This image from the 1st edition Dungeon Master’s Guide is so evocative it makes me want to ensconce myself in my office and begin writing. All hail the anti-hero Emirikol! “Feel the power of my finger!” The artist responsible for this amazing piece is David A. Trampier. Trampier was also responsible for a good share of the artwork found in the Monster Manual.
Art enthusiasts would come to recognize the tags “DAT” and “TRAMP” as the marks of a master. Tim Kask, who was editor of Dragon Magazine at the time, praised the book’s illustrations and extolled; “the illustrations in themselves would warrant the cover price”. However, it would be the Player’s Handbook that would secure Tramper’s meteoric rise in the industry. Hardcore enthusiasts of old-school RPG art will never forget this iconic piece:
You could argue that this cover from the Players Handbook is the most iconic piece of art in the entire role-playing game industry. Whether it’s the thieves trying to pry the jewels from the idol, the despoiled bodies of the lizard men, the evil “spookiness” oozing from the idol, or the motley group of adventurers standing about, this one has it all. Here is another favorite of mine from the esteemed Mr. Trampier:
“What goodies have we here?”
Artwork has always been an important piece that makes up RPGdom. Whether we’re talking about the dynamic line drawing of Errol Otus or the awesome realism of Larry Elmore, their iconic illustrations evoke feelings in all of us. Sometimes all it takes is an image or a piece of art to get our creative juices flowing or to ignite a creative spark. Images that were created by David A. Trampier caused imaginations to soar the world over. Goodman Games gets it as evidenced by this adventure and cover which is an obvious tribute to the artist’s contributions.
Trampier would go on to provide cover art for the Gamma World role-playing game as well as the cover art for the Dungeon Master’s Screen in 1979. He was also responsible for the cover art for the AD&D adventure The Village of Hommlet. Trampier was also the creator of the Wormy comic strip that ran in Dragon Magazine for several years.
David passed away in March of 2014, having lost a battle with cancer. His influence on the industry and in the minds of young writers and actors lives on to this day. Having spent the entire morning with Trampier’s work and two cups of coffee I’m feeling inspired to write and do some creating of my own. A toast! To Mr. Trampier and all of the artists who add their talents to an industry that certainly appreciates them.