Is GW cover art improving or declining?

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**Manchu**

For example:

Then . . .

Now . . .

Then . . .

Now . . .

**T_VanderZwaag**

I'm quite fond of the current Skaven cover art. The Blood Angel's cover art on the other hand looks like sub-par anime.

**Manchu**

I picked these two examples deliberately because--in my mind--the Skaven cover is a clear improvement while the Tyranid cover is more debatable. I left out the new BA cover because (a) there's really no fair comparison along the lines of the above examples and (b) it's--again, to my mind--obviously ugly. Here's another example for your consideration.

Then:

Now:

**Orkeosaurus**

I would say better, but with the caveat that they seem to be getting less varied. It's just the same scene with different actors.

**Manchu**

@Orkeo: I would argue that the current Nids cover is also less dynamic than the former. It's seems to be the opposite with the Skaven books, however.

**Waaagh_Gonads**

The old tyranids and Skaven ones- there is an obvious enemy and the protagonists are acting withing their world.

The new covers just have swarms mashed hodge-podge.

The beastmen army book reverses that.

**Orkeosaurus**

Yeah, the carnifex isn't doing anything on the new cover. (I really don't like the new Beastman codex either, the heads don't look like they belong on their bodies.)

**Snikkyd**

I like the old one better. The Marines armour is much more ornate. (Because they're HG)

**Karon**

The old Beastmen codex art was.....terrible. I couldn't believe it.

The new one I quite like.

**hungryp**

I'm refraining from voting because I either think the newer covers are better or at least as good as the old ones, but I will never forgive GW for publishing the new BA cover.

"Let's give the main character a skinny little elf head that looks like its neck is broken, and the rest of the guys Princess Leia-sized earmuffs." GG art department.

**c34r34lk1ll3r**

I voted no difference because there wasn't a some better, some worse option. The WHFB ones seem to be getting better but the 40k, ummmmmm the last one that looked decent was the Space Wolves and IIRC that wasn't original art (by all means correct me if I'm wrong)

**The Fox Lord**

Cover seem as hit or miss as ever to me. If you want a real comparison try using some 2nd edition Codex covers vs. 4th/5th edition covers.

**Scott-S6**

The Fox Lord wrote:Cover seem as hit or miss as ever to me. If you want a real comparison try using some 2nd edition Codex covers vs. 4th/5th edition covers.

Thanks but I'm still trying to forget the day-glo tyranids.

**Chibi Bodge-Battle**

new Skaven but only just- the old was not too bad.
Beastmen the new cover is not inspiring
Nids- neither- those bugs creep me out

possibly the older one has the edge

not sure about the new SM pic.

The SW codex cover art is an improvement

and I like the new DE codex cover better too

**comisarmilo**

i personally beleive that the covers are getting better like with the space marines one is better because there is death but the others arent as good as the new ones except tyranids it needs to be violent that who they are. tryanids are killers

**Orky-Kowboy**

I think the new dexes for Nids and Skaven have amazing covers. The Space Marine book... not so much. Oh, and thank God I'm not the only one who thinks the new BA dex looks like something my cousin would draw.

**Osbad**

The new DA cover is just nasty. I don't like the increasingly distorted looking way Marines are being portrayed with completely out of scale limbs and such. Horrible aesthetic.

With the B&W internal art, GW codices are definitely looking bargain basement by comparison with the likes of PP's offerings!

**Khornholio**

I don't like the BA cover either. There is just something wrong with buddy's head...like he just broke his neck at the exact moment of it being drawn.

**LunaHound**

The people painting the pictures = getting better.

The editor that chooses the layout = OMFG worse

**Boss 'eadbreaka**

I personally think the new covers are quite good. The current nids cover looks way better than the 4th ed version. Same goes for skaven and the beastmen cover does kinda grow on you.
Even the BA cover has it's merits.

**KingCracker**

Stop lying you know the BA cover looks bad

Ill vote if you put up a "they all are hit or miss" or something along those lines. I cant push myself to say just yes or no

**Flashman**

Went with no different. As others have suggested, some of the new ones are pretty good, but then along came Blood Angels with it's pencil drawn Assault Marines in the background.

**canute**

If the future of the covers are going to be like the Blood Angels then i'd rather see them blank with a name on it.

**Chibi Bodge-Battle**

re the BA cover

Holy Communion was never like that when I went to church

**The Night Stalker**

Orkeosaurus wrote:I would say better, but with the caveat that they seem to be getting less varied. It's just the same scene with different actors.

I agree, however I liked the old nids cover, but favor the new chaos cover

**Khornholio**

Both the 6th ed. Chaos Mortal and 7th ed. Warriors covers are on the awesome side of the spectrum.

**oni**

IMO

Blood Angels (3rd to 5th) = Worse
Tyranids (4th to 5th) = Worse
Space Wolves (3rd to 5th) = Better
Imperial Guard (4th to 5th) = Better
Space Marines (3rd to 4th) = Better, (4th to 5th) = Equal
Orks (3rd to 4th) = Better
Eldar (3rd to 4th) = Better
Tau (3rd to 4th) = Worse
Chaos Space Marine (3rd to 3rd SE) = Better (3rd SE to 4th) = Equal

http://thedarkmillennium.webs.com/warhammer40000.htm

**Tim the Biovore**

The recent ones are all just lazy. One main creature/soldier from the army, with some more creatures/soldiers around it, all on a blurred background. The Tyranids was NOT an improvement. They went from killing things, to running down a hill.

There are a few exceptions though.

**themocaw**

Why do all wargame covers look like a photograph of a mosh pit at a Foo Fighters concert?

**Noisy_Marine**

For the most part the new art is the same as the old art. Compare the old and new Nid cover - it's basically the same cover, cept the old one has a rhino in it. The old and new Beastmen covers are practically identical.

OTOH, the new Blood Angel cover is fugly. I smell John Blanch at work.

Oh and the 3rd Ed guard cover is vastly superior the the current cover. The new cover has way too much stuff on it.