What I meant to convey, but have done a poor job of explaining, is the oversized bodies with the big mouths and big eyes....isn't that manga?
All about Manga at Wikipedia. I think you're talking about a form of manga called "moe" style. And I'll completely support you on that one, as the moe style of manga isn't something I'd buy.
I guess I'm referring to Wayne Reynolds' art to some extent. Hell, I'm an "old" guy like Laeknir pointed out, so maybe it's better to ignore us old timers.... :)
Ignore us? Nooo! We oldsters have the role of "loveable curmudgeons" in D&D, rather like Waldorf and Statler from the Muppets. =)
Also, all good villains in D&D know that age and experience overcome youth and skill. Unless the plot requires otherwise, heh.
So that's what it looks like when characters finally decide on retirement...
Good work, Larry. Poignant and full of regret. He still has the knack. :)
Krue:
I should have been more clear. I am not suggesting everything has gone Manga-esque or that anything has declined. Indeed, your examples clearly defy that premise. Rather, what I did a poor job of explaining was that so much of the 3/3.5 materials (mod's, SOME of the Dragon/Dungeon covers) do appear to have a Manga influence, and I'm not a fan of that type of artwork. You are also correct that there were some pretty crappy covers in the past (remember the April Fool's issues--some of those were bad). Either way, there is good and bad with the old and new---it's just a question of to which "age" one feels more of a kinship. Mine simply happens to be with the "old school". I feel like I'm losing a long-time friend with the Dragon's passing....much like Gandalf and company, sailing off from the western shores of Middle-Earth, never to return.
I hear you dude. I've never really cared about losing access to a product before, and never thought of myself as loyal to something material (ok, other than Proctor bike frames and Tolkien novels), until now. It's like a really bad joke that never ends.
As for the big eyes/small mouth stuff--manga (or Moe, as pointed out above) isn't really my style either, and Reynolds does give in to it now and then, you're right, but I only reckon it as an influence on his style. And it is, after all said, an important part of fantasy art today. AND look at this hot elf-lady, does she look like the weak, trembling, watery-eyed, pig-tailed, school-uniformed manga chicks we are thinking of. Nope.
Nothing you said upset me, but like lots of people around here, I could get really indignant if anyone suggests that Dragon or Dungeon suffered while being published by Paizo, even if it was only the covers. I was just checking.
=)
Gimme summa that Lockwood feller's pictures!
Word. (That means I agree you old fart... ummm... from another old fart)
Wow that looks great!
And to think that if this were at the time when I first joined the boards, I'd have no idea who Larry Elmore was.
"Elmore? Who's that. I bet he sucks. I think Wayne Reynolds should do the cover!"
I've always been partial to his artwork for some reason. :)
I remember his covers to the Dragonlance novels and modules; his covers for the original trilogy are still, in my opinion, the definitive looks for those characters.