“Robert E. Vardeman And Geo. W. Proctor” is quite a long name for a bestselling author. Or is that the name of the Cenotaph Road Series, and is the author actually “For Crown And Kingdom”?
I’m being silly, of course. Just trying to work out why the guys are in (something resembling) period costume, while she’s dressed like a disco queen.
Also, if this is the sixth book, can it still be a new series?
god they look more like rejects from Adam & the Ants than adventuring heroes. Their idea of practical battle armour is to wear sturdy leather around the waist, and silks everywhere else?!
Hey, it’s my first Dungeons and Dragons adventuring party!l
The dudes aren’t any more period-dressed than the chick. They’re all wearing big leather corset-belts over generic tight pants and loose shirts. And check out the guy on the right. That’s either a turtleneck or an ascot tie, and he gets weirdly willowy and anatomy-free from the waist down.
Those swords are really thin and fragile-looking. They probably shouldn’t be grabbing the blades like that. And speaking of thin and fragile-looking, what’s with that tiny, thin little haft on the great big axe which is either hanging awkwardly on or leaning precariously against the guy on the left?
The way that guy is carrying that axe can never end in anything but tears! He’s going to bend down to tie his shoelaces and something is going to get cut off!
(Actually I could not believe that this was actually online — my husband (then boyfriend) wrote up an indie roleplaying system in college in 1987 and I did the illustrations — and somebody out there has heard of it!
The game system was way better than my illustrations.)
@Dead Stuff: they’re meant to be flying over a fantasyish cityscape. I had a great deal of artistic ambition when I was young, but not so much training or common sense.
For instance, the reason the reproduction is so faint is I drew the images in ballpoint pen. Seriously.
Very thoughtful on behalf of the artist to paint a glove on their left hands. Because it looks like those guys have no idea what to do with a sword, and things would end up in a disaster.
Too bad he couldn’t think of something to do about the free-standing axe. Hmm, maybe that’s the reason they have no feet, actually.
Bearded Guy: Hey Ed, she’s doing it again.
Ed: Just don’t pay attention to her and maybe she’ll stop.
Girl: When are these guys gonna comment on my new blue top!
I can’t tell if Big Red has a shiny lower lip or some serious overbite issues. At any rate, I wish I had forearms like like that. And I just realized that she’s standing in that ridiculous pose because the giant axe is biting into her left hip. This cover, and this thread, are luxuriant to wallow in, what a beautiful waste of time! Thanks, GSS!!
Smart tactics fighting with the rising sun at your back. This cover wasn’t a total waste of ink, imparting martial wisdom which someday may save your life.
@fred—Not sure but I think that may be a setting sun. Not nearly the same tactical value on the battlefield.
“Have at them!”
“Who?”
“The enemy. Have at them.”
“Where are they? It’s getting dark!”
“Check out my boobs then.”
“Where are they? It’s getting dark, and that’s my bad eye side.”
I’m worried about Big Red’s arms and maybe his chest. I read a story on the BBC today about a dachshund who inflated itself to giant size, and I think the same may have happened to him.
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:37 am
“Robert E. Vardeman And Geo. W. Proctor” is quite a long name for a bestselling author. Or is that the name of the Cenotaph Road Series, and is the author actually “For Crown And Kingdom”?
I’m being silly, of course. Just trying to work out why the guys are in (something resembling) period costume, while she’s dressed like a disco queen.
Also, if this is the sixth book, can it still be a new series?
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:50 am
god they look more like rejects from Adam & the Ants than adventuring heroes. Their idea of practical battle armour is to wear sturdy leather around the waist, and silks everywhere else?!
June 22nd, 2012 at 10:30 am
“For Crown and Kingdom: The New Album from Lita Ford!”
June 22nd, 2012 at 11:36 am
Hey, it’s my first Dungeons and Dragons adventuring party!l
The dudes aren’t any more period-dressed than the chick. They’re all wearing big leather corset-belts over generic tight pants and loose shirts. And check out the guy on the right. That’s either a turtleneck or an ascot tie, and he gets weirdly willowy and anatomy-free from the waist down.
Those swords are really thin and fragile-looking. They probably shouldn’t be grabbing the blades like that. And speaking of thin and fragile-looking, what’s with that tiny, thin little haft on the great big axe which is either hanging awkwardly on or leaning precariously against the guy on the left?
June 22nd, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Dude on the left is ticked off because everyone got a sword but him.
June 22nd, 2012 at 12:14 pm
One-eyed beardy bloke is saying, “Watch what you’re doing with that sword, you could have someone ELSE’s eye out!”
June 22nd, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Those costumes look a lot like they’ve been randomly assembled out of cast-offs, don’t they?
June 22nd, 2012 at 2:46 pm
I originally read the title as “For CLOWN and Kingdom.”
It would have been more accurate that way.
June 22nd, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Two out of three adventurers in the Kingdom have learned proper sword etiquette at…
BOB AND GEO’S FUNTIME SWORD ACADEMY!
Located just minutes away in downtown Raemllyn, past the arch and next to Walls ‘R’ We. BYO superfluous upper arm wrap and get £5 your first hour!
June 22nd, 2012 at 3:39 pm
The way that guy is carrying that axe can never end in anything but tears! He’s going to bend down to tie his shoelaces and something is going to get cut off!
June 22nd, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Just glancing at this cover tells me the series should have been titled Belts of Raemllyn.
June 22nd, 2012 at 4:39 pm
In the interests of fairness, here is the same sort of silliness from yours truly — yes, ME, at the same time this book was being published.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizhenry/3175744207/
(Actually I could not believe that this was actually online — my husband (then boyfriend) wrote up an indie roleplaying system in college in 1987 and I did the illustrations — and somebody out there has heard of it!
