In the Game of Thrones, you win or George R.R. Martin kills you off. That’s just how it is in Westeros. The series is known for its shocking and often brutal deaths, and HBO has figured out some clever and classy ways to commemorate them. To build up excitement for season four, premiering on April 6th, they’ve partnered with artist Robert M. Ball to create beautiful posters counting down the deaths in the series since season one.
The “Beautiful Death” series highlights one death from each episode. They release one poster a day and have just reached the end of season one. From the Night’s Watch deserter Ned Stark executed in the first episode to Arya’s first kill to Viserys Targaryen’s golden crown – they’re all included. The artwork depicting the events isn’t gory in the least; the posters capture the heart-wrenching moments in minimalist style.
HBO invites fans to participate in the countdown by submitting their own artistic takes on each death. View the Beautiful Death collection and add to it at Tumblr.
Which death in Game of Thrones hit you the hardest? Let us know in the comments.
Dark Wings Dark Words definitely is Jon Arryn’s death. Ned is honing Ice in Winterfell’s Godswood beneath the weirwood after he beheaded Gared of the Nights Watch. Catelyn brings the message of Jon’s death. HBO version
Khal Drogo’s death hit me the hardest. “Come back tome , my sun and stars.” However, Viserys’s death is by far the sweetest one yet. “He was not dragon. Fire cannot kill a dragon.”
Which one refers to Khal Drogo?
Are these available for purchase?
Khal Drogo sadly, long ago, by far!
Ros, she showed the most potential as a “low-born” on the rise..
The dark wing dark words is the mad king 🙂
I just want to know why they are using Narsil in Westeros!
I think Ned Starks hit me the hardest because I didnt know it was coming.. I have since read the books so the red wedding was no surprise, but it was still brutal!
I think the last one is Maester Luwin… just from the raven being Bran and Jojen.
The Starks are the characters I most identify with, thus most difficult to watch them die. Ned’s death made me gasp and despair, the red wedding was awful, but not as shocking. Hang in there Bran and Arya!
Just don’t kill off the drogons’ mother or the man of short stature!!!!!!!
and since that knighthood was his payment for the poisoning of his master, his fate was sealed.
The one with the shield with the words: He was Jon Arryn’s Squire. Look how far he’s come.
Hugh of the Vale was killed during his joust with The Mountain. Hugh of the Vale was Jon Arryn’s squire, he was knighted – it was his first and last joust.
Ned Stark. The execution. Completely devastated me,
The death of Ned Stark completely devastated me!
Robb Starks wife by far, so brutal.
Actually, nevermind! Just read on the site that it’s for Season 1 Episode 3 – must be Jon Arryn of the Mad King.
Robb Stark’s death hit me hard. He’s my favorite character. And it was so painful to see him die.
I think it actually might be for Hoster Tully: http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Wings,_Dark_Words
@Chelsea and John… It’s definitely Jon Arryn. The way they learned about his death was from a raven. We never saw his death. They constantly say “dark wings, dark words”. I think it fits as well as anything else they could have done, save maybe a vial of poison.
@Chelsea
With the caption I would assume it was Jon Arryn, but the picture doesn’t fit at all. It seems that it must have to do with bran and his visions, but in season 1 he only predicts his father’s death with his visions, and that one is covered already. Consider me stumped too.
Whose death is depicted in the Dark Wings, Dark Words one?
Can these be purchased?
Super cool, but could you guys please set up a lightbox function for viewing galleries? Sorry, I’m a usability nerd.