Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Paperback 500: Gladiator / Philip Wylie (Avon 216)

Paperback 500 (!): Avon 216 (1st ptg, 1949)

Title: Gladiator
Author: Philip Wylie
Cover artist: uncredited student of the male physique

Yours for: $11


Avon216.Gladiator

Best things about this cover:
  • Hugo was very self-conscious about his gigantic red nipples.
  • Mr Clean: The Innocent Years
  • Sorry, ladies—this genie is happy to grant wishes. Just not yours.
  • This cover is one of Avon's experimental "cut-out dolls" series—putting ladies' heads on Steve's well-oiled, musclebound torso provides hours (or at least minutes) of family fun.


Avon216bc.Glad

Best things about this back cover:
  • Lusty and Vigorous! Shakespeare approves. "Quite!"
  • "Huh, I can sleep with any woman I want, but somehow it's not satisfying. I wonder what the problem is ... I'm going down to muscle beach to see what the other shirtless guys think."
  • "Complete love for Hugo however was hidden behind a closed door"—It Sure Was

Page 123~

Mr. Shayne chuckled. "Some of my spears were already made into plows, and it was a great season for the harvest, young man—a great season."

"We aren't talking about farming anymore, are we Mr. Shayne?" squeaked Hugo.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]

6 comments:

Tulse said...

Hey, it's Paperback 500! Congrats, Rex!

Anonymous said...

Will's raised eyebrow is the highlight of this cover.

Congrats on 500!

A said...

Shakespeare is way too into this guy and his story.

Congrats on the 500th book.

Deniz Bevan said...

I think you've got some of these!: http://www.retronaut.co/2011/05/lesbian-pulp-fiction-1935-1958/

JamiSings said...

You know, I've never understood why men like him are considered attractive. I, honestly, find them repulsive. Maybe it's because men built like that have either been really mean, gay, or both.

Give me a tall, lanky man with lean muscles - and honestly, a big nose. (Forget Christian, give me Cyrano!) That along with some grey in the hair and some crowsfeet around the eyes - SEXY!

Also the blonde with the green collar is freaking me out. *shudders*

Pat said...

Philip Wylie also co wrote "When Worlds Collide."

No being stuck in one Genre for Mr. Wylie