On another blog it was mentioned that Tor (US publisher) is relaunching Steven Erikson by adopting the UK covers, at least for the first book.

As commented there I think it’s a good choice as the US covers are really bad for that kind of books. They give an idea of childish fantasy, young adult at best, with the classic stereotypes. They just don’t fit. The UK covers are nothing spectacular either, but at least they look more elegant and classy and don’t discourage the reader the same way Tor covers I think are doing.

That said I hope one day I’ll see these books getting not just acceptable covers, but good ones. As I wrote in other occasions I think the artists Michael Komarck and Raymond Swanland are those who could better represent Erikson’s work and vision.

Speaking of Swanland, he’s already doing Glen Cook’s omnibus covers and they are great (even if Glen Cook himself isn’t too pleased about those new bundles). Here’s the next incoming:

The cover is great as always, even if I have to admit I’m not a fan of a character posing in the center of the stage. I prefer much more panoramic vistas that focus on the mood than the close-ups on the characters. I prefer the characters to say exclusive of the reader’s mind. Or at least, if they have to be there, not facing straight at the reader and posing.