As a kid I was fascinated by the Carter Brown mystery novels (a pseudonym for Australian writer Alan Yates), purely because of the sexy (and obviously sexual) women decorating the covers. Never mind the detective, it’s the women who jumped out at me.
(The image below is from the cover for Seven Sirens)
I didn’t know Robert McGinnis was the artist until years later. He’s also done film posters (James Bond!) but I’m looking today at his paperback covers. They have more variety than I’d have guessed from looking at the Carter Brown book, though plenty of them fit in the Sex Sells school of cover art.
xx
Man, I look at that cover and I want to buy the book. Though I’d bet money it’s not as scorching as the cover copy claims.
Come to think of it, I’m kind of curious about that last one too.
All of those covers are pretty special, but the stand out for me has got to be Captain Blood Returns, that’s just awesome.
It’s a shame modern Paperback covers no longer have art of this calibre.
Like comic books, the Buy Me This Instant!!!! cover is a thing of the past.
Ah, yes. Robert McGinnis – who only quite recently left this world at the age of 99 (and who was apparently still producing work almost up until his death). He was truly a genius.
And I’d say the fetching women are only one component of what makes his art so eye-catching. It’s also his use of colors and design sense. For example, of those covers you posted above, those for “The Brazen,” “Some Women Won’t Wait” and “East 57th Street” are masterpieces that could be framed and put in any art gallery.
I really like the East 57th Street. Even without the cover copy the image would get me interested.
I had no idea he was still around and still working. Way cool.