Aug 12
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Kevin’s Art Direction
Creative Director: Ok, so here’s the deal.
Artist: oh boy…
CD: I want hands coming up from the fires of hell begging for tiny people, a big throne or something and possibly some random Greek god-type things laughing it up.
Artist: oh boy…
CD: The boss just saw Iron Eagle and totally dug the font on that one. OH! And he just bought a new helicopter, so if you could throw that in everything will be great.
Published 1987
Amazing find!
Many thanks to Kevin!

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Tagged with: Baen Books • C.J. Cherryh • cage • daemons • David Mattingly • dude • fire • Good Show Sir • helicopters • Heroes in Hell series • human sacrifice • Janet Morris • minotaur • muscles • once you see it • pole weapons • staff • tentacles • WTF
Aug 10
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Tommi’s Art Direction: A bunch of barely dressed devil-types in a tornado, going after the barely dressed voluptuous blonde (who probably twisted her ankle just a moment ago and has perfect hair) and a heavily muscled monk (in deranged wardrobe so you can see the muscles … oh and perfect hair).
Published 1983
Many thanks to Tommi!

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Tagged with: cleavage • daemons • damsel • dude • evil • Moewig Books • muscles • Piers Anthony • Rowena Morrill • strange creature
Aug 09
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Shelley’s Art Direction: We’re looking for a sort of lion-centaur. And a spaceship. And gore. And…could you do something with foreshortened perspective? Thanks.
Published 1977
That is… awesome.
Many thanks to Shelley!

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Tagged with: Anne McCaffrey • Centaur! • Chad Oliver • Edgar Pangborn • Gail Kimberly • Gene Wolfe • Philip José Farmer • Poul Anderson • Roger Elwood • space ships • Star Books • strange creature • Thomas N. Scortia • Unknown Artist Institute • WTF
Aug 06
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Art Direction: We’re all women here and the book is written by women. Isn’t it clear what we need to have on here? A sky of dull looking stars surrounded by silver border. Oh wait… and a woman, who’s a bit pasty looking and has a earring to make all other earrings feel inadequate.
Published 1985

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Tagged with: Beverley Ireland • damsel • Frances Gapper • Gwyneth Jones • James Tiptree • Jen Gree • Joanna Russ • Josephine Saxton • Lannah Battley • Lisa Tuttle • Margaret Elphinstone • Mary Gentle • Naomi Mitchison • Pamela Zoline • Pearlie McNeill • Penny Casdagli • Raccoona Sheldon • Sarah Lefanu • space • Sue Thomason • Tanith Lee • Unknown Artist Institute • Womens Press Science Fiction • WTF • Zoe Fairbairns
Aug 05
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Nathan Comments: Timothy Zahn has a winner with the giant spider bouncy ball, peasant Tasha Yar, and a gopher mercenary? Oh and eye straining font!
Published 2006
Could this be a first? Man-gerbil?
Many thanks to Nathan!

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Tagged with: anthropomorphism • damsel • dude • font problems • gerbil people • Jim Burns • strange creature • Timothy Zahn • Tor Books
Aug 04
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Deborah Comments: Actually I think this is quite good, apart from the woman being none of the central characters – Heris is black, Lady Cecilia’s a redhead, Bubbles is blonde. But the COLORS are a little unsubtle!
Published 1995
Click here for the previous Winning Colours cover.
Many thanks to Deborah!

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Tagged with: Baen Books • David Mattingly • Elizabeth Moon • font problems • horses • planets • space • space ships
Aug 03
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Audes Art Direction: Hey, we need dragons. What, no dragon art available ? Slap that one from the bunch we’ve licensed for cheap with the… what ? Anthropomorphic weapon-wielding lizards, yeah, nevermind that there aren’t any in the boo… Oh, and some snazzy font, you know, one of those that scream fantasy or sci-fi, whatever, make it bright and bold.
Published 1992
Many thanks to Aude!

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Tagged with: anthropomorphism • bladed weapons • crossbow • dinosaur people • Earthsea Series • Ken Barr • pole weapons • scythe • strange creature • trident • unknown publisher • Ursula K. Le Guin
Aug 02
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Jessie Comments: I really don’t know what to say about this, but I recommend noticing not only the shag carpet flames but also the subtle nuances of how the model’s head is too small for her body, which is wearing a very modern pair of socks.
Published 1985
Many thanks to Jessie!

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Tagged with: bladed weapons • damsel • Diane Duane • font problems • magic • once you see it • portal to another world • sky-eyes • Susan S. Collins • Tor Books
Jul 30
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GK’s Art Direction: I need this cover by 5 o’clock! Just go out and take a picture of something!
Published 1969
AHHH! Kill it! Kill it!
Many thanks to GK!

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Tagged with: Ace Books • Barry N. Malzberg • bird people • Gray Morrow • John T. Phillifent • K.M. O'Donnell • Kelly Freas • Panos Koutrouboussis • strange creature • uniforms • WTF
Jul 29
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Tom Noir’s Art Direction: Okay, this is a Celtic fantasy, so obviously we want a buff surfer dude who is spaced out of his gourd. What? I dunno, put him in a kilt or something. You figure it out, that’s what you’re paid for isn’t it? Anyhow, magic it up. Slap a shiny silver border on with the author’s name in a clashing red font to distract suspicious readers. Anyhoo, I gotta jet, it’s 4:20.
Published 1993
Many thanks to Tom!

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Tagged with: Avonova Books • beard-wielding • bracers • crystal • Daniel Horne • dude • font problems • male skirts • merlin • mullet • muscles • once you see it • scrolls • Song of Albion series • Stephen R. Lawhead • tattoo you • tidal wave • Wizaaaaaaaard!
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