| Author |
Topic:
Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
Lord_Hydronium
Registered:
Jun '02
|
Date Posted:
2/22 9:30pm
Subject:
Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
- Date Edited:
2/22 10:00pm (3 edits total)
Edited By:
Lord_Hydronium
|
Let's talk about covers. Good covers, bad covers, cover styles you like, cover artists you want back, and those you don't. Del Rey or Bantam covers? Photomontage, hand-illustrated, Jason Felixized? Let's keep this from being just a "favorite covers" thing.
Japanese covers are great resources for canon images of things, but I don't particularly care for them as covers. They're far too busy, covered with a rather arbitrary collage of images, which though nice for Wookieepedia, doesn't work for me aesthetically.
My favorite EU covers are the simple ones, that convey either a single image, or have enough of a focus or coherency to them that they work as a single image. Let's start off with one of my favorites:
Simple and effective. The handshake is the central part of the image here, and carries the main focus of the novel, but the headshots actually fit alongside it and complement it. There's a "Big Three adventure" vibe that it gives off, a nice way of segueing from the movies. Nice choice of Han image too. Of course, for the most recent paperback release they decided that no good image could go unpunished, airbrushed out the focus of the cover, and slapped on some pointless text. Marketing. 
Of course, per the title of the thread, book covers and the quality of their contents don't go hand in hand. The much-maligned Glove of Darth Vader series has some pretty good covers to go with it. Yes, that glove has whales swimming out from behind it. But tell me if you were a kid and you saw that in the store that you wouldn't want it. Or hell, an adult; picture LOTF with covers that dynamic. And it makes Trioculus actually look like a pretty decent villain.
Both of those are montages, though they work because they have that unifying aspect to them. The JAT is a case where I don't think the montage aspect works. It's just a bunch of images; here's Daala, here's Luke, here's some other stuff. I've seen that in the store, and there's pretty much nothing to catch my eye about it. It's just...there.
On the flip side are single-image covers that do work. I love the cover of Outbound Flight:
Because it says all it needs to. There's a sense of a big spaceship heading into the unknown, which is...pretty much what the story is about. Good colors too. I'll break from the norm in saying that I also like the Betrayal cover.
Good colors, good composition, and I actually feel that Jacen looks a lot more Jacen-y in the large version of the image than my first impression of it.
So let's hear your thoughts on covers. Do you like a particular style or artist best? How do you feel about the photomontages of the NJO or the single-character covers of LOTF? Do you think that Del Rey (or whoever has the next contract) should go in a particular direction in the future?
Random final cover-related note: I never noticed until a few months ago that Dark Journey and Traitor mirror each other. Not too fond of the covers as a whole, but it's a neat touch.
-----signature-----
Great midis have little midis
Swimming round inside 'em
And little midis have lesser midis
And so ad infinitum.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Thanos6
Registered:
Apr '99
|
Date Posted:
2/22 9:49pm
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
|
My favorites have always been HTTE (love the Force Laserbeams from C'baoth), TAB, the second Han Solo trilogy, and VOTF.
-----signature-----
New Spoiler Policy--TFN's All Time 2nd Dumbest Rule
Jag/Zekk shipper...yes, seriously
Anakin Skywalker-- not redeemed
In my canon, EU trumps the prequels...
And GL has no control over SW anymore
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
GrandAdmiralJello
Title:
Emperor
• EUC
• JCC
Registered:
Nov '00
|
Date Posted:
2/22 9:56pm
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
I read the paperback of TaB way back when, and it had the handshake version of the cover. In fact, I didn't see that other version of the cover until years later.
One thing that always bugged me about the TaB cover was the stuff on Leia's (I'll assume that's her) arm. What is that?
-----signature-----
Roma Æterna|SPQR  Imperium Sine Fine "Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque" -Ennius, Annales "Tu regere imperio populos, Romanæ, memento;hæ tibi erunt artes; pascisque imponere morem, parcere subjectis et debellare superbos" -Virgil, Aeneid
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Thanos6
Registered:
Apr '99
|
Date Posted:
2/22 9:57pm
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
|
I think there's a mention of it in the book as a special Alderaanian bracelet or something.
-----signature-----
New Spoiler Policy--TFN's All Time 2nd Dumbest Rule
Jag/Zekk shipper...yes, seriously
Anakin Skywalker-- not redeemed
In my canon, EU trumps the prequels...
And GL has no control over SW anymore
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
GrandAdmiralJello
Title:
Emperor
• EUC
• JCC
Registered:
Nov '00
|
Date Posted:
2/22 10:21pm
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
Someone showed me a passage that said she got it from the Ewoks. Either way, it's apparently right in the book.
I lose. 
