MOB Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Here's a sneak peak at the cover art work for a new Call of Cthulhu anthology of scenarios we're working on, due for release in Q1 2020: Featuring the writing talents of Leigh Carr (scenario contest winner, author of The Necropolis), Jon Hook (Age of Cthulhu, The Shadow over Providence, Miskatonic University Podcast), and Chaosium's own Todd Gardiner.The fab cover art is by Chris Huth (13th Age Glorantha). 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonHook Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 I'm the guy in the middle.🤣 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 I love the fact that the guy in the middle appears to have been inspired by Jon Polito's character in The Big Lebowski. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJackBrass Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Is there any further info on the contents? From the cover I'm guessing it's comedic horror, but that seems to be out of step with recent releases. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hooded Claw Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 2 hours ago, BigJackBrass said: Is there any further info on the contents? From the cover I'm guessing it's comedic horror, but that seems to be out of step with recent releases. Yes, I too am concerned that the art for the world’s premium horror roleplaying game is becoming way too goofy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klecser Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 I appreciate the quality of the art that Chaosium commissions and don't think there is any "danger" of this art style miscommunicating the game's flavor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJackBrass Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, Addison said: Yes, I too am concerned that the art for the world’s premium horror roleplaying game is becoming way too goofy. I'm not concerned exactly, since I don't know if this is going to have a less serious tone or not. The cover makes me think it's more of a Blood Brothers sort of thing than a horror adventure, which I'm absolutely fine with. On the other hand, if it is actually a book of more usual CoC adventures then yes, I'd agree that the cover miss-sells it entirely. That's why I'm after more info on the contents. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hooded Claw Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, klecser said: I appreciate the quality of the art that Chaosium commissions and don't think there is any "danger" of this art style miscommunicating the game's flavor. I don’t know, as great as the Berlin book is, from the little I’ve seen, there were a few pieces of art which I felt were definitely a bit off, with goofy central characters. Rather unfortunately they were full page pieces. Im not saying we’re in Elder Secrets territory by any stretch of the imagination, but a few pieces have been a little disappointing by Chaosium’s new high standard. The question of style is another thing. Perhaps the rise of pulp play is leading the direction. As has been said, the cover of Terrors clearly suggests pulp contents. Edited July 21, 2019 by Addison 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJackBrass Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 1 minute ago, Addison said: I don’t know, as great as the Berlin book is, from the little I’ve seen, there were a few pieces of art which I felt were definitely a bit off, with goofy central characters Oh, really? That's a pity: I've only seen the cover so far, but frankly it's one of the best game covers I've seen in years, from any company, the sort of piece that truly sells the book. Shame if the internals fall below that standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hooded Claw Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 (edited) Don’t get me wrong, the internal art is , on the whole, very good. There are just a couple of, from what I remember, unfortunately large off pieces with goofy figures. I think it particularly stands out because there is a clear period aesthetic which one hopes for, and because, as you say, the cover is superb. Edited July 21, 2019 by Addison 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfessorDetective Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 From what I've gathered, this is another adventure compilation. Specifically, three short (about two hours) one-shots. My guess is it's meant for newcomers who still need to get their feet webbed... I mean, wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 The cover art for Gateways for Terror is by Chris Huth. It is three introductory scenarios that have been used to demonstrate Call of Cthulhu at conventions, the key feature being that they are all designed to be played in a one to two hour time slot, and are ready to play with pre-made investigators with minimal set up time (other than reading them over first before running them). The cover art shows three investigators running away from some nameless horror. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 Just a personal opinion, but I'm not getting comedic/goofy vibes from the cover art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mankcam Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 (edited) I think that cover works okay for a goofy variant of Pulp Cthulhu. However I really don't think it has the right tone for the standard Call Of Cthulhu game. Just sayin' Edited July 22, 2019 by Mankcam 1 Quote " Sure it's fun, but it is also well known that a D20 roll and an AC is no match against a hefty swing of a D100% and a D20 Hit Location Table!