Sunday, March 20, 2016

Paperback 929: You Can Die Laughing / A. A. Fair (Pocket Books 45004)

Paperback 929: Pocket Books 45004 (2nd ptg, 1964)

Title: You Can Die Laughing
Author: A.A. Fair (Erle Stanley Gardner)
Cover artist: photo cover

Estimated value: $5-10

pB45004
Best things about this cover:
  • Yeah, well you can go *$&%^ yourself with this terrible cover, Pocket Books.
  • Fully painted covers cost money. This ... doesn't.
  • What the hell kind of mask is that? It doesn't even make sense as a decorative mask, as it's ugly as hell. Honestly, I think this "concept" came together in like 30 seconds. Nothing about it makes sense. It is not funny, or creepy, or anything. It is a non-cover. I'm mad at myself for buying this, for any amount of money.

pB45004bc
Best things about this back cover:
  • Hey there, exclamation point. How you doin'...? You've, uh .... filled out since last I saw you.
  • "A figure like one of the babes in the comic strips!" That is a new frame of reference. "Mmm, I really dig her comical proportions and two-dimensionality." 
  • Gender-coded font colors! This has been: Great Moments in Reactionary Design ...

Page 123~

Bertha's temper visibly began to rise. "There are times when I could take this paper knife and cut your throat from ear to ear, Donald Lam! What the hell do you mean you rented her?"

Not sure a knife made of paper is going to do much, Bertha. Just punch him in the face. No one will mind.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]
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2 comments:

  1. vintagehoarderMarch 21, 2016 at 9:17 PM

    I suppose it depends what kind of comic strip character he's talking about. I mean if he's thinking of someone like Daisy Mae in Li'l Abner that's one thing, but if he's thinking of Little Lulu... well that's another thing altogether!

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  2. StoutcatMarch 23, 2016 at 10:49 AM

    I was also thinking Daisy Mae or Moonbeam McSwine...

    Also shouldn't the gal on the cover have red hair and blue eyes?

    Good old Bertha Cool and Donald Lam. I read a bunch of the A.A. Fair books when I was about 12, on vacation in an old beach house on NC's Outer Banks. I have fond memories of learning a whole lot of new words...

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