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Jan 08

A rope-skipping duel to the deathClick for larger image

Ump’s Art Direction: We’re through with goofy covers: this time we want something simple and classic. So we want a blond guy who’s wearing no pants to jump through the air with a sword trying to stick it in a space gorilla. Yeah – a blue space gorilla that has a giant space gorilla head growing out of its back. And we want a gal in a stripper outfit in the background and she’s turned like she’s pretending to look way because she’s embarrassed, but if you look at her eyes peeking back because she’s really into it. Like I said: simple and classic.

Published 1979

Actually, that cover IS a classical work of art!I would touch it without protective gloves.I've seen worse. Far, far, worse.Interesting, but I would still read it in public.Middlng: Neither awful nor awfully goodWould not like to be seen reading that!Awful... just awful...That belongs in a gold-lame picture frame!Gah... my eyes are burning! Feels so good!Good Show Sir! (Average: 7.47 out of 10)
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19 Responses to “Black Knight of the Iron Sphere”

  1. THX 1139 Says:

    “Look out, Dad!”

  2. fred Says:

    Grendel commented about Beowulf’s new attire. By commented I mean laughed like Alastair Sim playing Scrooge.

  3. JuanPaul Says:

    Hipster Flash Gordon jumps ironically as the feline gorilla demonstrates the the dominant trait of both cats and apes (contempt). The anti-Scarlet Witch is totally grossed out.

    ‘Number 3 in the Lord Tedric Lord Tedric Series’?

  4. Bibliomancer Says:

    Those lightsabers need fresh batteries

  5. Francis Boyle Says:

    Coming live to you from the inside of Trump’s head.

  6. Daard23 Says:

    @Francis Boyle “MAGAAAAAA!!!!!”

  7. MakkaPakka Says:

    It all makes sense now. Some of the skipping rope is off the page. They’ve both got one end are singing a jump-rope rhyme together.

  8. Lillie Awesome Says:

    Thicc McStarchunk either has some serious calf issues, or his boots are way tighter than Space OSHA or the Interplanetary Amateur Melee Sports Regulatory Commission should be allowing.

  9. Anna T. Says:

    Everyone knows the Great Space Circus’ performances have become utterly ridiculous. Even the animal rights activists have long since been unable to come up with protests against them that exceed their absurdity.

    But gorilla swordfights? This is new.

  10. Tat Wood Says:

    Zapp Brannigan’s let himself go a bit, hasn’t he?

  11. B. Chiclitz Says:

    @MakkaPakka—I think this is the jump-rope rhyme they’re working on:

    I like coffee
    I like tea
    I want the space babe to come with me
    You take the cat head
    You take the ape
    I’ll take the stripper in the fluffy green cape

  12. Bruce A Munro Says:

    Sirian Rules sword-fighting is somewhat complicated by only allowing strikes below the knee.

  13. Bruce A Munro Says:

    Not to be confused with the blue knight of the aluminum sphere, or the beige knight of the rubber sphere.

    GSS, @B. Chiclitz

  14. GSS ex-noob Says:

    Lord Tedric, Double-Dutch Red and Yellow Knight of the Teal Room.

    Guess that wouldn’t fit on the cover.

    Is the damsel looking with interest, or is she trying to open the compartment door and is looking back with the side-eye to make sure she doesn’t get caught in Lord Wrestling Singlet’s backswing? It’s rare on one of these that the lady has on more fabric than the gent.

    @Tag Wiz: this needs the “no-pants dance” tag.

    @fred: Maybe that’s why he’s so thicc. There’s 2 of him. Or, hang on — maybe the ape is Lord T. and there’s definitely 2 of him.

    @BC, @Daard: GSS!

  15. A.R.Yngve Says:

    What’s with the snarling face? Is the artist trying to tell us something?
    “Snarrrll! Buy this book and I’ll bite your head off!”

  16. JJYoyo Says:

    Boris Johnson’s next career?

    (Too soon????)

  17. GSS ex-noob Says:

    @JJYoyo: For Boris’ next career? Too late, I’d say. The world would be better off if he’d taken up double-dutch jump rope and/or fighting gorillas years ago.

  18. Tor Mented Says:

    I think that some authors put words on index cards and shuffle them until they get a title.
    Black Knight of the Iron Sphere
    Iron Knight of the Black Sphere
    Black Sphere of the Iron Knight
    Sphere of the Knight of Black Iron
    The Chronicles of the Iron of the Sphere of the Black of the Knight: Book Three.

  19. GSS ex-noob Says:

    Number three in the Lord Tedric Series Lord Tedric.

    The Sphere of the Iron Black Knight
    Knight Sphere of the Black Iron

    Did we mention it’s about Lord Tedric?

    A few years later, he might be Lord Tetris. And who’s holding the other end(s) of the rope(s)? Not yon turquoise babe, for sure.

    I hope this was a campy book, because between Lord T’s precious pants-free outfit, and the vamp costume on the Teal Stripper, it’s simply… is the jumping rhyme the MPFC “Military Drill” chant? With added gorilla noises?

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