The late 70s and early 80s are often referred to as being the 'Golden Age' of D&D modules. The morsels on offer were very different to the adventures available today, being generally 16-page or 32-page booklets, with black and white internal artwork and maps provided on the inside of detachable card covers. It was within these booklets that we were first introduced to iconic enemies such as the Drow, Kuo-Toa, Duergar and Yuan Ti, along with Lolth, Strahd and Acererak.
It was a time pre-internet, when we did not have a wealth of information at our fingertips. We traipsed into gaming stores, clutching our meagre finances, and cast our wary eyes over the offerings. Thus the modules needed to be able to catch our eye, to appeal to would-be DMs with just a couple of paragraphs of text explaining the contents, and of course, with an impressive piece of cover art - for they were shrink-wrapped - the contents kept securely hidden from prying eyes.
'Modern' adventures are very different in their presentation. There's no denying their artwork is fantastic, of technically a very high quality, but there is something about it that feels soulless - it is almost too refined. The older pieces had a real character to them, and each artist had their own distinctive style. Any gamer worth their salt in the early 80s could spot an Erol Otus cover with merely a glance. And these distinctive images are those that remain in our minds decades later. These are the covers that drew us in, and compelled us to part with our pennies.
Here are 10 of the best....
It was a time pre-internet, when we did not have a wealth of information at our fingertips. We traipsed into gaming stores, clutching our meagre finances, and cast our wary eyes over the offerings. Thus the modules needed to be able to catch our eye, to appeal to would-be DMs with just a couple of paragraphs of text explaining the contents, and of course, with an impressive piece of cover art - for they were shrink-wrapped - the contents kept securely hidden from prying eyes.
'Modern' adventures are very different in their presentation. There's no denying their artwork is fantastic, of technically a very high quality, but there is something about it that feels soulless - it is almost too refined. The older pieces had a real character to them, and each artist had their own distinctive style. Any gamer worth their salt in the early 80s could spot an Erol Otus cover with merely a glance. And these distinctive images are those that remain in our minds decades later. These are the covers that drew us in, and compelled us to part with our pennies.
Here are 10 of the best....
10) U2 - Danger at Dunwater
A wonderfully imposing image of a Locathath surfacing on his Giant Eel, pity the adventure itself rarely turned out to be quite as dramatic:
9) G2 - Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl
Proof the old monochrome covers of the 70s could be highly effective, this image conveys the Giants' sheer size and strength, and the pale blue fits the icy theme:
8) U1 - The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh
An evocative cover which really made the viewer want to discover the nature of the 'Sinister Secret', but if you look closely, there are spoilers aplenty:
7) UK1 - Beyond the Crystal Cave
Featuring the eponymous Cave itself, this cover was one of wonderment, with lights dancing across the glassy surfaces:
6) T1-4 - The Temple of Elemental Evil
The one truly great cover from the 'Supermodule' range, the Temple itself lit up by lightning on a stormy night. Pity the module itself failed to live up to the hype:
5) D1-2 - Descent into the Depths of the Earth
A chaotic scene of adventurers valiantly battling the Kuo-Toa, with Blipdoolpoolp surveying the melee, shrouded in an eerie green glow. Marvellous!
4) B4 - The Lost City
The batshit insane inhabitants of the Pyramid, colourfully depicted and shrouded in a lustrous purple background, this one set the tone of the adventure inside perfectly:
3) I3 - Pharaoh
The faceless ghost of the fallen Pharaoh motions to the viewer. "This way please, follow me! Over here lies my immense trap-filled pyramid."
2) I6 - Ravenloft
With a gargoyle on either side of him, Strahd looms on his balcony, surveying his accursed domain. Perfect!
1) S4 - The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
As a wee 14-year old boy I saw this dynamic cover by the legend that is Erol Otus and I wanted it. I wanted it so much. The muddy brown did not matter. This is fantasy art at its finest:
Honourable mentions to those which just failed to make the cut for my top 10:
UK4 - When A Star Falls
X2 - Castle Amber
I5 - Lost Tomb of Martek
S1 - Tomb of Horrors
X5 - Temple of Death
UK4 - When A Star Falls
X2 - Castle Amber
I5 - Lost Tomb of Martek
S1 - Tomb of Horrors
X5 - Temple of Death
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