They don't do covers like this anymore (and that's got to be a good thing)...

I found this, a couple of days ago, and it won't be read for a little while yet. Doesn't mean we can't all have a little chuckle at the cover though, does it? I was going to write something about the cover but I really don't need to. It says everything it needs to say all by itself :o) I can imagine the conversation...

Artist: "So we've got this science fiction tale with some politics thrown in. What sort of thing do you want for the cover? Are we talking the revolution of the masses? Do you want a picture of the Fireclown delivering his oratory?"

Publisher: "Dude, just have a smoke of this and go with whatever feels right. We'll put it on the cover."

It did get me thinking though. Bloggers, and the lovely people who comment, do love to have a good moan about the generic covers we get these days; hooded warriors/assassins and the like. The next time you do that, have a look at this cover again. That's the alternative.

A hooded guy may be generic but at least it's vaguely relevant to what's in the book. Moan too much and we could be looking at a descent back into cover art anarchy. Just saying... ;o)