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJackBrass Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, ProfessorDetective said: From what I've gathered, this is another adventure compilation. Specifically, three short (about two hours) one-shots. My guess is it's meant for newcomers who still need to get their feet webbed... I mean, wet. Sounds like a useful product, not just for beginners either. There are certainly times when a short, easy to run adventure is just what I need. No definitive word on the tone of the adventures, but the lack of any mention of comedy or a light-hearted approach suggests they're actually in the serious, traditional style, which is certainly more generally useful and probably better for newcomers to the game. 20 hours ago, klecser said: I appreciate the quality of the art that Chaosium commissions and don't think there is any "danger" of this art style miscommunicating the game's flavor. In which case it looks like you're off the mark on this one. Edited July 22, 2019 by BigJackBrass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klecser Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 (edited) 11 minutes ago, BigJackBrass said: In which case it looks like you're off the mark on this one. If "off the mark" means seeing the forest for the trees, then I'm happy where I am. Edited July 22, 2019 by klecser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midwinter Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 (edited) It's definitely not a cover I would choose for a horror game. I have seen some BW art by Chris Huth that was more horrific, so it can't be the artist, really. The green colour, the comedic fat guy with the oversized Browning-like gun (imagine the woman on the right holding that), the D&D looking cultist on the left and some random tentacles doesn't exactly scream horror. This tone has also been prevalent on covers made by other artists. Chaosium would be well advised to look at old horror movie posters and book covers to see how it's done unless they are aiming their products at 8 year old Ghostbusters-fans. Is CoC a horror game or isn't it? If yes, make the art reflect that. Edited July 23, 2019 by midwinter Quote THE ODIOUS ONE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stadi Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 I like the cover, but it's not horror. It's a pulp cover. If the adventures are Pulp Cthulhu adventures then there is no problem. If they are "standard 1920" adventures, than they do not really fit. I hope they have at least Pulp options / suggestions like some of the later Chaosium products. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 (edited) Gateways to Terror is 3 short-play introductory scenarios. The cover is designed with introduction in mind to a more general audience. For core books, we aiming for more like the Berlin cover moving forwards. Art is subjective and some folk like what some others do not. Here's a sneak peak at one small element of the forthcoming Dreamlands cover. Edited July 23, 2019 by Mike M 13 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klecser Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Personally, I like both covers. They are different, yes, but every artist has their own style and interpretation. Art has breadth. And while people can have their own preferred styles, saying that a certain art style "should" prevail, when one is not sitting in the editorial driver's seat, is a bit of a stretch, in my opinion. Mike chose a different artist and style than the preference of some. Shucks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardo1976 Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 On 7/21/2019 at 8:05 AM, JonHook said: I'm the guy in the middle.🤣 Nice! I'm signed up to play in your CoC: The Shadow Over Providence game on Friday at 4:30 at NecronomiCON. I'm looking forward to meeting you! 29 minutes ago, klecser said: Personally, I like both covers. They are different, yes, but every artist has their own style and interpretation. Art has breadth. And while people can have their own preferred styles, saying that a certain art style "should" prevail, when one is not sitting in the editorial driver's seat, is a bit of a stretch, in my opinion. Mike chose a different artist and style than the preference of some. Shucks. I like both as well but it definitely has a more of a Pulp feel to it. Not saying its bad or wrong, just different, which I know can throw some people into a tizzy I personally like it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midwinter Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Strange that the upcoming Dreamlands cover has more of a horror feel to it, when a 1920s CoC scenario collection doesn't. Quote THE ODIOUS ONE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonHook Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 Awesome! Look forward to meeting you too, @beardo1976! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travern Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 On 7/23/2019 at 3:42 PM, Mike M said: Gateways to Terror is 3 short-play introductory scenarios. The cover is designed with introduction in mind to a more general audience. That may work for players coming out of D&D or Mansions of Madness or for horror fans of Goosebumps rather than HPL. Otherwise, I find it to be too silly. The artist Chris Huth is quite capable of producing frightening Lovecraftian illustrations (check out his B&W work for Sentinel Hill Press), so I have to assume the responsibility lies with the art direction. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seneschal Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 I can’t see the problem. What we can see of the monster is scary, and our three protagonists look suitably stressed out. Is it because the critter is glowing bright neon green? It’s not easy being green. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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