As part of Penguin UK's re-release of Ian Fleming's classic 007 Bond books on May 29th, they commissioned Michael Gillette to paint 14 iconic covers for the project.
The paintings are done in '60s pin-up style with the book titles scrawled down in retro fonts across the backsides of Bond girls.
According to the Penguin Blog, "The books were numbered on their spines so it's not hard to read them in order. The blurbs, adapted from earlier Penguin editions, were themed around the new unified concept. Fourteen book biographies, one for each back flap, replaced the usual author biography (which is found on page one). A short extract from each book graces the back cover."
See the rest of the paintings here.
Artistic Book Covers
Painting Iconic 007 Books
Trend Themes
1. Retro Book Covers - The use of retro artwork and fonts on book covers presents opportunities for nostalgic branding and attracting vintage-loving consumers.
2. Iconic Artistic Covers - Commissioning artists to create unique and eye-catching covers for classic books can enhance their appeal and entice collectors.
3. Blurring of Art and Literature - Merging art and literature through painted book covers offers innovative ways to engage readers and create a visual storytelling experience.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - The publishing industry can explore the use of artistic book covers as a marketing strategy to attract readers and stand out in a crowded market.
2. Art and Design - Artists and designers can collaborate with publishers to create visually stunning book covers that capture the essence of a story and resonate with readers.
3. Collectibles and Memorabilia - The collectibles industry can capitalize on the demand for unique book covers as limited-edition art pieces that cater to book and art enthusiasts.