Fantastic Figures of Fantasy Book Covers – Dec 2010

To me, one of the best aspects of fantasy and science fiction is the opportunity for truly fabulous artwork to accompany the stories.  Some of the cover art for books printed in the genre is cartoonish and rough, but some of it is utterly beautiful, exotic, inspiring…fantastic, in every sense of the word.  And sometimes that beauty extends to the faces and figures included in the scene.  Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell are famous for their depictions of the female form in fantasy settings, rendering images so beautiful that their eroticism is a second thought to the power of the painting itself.  We’ve decided here at BSC to start sharing a few of our favorite covers from each month’s new releases in books, based on our favorite character depictions.  Take a spin through our picks and see the fantastic figures of fantasy cover art for December 2010.

MEN

I hope this month was not representative, because I really had to reach to find cover dudes I found compelling, beautiful, or even mildly interesting.  Most of them were overly-armored or entirely cartooned, and cartoon women always have the advantage.  But I found a few that caught my eye.

Probably my favorite cover man was from Michael Moorcock’s Elric: Swords and Roses.

He’s not a looker, exactly, since he has this demon warrior look, but he’s fascinating.  This guy takes no prisoners, and you know it just from looking at him, and, well, women like confidence.

My second favorite is from 2013: the Aftermath, edited by Shane McKenzie and Jessy Marie Roberts.

Okay, so there’s no face visible and that could be a deal-breaker.  But he looks young and strong but not like he really works at it, so no fears of ‘roid rage here.  And obviously this cat is a survivor–intelligence is a big win.

And for my third-favorite dude of the month we go to space fantasy with The Emperor’s Finest by Sandy Mitchell.

Yes, yes, he’s all muscle and armor, but this guy gets shit done. Also he seems like someone who names his guns, Jayne style, and I’ve always had a weakness for guns named Vera….

First runner up is from The Bone Palace by Amanda Downum.

This would have been number one if the boob plates didn’t tell me this was actually a chick.  Sigh.  Because there is just so much going right here.  Point:  this is a total Dread Pirate Westley look, and he is always and forever my favorite fantasy hero.  Point:  this is just a beautiful cover, and there’s enough mystery here to catch my attention.  Point:  it’s part of the Necromancer Chronicles, which I know nothing about except they sound like they’re full of dark magic, and that, my  friends, is called a win.

Next runner-up is from Ari Marmell’s Conqueror’s Shadow.

This is a really great cover–it’s violent without showing anything but a tired warrior who just survived a battle that set the field on fire behind him.  Can’t see enough of the guy’s face to be a first-tier pick, but what I see makes me want to know more.

Marjorie M. Liu’s latest Dirk & Steele book, In the Dark of Dreams, has a prime specimen:

Two problems here.  First, if I were examining these covers as to whether I might buy them, this one just screams paranormal romance.  While I love me some fantasy–even fantasy with love story as a primary element–and while I love me some romance, I disavow the paranormal romance genre, so this book wouldn’t catch my eye.  Second, I’m just not a huge fan of beefy dudes, which is why despite his objectively fine development I can’t put him at the top of my list.

And my last also-ran in the dudes category is from Stranger by Zoe Archer.

I think this might be a romance novel that slipped into the SFF search, but it may be one of those ambiguous cross-overs that gets shelved in Fantasy in one store and Romance in the next so I let it go.  This man looks intriguing.  He’s well-dressed and clean-cut, so he meets the minimum criteria of hygiene and employment.  More importantly, he’s some kind of inventor or experimental scientist, and, again, brains = hot.

Now let’s move on to the ladies, who have a distinct advantage in displaying their charms, at least this month.

WOMEN

Our first lovely lady graces Law of the Broken Earth (Griffin Mage Trilogy) by Rachael Neumeier.

She is just stunning.  While we can not see the rest of her, she wins this month based on the eyes and lips.  Everything is just that perfect girl next door look, yet in a Fantasy novel where we are sure she is going to have access to Magic.  Plus there are griffin mages; seems like a win all around.  Would have been nice to see the outfit she is wearing to check her sense of fashion, though.

Up next is the cover girl from Right Hand Magic by Nancy A. Collins.

I could do without the tattoo on the arm, but she has that normal girl that is probably some sort of butt kicking assassin look.  Her clothes say utilitarian, and her face and eyes say “I could break you faster than Dolph does to Apollo.”  Throws that Summer Glau vibe as a guest star on Chuck, as well.

Last up for the clear winners is the (presumably goddess) on Goddess of Legend by P.C. Cast.

A tough one to include in fantasy this month (vs romance), but we decided to do it anyway.  A bit of a Paris Hilton look going for her, but with a bit more body to back it up.  I could live with that tattoo since it’s hidden–and it’s a friggin’ dragon.

First runner-up in the ladies division swashbuckles the high seas in Chicks Ahoy (Chicks in Chainmail) by Esther Freisner.

One would think Chicks In Chainmail would have a place at the top three.  Problem is the lady on the cover looks a little to masculine in the face; guess every pirate has to be square-jawed.  Plus it stretches the bounds of credulity even beyond the obvious:  I mean, who has time for waxing on a pirate ship with that bottom?  Some support up top for sword fighting would also be nice, unless she uses those as weapons, as well.

Our next lady of note is from Diana Pharaoh Francis’s latest Horngate Witches book, Crimson Wind.

We have everything needed except the eyes.  Problem is you never know when you are going to get a pretty one with those crazy eyes, or cookie monster googly eyes–you know what I’m talking about.  At least she looks like she can take care of herself, crazy eyes or not.

Another almost-but-not-quite lady is from Spirit Eater (The Legend of Eli Monpress) by Rachel Aaron.

This girl has all the right equipment but she ruins it with way too much make up.

And finally, S.L. Wright’s Demon Underground cover girl.

Unfortunately for her no doubt extremely expensive cutting-edge salon, her hair cut ruins it, and I don’t think she’ll be coming back when she figures that out.

So there it is, our picks for cover figures of the last month in Fantasy.  Did we leave off your favorite?  Then tell us why that cover deserved a spot instead!