Best Fantasy RPG/Dragon/Dungeon covers ...

angelius · Post by **angelius** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:55 pm

Hi everyone - just wanted to get everyone's vote (and link) to which Fantasy cover (okay or top three I know its hard!) they think is the best of all time and why!

-- Doing research into the cover to my RPG. I have a very talented artist working with me and I think the sky's the limit as far as what he can produce.
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Go0gleplex · Post by **Go0gleplex** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:22 pm

My favorite Dragon mag cover was the one with the cockpit of the F-18 interior lining up on a dragon. ie, dogfighting...

Don't remember which issue that was.

Box cover for Dragon Mountain is also right up there.
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jaybird216 · Post by **jaybird216** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:53 pm

The Elmore covers for the Basic and Expert Mentzer D&D boxes were always my favorite. (Images included, as if we need them):

As far as Dragon goes, I always loved #117:
http://tomeoftreasures.com/tot_original ... gon117.htm
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Geleg · Post by **Geleg** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:19 pm

i still like the 1st cover of the AD&D PH, with the stone idol and the post-combat adventuring party. Classic work by D.A. Trampier!
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:29 pm

Elmore or Easley covers are amazing.

~O
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anglefish · Post by **anglefish** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:37 pm

Go0gleplex wrote:
My favorite Dragon mag cover was the one with the cockpit of the F-18 interior lining up on a dragon. ie, dogfighting...

Don't remember which issue that was.

Box cover for Dragon Mountain is also right up there.

Issue #143, though I know I've seen another dragon vs jet image, maybe it was in polyhedron?

This may help on Dragon Mag covers.
http://index.rpg.net/display-search.pht ... e=pictures

shadoes · Post by **shadoes** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:58 pm

these two I have always liked
http://index.rpg.net/pictures/show-wate ... picid=7084
http://index.rpg.net/pictures/show-wate ... icid=11515

jaybird216 · Post by **jaybird216** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:22 pm

shadoes wrote:
http://index.rpg.net/pictures/show-wate ... picid=7084

Yeah, Parkinson was great, too. My buddy's mom has a lithograph of that one framed and hanging in her living room. I think it's called "Northwatch" or something similar. I also liked the one with the dwarves burying a chest near the roots of a tree... or were they excavating?
(EDIT: Thanks to anglefish's link, I found the picture):
http://index.rpg.net/pictures/show-wate ... picid=7028
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:35 am

jaybird216 wrote:
shadoes wrote:
http://index.rpg.net/pictures/show-wate ... picid=7084

Yeah, Parkinson was great, too. My buddy's mom has a lithograph of that one framed and hanging in her living room. I think it's called "Northwatch" or something similar. I also liked the one with the dwarves burying a chest near the roots of a tree... or were they excavating?
(EDIT: Thanks to anglefish's link, I found the picture):

Dang! Isn't that you behind the chest?

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Deogolf · Post by **Deogolf** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:04 am

Here's three of my more favorite pics!

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DeadReborn · Post by **DeadReborn** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:25 am

I like Clyde Caldwell's stuff, in particular the Ravenloft: Realm of Terror and Forbidden Lore box sets.
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gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:38 am

That 2nd Dragon cover is actually pretty neat.
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Orpheus · Post by **Orpheus** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:46 am

gideon_thorne wrote:
That 2nd Dragon cover is actually pretty neat.

Actually, it seems somewhat reminiscent of your work.
If I had to pick one, I'd pick the Easley cover for the 1st Edition PHB. I tend to like the darker colors on my covers. Also, that wizard fighting off the little nasties just gives you a nice sense of "this is adventure with spells aplenty."

Of course, I just like any of the Easley stuff. It just always had the classic fantasy feel with a lot of beautiful colors.

concobar · Post by **concobar** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:08 am

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Relaxo · Post by **Relaxo** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:09 am

While it's sort of a parody, I love the Hackmaster cover.

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:43 am

Yep, I like the original and later covers of the DMG and PH. Fiend Folio is cool too.

And I've always liked the Unearthed Arcana book cover. Hmm, I thought I knew who drew that and now I can't seem to recall or find the credits . . anyone??

[It looks Easleyish, no?]

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gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:48 am

Rhuvein wrote:
Yep, I like the original and later covers of the DMG and PH. Fiend Folio is cool too.

