Huge Cover Images from CNET article

[mach1.9pants]

I love the imagery of that dragon watching the pcs, a great cover for the DM

same, all kinds of freudian goodness there! I really like the covers, I was ambivalent until I saw them in this detail...i.e. seeing the crystal balls image...maybe it is a dragon orb....groan

 

[Merlin the Tuna]

Wow. Didn't notice the porn star makeup on the PHB wizard until now. Oi. At least she's scowling slightly less than WAR's usual.

Does anyone know why Wayne Reynolds did the three covers if Will O'Connor was the one that's supposedly defining the look of 4E?

 

[Lucius Drake]

I like the DMG most, particularly the crystal ball detail.

The PHB is kind of 'meh' as far as I'm concerned. Spellcasters are apparently still into light bondage and the dragonborn just makes me think "...and what was wrong with slapping a tail on there and having lizardfolk as a PC race?"

As for the MM. I don't like it. The spectral wraith-like thingies are the best part of the cover to my eyes. Orcus looks like his ankle is about to twist horribly and his entire pose is awkward.

Regardless, this is why opaque film for book covering was invented. I can protect the cover while keeping it from my eyes if need be. Thankfully I DM more often than I play, so the book will be open instead

 

[Fallen Seraph]

That red dragon has horn piercings.

Interesting.

OMG! I just realized that means it is D&D version of Punk-Faffy!!!

 

[Nyaricus]

So, I guess I'm the first to notice that the PHB has a 4 person adventuring party on it, eh?

 

[Tewligan]

Isn't a whole book (DM's) a lot of a job for only one guy (who also append to worked on all the two other books?)

What I mean is... I may fear for the quality of the DM's book content. :\

Well, the original 3-set way back when only had one name on the covers, and they all rocked on toast. Unfortunately, I don't think any of these guys are the Colonel... :\

This is the first time I've seen the covers this large, and I'm not liking it much, I gotta say. Pierced dragon horns? Oh, c'mon! And I am HATING that Orcus picture. WAR's musculature/proportions is always pretty ridiculous, but this is...well, more ridiculous. Who are Orcus' forearms modeled after, Popeye? The PHB...well, I dislike it the least, anyway. I guess that's something.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Well, the original 3-set way back when only had one name on the covers, and they all rocked on toast. Unfortunately, I don't think any of these guys are the Colonel... :\

Okay, I have great respect for the Late Colonel. He and a few others created an entire hobby, one that gave me the career I have today.

But let's be clear. Gygax's might have been the only name on many of the 1E books, but most of them were team efforts. Having James Wyatt's name alone on the 4E DMG is no different.

 

[Cirex]

So, I guess I'm the first to notice that the PHB has a 4 person adventuring party on it, eh?

I must be second!
A dwarf cleric/paladin/warlord/fighter and a staff-wielding human.
I like the Lich at the Monster Manual.

Why was the Tiefling removed?

 

[Mouseferatu]

Why was the Tiefling removed?

As I understand it, some of WotC's European distributors balked at selling a product with "demonic imagery" on the cover.

Why the tiefling was a problem and Orcus isn't, I have no idea, but that's the story as I've heard it.

 

[Raith5]

The art on the covers of the DMG and MM are both 10 out of 10 IMO. I still think the PH cover is shockingly bad.

But hey 2 out of 3 aint bad!