D&D General D&D Red Box: Who Is The Warrior?

The Dungeons & Dragons Red Box, famously illustrated by Larry Elmore in 1983, featured cover art of a warrior fighting a red dragon. The piece is an iconic part of D&D's history.

WizKids is creating a 50th Anniversary D&D miniatures set for the D&D Icons of the Realms line which includes models based on classic art from the game, such as the AD&D Player's Handbook's famous 'A Paladin In Hell' piece by David Sutherland in 1978, along with various monsters and other iconic images. The set will be available in July 2024.

Amongst the collection is Elmore's dragon-fighting warrior. This character has only ever been seen from behind, and has never been named or identified. However, WizKids’ miniature gives us our first look at them from the front. The warrior is a woman; the view from behind is identical to the original art, while the view from the front--the first time the character's face has ever been seen--is, as WizKids told ComicBook.com, "purposefully and clearly" a woman. This will be one of 10 secret rare miniatures included in the D&D Icons of the Realms: 50th Anniversary booster boxes.

The original artist, Larry Elmore, says otherwise. (Update—the linked post has since been edited).

It's a man!

Gary didn't know what he wanted, all he wanted was something simple that would jump out at you. He wanted a male warrior. If it was a woman, you would know it for I'm pretty famous for painting women.

There was never a question in all these years about the male warrior.

No one thought it was a female warrior. "Whoever thought it was a female warrior is quite crazy and do not know what they are talking about."

This is stupid. I painted it, I should know.

- Larry Elmore​

Whether or not Elmore's intent was for the character to be a man, it seems that officially she's a woman. Either way, it's an awesome miniature. And for those who love the art, you can buy a print from Larry Elmore's official website.

 

[kenshinx]

“No one thought it was a female warrior. "Whoever thought it was a female warrior is quite crazy and do not know what they are talking about." - Larry Elmore, apparently.

I mean…calling someone who considered the warrior to be a woman “crazy” sure sounds like something to be disputed.

He CREATED the guy so his word is law.

 

[kenshinx]

I guess Larry can think of her as male if he wants. I don't think it really matters.

Can think? Elmore is the artist who made the character so what he says is canon. It would be like saying the Mona Lisa is a man and disputing DaVinci....No one but the creator gets to change it.

 

[kenshinx]

I think it is pretty cool. Would have been cool if they offered both a male and female version, but I suppose that may not have made financial sense. I can understand the original artist taking some umbrage over a revision of his original artistic vision, but the over the top reaction is a bad look. Could have just as easily have written:



Too bad this is going to become a needless culture-war distraction. There are much more important debates to be had, such as depiction of spectacles in the 2024 PHB wizard art. ;-)

Welp when someone decides your art is something it isn't, an argument needs to be had.

 

[NetDND]

After seeing what is in the rest of these mystery boxes from the "Realms: 50th Anniversary" sets, I think these figures are really neat.

However, if a single figure from this set is this controversial to you, or your friends, then voice your opinion with your wallet by not purchasing anything if you don't like what a company is doing, as it is the most direct way to get any company to listen to what you the fans want.

 

[teitan]

We think. There is zero insider information on that question. If they view it like I do, they didn't care and gave blanket sign-off provided nothing is nude. I can absolutely see them saying, "You've always done good by us we trust you to make something cool" and that was all the sign-off they felt they needed.

With how the OGL issue was about controlling & protecting their IP? I doubt it. They have pretty tight reins at WOTC.

 

[teitan]

Did work for them about 2 decades ago. They also did the magic the gathering spin down dials. Didn't last long

So around the Chainmail era? Were they being issued by WOTC after Reaper did them? I thought Mike McVey was running WOTC’s D&D in house. Thank you for your response.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Welp when someone decides your art is something it isn't, an argument needs to be had.

Art is is interpreted by the viewer. If you can't accept that, you shouldn't be an artist.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As an artist, I’ll just say that ambiguity invites interpretation and reinterpretation.

 

[bmfrosty]

Can think? Elmore is the artist who made the character so what he says is canon. It would be like saying the Mona Lisa is a man and disputing DaVinci....No one but the creator gets to change it.

Who are you to say what people can think?

 

[Distracted DM]

I feel like OP needs to his post to include Elmore's updated post- it seems like he was asked the question out of context and/or reconsidered what he had to say about it. Having folk see the updated post might clarify things.