Friday, August 30, 2013

Paperback 689: The Left Hand of Satan / Mark Lucas (Saber Books SA-88)

Paperback 689: Saber Books SA-88 (PBO, 1964)

Title: The Left Hand of Satan
Author: Mark Lucas
Cover artist: Uncredited (he did a *lot* of late Sabers...) [Bill Edwards]

Yours for: $30

Sab88

Best things about this cover:
  • The only thing that explains the hilariously amateurish quality of this painting, with its complete disdain for perspective (how tall *is* that man?!), is that it was painted by the left hand of Satan, and Satan is right-handed.
  • Don't look too long at that headboard—it will confuse you and while you are thus addled Satan will steal your soul (presumably with his left hand).
  • Nick is not a plausible mate for anyone, let alone either of those ladies. 
  • "I finished painting your hallway ultra-bright yellow, ma'am, I just ... oh, excuse me, ma'am, I didn't know you had company. I'll go clean your gutters now. OK? OK." [backs out slowly].
  • This is post-Sanford Aday Saber. Instead of interesting, politically-minded, sexually-provocative sleaze, we now just get sleaze for sleaze's sake, i.e. dull porn. Seriously, his publishing empire went Hilariously downhill after his obscenity conviction. 

Sab88bc

Best things about this back cover:
  • "Ordained minister"—so you know this shit is going to be Filthy.
  • How is anyone "born with unconventional standards"? Predilections, sure, I guess, but "standards?" Those can't be inborn. Those are culturally determined. This has been "Overthinking It," with Rex Parker. See you next week.
  • "The school of Lesbians and male homosexual students is growing"—Class Sizes Are Limited, So Enroll Now!
  • Never in a million years would *Aday* have published a book with this faux-moralizing judgmental crap on the back. He veered toward sympathy and understanding, where this ... ugh. "Your kids are in danger! Read this porn to find out how!"
  • Who green-lighted this back cover concept. "It'll have the color gradients of Fire!" "Will it be legib...?" "Shhhh .... FIRE!"
Page 123~
"This is what I was thinking about, when I was trying to go to sleep. How could I go to sleep when ever muzzle in my body was begging for you?" 
"The word is muscle, baby, and when I get started with you, you won't be able to say scat,"Nick said, taking her into his arms.
Ever muzzle in my gut wants to say scat to this guy.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]

4 comments:

Christopher Maffei said...

Bill Edwards - artist

DemetriosX said...

Another time-traveling artist. That's Dennis Farina in the door. (Could be Pat Harrington, but I'm pretty sure it's Farina.)

Rex Parker said...

Thanks, Christopher.

Larry said...

Not only Denis Farina, but rubber tiddies from the future! No sag or settling here.