Huge Cover Images from CNET article

[GoodKingJayIII]

Some of us like our D&D over-the-top and cheesy.

I'm with you on that one, though I do think the PHB and MM are subpar. The DMG is stylish and interesting and intriguing, so I enjoy that one.

I think Klaus put my feelings succinctly; I like a lot of WAR's work, but this is definitely not his best.

 

[Klaus]

Personally, I think all the covers look great. This is a new and different edition of D&D. So, I guess the artwork should be somewhat new and different, right?

Just my $0.02

New and different? Sure.

But those 3 covers are not the best WAR can put out, when they absolutely *should be* his best work ever.

 

[Irda Ranger]

I didn't like the PHB when all I had was the little pic, but I reserved judgment. Now that I can see it clearly, it still stinks.

It's still my opinion that "Attack the Green Dragon" (or whatever it's called) is way better and should be the PHB cover. If they wanted a Dragonborn though there are several examples in Worlds & Monsters that don't look half as bad as this one. And Klaus' wizardess for "Diaglo's OD&D News" was suitably cheesecake to move books without being dumb looking like this one, for the reasons given above.

 

[Nebulous]

Orcus and the Dragon are pretty good, i'll be happy enough with those. The PH still sucks though, i'm sorry. Looking back at the old tiefling picture, i sure wish they had kept that one. And yeah, why a tiefling is so bad as a cover and a DEMON LORD isn't doesn't make any sense.

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

I like the nod to the Cook Expert set on the DMG cover.

And, as I've said before, I like WAR -- but I don't like this PHB cover. I still wish they were using his adventurers vs. the green dragon piece.

Oh well. I didn't like the 3e core book covers, either.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

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

I noticed that also, and I am convinced it adds a particular kind of awesome to the DMG.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[Knightlord]

New and different? Sure.

But those 3 covers are not the best WAR can put out, when they absolutely *should be* his best work ever.

Perhaps they are his best. I think everyone knows that artwork is not to be judged lightly and is subject to many different views.

 

[Wolfspider]

Remember the guy busting through the door with the wrong hand on his arm in the revised 2nd ed. AD&D Handbook?

Never saw that one. Wish the image were larger....

 

[Wolfspider]

Like quite a few posters here, I think that the first cover is shockingly bad but think that the other two are nice.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I know that some folks prefer a more traditional looking wizard sorcerer however I've always liked an evolution in the look.

Naaah, that's not it. I didn't even really mind Buckles in 3e (or "Hennet" as he was known outside of S&M circles). It made some sort of flashy sense: "I can use MAGIC to dress myself, mortal!"

The eye makeup...the uncomfortably tight top...the starched crotchflaps snapping in the wind, the staff that doesn't seem to be supporting her weight at all....okay, it doesn't hurt my believability (over-the-top is okay in D&D for the most part for me), but in combination with everything else it turns up the craziness going on in that pic a few points.

Yes, they could have slapped a plain robed dainty waif with a staff on the cover again without a solitary mark or earring on her, or more than a belt around her waist akin to the great art of the bygone 70's and 80's, but my personal preferences lean more towards the new look. I'm a junkie for all those little details and do-dads that adorn this sorceress (?)

Yeah, the details and doodads are cool, I'm with you there. But that's been true of the art since 3e's "Draw adventurers how they would look" kick began.

I do, however, really like the weapon and armor on that guy. Its got a sense of culture to it. Different looking than the armor and weapons that a human or dwarf would use for instance.

Maybe. I can't really tell, since I don't see any humans or dwarves in the picture. Just two buddies giving each other a high five with their rumps being watched over by blotchy smurfs in the distance.