Good Show Sir

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David J’s Art Direction: These cat people are so pass. Let’s try a hyena man. But they are dangerous, so let’s cover our bodies with armour. Except for the thighs. They never go for the thighs. Add in a laser that looks like you have an estate agent measuring your loft and you have 1980s sci-fi heaven.
Published 1980

You might remember The Battle of Forever from here!

(Average: 6.85 out of 10)

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Clairepie Comments: There is a blue boobed lady on the front, that’s how you know it’s good Sci Fi!
Published 1977

(Average: 6.26 out of 10)

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Art Direction: A lizard… with a codpiece… fighting in World War 2 may seem like a crazy idea. But just put him in a work out vest and give him a laser gun. It will all work itself out!
Published 1995

(Average: 7.25 out of 10)

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Art Direction: Journey to the centre… AND stop there. Copyright avoided! Win!
Published 1989

(Average: 6.52 out of 10)

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Art Direction: Look Moorcock’s covers are always strange. It’s like previous publishers took a handful of amphetamines before putting them to market. All we need is a big 80’s girls head floating in lots of clouds and some people on horses riding into war. No one will suspect any type of solvent abuse… well… until they read the thing!
Published 1987

(Average: 5.59 out of 10)

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Art Direction: I don’t know how you did it when you worked for others but here at New English Library, we go out and get drunk. Then take LSD. Then run around the countryside for a good weekend continually engaging in any type of physical fulfillment we can find. Whatever you’ve drawn by the end we’ll shove on some cover.
Published 1978

(Average: 7.17 out of 10)

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Well it’s quickly coming to the end of the summer and we are graced with a final bank holiday weekend, for some of us anyway. That means one thing, honourable mentions! It’s fun times again!

These mentions are special because they aren’t actually sci-fi or fantasy proving that strange and wonderful covers can make their way into other genres.

Thanks to everyone who visits the site! We do love sharing these wonderful books. Enjoy your long weekend, or your normal short one if you have to work on Monday!

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Rod Comments: Ooh yeah, sexy nukes …

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Tom Comments: This book is neither fantasy nor sci-fi, but it still deserves submission for it’s title alone. It was so arresting that I snapped this pic when I spotted the book at my aunt’s house in 2004, long before Good Show Sir was extant! I feel that it must take at the very least a good deal of metrosexual courage to wear that jaunty red cap.

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Good Show Sir Comments: We found this one in a second hand book shop. Not sure what killed the rat but at least he’s getting a patriotic funeral.

(Average: 8.07 out of 10)

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Bookworm Bas Comments: I prefer the other ‘The Star Beast’ cover. Aside from the background and the questionable suit coloring at least the artist got the lummox roughly right; on the other hand maybe it is better to have the reader use thier own imagination.
Published 1971

Many thanks to Bookworm!

(Average: 7.92 out of 10)

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Rod Comments: Killer crabs. Look, there’s a picture too. Surely this spares us having to read the shity thing?
Published 1978

I have a cream for that…. I’ll get my coat.
Many thanks to Rod!

(Average: 5.64 out of 10)

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Think of your target audience, 15 year old boys and 39 year old single males still living with their parents. So that would be, a women with an unimaginable rack walks in space across….liquid alien gooey stuff….and then just throw in a red computer grid and some flying male/female symbols. Sorted! We’ve pretty much got a winner!

Thanks to Mairi! 🙂

(Average: 7.30 out of 10)

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