…
Over at Feuilleton John Coulthart has made a two-part forensically detailed analysis of past and potential covers for M. John Harrison’s Viriconium books. In the first part an examination of the cover-art he argues has let down and even misled those approaching Viriconium for the first time, and in the second a presentation of the cover as it might look published in the sleek livery of the Penguin Classic series.
…
…
He’s offered plenty of options, using works by artists, illustrators and photographers. As any regular at his blog will know, J. C. is an illustrator/designer of rich imagination and meticulous craftsmanship, tireless when seeking out the right presentation for an author’s work.
…
…
Pop over to Feuilleton to see Johns’s deconstruction of past covers and his suggestions for future editions. (there are links in the above text) He’s done such a damned fine job that I can’t even remain loyal to his covers featuring images from my own Mari Lwyd series, because any one of the artists he’s chosen would do the job very well. But it should be said that I particularly like his own poisonously elegant gold and black designs… shown at the top and tail of this post… and in any competition, I’d vote those my favourites. (particularly the top one)
Interesting that of all the new images he’s tried out, he’s left the Penguin Classics logo off his own work alone, as though demurring to add himself to such an illustrious publishing tradition. John Coulthart is made of absolutely the right stuff!
…
…
Update: from M. John Harrison’s own site, see THIS. I am in seventh heaven!
