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.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

There's also Aleena the Cleric.

 

[Sacrosanct]

There's also Aleena the Cleric.

I don't know if I'd use her as an example of a good representation of women in early D&D. Frank had said recently that he intentionally made Aleena a woman because the main hero was a man, and it would carry more emotional weight if a woman died. She was your pretty typical "woman needs rescuing" trope, and an intentional throw away one at that.

 

[Gradine]

I don't know if I'd use her as an example of a good representation of women in early D&D. Frank had said recently that he intentionally made Aleena a woman because the main hero was a man, and it would carry more emotional weight if a woman died. She was your pretty typical "woman needs rescuing" trope, and an intentional throw away one at that.

See also: Women in Refrigerators

Edit: Bargle got what he deserved

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

I don't know if I'd use her as an example of a good representation of women in early D&D. Frank had said recently that he intentionally made Aleena a woman because the main hero was a man, and it would carry more emotional weight if a woman died. She was your pretty typical "woman needs rescuing" trope, and an intentional throw away one at that.

Yeah you're right. I almost deleted the post as soon as I'd made it, but decided to let it stand and endure the pillorying instead.

But hey, she could have been in chainmail bikini. She probably isn't because Aleena comes from the Red Box basic game which was intended for 10 year-old Munchkins like me. °

° "Please, Grognard was my father, I'm a Munchkin."

 

[Sacrosanct]

Yeah you're right. I almost deleted the post as soon as I'd made it, but decided to let it stand and endure the pillorying instead.

But hey, she could have been in chainmail bikini. She probably isn't because Aleena comes from the Red Box basic game which was intended for 10 year-old Munchkins like me. °

° "Please, Grognard was my father, I'm a Munchkin."

Visually, yeah, she's much better. As far as not being cheesecake because Basic was geared towards younger players, I'll note that Moldvay's basic had Morgan Ironwolf, complete with nipples poking through chainmail....

 

[MGibster]

Visually, yeah, she's much better. As far as not being cheesecake because Basic was geared towards younger players, I'll note that Moldvay's basic had Morgan Ironwolf, complete with nipples poking through chainmail....

Everyone knows chain is great for protecting you from slashing attacks but not piercing. I think it's fair to say D&D art is kind of a mixed bag as far as representation goes. It's not hard to find women wearing silly outfits but then it's not hard to find them wearing something a bit more appropriate for adventuring either.

In a lot of ways, I find pictures like this to be more silly than chainmail bikinis. Somone had to put some thought into a battle bustier. Who knew Victoria's Secret sold armor?
On the other hand, I'm fine with the image on the right. She looks like
she belongs on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess, which is fine, but she does't look so silly.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Everyone knows chain is great for protecting you from slashing attacks but not piercing. I think it's fair to say D&D art is kind of a mixed bag as far as representation goes. It's not hard to find women wearing silly outfits but then it's not hard to find them wearing something a bit more appropriate for adventuring either.

View attachment 435431
In a lot of ways, I find pictures like this to be more silly than chainmail bikinis. Somone had to put some thought into a battle bustier. Who knew Victoria's Secret sold armor?
On the other hand, I'm fine with the image on the right. She looks like
she belongs on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess, which is fine, but she does't look so silly.

The top image is Clyde Caldwell, as mentioned above. It's no mistake that he has had a reputation by his fellow TSR artists from back in the day about what he likes to paint

 

[rgard]

I've never seen that Frazetta drawing. You can really feel the weight of that down swing!

I always thought Frazetta should have placed Merry behind Witch-king to make the illustration complete.

 

[Jahydin]

I don't know if I'd use her as an example of a good representation of women in early D&D. Frank had said recently that he intentionally made Aleena a woman because the main hero was a man, and it would carry more emotional weight if a woman died. She was your pretty typical "woman needs rescuing" trope, and an intentional throw away one at that.

Larry Elmore, right? Only asking in case I missed some lore here.

 

[Jahydin]

See also: Women in Refrigerators

Not going to lie, a little nervous typing this one into Google...

Never knew the name, but recognize the trope. I always felt something was off while playing the Tomb Raider reboot because of the odd way they really leaned into portraying Laura's frequent gruesome injuries. I think I can chalk it up to his trope now. Much better than the darker sadism angle, at least...