The Hecarim one is actually pretty good. But the "updated" Karthus splash looks really bad in comparisson in my opinion. Especially the face. I know there are not a lot of Karthus players, but please listen to the opinions of the ones existing. The new one is just so... idk out of place compared to the current one.
Edit: I only mean the classic one, the rest is pretty nice.
Ebonmaw Dragon19 votesAll hail the Chinese Overlords!!
Getting rid of the skull was not enough, now they are going for his whole face.... in the future, The face of Karthus will look like this: 
GreenLore12 votesstatue of karthus shows us the future: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISJLKAYLUSM/VvWrcFUZHNI/AAAAAAAAMpg/jrIe4mfSq_8O6k_cD8vK2QwtLeA88U6xA/s1600/Karthus_Splash_2.jpg
Ebonmaw Dragon10 votesstatue of karthus shows us the future: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISJLKAYLUSM/VvWrcFUZHNI/AAAAAAAAMpg/jrIe4mfSq_8O6k_cD8vK2QwtLeA88U6xA/s1600/Karthus_Splash_2.jpg
Audiomancy2 votesThey already took away our Glorious Eagle. Now they're taking away our glorious face? [zombie-nunu-tears]
Ironclad Dragon9 votesGreeaaat. I mean, let's just ruin Karthus's face. And here I thought they gave Karthus his VU, they purposefully made his face as least skeletal as possible so it wouldn't have to be edited.
Smug Yui1 votesWell this is only the splash art, the ingame one is still the same.
Nøble7 votesThe current NA version of Karthus splash is waaaay better than the Chinese version. Please don't change it. The textures on his face and the brighter glow to the blue "magic" I guess really make his splash look cool and detailed, the Chinese one looks like it is of a lesser quality.
Only Play Darius6 votesSkulls are taboo in Chinese culture, now that Tencent 100% owns Riot, they are darkening it out of the splash. Not something Riot has control over.
Strawberrycocoa1 votesThey didn't own Riot 100% before?
Only Play Darius3 votesThey had a majority stake in them for a while. They bought them out 100% a few months ago
Smug Yui1 votesI thought they only returned all the money Tencent invested in them. Well to be fair until China collapses as a global power this isn't that bad, to be honest.
Also, since we are on this topic let's just clarify that chroma packs is not an idea made by Tencent for more money if some of you guys remember there are(were) surveys that did ask people about chromas and since most of them said yes, they were created.
GreenLore1 votesSince Karthus doesn't look like a skeleton anymore I doubt that this is the reason. I think it is more likely that its merely a way to not alienate the chinese players that much considering that they are used to a faceless karthus.
CaveJohnson1235 votesAs a Karthus Main I'm pretty scared too... I mean if he can't get a new skin then please let him his splash art as it is. Although I agree that his skins could need a new coat of whitewash^^
Ironclad Dragon4 votesWhat the heck does Hecarim look like to China? Would he be a walking censor 'cause he's adorned in skulls?
AntiSkillshot2 votesWhat the heck does Hecarim look like to China? Would he be a walking censor 'cause he's adorned in skulls?
No idea. Though, the splash it supposedly will look like just looks like an updated version of the current one.
http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/3406/2720/original.gif
The other "comparsion updated" versions of the current splashes
http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/3406/2521/original.gif http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/3406/2918/original.gif http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/3406/3013/original.gif
To be honest, the Midnight Ahri's background should also be updated, like Hecarim's was.
Smug Yui3 votesProbably the problem is lore wise, him being a so called demi-god of death. For instance the grim reaper one is still with a skull because that is a western tradition and they probably respected it.
Blue Moon Wolf4 votesSee, I could understand if the new karthus splash art was for Chinese players (even though he doesn't really have a skull for a head anymore), but I don't understand the point of making his face a bit more shadowy for his NA splash. That's just unnecessary work that could be spent on some splash arts that could use some attention 
worlwld3 votesIf you ever change Dynasty Ahri and Crimson Akali splash art, I will quit League. I kid you not.
Evewynn15 votesBye Felicia
Qiyeanu Reeves3 votesIt's also a lot less clear. Like there's less highlights and other things that give the image a really sharp definition. The new one just looks worse in every way, lol.
FloRaider422 votesApart from the face I can hardly detect any difference, what exactly are we talking ? The face looks good in both splashs in my opinion (current more skeletal / new more lich)
Chase Me Daddy1 votesWell the current one is a bit brighter which fits his model a lot more. But yeah the face is pretty much the only difference, still it's way to dark and for me just doesn't look all to good.
AATTRROOXX1 votesCan you post the two splashes so we can compare them?
Chase Me Daddy2 votesSomebody already did, just look a bit in the comments.
TheOvermind1 votesthey will also change phantom karthus to an even shittier image.
RipReviveFkRito1 votesSad times for Karthus indeed
LoL Ergo Urgot1 votesI have angst against Grim Reaper Kathus.
epicgizmo5191 votesriot doesnt owe u anything u cant beg for something thats happening to stop only team that get away with that is the balance team
GhastlyGhoulMan1 votesThere's maybe four or five skins I don't want them to change out of the list they gave us, but I REALLY don't like the Crimson Akali change. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks like this, but the splash art should tell a story, and quite frankly... I don't like the story that the Chinese version is telling. It looks waaay too bloody, merciless, for anything I'd expect from Akali... even one of her skins. If any skin reminds me of that it's Stinger Akali.
Crimson on the other hand had always given me the idea of her fighting in some dojo, training perhaps, and she felt more inspired by Taki from Soul Calibur. Definitely not represented that way in the newer art.
Anyway, that's my shpeel.
Lich Dandy1 votesIs there at least ANY explanation from Riot yet? I've been searching around for something- red post, etc. Not seeing anything. I don't understand why his face is being censored when the art for the Grim Reaper skin is OK? I might feel better if they at least... said... SOMETHING. I absolutely adore Karthus- he's my main man. I know my opinion won't go for much.. but this feels like a slap in the face. Augh. I'm really visual, I love drawing fan art etc. so this is just... so discouraging.
