D&D General D&D Red Box: Who Is The Warrior?

The Dungeons & Dragons Red Box, famously illustrated by Larry Elmore in 1983, featured cover art of a warrior fighting a red dragon. The piece is an iconic part of D&D's history.

WizKids is creating a 50th Anniversary D&D miniatures set for the D&D Icons of the Realms line which includes models based on classic art from the game, such as the AD&D Player's Handbook's famous 'A Paladin In Hell' piece by David Sutherland in 1978, along with various monsters and other iconic images. The set will be available in July 2024.

Amongst the collection is Elmore's dragon-fighting warrior. This character has only ever been seen from behind, and has never been named or identified. However, WizKids’ miniature gives us our first look at them from the front. The warrior is a woman; the view from behind is identical to the original art, while the view from the front--the first time the character's face has ever been seen--is, as WizKids told ComicBook.com, "purposefully and clearly" a woman. This will be one of 10 secret rare miniatures included in the D&D Icons of the Realms: 50th Anniversary booster boxes.

The original artist, Larry Elmore, says otherwise. (Update—the linked post has since been edited).

It's a man!

Gary didn't know what he wanted, all he wanted was something simple that would jump out at you. He wanted a male warrior. If it was a woman, you would know it for I'm pretty famous for painting women.

There was never a question in all these years about the male warrior.

No one thought it was a female warrior. "Whoever thought it was a female warrior is quite crazy and do not know what they are talking about."

This is stupid. I painted it, I should know.

- Larry Elmore​

Whether or not Elmore's intent was for the character to be a man, it seems that officially she's a woman. Either way, it's an awesome miniature. And for those who love the art, you can buy a print from Larry Elmore's official website.

 

[Clint_L]

If the red box warrior is a woman, I suddenly get a new appreciation of the ass shot on the cover

I mean…it’s the same ass.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I mean…it’s the same ass.

No ass is without context.

 

[Vincent55]

artist stated what the character was, everyone else don't matter.

 

[dbolack]

artist stated what the character was, everyone else don't matter.

That's kinda not how art works.

 

[Dioltach]

You know, I can't help but think that there wouldn't have been nearly this amount of drama if the mini had been given half-orc or dwarvish features.

 

[Clint_L]

You know, I can't help but think that there wouldn't have been nearly this amount of drama if the mini had been given half-orc or dwarvish features.

I'm not so sure. There's a lot of folks who make a point of getting upset on the internet about anything that hints at diversity. They would have very strong opinions about the obvious difference between the rear profile of a male versus female dwarf.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

There's also the whole 'baiting' thing. Probably generates a bit of buzz.

 

[nyvinter]

I can also jump in late with opinions about this.

Looking at D&D art in the 80s and especially focusing on that the warrior have no trousers. Now, had this been Clyde Caldwell the odds it had been a woman would have been something like 500%. Elmore is slightly less so, he's know to have drawn speedo barbarians before — or is that after? However! They're quite few compared to the amount of women with no trouser legs. Disappearingly few.

So if you'd have to bet money on it, you should probably have gone with "the warrior is a woman".

 

[DarkCrisis]

Holy thread necromancy, Batman! Er... Owlbearman!

 

[Clint_L]

I can also jump in late with opinions about this.

Looking at D&D art in the 80s and especially focusing on that the warrior have no trousers. Now, had this been Clyde Caldwell the odds it had been a woman would have been something like 500%. Elmore is slightly less so, he's know to have drawn speedo barbarians before — or is that after? However! They're quite few compared to the amount of women with no trouser legs. Disappearingly few.

So if you'd have to bet money on it, you should probably have gone with "the warrior is a woman".

lol. Fair enough. Though, again, the artist's opinion doesn't really make a difference. Since WotC has declared her canonically a woman, that's what she is, insofar as official canon goes. However, every gaming table is its own world, so if someone has a deep emotional need for the illustration to represent a man, then that's what it is for them, canon be damned.

I just don't know why folks need to get so upset about these sorts of things. Art is subjective. Make your own interpretation.