49 replies to this topic

[TheREAL008]

Purely wish fulfillment but, What are people hoping the front jackets will look like?

For me I'm wishing for something similar to the original Jonathan Cape editions. I know the artist who designed them passed away a few years back..so you cynics can shut it I just think it might be really cool if we could have those covers back..but in a modern format.

What say the rest of you?

[DAN LIGHTER]

Good question.

DMC had a couple of good ones. I liked the Hardback American version. But as Project X is a modern look at Bond who knows. I hope it's not a Andy McNab style cover. Chopping style would be lovely to see again with Bond. A cover reboot.

[zencat]

Yesterday Deaver was joking about the differences between his US and UK covers. UK covers are subtle, U.S. covers...less so. Look, The Burning Wire has letters on fire!!! Get it?

One thing is I notice JDs covers uniformly have his name very large on the cover. The type is as large as the title. I'm wondering if this is a contractual thing and if we'll see his name as prominent on the Bond book.

[terminus]

I'd like to see something akin to the UK cover for DMC - as that said Bond to me, and I think to the wider audience of non-fans, it might be more of a draw than a cover like the US one which doesn't scream Bond.

That being said, covers like the UK Young Bond covers would be awesome if they can use the same approach for an adult novel series.

[zencat]

As with DMC, I'd like something stylish for the UK, bold and in-your-face in the U.S. Best of both worlds.

[Quantumofsolace007]

I'm hoping for the cover to be similar to the Fleming Reprints (that included Quantum of Solace the Complete Short Stories)

like this

http://1.bp.blogspot...USpaperback.jpg

[terminus]

Oh, yes, now covers like that I could come round to.

[zencat]

Well, as much as I love these, I don't think retro covers is what we want for New Bond.

[terminus]

I got the first Phillip Marlowe novel today - and it and the reprints of the subsequent novels have all got quite nice covers, the style of which I wouldn't mind seeing used for Project X.

http://www.amazon.co...s=the big sleep

[DAN LIGHTER]

I got the first Christopher Marlowe novel today - and it and the reprints of the subsequent novels have all got quite nice covers, the style of which I wouldn't mind seeing used for Project X.

http://www.amazon.co...s=the big sleep

Dont you mean philip marlowe? The link you pointed to was Raymond Chandler. Which is weird as I am reading "The Big Sleep" at the moment. Are you the man that was staring at me at the bookshop then when I looked at you, you looked away and started humming?

Devil May Care was clever, with the nude bird that looked like a poppy. DO the same sort of thing for project x. Nude birds sell.

[David Schofield]

Purely wish fulfillment but, What are people hoping the front jackets will look like?

For me I'm wishing for something similar to the original Jonathan Cape editions. I know the artist who designed them passed away a few years back..so you cynics can shut it I just think it might be really cool if we could have those covers back..but in a modern format.

What say the rest of you?

A Chopping-esque Cape design, definately.

Take a bit of pressure off Jeff knowing he had a book that was IDENTIFIABLE by its cover at least as being connected with Ian Fleming.

Don't like any of this modern rubbish for Bond. The Chopping style worked without trouble until 1987 when Hodder seemed to lose interest in Gardner to the extent the books even looked cheap and uninspired. Not sure what market the Benson covers were aimed at. Best DMC cover was the US one: a young bloke in silhouette on the cover of a book about a late 40s Bond! Still, better than a bird who might be a poppy.

But do Deaver a favour. Give hime a Chopping cover. Get the Bond juices flowing even before you open the book.

[zencat]

As much as I love the Chopping covers, do people outside of the Bond world really associate this style with James Bond anymore? It's been a long time and I always suspected Hodder stopped this on the Gardner books because it really didn't evoke James Bond for a general audience anymore. And if you're going for a reboot, re-inventing the literary Bond, why would you give the book jacket the old (old fashioned?) style? Seems to work against the entire concept. It would need to be Chopping plus. Not sure what that plus is.

DMC was the time for a Chopping style jacket. The return of Ian Fleming's James Bond (as it promised). If they didn't do it for DMC, I don't think there's a chance they'll do it for XBond. But I think this book will introduce a distinct style that will run through the series. Can't wait to see what this will be.

Agree that the U.S. DMC cover was one of the best continuation covers. But the poppy girl on the UK was fine too.

