Now now, be kind to that three eyed beauty! That’s an admittedly bizarre representation if the monster from the eponymous story – which was the inspiration for a particular John Carpenter film. So that’s not just any old strange thing – that’s The THING.
What makes that cover even weirder is that this is the novella upon which the various movies called The Thing are based. Did the cover designer bother to at least read the synopsis?
This is one that’s well executed, but weird; true of so much of Bok’s work. I’m particularly fond of the back-cover hairy legs, and the extraordinary robot with size 15 feet on the spine.
Actually, it’s not just the robot who has disproportionate feet. Old hairy legs does, too. And if I’m honest, the red-haired beauty is a bit out of proportion, too. Just a tiny, tiny bit.
Hannes Bok: great artist, not so great when it comes to feet.
I’m still trying to figure out how the three-eyed creature’s right arm works. It looks like it should be folded up, thus covering the breasts, judging by what appears to be an elbow in the middle of the body mass, but the right hand is clearly next to the right knee. Does “she” have two elbows on her right arm or am I misinterpreting something?
Went to see the new star trek over the weekend. The new clothing style just made me think one thing. Baen Book Cover: http://t.co/0FKAAFiYYh:Click for Tweet:
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(Average: 8.60 out of 10)
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October 18th, 2012 at 10:46 am
The nail varnish! Good GOD the nail varnish!
October 18th, 2012 at 11:12 am
yeah, it’s weird, but it is kinda cool
October 18th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
I think her enormous, misshapen cheeks are freaking me out more than those nails.
October 18th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
More importantly, are they friend or foe?
October 18th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Now now, be kind to that three eyed beauty! That’s an admittedly bizarre representation if the monster from the eponymous story – which was the inspiration for a particular John Carpenter film. So that’s not just any old strange thing – that’s The THING.
Yeah, no, but this is a pretty damn trippy cover.
October 18th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
What makes that cover even weirder is that this is the novella upon which the various movies called The Thing are based. Did the cover designer bother to at least read the synopsis?
October 18th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Perhaps Hannes Bok (the artist) struggled to depict the gruesomeness of The Thing, but had to give up and use a cover for an entirely different story…
October 18th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
An expression that says: “I can’t believe his jazz hands. And he’s half squirrel.”
October 18th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
This is one that’s well executed, but weird; true of so much of Bok’s work. I’m particularly fond of the back-cover hairy legs, and the extraordinary robot with size 15 feet on the spine.
October 18th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
By the way, I think we should have a tag for wraparound cover art (or whatever the technical term is in the trade).
October 18th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
“Make sure you use red to highlight his nipples.”
October 18th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
She just can’t keep her eyes off of him.
October 18th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
You know, if John Carpenter had cast David Bowie in the 80s The Thing movie, I can totally see the thing on the left making an appearance.
October 18th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
The robot needs big feet to counteract its top heavy design.
1948 – 33 1/3 records, the first monkey astronaut and the birth of Ozzy Osbourne
October 18th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Actually, it’s not just the robot who has disproportionate feet. Old hairy legs does, too. And if I’m honest, the red-haired beauty is a bit out of proportion, too. Just a tiny, tiny bit.
Hannes Bok: great artist, not so great when it comes to feet.
October 20th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
I’m still trying to figure out how the three-eyed creature’s right arm works. It looks like it should be folded up, thus covering the breasts, judging by what appears to be an elbow in the middle of the body mass, but the right hand is clearly next to the right knee. Does “she” have two elbows on her right arm or am I misinterpreting something?
October 20th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
@Andrew: I think it might be a really big shoulder that you’re seeing. Maybe.
October 23rd, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Three eyes, and still unable to see who goes there?
October 30th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
But that’s Hannes Bok, one of my favorite pulp illustrators. He’s awesome! And renowned for his weird, creepy illustrations.
And the story is the one the movie “The Thing” is based on, as others have noted.
Bok is an inspired choice to illustrate a shapeshifting doppelgänger alien that doesn’t quite get it right.
I love this cover.