| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TheBard |
Posted - 04 Jul 2005 : 08:36:31
I'm just curious what is everyones favorite cover on a Realms novel? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ode904 |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 21:19:10
Intresting. Very nice picture indeed. Sage and Elaine noticed good points. And it made questions.
So: He has got a weapon(hhmm..yes it is axe..perhaps a halberd) short sword in scabbard, shield on his back. It's winter and there seems to be mountains. But i'm not sure ARE THEY on a mountain( ). And it looks like he have been in somewhere else, look at blood trails. I think he have killed someone, but not in exactly that place(where?). Armor's color is golden( is it made of gold?). And he has got some pieces of leather armor as well. And yes: is he guarding something mine(what mine? What can be found from there? Is there a whole dwarven kingdom?)...
 |
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 16:31:11
quote:
Originally posted by The SageThe blood trails are enough to suggest something significant has just occured. And it is enough to lend itself to the beginnings of a potential story... Whose blood is it? Where does it come from? Was the dwarf in some grand battle? Why is the dwarf in a snowy region?
The title is "Guarding the Mine," which adds a whole new list of questions to the storytelling process. And as the Sage pointed out, the picture suggests some interesting variations on dwarven culture.
When the picture is reproduced, some of the detail is lost, but if you look carefully you can see suspension bridges between the tall, icy peaks. I start envisioning a dwarven culture with rather advanced engineering techniques, which leads me to wonder what it is they're mining. And from whom are they protecting the mine? For that matter, are they guarding what's theirs, or solidifying a conquest?
Consider the detail on the dwarf's armor and weapons. This is definitely a culture that values beauty as well as functionality.
Lots of intriquing questions. :) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 14:28:48
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Or let's turn this question upside down: Ever see a piece of art that makes you want to know (or write) the story behind it?
Here's one of the best potential dwarf book covers I've ever seen:
http://images.epilogue.net/users/kallen/ruslip_gallery.jpg
Kay Allen also did an absolutely gorgeous portrait called "Midnight Bride," but the gallery with all her newer stuff is temporarily offline. The minute I clicked on that picture, a story started to take shape.
The blood trails are enough to suggest something significant has just occured. And it is enough to lend itself to the beginnings of a potential story... Whose blood is it? Where does it come from? Was the dwarf in some grand battle? Why is the dwarf in a snowy region?
|
| ElaineCunningham |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 13:20:51
Or let's turn this question upside down: Ever see a piece of art that makes you want to know (or write) the story behind it?
Here's one of the best potential dwarf book covers I've ever seen:
http://images.epilogue.net/users/kallen/ruslip_gallery.jpg
Kay Allen also did an absolutely gorgeous portrait called "Midnight Bride," but the gallery with all her newer stuff is temporarily offline. The minute I clicked on that picture, a story started to take shape. |
| Xaean |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 01:59:55
The starlight & shadows trilogy has great cover artwork, as well as the new Best of the Realms 2 has. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 22:02:57
My favorite covers are the Lockwood ones - Hunter's Blades and all the new covers he does for the Legend of Drizzt books. Think he has done the best job capturing Drizzt. Other than that, I love Brom's picture on the cover of the collectible Legacy of the Drow - awesome Catti-Brie. But I'll also tell you the worst art: Silverfell - decent book, but I don't know what that guy was thinking!
C-Fb |
| Anthor The Unforgiver |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 21:05:30
I believe that the new cover of Sojourn is great. I also like the cover of the Lone drow but in general all the new covers of the books about Drizzt are good. Another cover that I like is the cover of Elminster: The Making Of A Mage. |
| Xysma |
Posted - 06 Jul 2005 : 19:39:41
I thought the cover art for the second release of the Avatar Series was very striking, excellent artwork. I LOVE Lockwood's covers for Starlight and Shadows, I think he really captured Liriel. But my absolute favorite is the cover of Silverfall. It is gorgeous. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 22:53:42
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I don't have the book with me, so I can't give you a page number. It's after Drone's death, I believe, when Giogi is checking out the "Cledwyll" statue of Selūne that was left to him.
That ought to be enough for me to find it, so the page number isn't necessary (besides, it's more fun to leaf through the book looking for it ).