[David Schofield]

As much as I love the Chopping covers, do people outside of the Bond world really associate this style with James Bond anymore? It's been a long time and I always suspected Hodder stopped this on the Gardner books because it really didn't evoke James Bond for a general audience anymore. And if you're going for a reboot, re-inventing the literary Bond, why would you give the book jacket the old (old fashioned?) style? Seems to work against the entire concept. It would need to be Chopping plus. Not sure what that plus is.

DMC was the time for a Chopping style jacket. The return of Ian Fleming's James Bond (as it promised). If they didn't do it for DMC, I don't think there's a chance they'll do it for XBond. But I think this book will introduce a distinct style that will run through the series. Can't wait to see what this will be.

Agree that the U.S. DMC cover was one of the best continuation covers. But the poppy girl on the UK was fine too.

Not sure I agree that those who might be inclined to buy a lit Bond hardback don't connect the Chopping-Fleming-Bond thing. There is something reassuring about the look that says this is a Bond book, different from the film, but Bond in his original, true from.

Personally, I think it would help Deaver, however subtly it was done, perhaps not a 100% balls-out FRWL clone as LR (though, bang, we knew at once in 1981 we had left the world of Roger Moore-Bond as a consequence), but identiably in the Chopping style.

Do I think they'll do it? No, I guess we'll get a generic 2011 action cover. Jeffrey Deaver's James Bond in...

[terminus]

Not sure I agree that those who might be inclined to buy a lit Bond hardback don't connect the Chopping-Fleming-Bond thing. There is something reassuring about the look that says this is a Bond book, different from the film, but Bond in his original, true from.

Personally, I think it would help Deaver, however subtly it was done, perhaps not a 100% balls-out FRWL clone as LR (though, bang, we knew at once in 1981 we had left the world of Roger Moore-Bond as a consequence), but identiably in the Chopping style.

Do I think they'll do it? No, I guess we'll get a generic 2011 action cover. Jeffrey Deaver's James Bond in...

I do agree with Zen that the public at large isn't going to identify a Chopping cover with James Bond - it's only something reassuring to the fans familiar with the older Chopping covers that scream Bond, but not to the wider reading audience which the book will be marketed towards even more than its marketed towards the fans. They'll want something that screams Bond - and, unfortunately, that way leads to covers like the UK cover of DMC which look in every way like the poster for a James Bond movie.

[zencat]

As a kid in the 80s I remember when I first saw a Fleming hardcover with the Chopping jacket I thought it was weird and definitely not James Bond. But I learned. But maybe the association is still strong in the UK?

Maybe Chopping style with a modern twist. Maybe lose the wood and replace it with cut granite or something. I don't know. But I do want it to scream James Bond, and there are a lot a ways to do that (subtle and not).

[DAN LIGHTER]

DMC was a clever cover I thought. Chopping style covers is more fanboy dreaming. It's got to be modern and say new Bond. Only a fanboy would know about a chopping cover.

[Trident]

As much as I love the Chopping covers, do people outside of the Bond world really associate this style with James Bond anymore? It's been a long time and I always suspected Hodder stopped this on the Gardner books because it really didn't evoke James Bond for a general audience anymore. And if you're going for a reboot, re-inventing the literary Bond, why would you give the book jacket the old (old fashioned?) style? Seems to work against the entire concept. It would need to be Chopping plus. Not sure what that plus is.

DMC was the time for a Chopping style jacket. The return of Ian Fleming's James Bond (as it promised). If they didn't do it for DMC, I don't think there's a chance they'll do it for XBond. But I think this book will introduce a distinct style that will run through the series. Can't wait to see what this will be.

Agree that the U.S. DMC cover was one of the best continuation covers. But the poppy girl on the UK was fine too.

Not sure I agree that those who might be inclined to buy a lit Bond hardback don't connect the Chopping-Fleming-Bond thing. There is something reassuring about the look that says this is a Bond book, different from the film, but Bond in his original, true from.

Personally, I think it would help Deaver, however subtly it was done, perhaps not a 100% balls-out FRWL clone as LR (though, bang, we knew at once in 1981 we had left the world of Roger Moore-Bond as a consequence), but identiably in the Chopping style.

Do I think they'll do it? No, I guess we'll get a generic 2011 action cover. Jeffrey Deaver's James Bond in...

David, I perfecly understand how you're feeling. But I think we'll have to realise that the entire aim of Project X also goes beyond us fans. One goal of it is to reinvigorate the series, sure. But another (and probably more important one) is to gain a greater audience for the literary Bond. An audience that is most likely completely unaware of the classic Chopping covers and wouldn't be able to see the significance of it, much less appreciate the comeback of that style.

