Elmore cover art for final issue of Dragon

[Kobold Avenger]

All I can say about this Elmore cover, is at least she doesn't have big frizzy hair.

 

[Wolv0rine]

Wow... looking at what seems to be the bulk of this thread, it looks like the days of respect and appreciation for strong technical skill and solid layout are truly dead. I never imagined there was so much no-love for Elmore. Sure he may not be "hip and now", but I can't say that I think "hip and now" has the technical merit going for it that Elmore's work does.

And to be on topic, I thought it was a really great cover for the last Dragon.

 

[Particle_Man]

Well put me down as a big Elmore fan. I like his women and I liked Snarfquest.

 

[Soel]

Wow... looking at what seems to be the bulk of this thread, it looks like the days of respect and appreciation for strong technical skill and solid layout are truly dead. I never imagined there was so much no-love for Elmore. Sure he may not be "hip and now", but I can't say that I think "hip and now" has the technical merit going for it that Elmore's work does.
And to be on topic, I thought it was a really great cover for the last Dragon.

All the technical merit in the world doesn't mean its not boring. I never liked his artwork, even in the 80's.

That said, it is a fitting cover given his history with D&D. It surely will stand out on the shelves.

 

[Pants]

I'm not a fan of Elmore's art style, but the man's work is iconic, so it's a really nice touch to have him doing the cover.

Ditto.

 

[PrinceXaxor]

Very nice cover. I think Elmore is pretty damn good.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Wow... looking at what seems to be the bulk of this thread, it looks like the days of respect and appreciation for strong technical skill and solid layout are truly dead. I never imagined there was so much no-love for Elmore. Sure he may not be "hip and now", but I can't say that I think "hip and now" has the technical merit going for it that Elmore's work does.

I didn't notice anyone comparing Elmore's work to anything "hip and now." That was the conclusion you leaped to. Plus the counter to what you're saying is that what's "hip and now" (whatever that means) may well have just as much technical merit - but then it becomes a circular argument, like most arguments about subjective topics. People can dislike an artist simply because they dislike his work on its own merits or lack thereof. Along those lines, I wouldn't have minded seeing a cover by Erol Otus, an artist I'm definitely a fan of, and who has been bashed repeatedly for a perceived lack of technical merit. Besides, as I said, I've never been a fan of Elmore, and I've played D&D since 79 - I wasn't a fan back when he was "hip and now." He has done some good work, though, including many Dragon and module covers. I also said his presence on the last Dragon is appropriate, and I'll even go further and say it's welcome.

 

[Nepenthe]

Can anyone tell me what it is she's holding? The handle looks like a "Highlander katana," but the rest of it... Wand? Energy rifle? Laser sword?

Maybe it's somebody's "Mojo"? Possibly a voodooish revenge on whoever axed the print mags from their "Death Star" (since it's pointing downwards and all that).

 

[rounser]

I really like Elmore's ink wash black and white stuff, such as in the red box for Basic D&D. In fact, I prefer WAR's black and white stuff ala Deep Dwarven Delve, and Lockwood's pencil 3E concept sketches to the finished coloured product too. They all just seem to be higher quality work. Hmm. Is the work really higher quality, or is it something in my head that prefers monochrome?

 

[Glyfair]

Is the work really higher quality, or is it something in my head that prefers monochrome?

I've noticed that there are many pieces of art (often from comic books) that I disliked initially and ended up liking when I saw the version before coloring. A bad colorist (or just one I dislike the style of) can ruin a great piece of art.