PHB, MM, DMG covers

Hjorimir · Aug 18, 2007

I love the new logo, though I like it better on black than on white (so I made the switch there myself). As for the cover art, meh. I'm starting to sound like a broken record here (because there are like four different threads talking about this subject), but give the covers to Michael Kormarck and let WAR do interior art if you must (though I like O'Conner there as well).

Agamon · Aug 18, 2007

They are like the awesomeness that is the covers of later printings of the 1E books. And even though I like the WARman, they aren't quite as awesome, a bit too busy for covers. And that white band under the logo had gots to go. Ugh.

Mondbuchstaben · Aug 18, 2007

Arkhandus said:
There should be a friggin' adventuring party on the cover, (...)
Four adventurers, the fighter, cleric, rogue, and wizard, doing battle with a red dragon, with lots of action apparently going on in the scene.....

More like this? (Also a WAR artwork, used in promotion of 4e...)

Ok, it's a green dragon, and I have to admit that its theme would make a perfect PHB cover. But I guess/hope they are going to use it as the cover for an introductory product - a Basic Box or something similar.

But still - all 4e cover designs, from the logo to the artist choice to the imagery, completely, utterly make me want to BUY THOSE BOOKS IMMEDIATELY.

With its style (that some people here called "cartoony") the artwork is reaching out to a new and young customer base that grew up on anime and/or computer games while at the same time (at least for me "almost grognard") being reminiscent of typical D&D artwork of old. A win in my book.

Add to it this statement... (boldening by me)

Nebulous said:
I do think that Wayne Reynolds has been completely overused in D&D to the point that i completely associate the brand name with his style.

From WotC's standpoint, Best Of All Worlds.

I like!

WhatGravitas · Aug 18, 2007

Klaus said:
As much as I like WAR, I'd love to see Michael Kormack (Dungeonscape, Dragon Below trilogy of novels) do the 4E covers.

*blinks* You mean... something like that: Arcana Evolved's Spell Treasury, which uses incredible awesome Kormack art?

That would be... great (sorry, WAR, but for full-cover art, Kormack is just too awesome)

Cheers, LT.

WhatGravitas · Aug 18, 2007

Hjorimir said:
I love the new logo, though I like it better on black than on white (so I made the switch there myself).

Well, as said above, I'm of the same opinion as you... and did a quick mock-up of the covers with a rock-like background (see the header of the D&D-website right now, sans the fire- and whoosh-effect).

Look for yourself (attached image).

Cheers, LT.

Asmor · Aug 18, 2007

Lord Tirian said:
Well, as said above, I'm of the same opinion as you... and did a quick mock-up of the covers with a rock-like background (see the header of the D&D-website right now, sans the fire- and whoosh-effect).

Look for yourself (attached image).

Cheers, LT.

I gotta say, it looks a lot better with the dark background. The bright background was just so... ostentatious, I guess.

Ankh-Morpork Guard · Aug 18, 2007

While I like it better with a darker background, it definitely grabs your eye quicker with the white.

Destil · Aug 18, 2007

Klaus said:
What I'd have done? Comissioned three pieces of art that, when placed side by side, form a giant scene. PHB has 4 heroes attacking... MM has 2 other heroes engaging five different monsters (orcs, beholders, zombies), who are defending... the archmage in the DMG cover, who's stading before his huge dragon cohort.

Man, Klaus, that's brilliant. And it's not like WoTC hasn't done it in their other game... recently, and with art by WAR, in fact.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/arcana/1392

WhatGravitas · Aug 18, 2007

Ankh-Morpork Guard said:
While I like it better with a darker background, it definitely grabs your eye quicker with the white.

Hmmm... attention grab is one thing... eye-burning something else!

Nah, personally, I think the cover artwork is already pretty eye-catching. And the white box distracts from it, which is, from my point of view something sad.

Furthermore, D&D already gets premier spots in FLGSs... and if it doesn't get it, then you'll only see the spines in a bookshelf. Which are hopefully not white.

Finally, if you want to be eye-catching, give a huge WAR-poster (the green dragon artwork) as a promo-gift and let the FLGSs put it over the rack - because attention-grabbing is fine, as long as it doesn't extend to the time, where you've already bought the book - with eye-searing white.

Cheers, LT.

Horacio · Aug 18, 2007

I prefer dark background, and I fully agree with your analysis, LT

PHB, MM, DMG covers

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