Saturday, March 19, 2011

RIP Jim Roslof (1946-2011)

According to Jeff R. Leason, who worked at TSR in the late 70s and early 80s as an editor and designer, artist Jim Roslof passed away peacefully this morning. Though the news is not unexpected, it's nonetheless sad to receive.

This coming week I'll be devoting a series of posts to Mr Roslof's artwork as an impromptu memorial to a great illustrator of old school D&D. In case anyone needs reminding of his talent, here's a piece that really stirred my imagination long ago -- the cover to module D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth.

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Posted by James Maliszewski at 10:35 PM
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35 comments:

  1. Mark MorrisonMarch 19, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Rest in peace Mr. Leason.

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  2. Joe BardalesMarch 19, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    I'm very sad to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. RIP, Mr. Roslof.

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  3. Patrick MallahMarch 19, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Here is an interesting blog post about Roslof that I found while looking for some more of his artwork online
    http://www.blackgate.com/2010/11/24/art-evolution-11-jim-roslof/

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  4. DeltaMarch 19, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Great pic selection. This and the Thor illustration will always, always stick with me.

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  5. Aaron E. SteeleMarch 19, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    Sad news.

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  6. Doug YoungMarch 20, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    RIP Mr. Roslof. I spent many happy hours gazing over your artwork.

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  7. JBMarch 20, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    My favorite Roslov piece.

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  8. Ian MageeMarch 20, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    A very sad loss. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

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  9. Mike BridgesMarch 20, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    Another great artist passes on, but his work lives forever.

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  10. crowkingMarch 20, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    That piece is one of my favorites; just fuels the imagination to no end!

    RIP good sir.

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  11. White BearMarch 20, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    That's another good one (which you posted). Thanks for the inspiration, Mr. Roslof.

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  12. RevenantMarch 20, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    A pity; he was a talented man. RIP

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  13. The Secret DMMarch 20, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    This definitely hit home for me -- thanks for taking the time to share this unfortunate news, James. I'm looking forward to seeing your upcoming posts.

    I'm actually looking for artists for a Jim Roslof tribute project -- more details on my "Worlds of Ink" website -- www.worldsofink.com

    If you know anyone who might be interested in contributing possibly, please spread the word.

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  14. irbyzMarch 20, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    n.b. Messages of condolence can also be left on the guestbook at http://www.hdlfuneralhomes.com/content/obituaries/view.jsp?OID=69857 , if desired.

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  15. KiltedyaksmanMarch 20, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    A great artist. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Mr. Roslof.

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  16. blackstoneMarch 20, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    He was one of the greats.

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  17. DougMarch 20, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    His artwork is still winning fans. Just this week my daughter discovered my copy of Deities & Demigods and was really digging Jim's illustrations.

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  18. Billiam BabbleMarch 20, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    His art is now very iconic. The aesthetics of the old school gaming renaissance owe something to this man's work. Thanks for bringing us this news, sad though it may be. At least in death we'll get to celebrate him fine some fine pictures.

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  19. ChrisMarch 20, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Sad. I always enjoyed his artistic style and use of color in his work. He was one of TSR's great stable artists. He will be missed.

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  20. NeedlesMarch 20, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Very Very Sad indeed....

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  21. AnthonyMarch 20, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    For some reason, I remember Jim's black and white work most of all, especially his skill with facial expressions. Great stuff.

    R.I.P.

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  22. Gordon CooperMarch 20, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Very sad. Another one of the greats.

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  23. Rone BartonMarch 20, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Jim Roslof lent hue to some very meaningful moments in my childhood.

    R.I.P.

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  24. GladMarch 20, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    It's times like these that remind one of their mortality. When I first saw Jim's work adorning TSR's various products back in the early 80's, I was a teenager. And as a teenager, we all had the world by the horns...."gonna live forever" attitudes. Now, here I am, in my early 40's and one of the iconic artists that influenced my own art is gone.

    A little piece of my past is gone and it just reminds me that the world's horns are larger than what I thought back then.

    R.I.P. Mr. Roslof and thanks for the wonderful inspiration your art gave to me and the rest of the gaming world.

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  25. blackstoneMarch 20, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    Jim Roslof contributed to the Dungeon Alphabet book back in 2009. Very good work indeed.

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  26. Tom O'BedlamMarch 20, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    The circle is smaller by one.

    Jim Roslof: one of the many, many names that echoed in my youth. One of those TSR guys that somehow made a living spinning worlds, when I was young and had the time and disposable income to pay for it.

    "Jim Roslof" is a name whose passing leaves ripples only at the far edges of the geekosphere. But he is remembered nevertheless... and missed.

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  27. AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Truly a sad day, Rest In Peace Mr Roslof.

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  28. freebfrostMarch 20, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Whenever I think of Kuo-Toans, it is always of those as illustrated by Jim. He will be missed.

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  29. Scallop Skulled SkaldMarch 21, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    Jim's work had a real vitality to it- he had a real knack for suggestion action/motion.

    He also seems to have been a genuinely nice guy... we lost another good one.

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  30. billygygaxMarch 21, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    This is Bill Elise' Gygax Husband
    Laura Roslof wanted us to pass on information since she is so busy
    Wednesday 5-7:00pm wake
    Funeral 7:00pm
    Hasse Derrick Funeral home Elkhorn WI
    Any questions call me
    262-348-6959

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  31. FreezerclownMarch 22, 2011 at 3:29 AM

    It saddens me to hear of Jim Roslof's passing. One of my favorite artists from the classic TSR era. I sent along some artwork thanking him for years of inspiration. Sadly, it didn't make it there in time.

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  32. BlacksteelMarch 22, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Even today my kids think that Thor illo from Deities and Demigods is just amazingly cool. Rsolof always seemed a little underrated until you go back and look at what he did and how much of it spanned the range from iconic like the covers to coloring in the world as with some of his interior black and white work in The Dragon and various modules. I'm sad to hear of his passing.

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  33. ATOMMarch 23, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    R.I.P Jim, fondly remembered, sadly missed.

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    ReplyDelete
  35. Chad RoseFebruary 18, 2012 at 12:40 AM

    Unbelievable!

    I was just looking at the 1e adventure literally 20 minutes ago, A4 I think it was, one of the "Slave Lords" modules anyways for Erol Otus work and saw his name on a bunch of stuff and thought, wow thats pretty spiffy stuff. And he just passed away today...

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