I have seen it, but how does this show that the iconic d&d figures are iconic?
I was speaking in more of illustrative terms. D&D PHB PSA are a creative group. I do not think attributing thier creativity works to defend whether or not the iconic characters of d&d where iconic. Speaking on purly illustration in the player handbook are they really that iconic?
this is iconic in my view. Its what I see when i think of wizard.
this is not what i think of when i think of wizard
what is iconic for one generation may not be iconic for the next. realize this.
for example, this is the iconic druid in history and one of the few images to its name
however druid has a different connotation now, at least in fantasy
sometimes the druid is just represented as a cloaked figure in quasi historical fantasy
however their are some roles that have lots and lots of history and many popular and visual representations that go with the name.
When I think of a fighter i don't think of Regdar? Sure he has a sword and armor, but the the armor is not very iconic in my view, its mostly because his helm is so far removed of what traditional knights whore. I don't mind fantasy armor, but sometimes it can get a tad crazy where it steps outside the bounds and breaks the illusion.
When i think of a fighter or paladin, i think of this
or heck even this, possibly with a long sword... instead of a really long sword.
when i think of barbarian i think of this
The reason I don't think many of the d&d figures are iconic because i think it struggles with trying to be different, but also trying to be iconic, and seems to fail at both. I think their is stronger work done that towers over the d&d examples (even within the d&d genera) that takes the title of iconic.
I hope we can discuss this more. this has always been a fun topic.