I still haven't determined exactly where this faux book cover originated, but it is definitely a hoax. Still, as a graphic designer myself, I have to give the unknown Photoshop artist his props. The fonts, layout and cover copy text are all delightfully true to the publishing styles of the Seventies. The careful "distressing" of the image works really well, too, adding to the illusion that this is a scan of a vintage paperback cover.
And it's because it is so well done that I decided to share it here. I like to think of it as a glimpse into an alternate universe, where The Starlost was a "runaway hit television series," instead of the creative and commercial disappointment that it turned out to be in this reality....
Well done, that man. A fantastic job
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can get some good authors to actually write it?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if this is in fact a real book. Perhaps it was only published in Canada instead of the US. I wouldn't be too concerned about "the runaway hit series" tag. Publishing deals are signed before shows ever hit the air and tags like that seem appropriate to drum up interest.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I can't find any information about the book or the author either. If it is a fake, it certainly is a very good one!
Good you saved this -- I can't find it online now! The only clue as to where the elements came from is that "Beyond 1984. Beyond 2001" was a tagline for Zardoz, but the Zardoz novelizations have white letters on black covers, so that probably wasn't cut off one of those, just inspired by one.
ReplyDeletePierre Fontaine, I think you are right regarding this book's "the runaway hit series" tag.
ReplyDeleteSGB
As I said in the post above - this isn't real. The "hit series" tag is just part of the hoax.
ReplyDeleteThat cover certainly stopped me in my tracks, so it's a very convincing piece of fakery.
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone wants to know, there is ONE Starlost-related novelisation out there. It's a novel called PHOENIX WITHOUT ASHES, written by Ed Bryant (usually credited on the cover as by Ed Bryant and Harlan Ellison), and is an adaptation of Ellison's original screenplay. It's actually pretty good; one of the best novelisations I have read, in fact.
A few different paperback versions have appeared, and last year there was a new comic book adaptation of the same original screenplay, published by IDW. I understand the graphic novel version, available in hardcover and paperback, includes the full comic book adaptation, as well as the full text of the Bryant novelisation, and Ellison's essay on how it all went horribly wrong. The graphic novel made the New York Times bestseller list!
I've discussed Phoenix Without Ashes here before, in my original review of The Starlost. I haven't seen the graphic novel adaptation as yet.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a book story from when I was a kid. Someone told me they saw a novelization of Silent Running at the local library, knowing how much I loved the movie. But when I checked there I couldn't find it. What's more, I was told there wasn't even any such book in the whole library system. I eventually convinced myself that a Silent Running novelization never existed and that I'd been sent on a wild goose chase. Then one day a few years later I was looking at old books at the local flea market, and there it was--a novelization of Silent Running. So in some cases, these things can prove very elusive. But if this Starlost "book" is fake--and I have no reason to doubt Chris' judgement--then somebody did a really convincing job.
ReplyDeleteAnother sign of fakery...Bantam paperbacks circa 1973 sold for $1.25, not 60 cents :)
ReplyDeleteI've dabbled in projects like that before. Very excellent job. Makes me want to try some more, myself.
ReplyDeleteAs a both a Canadian and a 25 year collector of Sci Fi TV novelizations, I knew it couldn't be real. I remember being excited when I found several close out copies of "Phoenix Without Ashes" at a Coles store in 1984.
ReplyDeleteAs for the "Hit Series" tag line, when CTV did a retrospective of their programs in the 1990s (hosted by Norene Virgin) they honestly said the show was a big hit and had fan clubs around the world (!) I mentioned that to Keir Dullea, who had a really good laugh.
Sure fooled me. This would have made a great April Fools. The first words I thought were: When did that come out? I'd read the original novelization, but didn't know there was a...oh yeah, it's fake.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I'm pretty sure this is real. I'm almost certain I had a Starlost novel...or maybe I just think I did.
ReplyDeleteThis is not real. The only Starlost novel was Phoenix Without Ashes by Ed Bryant & Ellison.
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