Process Video: Shadow of the Demon Lord

Exclusive step-by-step video of Stan! creating this cartoon homage

Robert J. Schwalb was the first guest of Season 2 (Episode 59, in case you’re counting). And although he did A LOT of great work for multiple editions of D&D, these days he’s best known for the amazing work he’s been doing for his own company, Schwalb Entertainment. And they hit one out of the park with their very first product—The Shadow of the Demon Lord.

I’ve known Rob a long time, and I’ve always admired his work. But I was still completely blown away by what a great job he did with the game design, world design, and capturing his own unique voice and perspective in what has to be one of the best horror-fantasy TTRPGs ever. And the whole package is perfectly summed up with the Core Rules’ dark, terrifying cover painting by Svetoslav Petrov.

I don’t know that a cartoon will ever be the right medium to capture the mood that Demon Lord inspires … but I had a lot of fun trying!

Subscribers to this newsletter got to see this drawing early, whereas the general public are only just getting their first glimpses of it today. But there’s still something left that’s JUST for the paid subscribers—a process video showing the step-by-step creation of this cartoon homage. (If you’re currently a free subscriber, now would be a great time to upgrade.)