Good Show Sir

Click for full image

Sarah Comments: This cover raises a lot of questions. Are those pointed shoes? What’s up with his hands? Do all “galactic Machiavellis” keep the souls of deceased dinosaurs in their cloaks? Why does he look as though a slight breeze would knock him over?
Published 1973

Leggings and a dinner suit. Good look!
Many thanks to Sarah!

(Average: 8.00 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Rose Comments: Let’s see what you have here. We asked for a road…yes, well done. And some people in elf suits. And a really big, really stupid–oh…wow…
Published 1979

Another Heinlein, what fun!
Many thanks to Rose!

(Average: 6.90 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Liz’s Art Direction: Draw some buxom witch types in tight revealing outfits having a tea party. Throw in a weird muscle bound werewolf creature for good measure and have them all sit / stand around drinking tea out of some china cups. That should do it. Everyone reads these for the stories anyway.
Published 2009

Thanks to Liz and Simon who both sent this in!

(Average: 6.30 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Art Direction: I know what attracts teenagers, strange insect women showing their money makers and other parts. But draw it as if you had just taken LSD… you already have? Excellent!
Published 1979 (maybe)

(Average: 8.22 out of 10)

Loading...

Click for full image

Rod Comments: Nothing defines fratricide better than man taking on giant praying mantis. Or this that tiny man, regular bug? Either way, it’s a gas, gas, gas …
Published 1979

Many thanks to Rod!

(Average: 8.55 out of 10)

Loading...

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...