Ah, found it. Not to deny you your fun; I'm putting it here for the edification of anyone else who is interested. From page 113 of The Wyvern's Spur, by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb:
quote:
Giogi unwound the velvet cloth carefully, revealing a gleaming black statue of a beautiful woman. Her lithe and scantily clad formed was slightly arched, and her shapely arms were swept up over her head in a circle. Her face was round and pretty. Her lips were parted slightly, and her eyes were closed, like a woman waiting to be be surprised. The rest of her physical features Uncle Drone had once described as ample, though Aunt Dorath had argued they were scandalous.
Later on the same page it names the statue as being of Selūne, and done by Cledwyll. |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 19:21:14
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I don't have the book with me, so I can't give you a page number. It's after Drone's death, I believe, when Giogi is checking out the "Cledwyll" statue of Selūne that was left to him.
That ought to be enough for me to find it, so the page number isn't necessary (besides, it's more fun to leaf through the book looking for it). |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 19:17:47
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
I do remember there being a second jab at Caldwell's cover for Azure Bonds in a Dragon article by Jeff Grubb, though.
That reference escapes me. Refresh my memory?
It's one of the Game Wizards articles, called An evening (wasted) with Elminster and appears in the January issue for 1990 (not sure of the number as I only have the article, photo-copied for me by a friend).
quote:
"Caldwell . . . he did the Azure Bonds
cover, did he not?"
"Yep," I said as I typed. It would be nice to know if we created Elminster's worlds future or if that future was somehow coming to us. It was an idea to pursue in the future.
"I must tell Master Caldwell that Alias was most amused by the cover. Oh, yes - she says ye had best treat Olive and Giogi correctly in thy next book, The Wyverns Spur, or she'll come after thee and thy lovely wife with a broad sword. Well, must run. Ta for now."
|
| Snotlord |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 18:08:16
quote:
Originally posted by Shadovar
The Moonshae Trilogy cover art.
Oooo so true. The artwork on the Old Grey Box was fantastic. Without them I may have been a Greyhawk fan today. Keith Parkinson (and BG II) made me a FR fan for life. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 17:56:45
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I still love the (I assume friendly) jab at Caldwell's art in The Wyvern's Spur.
It would appear I'm going senile at 26 , where in the book does that appear? *starts a second leafing-through of the book*
I don't have the book with me, so I can't give you a page number. It's after Drone's death, I believe, when Giogi is checking out the "Cledwyll" statue of Selūne that was left to him.
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
I do remember there being a second jab at Caldwell's cover for Azure Bonds in a Dragon article by Jeff Grubb, though.
That reference escapes me. Refresh my memory? |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 17:38:03
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I still love the (I assume friendly) jab at Caldwell's art in The Wyvern's Spur.
It would appear I'm going senile at 26, where in the book does that appear? *starts a second leafing-through of the book*
I do remember there being a second jab at Caldwell's cover for Azure Bonds in a Dragon article by Jeff Grubb, though. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 17:14:03
I still love the (I assume friendly) jab at Caldwell's art in The Wyvern's Spur.
One thing that's always bugged me about Caldwell's artwork, though... In 95% of his stuff, somewhere in the pic, you will see a round red gemstone. It's almost a second signature... |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 15:42:32
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Love Todd Lockwood's artwork to pieces; even bought some originals from him long ago.
That said, my favorite novel cover is still Clyde Caldwell's AZURE BONDS cover.
Sue me. I've a mortal weakness for redheads.
"Well brunettes are fine and blondes are fun,
but when it comes to getting a dirty job done,
it takes a red-headed woman."
quote:
And the vast expanses of cleavage have nothing to do with your like for that cover, I assume?
Obviously I can't speak for Steven (and wouldn't if I could - he's got an archmage talking in his head for Mystra's sake), but personally I find the vast expanses of bared thighs a lot more interesting |
| Eronthar Elvenkin |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 13:46:27
My favorites are; Tantras's cover for the best, Starlight and Shadow series has a charm over me too.
And one that i don't like, Cunningham's Elf Shadow. I still can't believe that Danillo was drawn as a baloon head. Nearly i's given up the novel. But if i didn't, i'd never had the pleasure of known one of the best authors.
