Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Paperback 14: Popular Libary-Eagle Books EB96


Paperback 14: Popular Library-Eagle Books EB96 (PBO, 1957)

Title: Just So Far
Author: Floyd Miller
Cover artist: Unknown

Yours for: $8


Best things about this cover:
  • It's not Myra's fault - few people can resist Rex
  • "I said listen to my heart, you shirtless bastard!"
  • I am as much a fan of big breasts as the next guy, but that right breast is disturbingly large, aggressive, and ominous - it's hard to imagine it has a twin nearby
  • I wonder what she has in her supremely tiny pocket - the pocket, like her right breast, appears strangely ... centered. What kind of dress has pockets over the crotch?
  • That boat is either menacingly phallic or hilariously random; I can't decide.

Best things about this back cover:
  • In the upper left, that's about as close to someone's copping a feel as you are likely to see on a pre-1960 paperback
  • It's Big Shirtless Ron again! You'll remember him from the front cover.
  • He's shirtless, but she's got on spiked heels - doesn't anyone know how to dress for a picnic anymore?
  • Bottom right: Is he preparing to kiss her or adjusting her cervical spine?
  • "Myra became a complete wanton" - slightly better than becoming a complete won-ton.
RP

5 comments:

Michael5000 said...

I bet the boat is supposed to telegraph that much of the action takes place on a, you know, boat. That's important, because boats always seem to be just bristling with provocative sexual energy in potboiler fiction. The Travis McGee books, for instance, always spend pages lovingly detailing the swank bachelor-pad luxuries (wall-to-wall carpeting! FM radio! A waterbed if I recall correctly!) of the protagonist's boat. Since none of the action ever actually takes place on the boat, it's all just code for the steaming studliness of our sexy hero.

I don't know, maybe boats really are hoppin' carnal dens o' sin.

Maybe we should get boats.

Michael5000 said...

Oh, and we'll all be hoping to hear more about your "irresponsible charm."

Rex Parker said...

OMG, my brain just automatically made that word "irrepressible," probably because that's the Only Word That Makes Sense There.

rp

Michael5000 said...

Those who possess charm are obliged to use it only for good, Rex.

Aviatrix said...

That 'woman' on the front cover is a man, if she's human at all.