Good Show Sir

Click for full image

Don’s Art Direction: This is a humorous novel about an interstellar diplomat. He’s suave, he’s debonair, and everything in the book’s played for laughs. So we want a horrific tentacle-headed, four-eyed, jelly-legged alien leaping at him with a spear. And we can’t afford the tux rental, so just use whatever your model’s wearing when he comes over from his rehearsal of A CHORUS LINE. But add some muscles! Retief is a two-fisted guy, no doubt with mighty thews! We don’t know what “thews” are, actually, but we’ll know ’em when we see ’em and by God he better have ’em! THEWS!
Published 1983

So it’s comedy. But it’s not a joke on the genre. That’s ok right?
Awesome! Thanks the Don!

(Average: 6.70 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Borkworm Bas Comments: This is a pretty early Heinlein cover which I quite like. Heinlein has fairly precise descriptions of the characters in the book including Oscar, the spacesuit. These descriptions are as faithfully depicted as possible by Steele Savage who obviously read the book or at least the descriptions. The plot is a bit strained but the relationship between a boy and his space suit is choice.
Published 1958

Gah! More floating heads!
Many thanks to Bookworm!

(Average: 6.49 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Shira Comments: My partner discovered this book at the Friends of the Library Book Sale in Ithaca, NY. With my love of mushrooms and her love of cheesy sci-fi, we had to have it, of course!
Published 1973

A brilliant picture out in the wild!
Many thanks to Shira!

(Average: 8.58 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Art Direction: We all know from popular science fiction when one is stranded on a planet we loose clothing. It always ends up with a women in a mere bikini watching a man in a spear fight with some sort of daemon creature. Always! So draw it kinda like Robinson Crusoe… except with more breasts. And aliens.
Published 1983

Thanks to the Legend Dave R!

(Average: 6.68 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Richard Comments: I recently bought some books from the wonderful (and charming) Gwyneth Jones. Gwyneth’s site you should have a look; she gives the money less p&p to Amnesty and her books are tremendous. She signed the book with the message requested, but had also written notes about the cover art. In this one, “This delicious cover is my own fault, I talked to the artist. Never do that!” Not entirely sure what’s going on, though – it seems that Ben Affleck has really pissed off that woman.
Published 1997

First floating heads, now full bodies!
Many thanks to Richard!

(Average: 7.83 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Jessie Comments: The marks to the left of the floating cat head are my fault – they’re scratches from when i was ripping off the $1 used book price tag.
Published 1978

I think the scratches are the least of this covers problems!
Many thanks to Jessie!

(Average: 6.32 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Don Comments: May the blessings of Saint Rubik be upon you.
John Melo for Baen Books, 1988

Heinlein Mondays? Might have to be.
Many thanks to Don!

(Average: 6.36 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Sarah’s Art Direction: Look, I know it’s 4:30 on a Friday, but surely you can come up with something.

Tag Wizard: The whole GSS staff is away on a team-building seminar this week. Trust falls and all that. Enjoy a GSS Retrospective until we return!

(Average: 6.92 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image
(To The Stars: Homeworld)

Javier’s Art Direction: How about a slightly hunched, skinny, pasty white guy with a furry mustache and a laser gun that goes beep standing in front of an orange city?

Click for full image
(To The Stars: Wheelworld)

Click for full image
(To The Stars: Starworld)

Suspiciously good “photos”… Excellent though!
Many thanks to Javier!

(Average: 7.73 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Lauren Comments: The colors on this are just so awful. And spike heels? But at least she’s not in a fur bikini. Although he appears to be having some wardrobe malfunction with his shirt.

At least he doesn’t have a mullet!
Thanks to Lauren!

(Average: 5.09 out of 10)

Loading...