PS: I'm still avoiding eye to eye contact with that baloon head. |
| Jindael |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 13:20:20
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Love Todd Lockwood's artwork to pieces; even bought some originals from him long ago.
That said, my favorite novel cover is still Clyde Caldwell's AZURE BONDS cover.
Sue me. I've a mortal weakness for redheads.
And the vast expanses of cleavage have nothing to do with your like for that cover, I assume? |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 13:15:34
Love Todd Lockwood's artwork to pieces; even bought some originals from him long ago.
That said, my favorite novel cover is still Clyde Caldwell's AZURE BONDS cover.
Sue me. I've a mortal weakness for redheads. |
| Jindael |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 12:17:47
I'm a big Caldwell fan. So...just about anything he's done. |
| TheBard |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 09:46:03
Yeah, I most likely haven't read nearly as much Realms books as you most of you. But out of covers I've seen I'll have to go The Thousand Orcs, and I think the cover of Master of Chains looks pretty damn cool. Oh, and I like the covers of Realms of Dragons II and The City of Ravens. And out of all those books I've just mentioned I've only read one, lol. But I've only been reading them 4 a year, so I have a lot of catching up to do. |
| Paec_djinn |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 08:24:57
The Lone Drow, followed closely by the Sembia series and then Elminster in Hell. |
| Shadovar |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 04:17:47
Here is the list of cover art rankings I think suits myself"
Ranks
1. Year of the rogue Dragons- My most favorite cover art. I like the art depicting wryms fighting humans.
2. Hunter Blades Trilogy-Very good, I like especially the Thousand Orcs cover art showing Drizzt fighting a huge mob of orcs, he look very heroic to me.
3. RotA- I preferably favor the Book 1 and Book 3 cover art.
4. Ghostwalker and Master of Chains-Look dynamic to me.
5. The Moonshae Trilogy cover art.
6. The upcoming Promise of The Witch King Cover Art.-Very impressive
|
| wwwwwww |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 03:46:23
There are many great works of cover-art, but here are a few I think are notable (please keep in mind that I am merely discussing the COVERS, but the books themselves):
William O'Connor's cover for City Of Ravens - Excellent stuff!
J.P. Targete's work for the rereleases of The Moonshae Trilogy were amazing - I would like to see a lot more of this guy!
It might be too cliche, but Lockwood's Hunter's Blades Trilogy is brillant!
Mark Zug's work for The Crimson Gold - Tazi couldn't look any cooler!
Matt Stawicki's Elminster in Hell.
Fred Fields' best ever IMO was Soldiers of Ice.
I liked Larry Elmore's Empires Trilogy.
Clyde Caldwell's Azure Bonds, Crystal Shard, and the whole Druidhome Trilogy are some of my personal favorites! |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 02:38:43
quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
Todd Lockwood's (?) covers for the Hunter's Blades book are very very cool. I usually don't buys Driz'zt books, but I read these
Very good covers. But, even Lockwood did not get me to finish the series. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 05 Jul 2005 : 02:34:57
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
My fave artwork is Elmore's cover of The Crystal Shard. Elmore is my fave fantasy artist, so any artwork he does automatically outranks anyone else's.
I know I'll likely invoke the ire of Big Al for saying this, but I always preferred Elmore's original work for most of the Dragonlance books and source material.
He really captured the essence and dramaticism of the setting.
|
| ode904 |
Posted - 04 Jul 2005 : 22:42:36
Hmm..Not easy one. Perhaps E.Cunninghams Starlight & Shadows, especially i like Windwalker's cover art |
| Krafus |
Posted - 04 Jul 2005 : 18:31:35
The cover for Realms of Valor. To this day, this is how I picture Drizzt and Elminster. |
| Chosen of Moradin |
Posted - 04 Jul 2005 : 18:24:38
quote:
I really like Todd Lockwood's covers for Elaine Cunningham's Starlight and Shadows series. Additionally, Brom's cover for Extinction is a favorite as well.
I“ll second that, concerning Lockwood“s covers.
The Daughter of the Drow is my actual Wallpaper, too. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Jul 2005 : 17:48:56
My fave artwork is Elmore's cover of The Crystal Shard. Elmore is my fave fantasy artist, so any artwork he does automatically outranks anyone else's. |