Personally, I found the poppy girl the very best of DMC, which really would have been the opportunity to go the Chopping route. Nonetheless, I'd want something much more distinctive for X-Bond than a generic action cover.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Thats what I was thinking Trident, its not just aimed at us. Look back over the Moneypenny Diaries thread, Samantha said it wasn't just aimed at fanboys. Same for DMC and Project X. Isnt it a bit short sighted to even think it is just for fans?

[zencat]

I think the most successful continuation covers have been the Young Bond series (UK covers). They really did find a style that was unique and "Chopping-like" in a certain way. Brave covers, really. They did not scream James Bond. Certainly they did not trade on the movie Bond. They found a way to say "Young Bond." Hope they find that for XBond.

[Trident]

I think the most successful continuation covers have been the Young Bond series (UK covers). They really did find a style that was unique and "Chopping-like" in a certain way. Brave covers, really. They did not scream James Bond. Certainly they did not trade on the movie Bond. They found a way to say "Young Bond." Hope they find that for XBond.

Yes, I think something like that would befit X-Bond best. A destinctive X-style would be needed that satisfies both the need for 'James Bond!' coming across and its own destinctive design. I like the idea to replace the Chopping background with granite. Or face concrete? Stainless steel? And arrange items of the story on that.

[David Schofield]

Zen, Trident I like your ideas to up-date and modernise the Chopping look. A subtle, 2011 Choppingesque feel would be fine.

Not in your face but identifiably from the Chopping-Bond school.

That way you have an instant Fleming connection. And no need for two many words: no "Ian Fleming's James Bond in..... by Jeffrey Deaver".

Just: "Jeffrey Deaver. Project X". And if the cover ain't obvious enough: A James Bond novel.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Ah the puffin covers, now your talking. Each book themed for its contents with clever and original ideas. You could not beat Hurricane Gold, and just look at the lovely page edges covered in gold.

(Also did a wonderful job on "The Enemy" with black edged pages, wonderful)

[zencat]

Penguin/Puffin really how to package a book. Does Hodder? They floundered around with the Gardner and Benson books somewhat. Last two Benson's were especially weak, imo. We'll see if time has made a difference.

[DAN LIGHTER]

I didn't really like any of the Benson covers. They looked cheap, almost like a fan knocked them up. Facts of Death was bad.

I think Hodder have improved since those days though.

[zencat]

I thought HTTK and DS were pretty nice. In fact, the day I first saw the DS art, pretty sure I proclaimed it the best Bond book cover ever! (Yep, I've always been like this. )

[DAN LIGHTER]

I thought HTTK and DS were pretty nice. In fact, the day I first saw the DS art, pretty sure I proclaimed it as the best Bond book cover ever! (Yep, I've always been like this. )

I don't own those copies, so hard to judge. But they didn't float my boat much from the images I have seen on the net. Each to their own. ZMT & FOD I have and I think FOD is really bad. As far as covering a book goes, well it covered it, but thats about it. Didn't make it jump out and and say "Look at me, top quality story in here".

Cover of Project X should be good enough though. Even the Project X box with a padlock image looks smart. Lets hope the same sort of thinkers think up a good cover.

[zencat]

Cover of Project X should be good enough though. Even the Project X box with a padlock image looks smart. Lets hope the same sort of thinkers think up a good cover.

Yeah, it is pretty sharp. A good sign of things to come.

[Trident]

The Young Bond books really are a perfect example for a design with a high recognition factor, yet giving each individual book its own 'identity'. A splendid design!

Apart from the style the connecting link of course here is the 'Young Bond'-tag with the bullseye. I wonder if Project X will get something similar in terms of the 'tag'? I'm not sure IFP would go with 'X-Bond'/'Project X Bond'/'New Bond', so there probably would have to be some new designation. Perhaps via the rank?

[zencat]

I expect we will see a new specific logo for this series. Maybe the lock box holds a clue. Maybe it'll be BOND with the lit 007 logo as the O. Or have the done that already? For the purpose of fandom discussion, I'm liking "XBond". But I don't think I want to see this on the book itself.

[Trident]

I expect we will see a new specific logo for this series. Maybe the lock box holds a clue. Maybe it'll be BOND with the lit 007 logo as the O. For the purpose of fandom discussion, I'm liking "XBond". But I don't think I want to see this on the book itself.

No, don't see that myself. I wonder if 'Commander', a middle management/administration rank for 40-somethings, will still be Bond's? Or would a rank-tag like 'Lieutenant Bond' more fit into a 'War Bond'-series?