Monster Manual Cover Art

[jodyjohnson]

The party (dwarf, human, and beholder) are obviously running from a bat and a lightning spewing trap.

The fear in the beholder's eyes is evocative.

 

[Scorpio616]

The guy running away looks Feebleminded rather than Feared. I can even hear him screaming "Deeerp!" rather than "Augh!"

 

[Plaguescarred]

I find its a great scenery love it!!

 

[DMZ2112]

The party (dwarf, human, and beholder) are obviously running from a bat and a lightning spewing trap.

The fear in the beholder's eyes is evocative.

Aw, dammit, can't give you XP. Great analysis!

For my part, like I said in the other thread, I find beholder art to be very hit and miss, but this one might be at the top of both my "most terrifying" and "least stupid-looking" lists.

If you're not going to have a dragon on your MM, beholder is the right choice.

 

[RevTurkey]

I think this cover is excellent.

It has energy and tells a story. I think it looks fresh for D&D.

I would rather get rid of the D&D brand at the top and see more art but I get why they have done it.

Good

 

[mach1.9pants]

I love the covers so far, the layout is very nice. I wonder if they will change the logo before print to the new 40th anniversary logo? But it is a bit like the 2E MC folder cover, but thankfully the eye stalks don't look like (ahem) man-parts

 

[Starfox]

I see the human holding a speech and trying to encourage us (the viewers) to join in battling the beholder. The dwarf is distracted by the speech and looking at the human rather than the monster.

At least, that is what I feel the cover is trying to tell us, as it sounds like a good sales pitch to me.

I am fairly neutral about cover styles. This looks more like an adventure than a monster manual to me, but I guess its ok. My taste runs more to the 3E style of books.

 

[Blackbrrd]

I really like the Monster Manual picture. I would probably give it 8.5/10, it's the best front page art I have seen from WotC since AD&D 2e.

I actually didn't buy any of the 4e books, because I found them really boring, with art I disliked. I might end up buying these books though. Partially because I think I will enjoy the art and I have hopes that the books will be an interesting read.

 

[Remathilis]

The party (dwarf, human, and beholder) are obviously running from a bat and a lightning spewing trap.

The fear in the beholder's eyes is evocative.

PC Beholder race CONFIRMED!

 

[steeldragons]

Everyone seems to be missing the apparently "dropped" torch in the lower right corner. that hand, and I'll agree, it is...weird/not quite right...but it is (to mine eyes) that the torch has been dropped or thrown away whilst attempting to reach maximum velocity in the direction toward the viewer.

This guy (or girl?) in the foreground is not say "Hey we've beaten everything!" or "Come on guys, we can take it!" He/she is fleeing in abject [and wise] terror whilst repeating numerous expletives in a variety of his/her known languages.

Clearly, the dwarf missed their reaction roll or something and is totally gonna bite it in the first round. My money's on getting turned to stone, but one can never really know the mind of a beholder. It might prefer just dusting (as in "turning to dust/disintegrating") him.

:ASIDE: the turban is a very blatant attempt [which I automatically translate to "lame"] at gleaning interest from PF fans, duplicating Kyra's (PF's iconic cleric) turban/headress/middle-eastern inspired attire. It bugs me. But, at the same time, nice to see an attempt (however blatant) at fantasy-world multi-culturalism/diversity. /ASIDE