Good Show Sir

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Frank Comments: Spotted in the Russian-language section at our Friends of the Library sale. The only English-language word was “fantasy” on the spine. I’m illiterate in Russian.
Published 1997 (maybe)

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Art Direction: We all know the one thing vampires suffer from. Big handitus! What do you mean that isn’t a thing? Of course it’s a thing, a vampire thing! Look it says right here in the book of, your pay check! Now just draw some kid, in a cloak, looking like he should be in a broadway musical. And make his hands BIG!
Published 1985

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Tam W’s Art Direction: This is a great work of fantasy, so naturally we want it to look as retro, cliched and formulaic as possible. I’m talking men in tights! If you do decide to depict a wizard turning into a bird, don’t forget to catch him in the act. And make it man-sized, never mind what the novel says!
Published 1975

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MisterBOB’s Art Direction: I think we all know what the author means by spells, wands in children’s hands. Paint the errors involved!
Published 1989

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Art Direction: We’ll have some guy looking like he’s in a furtistic space disco being attacked by a giant man with a glowing forehead. Why, you ask? Well, we all know psychic powers are clearly symbolised by a lens flare. Just like every sword is reflecting a magical light from somewhere making it go… TING!
Published 1983

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Art Direction: A normal lion! That’s right, not a man lion or even a lion holding a laser rifle. You see, that guy by the water cooler was a genius! Why change a winning formula? Expect this time, leave off the sword and instead we’ll have lots of magical glowing. Magical… purple glowing!
Published 2011

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Art Direction: You know what I feel enhances any work of art… glow! Imagine the scene, two young lovers entwined in… tentacles… and around them a mystical blue glow to signify magic or possibly the sharing of deep feelings. Nah I’m just kidding, we all know what he’s going to use those things for. But the glow will enchance something I’m sure!
Published 1984

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The Portuguese version of Man Plus. Many thanks to Luis for sending this in!
Published 1976 (maybe)

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Art Direction: Lets break away from the common Thor look stereotype. And by break away, I mean just don’t give him a cape. Keep the male skirt, shaved legs, long blonde hair and bunny ears helmet!
Published 1987

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MisterBOB’s Art Direction: OK, Girls like Horses! Lets just put two horse’s /unicorns in suggestive poses, with the usual purple colours and oh make one of them glow! And wings, gotta have wings!
Published 1987