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May 25

Do you think someone out there could be making fun of the way we look? Quick, put your mask on.Click for full image

Danielle’s Art Direction: Draw a masquerade party on Mars, but don’t draw too many Martians in it. It’ll speak to the commonality between us and Martians. Why are you laughing?
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: 4.23 out of 10)
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24 Responses to “The Martian Chronicles”

  1. Adam Roberts Says:

    “Hmm. I keep forgetting … what’s the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter again?”

    “I tell you, I don’t know! If only we had some kind of aide memoire …”

  2. THX 1138 Says:

    Nobody could complete the Martian Games high jump event.

  3. Simon Says:

    Uhh I dunno I quite like that cover (horrible panel across the top aside). Properly alien.

  4. Joachim Says:

    I’m not sure it’s so bad… I always thought it was weird as a kid but never egregious… Like some of the ones on this site.

  5. Tom Noir Says:

    Abandoned in a vast Martian landscape populated only by indifferent monoliths of some lost race, there was really only one venue for momentary escape:

    POOL PARTIES!!!!

  6. Amy Says:

    I have this version and I got it signed by Bradbury. Aw man, that was awkward. I’m embarrassed even remembering it.

  7. Danno Says:

    I had this edition as a kid and felt the cover art matched the sense of strangeness in the stories that it contained.

  8. Jessie Says:

    You know, I do believe that when we read this book in high school English, this was the copy they passed out.

  9. Smith Says:

    “Grand Master Editions” ?

    Is this published by the freemasons?

    And does that explain the giant pi symbol?

    Or is it simply one part of a set for playing Martian Mega-Croquet?

  10. Frank Says:

    I have this as the first copy I ever owned…so I like it..@Tom, heh loved that comment tho!

  11. Phil Says:

    Awww, that’s a classic cover. Look at the lovely masks, canals. It has everything. Except… What did you say his name was? Roy? Ron? Ray? Let’s be safe, and just use his surname.

    Plenty more Bradbury covers on MY website, by the way (plug plug):
    http://www.bradburymedia.co.uk

    – Phil

  12. Joachim Says:

    @Phil: I agree, this captures the vision of Mars — to canals, weird landmarks, etc — perhaps the figures and their masks looks silly, but the rest is great…

  13. A.R.Yngve Says:

    When SF writers get really, really well-known, publishers start going without the surname, just to show people they ought to know who the writer is.

    This works with names like Bradury, Asimov, Heinlein etc., because how many writers have that name? BUT it won’t work as well with writers having a common family name such as Smith, Jones, Chang, Lee, Anderson, etc.

  14. A.R.Yngve Says:

    When Martians chopped the heads off criminals, they REALLY chopped them off.

  15. Tim Says:

    I thought it was the Martian Olympics at first glance – the pole vault and the head put

  16. Phil Says:

    A.R. Vynge: in recent years, Bradbury’s publisher has noticed that his surname INCLUDES his first name, so they use a colour scheme to show this (bRAdburY). Too clever by half, and I find it a trifle irritating. Here’s an example:

    http://www.fantasticreviews.com/cats_pajamasb.jpg

    There can’t be many writers this would work for. I’m stumped trying to think of a single one.

  17. Dalton H. Says:

    I’m not ready for the picture, honey. I don’t have my face on.

  18. arch9enius Says:

    THis is a good cover. I was a little confused by the bloke covering his dignity with a spare head, but otherwise, what’s it doing here?

  19. Tom Noir Says:

    arch9enius – This site is based entirely on covers people submit! SOMEONE must have thought it was no good.

  20. The GSS Bookfinder General Says:

    Now now, I must defend myself. I do actually post covers I take too. In the words of hipster Good Show Sir – I posted here everyday before it became cool!

    Any with just a – Art Direction: and no name is taken by myself. My overall goal is to find a cover to out shine I sing the body electric. It’s proving difficult!

    The one above was included on the away on holiday automated process list! 🙂

    It’s not terrible but I know there are some avid lovers of the Bradbury here that would appreciate it!

  21. Evilcritter Says:

    This cover, by Michael Whelan, actually illustrates the story perfectly. They were the last 2 martians left, they wore masks, the landscape depicted is as described. Whelan actually reads the stories he paints the covers for, so he is usually spot on. And the story is quite sad and poignant, and I think he captures the mood well.

  22. Alessandra Kelley Says:

    I agree with evilcritter. This is a good cover, not a bad one.

  23. Tat Wood Says:

    Mars has 1/3 gravity so obviously their rugby balls go higher

  24. Dead Stuff With Big Teeth Says:

    Push him off. You know you want to.

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