Michael Witwer - Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana: A Visual History

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & CREDITS

AS DEDICATED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS players and Dungeon Masters, we grew up poring over a wide variety of D&D products, all of which taught us a new vocabulary of the imaginary through its art and gameplay. Only now as directors, actors, and writers, can we begin to understand the far-reaching effects the game and its art had on our burgeoning imaginations, informing our ability to conceptualize and tell stories. Accordingly, we want to first thank everyone who contributed to creating and expanding upon this incredible game over the last 45 years. We continue to draw inspiration from the game and feed these ideas back to the world in the media we create, forming a cycle of creativity that all leads back to this amazing game.

In order to bring a project with this broad a scope and this much complexity to market, it certainly took a village (of Hommlet). The challenges were many: poorly controlled intellectual property when D&D was little more than a homebrew game, an archive of original art that is dispersed across the four corners of the world, intellectual property feuds during the games history that further obscure the sources and stories behind the visuals, company acquisitions and a lack of file continuity, and more. The biggest and most unfortunate challenge of all, though, is that so many of the key players who made much of this possible have passed on, quite often way before their time and without the recognition they deserved. Perhaps more than anything, this book is a celebration of their lives and contributions.

Suffice it to say, this piece would have been impossible without the help, support, and dedication of dozens of individuals beyond the author team. For starters, much love and thanks to our families and friendswhile too many to count, they are our constant source of love, support, and inspiration. Next, to the people and organizations that truly made this piece possible: thank you to the incredible efforts and talents of Aaron Wehner, Emily Timberlake, Lizzie Allen, Patrick Barb, Natalie Mulford, Erin Welke, Daniel Wikey, Windy Dorresteyn, Jane Chinn, Keith Connor, Kate Bolen, Ken Della Penta, and the rest of the team at Ten Speed Press, who shared our passion and vision for this project. Our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the team at Wizards of the Coast, D&Ds publisher and our licensing partner, who not only allowed this project to take place but helped us in countless ways, including procuring hard-to-find imagery, permissions, and amazing insights. Special thanks to Liz Schuh, Hilary Ross, Jefferson Dunlap, Christopher Perkins, Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, John Feil, Curt Gould, Nathan Stewart, Greg Tito, Shauna Narciso, Kate Irwin, David Gershman, Richard Whitters, and all the other fine folks who helped us. A hearty thank-you to our literary agent, Jacques de Spoelberch, who flawlessly managed the business side of things and offered us continuous support and guidance. Thank you to Paul Kepple at Headcase Design Studio for providing many excellent conceptual layouts and design features, and thanks to Paul Bateman who provided additional design consulting. Also, a very special thank you to all of the D&D designers and artists over the years who truly made this book possible. Were especially grateful to everyone who supported us with information, images, and interviews, including Keith Baker, Greg Bell, Brom, Clyde Caldwell, Monte Cook, Zeb Cook, Darlene, Tony DiTerlizzi, Jeff Easley, Larry Elmore, Fred Fields, Rob Heinsoo, Ralph Horsley, Tyler Jacobson, Jennell Jacquays, Gary Kwapisz, Dave Diesel LaForce, Deborah Larson, Tracy Lesch, Todd Lockwood, Erol Otus, William OConnor, Keenan Powell, Wayne Reynolds, Robh Ruppel, Raymond Swanland, Jonathan Tweet, Tom Wham, and Steve Winter.

Last, but not least, our infinite thanks to everyone who provided us imagery, collection access, and/or permission to use imagery used in this book:

To Bill Meinhardt, who gave us undying support and access to his incomparable collection of pristine RPG products. The following pieces come from his collection: D&D brown box ().

To Matt Koder, who provided us images of his unsurpassed collection of original D&D art. The following pieces are from the Matthew Koder collection: 1983 Players Handbook cover painting ().

To Allan Grohe and David Witts for use of the original Tomb of Horrors from the first Origins in 1975 and Gary Gygaxs illustration of the rust monster.

To Ian Livingstone, who granted us use of his photographs and access to his excellent art collection. The Gary Gygax portrait from Gen Con 1976 () is from the collection of Ian Livingstone.

To Dave Megarry for sharing his Blackmoor player map (). These are used with the permission of David R. Megarry.

To Frank Mentzer for access to his archives of internal TSR drafts, concept art, and memos.

To the community on the Acaeum, the premier website for Dungeons & Dragons collectors.

To Peter Adkison, for his ongoing and undying support, and access to his D&D art and memorabilia collection.

To David Mandel, who provided us images of his incredible collection of original D&D art. The following images are from the collection of David Mandel and photos are used with his permission: Monster Manual cover painting by Dave Sutherland ().

To Paul Stormberg, who granted us access to his outstanding image archive ().

To Billy Galaxy, who provided us images of his one-of-a-kind collection of D&D toys, art, and ephemera (), which is also used with the permission of Ken Kelly.

To Jeff Grubb, who spent hours with us sharing his remembrances and awesome art collection.

To Aaron Leeder of Noble Knight Games, who allowed us to photograph the original Deities & Demigods cover painting.

To Ernest Gary Gygax, Jr. for his support and photos of Dungeons & Dragons Entertainment Companys Beverly Hills headquarters (). Images are courtesy of Ernest Gary Gygax, Jr.

To Matt Mercer for his interest, support and awesome Critical Role images. The Critical Role promo poster () is courtesy of Matthew Mercer and Legendary Digital.

To Jason Mielke of High Impact Creations, who expertly photographed the Deities & Demigods cover painting.

To Suzanne Wallace for the Roll20.net imagery. The Roll20 screen captures () are courtesy of Roll20.net.

To Rob Kuntz () is used with the permission of Robert J. Kuntz.

To Alan Lucien. The photo of toy dinosaur to dragon conversion () is used with the permission of Alan Lucien.

To Laura Roslof. The following images are used courtesy of Laura Roslof: TSR logo colophon concept by Jim Roslof ().

To Tom Wham. The photo of TSR headquarters and Dungeon Hobby Shop circa 1978 () is used with the permission of Tom Wham.

To Mike Carr. The photo of Dave Arneson and other Twin Cities gamers at Gen Con III () is used with the permission of Mike Carr.

To Steve Jackson. The portrait of Dave Arneson from Space Gamer #21 () is used with permission of Steve Jackson.

To Monte Cook. The cover of Monte Cooks Arcana Unearthed () is used with permission of Monte Cook.

To John Bobek. The photos of Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson from Gen Con II () are used with the permission of John Bobek.

To Dave Kenzer. The Kalamar D&D comic and campaign book (, top) are used with permission of Kenzer & Co.

To Josh Braun. The Dax the Damned panel from Eerie Tales #59 by Esteban Maroto () is used with permission of New Comic Company LLC.

To Dylan Walsh for his photo of Joe Manganiello with a painting of his D&D character ().

To a private collector. Gary Gygaxs personal play copy of Chainmail photo () appears courtesy of a private collection.

To Dwarven Forge. Image of Dwarven Forge miniature scene () is courtesy of Dwarven Forge, LLC.

To Penguin Random House. The following images are used with the permission of Penguin Random House: Page from Smith of Wooten & Farmer Giles of Ham (Ballantine Books) with illustration by Pauline Baynes ().