D8 (magazine)

d8 was a magazine that was published out of Philadelphia and New York City in 1995-1996 and targeted fans of role-playing games. The name referred to an eight-sided polyhedral die common in such games.

Unlike other gaming magazines, d8’s focus was not on gaming systems and rules, but rather the art of role playing and the cultural, pop-cultural, and subcultural interests of the people who played games. d8 styled itself “the magazine of role-playing culture”. This editorial mission was conceived of by Founder and Creative Director David DeCheser.

Edited by Holly Black and Joe Cirillo, the magazine had a host of eclectic and regular contributors that included author Steve Berman, GWAR member Hunter Jackson, illustrators Joseph Hasenauer and Theo Black, Yamara creators Barbara Manui and Chris Adams, and former Shadis editor Jolly R. Blackburn.

Articles on LARPs were placed side-by-side with interviews with comic book artists such as Dave McKean, reviews of authentic medieval restaurants, and caffeinated tips on how to game all night. One of d8’s stand-out regular features was its fashion spread which, coordinated by stylist Deanna Stull and photographed by Director of Photography Michael Amper, showcased shoots that included renaissance garb, neo-gothic vampires in latex, and leather plated armor.

The magazine is credited as introducing Holly Black to artist Tony DiTerlizzi, who would later go on to co-author The Spiderwick Chronicles. Black’s first published work, "Ahremon/City of the Sun: Garden of Ghosts", appeared in the second issue of d8. At that time she was writing under the name Holly Riggenbach.

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