use a low vantage point, so the viewer is literally looking up at them.

if this were the only similarity, as it is with the picture you posted, no one would have said that the pose is superheroic.

Literally no one would call Henry VIII’s picture a superhero pose

 

[mamba]

Like it or don’t like it. But come on, it’s a competently rendered illustration that pretty much fits in with every other piece of art this edition.

sure, it is technically competent, but it can still be generic, bland and forgettable.

I have not seen much PHB art, but the Fighter art looks very different and already does not really fit with the Wizard stylistically. Granted, WotC does not have a very cohesive art style to begin with

 

[Gravenhurst48]

It's fine, but I prefer the current wizard in the 2014 PHB.

I was about to disagree and reply that your example is a boring image of a tired fuddy-duddy wizard to be used for the Players Handbook cover, and I realized this Threads Subject Question is about the inside art. "Forehead slap!" Then yes, I concur, your example is a better PC wizard example.