I have a fascination with the cover art of fantasy and science fiction novels from decades past, particularly the 1960s and '70s, which are, to my mind, a Golden Age for the medium. Relatedly, I also have a keen interest in alternate covers, such as those produced for publication in other markets. In some cases, the alternate versions are better than the originals, while in others they're much worse. A good example of both is M.A.R. Barker's first novel of Tékumel, The Man of Gold, whose original cover was painted by the incomparable Michael Whelan.
Like most of Whelan's work, it's a gorgeous piece of work. Unfortunately, it has almost nothing to do with the content of the novel itself. Interestingly, when the novel was released in the United Kingdom, it featured a completely different cover.
This cover is only slightly more accurate. Its version of the titular Man of God is at least gives a better impression of its true nature, even if the details aren't spot on. That's much more than can be said of the German cover art.
Whatever flaws Whelan's cover had, it was at least attractive. This illustration not only depicts nothing in the novel, it's also quite unattractive. On the plus side, I find the German title amusing.
Do you have any examples of alternate covers you find similarly interesting (or baffling)?
The German cover art appears to be borrowed from the American paperback (and I think hardback) printing of The War Hound and the World's Pain by Michael Moorcock.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite fascinating. I know it's not unusual for cover art to get re-purposed, but I did not know this particular piece of information.
DeleteAnother odd coincidence that I just noticed: the German version was published by Goldmann!
DeleteI think that the Whelan cover - the background action at least - is supposed to show Harsan's dream. It's a minor part of the story but makes the Man of Gold seen rather more physically dramatic than the reality.
ReplyDeleteGood point! I'd forgotten that.
DeleteThat was my thought when I read the book as well. It's taking some liberties with the dream-scene but Whelan's art does draw the eye - and for Tekumel fans, the moment you twig to the author's name that's a guaranteed sale. The cover art is there for all the other people who might never have heard of EPT.
DeleteI remember being surprised when I first saw the US covers of Terry Pratchett's books. Why one would drop Josh Kirby's paintings in favour of dodgy abstract 90's cgi, I will never understand.
ReplyDeleteThe original US printings of the first few Discworld books kept the Josh Kirby covers. I cannot account for the lapse in taste thereafter.
DeleteI just wish I had a non-Mass Market version!
ReplyDeleteUp until the end of the 80s UK SF publishers generally bought art in large consignments and then parcelled out what they had to the various books they were publishing. If they had something that matched, well and good. If it was near the end of the pile, you got what you got. Panther was particularly bad for this and for a while every book they published had a Chris Foss spaceship whether it had spaceships, or even if it was a fantasy.
ReplyDeleteA lot of them used abstract art or no artwork as a result. It was generally assumed that SF/F was a specialist trade where the customers were generally familiar with the product.
There were exceptions, but generally art wasn't commissioned for specific books.
My favourite covers are the one that shows the art director hasn't even glanced at the book, such as the initial publication of Nivens' Burning Tower (either UK or US, can't remember) having a picture of a burning tower on the cover (Burning Tower was in fact the name of a character in the book).
I remember the day I found the US edition on the shelves at Waldenbooks. They'd only ordered three copies, so i bought mine, went down to the mall pay phones and called two friends who'd played EPT with me to make sure they wanted it, then went back and bought them each a copy before the store sold out. The fourth and fifth guys in the group still haven't forgiven me for going in alphabetical order while making my calls. :)
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