The best adventure module cover art

[Bullgrit]

From the first published modules of the 70s, to the most recently published adventures of the 2000s, what adventure module has the best cover art?

If you just want to identify the art you think looks coolest, fine, name it. But I'm thinking this discussion needs to consider more than just the artwork as an image.

Many times, the cover art is seen by the Players, so the artwork should avoid giving away spoilers.

But most times, the book is bought by the DM, and an image that shows the DM what to expect in the adventure could be a selling point.

What adventure module best gets the DM's attention on the store shelf, gives the Players a feel for the adventure atmosphere at the table, but at the same time doesn't show a spoiler?

And is it aggravating when cover art depicts a scene that has nothing at all to do with the adventure within?

What other issues should be considered when talking about "the best adventure module cover art"?

Also, what is the worst offender for adventure module cover art?

* * *

For me, I think the best adventure module cover art is 1985's Temple of Elemental Evil:

Not only is it a fine piece of artwork, it gets a shopping DM's attention, it gives the Players a sense of the locale atmosphere, and it doesn't show any spoilers. You get a sense of the evil of the place, and it kind of makes you a little bit paranoid (are those gargoyles alive?). It sets a tone for the adventure at a glance, and if kept in front of the Players and DM, it keeps that tone throughout the game session better than the boxed text description inside the module.

Bullgrit

 

[Dioltach]

are those gargoyles alive?

Sorry, I just wanted to say that if those gargoyles are alive, they've escaped from a modern ballet production or else one of the cheesier 1980s pop videos.

 

[JeffB]

Though not a fan of the module- ToEE def has one of the best covers ever.

I liked the mono cover G1 & G2 as well as G1-3, A1, B2, B4, C1 (brown), D1-D2 (blue). TBH if it's Dee, Willingham, Roslof, Otus, Tramp, Sutherland and a few key pieces from Holloway, I'm good.


Worst- IDK_ although they are immense talents, I never cared much for anything Elmore or Easley put on a cover- their interior B&W's were always better, IMO.

For "modern" I'm a big WAR fan- at least his work for WOTC proper (not a fan of the style he is doing with PF), but I don't recall any module covers.

Peter Mullen rocks too! the cover to R&R, S&W, Knockspell, etc -absolutelyfreakingfantastic

 

[Drkfathr1]

Wow, I was all ready to pop in here and say: The Temple of Elemental Evil, but Bullgrit started out with it.

 

[Bullgrit]

JeffB, you seem to be talking just about the artists. Of the modules you mentioned (by code), why is the cover art best for an adventure module?

* * *

One of the worst adventure module cover art pieces is for The Secret of Bone Hill. Although I like the image itself, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the adventure. Heck, the back cover image is a hydra, and there isn't a hydra anywhere in the module.

Also, The Sunless Citadel because it gives away a spoiler: the twig blights and the Galthias Tree -- the climatic encounter. Similar complaint against Heart of Nightfang Spire: it gives away the mooncalf thingy.

Bullgrit

 

[AllisterH]

Oh..too many choice here...Had to check out the collectors' page to remind myself...

Those covers by Otus have somewhat of a charm (not to me personally..even back then I thought they were slightly too cartoony) but he pretty much gives it away in all of them.

CA2: Swords of Deceit

 

[Lancelot]

Best cover art?

The original Ravenloft module (I6) - Strahd standing on the balcony. That piece of art, in my opinion, was almost solely responsible for an entire campaign setting, dozens of gaming supplements, and dozens of modules.

There are very few other "old school" covers which actually put their "big bad" on the front. Consider all of the following: S1 (Acererak), S2 (Keraptis), S4 (Drelnza), A2 (Markessa or Icar), A4 (slavelords), G1/2/3 (yes, Snurre appeared on the original monochrome G3 cover.... but the art was hardly iconic), I2 (Sakatha), I3-5 (the efreeti sultan), B4 (Zargon), T1 (again, Lareth was on the monochrome cover... but not on the color remake), WG5 (either of the big bads), WG6 (Onga). Most other old-school modules didn't have a single definable "big bad".

The only other "old" modules that I can think of that had a full-color cover that featured the chief villains are:

• A3 - Five of the nine slavelords; quick, can you name them...?
• Q1 - Lolth, but not a particularly good rendering of her - compare with the sinister black-and-white interior drawing of her in drow form, flanked by two demons
• GDQ - Lolth again, and here come the complaints about cheesecake...
• DL series - Onyx and Verminaard, primarily. And I contend that those covers helped move an awful lot of product.

So, the cover for Ravenloft was almost unique. It established the villain in every gamer's mind from the outset. It's also, in my opinion, a stunning piece. There's a gloomy, brooding quality to it that makes the villain more than just a cookie-cutter big bad. It's so good, in fact, that it didn't need a drow-in-a-bikini or Goldmoon-in-hot-pants to make it awesome.

Honorable mention to (surprisingly) A4. A bunch of half-naked dudes fighting for their lives against giant mushrooms?!? WTF? It seemed very different from everything else on the shelf when I was shopping for modules, and yet it perfectly captured the essence of the module.

 

[Klaus]

Temple of Elemental Evil
The Dragonlance cover with the Companions vs. Onyx (the black dragon)
Forge of Fury
Return to Undermountain

 

[celloshane]

Temple of the Frog - Kind of creepy in a Hitchcock sort of way "How many frogs are in that picture?"
Expedition to the Ruins of Greyhawk - gives a nice but vague look at the ruins, and makes you wonder why that guy's watching.

 

[Treebore]

Goodman Games

and


Marjasall.com - The Fantastical Art of Mark Allen - SIGNED LIMITED EDITION PRINTS

The second link is to Fight On! #6, which is technically a magazine, but it contains adventures, and it is such a cool cover I immediately ordered the print.

As for a different favorite cover, I have always loved the cover to Sabre River, it epitomizes what D&D is all about for me.