And I've always liked the Unearthed Arcana book cover. Hmm, I thought I knew who drew that and now I can't seem to recall or find the credits . . anyone??

Look just above the bit, in the bottom right corner, where it says 'It is an excellent resource for.."

Sez Easley right there.
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:58 am

gideon_thorne wrote:
Look just above the bit, in the bottom right corner, where it says 'It is an excellent resource for.."

Sez Easley right there.

Good to know that I can occasionally call 'em!!
Wow, very cryptic. I had to use my mag glass. And hmmm, tis a bit unusual to not list the cover artist for a major TSR book release, no?

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Lurker · Post by **Lurker** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:07 am

Only 3 ....

I'll go 110, 114, & 127 but there are so many others I like too ....

By the way anglefish, thanks for the link, I'm now gaffin off my home work and reliving old fond memories!
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Orpheus · Post by **Orpheus** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:31 am

Rhuvein wrote:
Yep, I like the original and later covers of the DMG and PH. Fiend Folio is cool too.

And I've always liked the Unearthed Arcana book cover. Hmm, I thought I knew who drew that and now I can't seem to recall or find the credits . . anyone??

[It looks Easleyish, no?]

Another good one! I know that most folks aren't too keen on the contents, but that cover is another one of those really mood-invoking ones.

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:56 am

Orpheus wrote:
Another good one! I know that most folks aren't too keen on the contents, but that cover is another one of those really mood-invoking ones.

I'm a huge fan of this book. Yep, it's one that one must pick and choose what to use or discard.

I love the DM section and the misc. magic treasure . . Philosopher's Stone, Murlynd's Spoon and/or Zagyg's Flowing Flagon.

When I first joined DF and TLG, I used to kid/coax Gary about whether Zagyg's Flowing Flagon could/would be found in Zagyg's castle. He never allowed himself to commit or say for sure . . he only would say that, "a good DM may allow that magic item to be found/had in their campaign if desired, but hopefully it would be after the PCs were clever and successful in their journeys! And then he would advise me/us to be cautious about giving PCs magical items (a good lecture, as I recall)
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narpet · Post by **narpet** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:37 am

concobar wrote:

This is one of my favorites as well...

Here's another one of my all time favorites. When I got this book (when it was first published) it just really set the tone for me. A dark forboding forest, and a huge giant... with this brave (stupid) adventurer taking him on... I will always love this cover:
http://www.imagedump.com/image.cgi?file=555780.jpg

DangerDwarf · Post by **DangerDwarf** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:21 pm

In no particular order....

jaybird216 · Post by **jaybird216** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:14 pm

Treebore wrote:
):

Dang! Isn't that you behind the chest?

I can't say. I'd have to see his hairline
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jaybird216 · Post by **jaybird216** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:20 pm

Rhuvein wrote:
Good to know that I can occasionally call 'em!!
Wow, very cryptic. I had to use my mag glass. And hmmm, tis a bit unusual to not list the cover artist for a major TSR book release, no?

Good eye, Rhu. Easley seemed to be fond of using lots of yellow in his paintings.

I used to have a good time comparing dragons between the different TSR artists. Elmore's always seemed catlike to me, while Easley's were built like long-necked bulldogs. Both were fantastic. Holloway kicks butt at Eastern dragons, for sure.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:40 pm

anglefish wrote:
Issue #143, though I know I've seen another dragon vs jet image, maybe it was in polyhedron?

This may help on Dragon Mag covers.
http://index.rpg.net/display-search.pht ... e=pictures

Erm... hello awesome resource... of course this means that I need to start buying some of those Dragon mags from ebay that I have fond memories of in my youth!
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:42 pm

DangerDwarf wrote:
In no particular order....

Dang I almost forgot about that cover ... hmm... see it's a real treat to have an awesome artist to help with the covers and interior art. (Check out his stuff, its watermarked on our new and improved website)

The problem now is to relate to him a vision that I don't really have yet.
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angelius · Post by **angelius** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:45 pm

Oh this one is classic
http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=6154
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:41 am

angelius wrote:
Oh this one is classic
http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=6154

I got one of those covers framed up and used to be on my office wall. I wonder where the hell it is now...

~O
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slimykuotoan · Post by **slimykuotoan** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:47 am

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