David A. Trampier, Iconic Artist of Early D&D, Passed Away This Week

Kotaku ^ | March 28, 2014 | Evan Narcisse

[Timber Rattler]

Anyone who grew up playing the beloved editions of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons will remember the detailed medieval fantasy artwork that made the role-playing games creatures and characters come to life. Artist David A. Trampier was the man who drew those illustrations. An Illinois newspaper is reporting that he passed away this week at the age of 59.

Trampier's renderings of wizards, giant spiders and lizardmen helped electrify the rules, storytelling and play experience of Dungeons & Dragons. But his whereabouts were a mystery for years because the artist faded into obscurity after D&D lodged itself into the consciousness of a generation of role-playing game fans. A remembrance at Tor.com says that he was considering doing the convention circuit this year. Sadly, with his loss, any stories that Trampier might've told about his contribution to the seminal role-playing game are gone with him. Condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

[Timber Rattler]

RIP, Dave!

[naturalman1975]

I’ve just got home from my weekly 1st Edition game. Sad news.

[Terry L Smith]

I hosted a small band of D and D players, while living in CA. in the early 80’s. It was quite enlightening.

RIP Dave.

[Antihero101607]

My Elven fighter/mage pauses for a moment of silence.

[EEGator]

[Thorliveshere]

Ah man, still have that original book. I was going to play today, but wasn’t prepared enough.

Shame, he really sparked my imagination with his illustrations.

[KarlInOhio]

I remember him mainly from his comic Wormy in Dragon magazine. He just stopped drawing it and his royalty checks were returned uncashed. I would love to know the story about why he just threw in the towel on his career. Rumors circulated from arguments with TSR to religious conversion to mental breakdown or even death back then.

[SunkenCiv]

Big Bang D&D clips

[GreyFriar]

D&D ping

My character was a Hobbit, self-proclaimed nobleman, Sir Sidnevach who rode a Palfrey

[Ransomed]

RIP. Wormy was fantastic, you have to go back to some of the classic newspaper comic strips to find art like that. Writing was very solid also.

One of my fav. Tramp d&d illustrations has to be the intellect devourer in the MM1. That’s like something out of a Gustave Doré print, just awesome.

Freegards

[a fool in paradise]

He had game, as the cool kids say.

[zot]

Thanks for the D&D ping. My character was a human, Zot, a lawful-good magic-user.