Good Show Sir

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Tom Noir’s Art Direction: I want a cover that depicts the author’s existential angst and self-loathing. Just kidding! Draw a naked broad with big gazongas on it and call it a day. Ooh, and maybe have a bird squawking at her.
Published 1993

(Average: 6.31 out of 10)

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Claire’s Art Direction: Hum, riders on the wind. Well obviously lots of wind in a pretty colour, and a rider – I know, a naked chick with body tats. Throw in some standard fantasy stuff, like a castle and a wizard dude et voila!
Published 1988

(Average: 4.59 out of 10)

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Marcus’ Art Direction: Fredric Brown mostly wrote short stories with twist endings. So let’s have a twist ending to the cover! But, at the same time, semi-naked women sell books. So we should have one of them. Not too big, though, we want lots of nice black space around.
Published 1980

(Average: 7.39 out of 10)

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Corey Comments: A naked woman on fire. Thanks Orson Scott Card.
Published 1979

(Average: 7.60 out of 10)

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Joachim Comments: If catwoman actually had ears, a tail, and pink and yellow striped skin and walked around naked…
Published 1976

(Average: 7.11 out of 10)

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Happy New Year!

Well another year is here, I am just about over my hang over and of course back in work! So it’s time to start again and see what exciting covers we can find to brighten our days. Last year didn’t see a cover which had the power to beat, I Sing the Body Electric. But maybe this year… maybe…

Thanks to everyone who has sent in covers and comments! You all bring such entertainment to our lives. And of course thank you to all those amazing publishers, without you and your art direction where would Good Show Sir be?

Last year was very exciting now that I think about it. And my quest for terrible Sci-Fi/fantasy book covers also led to the best conversation ever in a second hand book store.

Shop Assistant: Wow.. that cover is so bad!!!
Me: Yeah isn’t it? That’s kinda why I am buying it actually.
Shop Assistant: Really? Awesome. You should start some sort of website to show covers like these.
Me: I have…
Shop Assistant: ……
And nothing more was said. Here is the book I bought.

The top rated cover of the year:

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A Personal Favourite:

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CSA Chooses dragon crotch!

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And of course, how could we not mention the cover that started a censoring legend:

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(Average: 8.00 out of 10)

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Well it has come to that time of year again when we at Good Show Sir need to take a break to steal Christmas presents from children, eat an insane amount of other peoples food and of course, get stinking drunk and rant about book covers!

Not to worry though, we’ll be back first thing in the new year with a round up of the best of 2011’s covers!

Here we have some fantastic Hungarian covers sent in by Gabor and River, about 9 months ago! I appologise for keeping them hidden for so long but here they are, all six of them!

Have a great holiday! And again thanks to everyone who visits the site and all the specials ones who leave comments which brighten our days with witty banter!

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(Average: 7.96 out of 10)

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Jaouad’s Art Direction: Ok, this book is about a brain in a jar, so we’ll have a big glowing brain in a jar. With some wires and electrical discharges please, so the audience knows it’s Science. And give it evil eyesockets while you’re at it. An infinity parking lot in the background. A scientist chap. Oh, and a girl, of course. A girl in a frilly dress. With cleavage. And nailpolish.
Published 1950

(Average: 5.58 out of 10)

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Scott Comments: Elven stripper riding a giant flying owl-cat steed! Or, tiny Elven stripper riding a normal-sized owl-cat steed? Either way, that’s one terrifying/terrified owl-cat.
Published 1983

(Average: 7.67 out of 10)

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Elijah Comments: When you think Omnipotent Star-Being that has ascended to the highest level of consciousness, what do you see? Spandex.
Published 1992

(Average: 6.28 out of 10)

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