-----signature-----
Roma Æterna|SPQR Imperium Sine Fine "Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque" -Ennius, Annales "Tu regere imperio populos, Romanæ, memento;hæ tibi erunt artes; pascisque imponere morem, parcere subjectis et debellare superbos" -Virgil, Aeneid
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
SuperWatto
Registered:
Sep '00
|
Date Posted:
2/23 1:53am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
Hydro posted:
Nice choice of Han image too.
I don't like it at all when they use film frames for covers! I think it's lazy and kitschy.
One of my all-time faves is the Art Of AOTC cover.
-----signature-----
TRACK THAT TRACK http://trackthattrack.blogspot.com frustrating you with sound
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Lord_Hydronium
Registered:
Jun '02
|
Date Posted:
2/23 2:54am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
- Date Edited:
2/23 3:22am (5 edits total)
Edited By:
Lord_Hydronium
|
SuperWatto posted:
I don't like it at all when they use film frames for covers! I think it's lazy and kitschy.
Sometimes I'd agree (for example, I hate the Dark Nest covers), but given TaB's close chronological tie to the movies I think it works really nicely here as a way of hearkening back to them.
Speaking of Han images, and going back on my comment about the Japanese covers, I really like the Japanese version of Hero's Trial.
The right side, at least. Which, if I'm not mistaken on my kanji and Japanese reading order, is the back cover.  The other half suffers from random images of Wookiees (I know they're in the book, but the cover?) and an oddly Japanese Luke. But the right is simple and focuses on a good, original image of Han. The American cover actually has the same three characters, though it looks a lot less interesting with all of them side by side.
-----signature-----
Great midis have little midis
Swimming round inside 'em
And little midis have lesser midis
And so ad infinitum.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
LtNOWIS
Registered:
May '05
|
Date Posted:
2/23 3:24am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
I always thought the Japanese cover to the Art of Episode II: Attack of the Clones was very nice. While it isn't exactly beautiful, it's very unique and pure:
-----signature-----
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
patchworkz7
Registered:
Mar '04
|
Date Posted:
2/23 5:35am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
|
I really like the RC: True Colors cover as being thankfully NOT taking right from game artwork, looking loads better than the photoshopped garbage that has graced recent novels, and feeling fitting to the story.
-----signature-----
Original Fiction & essays "Does God Limp?" in HOUSE UNAUTHORIZED http://www.smartpopbooks.com/allbooks/2007.html#house "All Her Suicides" appears in: Vestal Review #31 Winter Issue On Sale Now
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
ThrawnRocks
Registered:
Apr '04
|
Date Posted:
2/23 9:04am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
I thought the cover was concept art for the game or something. Anyway, I agree that it is a good cover.
Lord_Hydronium posted:
Speaking of Han images, and going back on my comment about the Japanese covers, I really like the Japanese version of Hero's Trial.
The right side, at least. Which, if I'm not mistaken on my kanji and Japanese reading order, is the back cover. The other half suffers from random images of Wookiees (I know they're in the book, but the cover?) and an oddly Japanese Luke. But the right is simple and focuses on a good, original image of Han. The American cover actually has the same three characters, though it looks a lot less interesting with all of them side by side.
That's not the back cover, it's the cover of the second book. In Japan they split Star Wars novels into two books. The picture on the left is the cover of the first book (what would be the first half of the book in America), and the second picture is the cover of the second book (the last half of the book in America). Though I think they actually split SbS into four books.
-----signature-----
My Icons: http://www.powow.com/thrawnrocks/icons.html  Impeach President Bush Roan Fel's badassery knows no bounds. "The next Allston book should be all Syal and Myri, all the time." - Jello
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Corran_Fett
Registered:
Jan '05
|
Date Posted:
2/23 9:40am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
ThrawnRocks posted:
I thought the cover was concept art for the game or something. Anyway, I agree that it is a good cover.
It was based on a very rough game concept art, yes. But the cover itself is completely redrawn, with different proportions on the RC armor, and of course a background that fits the setting of the book.
 
Gotta agree with patchworkz7, one of the coolest covers, indeed. Mainly because I love green, and green and orange/red work really great together. 
-----signature-----
The other side of the NJO, featuring Mandalorians, Vong, and Peace Brigaders in a thrillride full of betrayal and intrigue... When Few Stood Against Many | http://boards.theforce.net/b/b10477/25253415/ - http://corranfett.deviantart.com -
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
King_of_Red_Lions
Registered:
Mar '03
|
Date Posted:
2/23 9:44am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
I believe the True Colors cover is one of the best in a long time. It evokes feelings of sadness in me.
One of my favorites is the cover of Force Heretic I: Remnant. The inexactness of the characters and blending of backgrounds, plus the spotlight makes it feal impressionistic.
An upcoming cover that has potential to be a favorite is the first Coruscant Nights novel. It's pulpy.
