Dave Trampier Basic D D Artist TSR promotional poster circa 1978; photo from a recent Ebay auction by the Collectors Trove One of TSRs finest artists, Dave Trampier, passed away this past March. He was perhaps best known for the demon idol artwork on the cover of the original Players Handbook (seen above in a poster from the era), and the long-running Dragon magazine comic strip, Wormy. It was also reported by the owner of the store Castle Perilous Games & Books that Trampier was planning on attending an upcoming game convention, after a long absence. Here Ill take a look at Daves work for the first Basic Set. Dave had three pieces of art in the rulebook. Two were in the first edition; one was added to the 2nd edition. The first is an illustration of the spell Web on page 16, signed D.A. Trampier. This picture is one that helps to show the dungeon setting of the game. Its not clear who the villain is here, but the wizard certainly looks menacing. He wears a stars & moons cap ...
