New cover art for the Revised PHB and DMG?

[Zander]

So un-D&D? What exactly is the D&D look, anyway? To me, that look just screams D&D -- that and all the bad fantasy b-movies wardrobe departments, that are very much in the same vein.

The reason those fantasy movies had that look is that it costs less (and in the case of metal armour) more comfortable (for the actors) than big pieces of leather, mail or plate armour. IMO an archetypal paladin should look like Lancelot in the film Excalibur and a wizard should be like Gandalf in the LotR films. That's the D&D look. Now there's nothing wrong with variations (far from it), but at least in the core books, they should stick to fantasy, not the punkish quasi sci-fi look.

 

[Nifft]

I like the new 3e covers. They're less "childish", more "grown-upy". Or perhaps they're just more modern, and the old ones look dated now.

I prefer minimalist, evocative art.

-- Nifft

 

[I'm A Banana]

DEATH to all people who can't handle a little change!

Dungeon-punk is cool. It gets me excited about playing in ways that "historically accurate" pictures wouldn't. I suddenly want my character to be that bad ass. Not a big tin can.

The old skool stuff is cool too, but I guess as long as the art makes me want to go kick some monster ass, it's all good in my book. And is, y'know, competent art. Some of the 1e stuff makes me go "hah! Look, my lil' bro drew a monster!"

And I do prefer the new-style covers...they're more *weighty*

 

[Apok]

Personally, I like the newer look of the Core Book covers. True, it has been emulated now by many other RPG publishers (notably FFG) but I always thought it to be a really neat idea. Maybe they will do a "black leatherbound" look for the new PHB cover...

Also, what the heck is all this crap about "traditional looking weapons and armor?" This is High Fantasy D&D, not historical reenactment! Give me the oddball armors and weapons, spikes, buckles, patches, pouches, protrusions and all! In fact, I want the guys who designed the various armors from the LotR movies to help with the concept art. There's nothing wrong with your typical Knights in Armor ala Excalibur, but I want some out-there stuff as well. I think it's great that the designers decided to go outside the bounds of normal medieval/reniassance weaponry to include a few oddities (double weapons, mostly) and I think they should go even further; weapons with absolutely no basis in history whatsoever (which may be difficult given the sheer variety of cultures and weapons that existed on Earth)!

This is D&D, it's Fantasy. It's not Hyper-Realistic Medieval Earth Simulation. If that's what you want, then just redo the equipment lists and tell your players that armor doesn't look the way its drawn in the book. Personally, I want armor that inspires the imagination and looks different. If I wanted historically accurate armor, I'd purchase a fully illustrated medieval arms resource book from Borders or B&N.

 

[Tewligan]

Ooh, I'll tell you what would be super-freakin'-cool. I'd like to see the art of the original covers for the old 1E AD&D core books used for 3.5. Mmm, I'd sure like to see those wacky adventurers trying to get that gem out of the idol's eye socket on the cover of a brand-new book again...

Of course, I know that won't happen, but man, that would be great. The art was lackluster (at best), but those three covers totally scream D&D to me. Ah, nostalgia...

 

[Sixchan]

I like the cover art, but I'm not a big fan of the art inside. The main thing that bothers me is the Elves. Remember the picture of the races in the 1e PHB, that had the wand-wielding elf? That's how I think elves look, not some strange combination of regular elves, cartoon elves, and the Anime elves with the outwardly pointy ears.

 

[johnsemlak]

I like the cover art, but I'm not a big fan of the art inside. The main thing that bothers me is the Elves. Remember the picture of the races in the 1e PHB, that had the wand-wielding elf? That's how I think elves look, not some strange combination of regular elves, cartoon elves, and the Anime elves with the outwardly pointy ears.

I agree completely.

It's the interior art needs changing, not the covers.

I hate to be a nostalgist but I miss the black and white pictures from 1e days. They were simpler, but better than many pictures in the 3e books.

 

[Krail Stromquism]

that is really sweet.

Sweet is so good, its mind boggleing! His art is why I bought the FR DM Screen! So GOOD!

Ill throw in for Jon Foster, http://www.jonfoster.com/ who has a new book of art coming out. He has done a lot of Comic book covers for Star Wars and such.

Tony is great too! http://www.diterlizzi.com/ he has very inspired work from old school Illustrators like Author Rackham, like in the old Mother Goose book. hes Great!

Brom is crazy good as well, http://www.bromart.com/

check out http://www.conceptart.org/ they have another Black Isle artist Jason Manley as well as Jon Foster, James Zhang and others, all great stuff.

Wayne Reynolds, and Sam Wood round out some of my favorites

anyhow, to satisfy both sides of the argument why not have these artist render a Tome cover? Then itll be similar to the 3E ones but have the artist style to it?

It'd be fun to see their view of a "Tome"

word up!

 

[Xarlen]

I like the Tome look. The covers to 2e was nice, but it'd look better as like an interior picture in front of the cover page.

And, I like the Dungeon punk look. Yes, Hennet's pants look just wacky, but atleast it's all not 'Tunics and Robes'.

Someone who has a Huge charisma would likely, y'know, want some style?

And, I miss that picture they had in the Updates to 3e, with the Dwarven wizard with the many pockets, smoking a cigar.

THAT is what I think of when I think of a Dwarven wizard.

And, they need to go back and retouch the Iconics. Mailee looks like a Fish. The Elves need a little overhaul, yes.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I like the current covers, for much the same reasons Henry gives above. I also like much of the interior art. There really isn't much of the so-called "D&D-punk" art in the books at all, and what there is (mostly pictures of Hennet the sorcerer) is pretty good. There are some weak illos that could be replaced, but there are many more that I'd like to see stay. For new art, I'd love to see a lot more by Wayne Reynolds.