-----signature-----
Who is John Galt?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Havac
Title: Lit Mod of War
Registered:
Sep '05
|
Date Posted:
2/23 8:55pm
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
I like the Japanese covers as image resources. In fact, I love them. As covers? Sorry, I don't need fifty character headshots on the cover to make me want to buy it. As covers, I detest them. I like the American NJO ones much better as covers. The hardcover ones are chaotic, but they just work for me. The bad-CGI Agents of Chaos covers are probably some of the worst covers ever for Star Wars, however. I like the simplicity of the one-character LOTF covers. I just wish that the art were higher-caliber on several of them. Betrayal's composition is neat, but its depiction of Jacen is lacking. Bloodlines and Tempest both look great; Exile just looks a little artificial. Sacrifice is good technically; it's just the age depiction that's off. Inferno and Fury are good, but then we're back to the problematic Jacen. Invincible I like, though.
And sign me up for liking the Outbound Flight cover. It's a got a nice simplicity. One of my all-time favorites, though, is Specter of the Past.
That's just cool. Struzan has great skill. The only thing that makes me not wild about him is his inability to age the characters (likely a symptom of his overdependence on film stills) and the fact that every single one of his covers looks like a movie poster with a character montage. Yeah, it's not a bad style, but when it's just about every Bantam cover, it gets tired. I like variety on my bookshelf.
-----signature-----
"Have you not yet learned, Executor, that everything I tell you is the truth?" - Vergere
Recipient of Thrawn McEwok's Sexually Ambiguous Tusken Raider™ and a Special Golden Ewok™
"Reality doesn't care if you believe it." - Boba Fett
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Trip
Registered:
Dec '03
|
Date Posted:
2/23 10:46pm
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
Less is more: the loltiff covers are actually ideal, in concept. It's a pity the art isn't better.
So far as covers go, I gotta give Dark Horse props for the Clone Wars covers, although again I wish the character depictions were a bit better on some of the later ones. I'm glad to see they continued the trend for the Omnibuses-- those are nice designs, too. XW Vol. 3 is, of course, the best so far.
As far as books go, I feel they're for the most part far too busy... the only ones that I've really liked as covers (rather than art, since there is nice stuff) are Death Star and Outbound Flight. The first Coruscant Nights, too, although I prefer Hydro's layout to the one we got. Ah, well.
-----signature-----
Taung > Mando'ade
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Tam_Elgrin
Registered:
May '04
|
Date Posted:
2/24 2:50am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
I have two issues with covers these days.
The first is the fact that every Jedi - every single one - is wielding Obi-Wan's lightsaber. It's brought up and up and up on the Official Forums and they always just hand-wave over it. It's frustrating, because I think what the illustrators don't realise is that that lightsaber just screams "Obi-Wan Kenobi!!". And yet we're left to rationalize why Ben Skywalker, Jax Pavan, and many more wield them. It doesn't ruin the book or the cover, but it is incredibly disconcerting.
(Interestingly, in what's perhaps the most gaudy cover in recent memory, Darth Bane is seen wielding Qui-Gon's saber. At least they have some variation going on.. )
The second issue - photoshop! Grrrrr. There's so much awesome original Star Wars art these days - be it liscenced or unliscenced - but again and again and again, especially in movie-era books, we get boring photoshopped covers. Bah. There's only one case when I think it actually does spoil the book a little - The New Essential Chronology. This is a comprehensive account of more than 25,000 years of Star Wars history; an absolute treasure and must for a Star Wars bookshelf. It's a great piece of work - but we get Boba Fett, Grievous, and Palpatine on the cover. Cool as Fett is (and "cool" as Grievo is), in the context of the book, only Palpatine deserves his place on there. Where are the other major players from history? Where are the good guys? Who approved this cover? The questions go on..
-----signature-----
hey, who turned out the lights?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Dawud786
Registered:
Dec '06
|
Date Posted:
2/24 7:22am
Subject:
RE: Judging a Book By Its Cover: The cover thread
|
Lord_Hydronium posted:
SuperWatto posted:
I don't like it at all when they use film frames for covers! I think it's lazy and kitschy.
Sometimes I'd agree (for example, I hate the Dark Nest covers), but given TaB's close chronological tie to the movies I think it works really nicely here as a way of hearkening back to them.
Speaking of Han images, and going back on my comment about the Japanese covers, I really like the Japanese version of Hero's Trial.
The right side, at least. Which, if I'm not mistaken on my kanji and Japanese reading order, is the back cover. The other half suffers from random images of Wookiees (I know they're in the book, but the cover?) and an oddly Japanese Luke. But the right is simple and focuses on a good, original image of Han. The American cover actually has the same three characters, though it looks a lot less interesting with all of them side by side.
That right there is if Decker were in Star Wars.
-----signature-----
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
