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Post by bryan on Mar 29, 2012 17:47:35 GMT -5
The only thing I really don't like about the cover is the series nameplate. I think it might make things a bit confusing for anyone who isn't familiar with the series already. Also the placement and color choices are a bit odd.
I think it might fare better if the orange area is expanded vertically a bit, and the black area that has the series title in it is moved in between Snicket's name and the book's title, and the brown area is removed completely.
As for how I'd rate it, I'm somewhere between a cake and a fence.
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Post by soufflé on Mar 29, 2012 20:41:25 GMT -5
I like it a lot, actually, but there is not much I would prefer over a cake, so there's my vote. ;D
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Post by JTB on Mar 29, 2012 20:53:10 GMT -5
I introduced the first vote for the first option - I absolutely love the cover. The drawings, as someone mentioned earlier, have an Art Deco/50ish vibe, while the illustrations depict colorful plot elements (I'm assuming). The color scheme is fantastic -- the blues and blacks are definitely somber for Snicket's recurring mysteryesque element while the orange brings out some action with flash and contrast. All very reminiscent of a 50's/60's mystery poster.
As to what the illustrations could mean -- all the previous email drawings are on the cover except for "Ellington Feint" and the octopus, though "Ink" is on there. Perhaps the automobile, lighthouse, and/or "burglar" will be included in future update emails? Now to speculate (blindly, I might add) on to which "Who/What/When/Where/How" each illustration might be assigned...
Note: it might be just as well to note the time on the clock-tower in the skyline beneath the "burglar" -- it could be approximately 4:10 or 1:20. I'm too weak of eyesight to really discern which looks closer to the truth, but with the moon as high as it is, I'd lean towards the latter.
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Post by PJ on Mar 29, 2012 22:37:20 GMT -5
Not a huge fan of the cover. But I guess that might be because I loved Helquist's crisp drawing so much.
Looks kinda pulpy, and I guess that's kind of what he's going for - oldschool stories about a clandestine organisation full of mystery and murder.
I wonder if this change in cover art direction is indicative of a change in writing style, as well?
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Post by Dante on Mar 30, 2012 2:31:38 GMT -5
My guess is that there's no or not much change in writing style. The change in cover direction can be attributed more easily to a change in both illustrator and publisher (and therefore a change in those responsible for cover design and the like). With that said, it's been nearly six years since Handler's written a full novel as Snicket, so we should be braced for evolution in that respect.
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Post by B. on Mar 30, 2012 5:54:16 GMT -5
There's a line in the blurb of the book which says: "Now he has written an account that should not have been published, in four volumes that shouldn’t be read." The fact that the very blurb says that the books should not be read, suggests to me that there will be little change in writing style. If the book is written in first person, I would expect the style to be a little different of course, as ASoUE was written in 3rd person.
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Post by Poe's Coats Host Toast on Mar 30, 2012 15:25:41 GMT -5
Inspired by Dante's attempt to redesign the cover (the concept of which I liked), I tried reworking it myself. So here's my two cents, an expression which here means "I'm not seeking attention nor do I want to brag, but a cover like this I would much prefer to the original one":
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Post by Dante on Mar 30, 2012 15:55:16 GMT -5
Try uploading it again on something like Tinypic, Terry Craig; that image host appears to be a bit persnickety about letting people use the images it's hosting.
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Post by Poe's Coats Host Toast on Mar 30, 2012 16:10:35 GMT -5
Sure. I don't seem to have any problems with the host, but I modified it to Tinypic anyway. Hope you all like the redesign.
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Post by B. on Mar 30, 2012 16:21:46 GMT -5
Now that looks wonderful. The name plate and the title combined across the book look a lot more ordered, as do the images. And Snicket's name looks so much better in Caslon Antique .
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Post by csc on Mar 30, 2012 17:38:24 GMT -5
Very, very nice. I like it a lot.
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Post by Dante on Mar 31, 2012 2:50:12 GMT -5
Terry Craig's version is definitely the best one yet, I think. Now that's my idea of what a Lemony Snicket book should look like.
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Post by Christmas Chief on Apr 1, 2012 9:15:21 GMT -5
Yes indeed, well done! The enlargement of the ATWQ plate and change of font does it.
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Post by friendofvfd on Apr 4, 2012 1:31:53 GMT -5
I actually really liked the cover. It's different, yet quirky and somewhat dark. Which I think fits. But I'm not going to lie, I still really miss Helquist.
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Post by Dante on Apr 4, 2012 2:37:27 GMT -5
Yes, I'm sure we'll get used to it, and I absolutely agree that "quirky and somewhat dark" is what was being aimed for with this cover; I don't disrespect that. As noted, there are elements which a lot of us like even if we aren't fond of the overall arrangement. But, as you suggest, it is very hard to come to this from Helquist; the ASoUE covers were highly detailed and very carefully-arranged, and this cover is... pretty much the complete opposite, actually.
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