Max Dunbar - English version

We have recently interviewed Max Dunbar, the artist behind many illustrations of our favourite dungeon crawler.

I hope you enjoy reading this interview, and find out more about the art related to the new edition of HeroQuest.

I would like to say again thanks to Max himself for his time and dedication to answer these questions, he is a really cool guy.

As always, thanks also to Cristóbal from la Guarida de Morcar YT channel, and especially to HispaZargon from Ye Olde Inn forum for his contribution

Full interview with Max Dunbar

Hello Max, first of all, I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to answer the following questions from the Spanish HeroQuest board game fan community.

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

For all fans, Art has always been one of the most important and inspiring aspects of the game, both because of its connection to the Warhammer world in the classic Milton Bradley (MB) version, and due to the visual appeal of the new version from Hasbro.

What was your relationship with HeroQuest before being hired by Hasbro to work on the art for the new version? Were you familiar with the game? Did you ever play the classic version in the past? If so, what memories do you have of the game?

Max Dunbar: I wasn’t familiar with the game unfortunately! My path to working on the game came through working on the D&D side of things, first through WOTC, then through working on packaging art for a Drizzt action figure. I think between those two areas, the HeroQuest team thought I’d be a good fit to help out! I only designed some side characters in the main game, not the core Heroes (although I’ve been able to design a few heroes since, the new Druids in Against the Ogre Horde, & the Berserkers & Dwarf Explorers in Jungles of Delthrak)

Fantasy art icons like Les Edwards and Gary Chalk were key figures in the artistic design of the classic HeroQuest. Have you had any contact with them since Hasbro hired you to work on the new HeroQuest? Did they give you any advice or feedback? Any anecdote?

MD: No anecdotes unfortunately! I’ve never had the pleasure of interacting with them, although I am a big fan of their works.

PRESENT

What motivates you the most when working on the HeroQuest franchise? Do you use any different artistic techniques than those you apply to other projects?

MD: Motivation largely comes from knowing the passion the fanbase has for the franchise, and wanting to do right by them, combined with my own desire of wanting to keep working with the HeroQuest folks. If I don’t do good enough work, I probably won’t get hired again. So those two factors push me at all times to do as good a job as I can do.

When it comes to your work for Hasbro related to HeroQuest, what is the workflow and level of creative freedom? Are you the one proposing several designs based on the guidelines established by the product manager, and they select the ones they like? Or do they give you full creative freedom to work? How strict are those guidelines, if you can comment on this?

MD: For HeroQuest, I am given a list of characters or items to design, some have reference (could be existing art from a previous game, etc) Some have just a description of what they’d like to see. Some characters don’t have a lot of leeway, some allow for more artistic freedom!

Regarding the illustrations seen in the HeroQuest board game, its expansions, and the official game app—are all the designs yours? Or do you collaborate with other artists on this work? Do you also participate in the creation of the promotional animation videos released by Hasbro Pulse?

MD: There are several artists working on HeroQuest, I am unsure of how many. I definitely don’t do all of it, but certain expansions I do more (and certain expansions I do less) I am not a painter, so any of the painted illustrations (box covers, etc) Are not done by me. Most of my work is unseen except that the minis are then sculpted from designs I worked on or created. (I did do a fair amount of card illustration in the HeroQuest core game and in the first few expansions as well)

Comparing HeroQuest with other fantasy franchises like Dungeons & Dragons... What do you consider to be the biggest differences between HeroQuest and other fantasy universes when it comes to creating new illustrations?

MD: This iteration of HeroQuest has a fairly specific and set style that needs to be considered when working on concept art & Illustration, and while D&D does have specific elements of style, it is much more open to a wide variety of artstyles. I’d say HeroQuest is more defined by it’s style.

How different is it for you to work on the concept art for a board game like HeroQuest compared to working in the comic business?

MD: I love working on comics, but the work/life balance is tough. Comics are much longer days and tighter deadlines. So doing concept art and illustrations for HeroQuest is a very nice change.

Of all the illustrations you've created for HeroQuest so far, which one took the most time to complete, and which was the most difficult to execute? I understand these may not necessarily be the same...

MD: I think the Dragon for Crypt of Perpetual Darkness took a fair amount of time to figure out, because it had to be on a very small base, yet be a large miniature compared to the rest of the minis in HeroQuest. So figuring out a pose and how it would look in from every angle was tough, but really fun. Orthographic design drawings are always really time consuming as well, because you have to take the drawing from the concept art and then redraw it from front, back and both sides for the sculptors to make minis out of… That’s really tricky and time consuming as well.

Regarding the miniatures in the HeroQuest game, could you please tell us more about the development process? Is the miniature model designed first, and then you create the illustrations based on it? Or is the process the other way around?

MD: Probably answered a bit of that in the previous question, but I pencil a rough drawing to figure out the general pose/look of the character, and if that gets approved I tighten it up… Then it gets drawn in orthographic for the sculptors. (the concept art itself sometimes then gets painted by another artist to be used as a game illustration)

FUTURE

If an animated series based on HeroQuest were to be created, do you think it would fit well with your existing designs? Are you aware of any plans from Hasbro in this regard?

MD: That would not be something I’d be aware of, but it would be cool!

Have you been involved in the HeroQuest new expansion First Light?

MD: I have not been involved in that one, no

Do you normally attend Comic Conventions? (I believe you attended one in Zurich this year)

MD: I tend to attend a couple a year if I get invited to them. Fewer now than before since I don't work in comics as much.

Are you currently collaborating with Hasbro, and do you have any future plans related to HeroQuest? There is no need to reveal anything that is not public yet... but could you please give us any hints?

MD: I currently am working full time with Hasbro, but can’t say for what specifically unfortunately!

Finally, the Spanish HeroQuest fan community would be extremely grateful if you could dedicate a quick sketch or simple drawing with your signature. Of course, we are not asking for a professional piece, but just something simple that can include your signature or a watermark if you wish, as it would only be shown within the fan community.

Thanks so much again for your time, and I hope you continue collaborating with Hasbro on future releases of HeroQuest.

MD: I’ve attached the entire design process of the black dragon for the Crypt of Perpetual Darkness, I’ve never shared the rough sketches before, so hopefully you’ll enjoy!

Thanks so much for the questions and supporting the game!

If you want to know more about Max Dunbar's work, visit maxdunbar.com