The game system was way better than my illustrations.)
June 22nd, 2012 at 6:05 pm
@Alessandra: It’s OK, but needs more studded leather.
June 23rd, 2012 at 4:15 am
There’s kind of something for everyone in this trio
June 23rd, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@Alessandra: it’s hard to tell from the picture. Is the trio flying, or are they all quite, quite tall?
June 23rd, 2012 at 12:46 pm
@Dead Stuff: they’re meant to be flying over a fantasyish cityscape. I had a great deal of artistic ambition when I was young, but not so much training or common sense.
For instance, the reason the reproduction is so faint is I drew the images in ballpoint pen. Seriously.
June 23rd, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Maybe they’re all wearing those belts cos they’ve got bad backs.
Or they’re at a fancy dress weightlifter’s party.
June 23rd, 2012 at 4:10 pm
‘By day, she was a mild mannered office worker, but when called upon to fight Fantasy Crime she became … DISLOCATED LEFT-SHOULDER GIRL!’
June 24th, 2012 at 1:03 am
Neither of the sword-wielders is wearing a scabbard, so I guess they must just use them as walking sticks between fights?
I note the use of a glove on the left hand, so that the sword blade can be held for double-duty to block a blow.
As for the unfeasibly large axe – – –
No, I’m sorry, its all carp. Carp, I say. Deep-fried.
June 24th, 2012 at 3:52 am
It’s all fun and games until somebody loses an eye…
June 24th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
One hot chick with boobs on show and…the chick’s showing some cleavage, too.
June 24th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
This cover is comedy gold — the puns are great! 😀
June 24th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
So THAT is what became of Baby Spice’s career.
June 24th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Come on, Vogue!
Let your rapiers move to the music!…
June 24th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Not to be a nitpicker here… but if it’s the *sixth* volume, then it’s hardly the “new” fantasy series is it?
June 24th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
And if someone’s already pointed that out, then it’s hardly a “new” comment is it?
June 24th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
One amazing feat is how the editor managed to cram in all that text on the cover without actually telling you ANYTHING ABOUT ITS CONTENT.
June 25th, 2012 at 9:59 am
Very thoughtful on behalf of the artist to paint a glove on their left hands. Because it looks like those guys have no idea what to do with a sword, and things would end up in a disaster.
Too bad he couldn’t think of something to do about the free-standing axe. Hmm, maybe that’s the reason they have no feet, actually.
June 26th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Polo Pony Ascot Boy looks positively constipated. This is a cover that says, “Barely covered naughty bits sell books!”
July 19th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Bearded Guy: Hey Ed, she’s doing it again.
Ed: Just don’t pay attention to her and maybe she’ll stop.
Girl: When are these guys gonna comment on my new blue top!
October 21st, 2013 at 10:29 pm
I’d forgotten about this one. It’s Pirate Jazzercise!
October 22nd, 2013 at 9:41 am
Quite possibly because I’m certifiably illiterate, but I was sure this was part of the “Pirates of Fraemllyn” series.
I’m OK with them being Welsh.
March 28th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
“How much for this sword, ladies and gentlemen? Do I hear 200?”
May 19th, 2015 at 10:12 pm
There are some FRIGHTFUL kerning issues with ‘Vardeman’ and…er…the entire title.
@TW: Since that’s probably Lijena Farleigh (holding Kwerin Bloodhawk), I’m thinking you might be half right. But, if those are Prince Felrad and Zarek Yannis, could the others be Mediterranean?
May 20th, 2015 at 7:56 am
They seem to be a tad late. The kingdom is already in ruins.
June 1st, 2018 at 4:58 am
None of these people would be able to run without embarrassment or acute injury,. Possibly both.
June 1st, 2018 at 12:29 pm
If they aren’t collectively dressed in the colors of the battle standard of Raemllyn I’ll eat one of those belts.
June 1st, 2018 at 12:47 pm
All-Mighty Cheese!
June 1st, 2018 at 1:28 pm
We call ourselves “The Gay Blades”!
June 1st, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Ah, the 80s.
June 1st, 2018 at 3:36 pm
I want to open a bar that has murals like this painted all over the walls.
June 1st, 2018 at 3:57 pm
I can’t tell if Big Red has a shiny lower lip or some serious overbite issues. At any rate, I wish I had forearms like like that. And I just realized that she’s standing in that ridiculous pose because the giant axe is biting into her left hip. This cover, and this thread, are luxuriant to wallow in, what a beautiful waste of time! Thanks, GSS!!
June 1st, 2018 at 4:18 pm
I’m going to assume those are spare teat shields hanging from her belt for when it’s too hot to wear that disco shirt.
June 1st, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Smart tactics fighting with the rising sun at your back. This cover wasn’t a total waste of ink, imparting martial wisdom which someday may save your life.
June 1st, 2018 at 8:27 pm
@fred—Not sure but I think that may be a setting sun. Not nearly the same tactical value on the battlefield.
“Have at them!”
“Who?”
“The enemy. Have at them.”
“Where are they? It’s getting dark!”
“Check out my boobs then.”
“Where are they? It’s getting dark, and that’s my bad eye side.”
June 2nd, 2018 at 12:19 am
I’m worried about Big Red’s arms and maybe his chest. I read a story on the BBC today about a dachshund who inflated itself to giant size, and I think the same may have happened to him.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-44317812
Maybe the pointy bit on the axe will deflate him.