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THE 10 BEST FIGHTING FANTASY COVERS EVER

10/1/2017

27 Comments

 
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Those of a certain age will no doubt remember the Fighting Fantasy books. Before the advent of Game Boys and smartphones, it was the choose-your-own-adventure books written by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson that we'd smuggle into school.

​Indeed, so taken was I with the books that I wrote my English Literature O Level essay on Deathrap Dungeon (albeit in part because I knew it wouldn't require me to read an entire proper book). I got a C.

For many of us, part of the series' appeal was the covers. At least initially; the later Fighting Fantasy artwork lacked the gorgeous, painted, detail of the early ones - which we are right celebrating today.

Or you can just skip ahead to the crap ones. 
THE WARLOCK OF FIRETOP MOUNTAIN
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The first Fighting Fantasy book, and arguably the most memorable title in the series. The cover isn't the best - sheer Tolkien-ism (ho ho) - but it's still compelling. I was always intrigued by the lilt of the Warlock's head, and the way he was pointing to his smouldering globe, as if he was unsure about answering a Geography teacher who'd just asked him to indicate where Venezuela is.

"Here?"
FREEWAY FIGHTER
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For some reason, most of the sci-fi books in the Fighting Fantasy range had appalling covers. Freeway Fighter's Mad Max-lite was the exception. I used to be obsessed with trying to replicate the chrome effect of the airbrushing on this cover - and the retro 50s-inspired design of the vehicle.

​Also: good on that leather-clad couple for keeping their car clean in a radioactive desert. Take it from me, that's no easy job. After a couple of months of winter, my Vauxhall Zafira looks like it's been living as a Victorian street urchin.
THE FOREST OF DOOM
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Ironically, Fighting Fantasy was as memorable for its forgettable, generic, titles as it was its early covers. As a title, Forest of Doom was as generic as it got, but the cover stayed with me. It was always about that titular forest - with the shafts of sunlight filtering through - and the way the reptile guy is bursting out of his clothing. Also: no fewer than four forks in his tongue... one for each cranny.
ISLAND OF THE LIZARD KING
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Sadly, not a book about a private Caribbean getaway owned by Jim Morrison of The Doors, Island of the Lizard King ranks among my favourite Fighting Fantasy covers. It's incredibly simple, but there's some real craftsmanship at work. The foreshortening on the arm, the choice of colours. It feels dangerous, without hitting you over the head with what it's trying to achieve. Also: he's not wearing any pants, which is always a plus.
CITY OF THIEVES
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The cover of this book suggests that its so-called city of "thieves" is more a city of skull-faced skeleton dudes. Furthermore, the city itself looks more like a small cottage - though "Cottage of Thieves" would have implied a considerably less thrilling adventure.

Nevertheless, while I'm not a fan of the blobby framing effect, the reaper is compelling, even if he is wearing the sort of dress normally sported by flouncy young women walking through wheatfields in adverts.
CAVERNS OF THE SNOW WITCH
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Like Lizard King, the cover for Caverns of the Snow Witch is an example of a simple design, with some gorgeous layout. The Snow Witch herself - a disembodied head in a fishbowl - is really enjoying the singalong of 'Let It Go' she's having with that orc.
DEATHTRAP DUNGEON
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This was always my favourite Fighting Fantasy cover, and my favourite Fighting Fantasy adventure. Whatever that big, blobby thing was, I was fascinated by its veiny stomach sac. Which is strange, given that I'm thoughougly creeped out by the stomachs of pregnant women. I don't care what you say: it's unnatural.
APPOINTMENT WITH F.E.A.R.
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A rare foray into super-hero territory for Fighting Fantasy, the cover to Appointment With F.E.A.R. was drawn by one of comicdom's finest artists - Brian Bolland. For many, still the definitive Judge Dredd artist, Appointment With F.E.A.R. might not be his best work, but still displays the clean linework for which he is famed. Also, he seems to be wearing a coat made out of a sports car seat cover.
THE CITADEL OF CHAOS
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I was in two minds whether to put this in the list, on account of it clearly being the work of someone who - frankly - isn't hugely talented. Yet at the same time, it's iconic, because it's simple, bold, and gets the job done. Even if that funny monkey man looks like he was conceived by a six year-old.
SEAS OF BLOOD
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Some great colours and motion happening on the Seas of Blood cover - the waves were particularly great. Also, I liked to imagine that the heads of that sea-hydra weren't attacking the vessel, but laughing at its crew. Sadly, this was the last great Fighting Fantasy cover. It was all downhill from this point...
FROM THE ARCHIVE:
THE 10 WORST FIGHTING FANTASY COVERS EVER
​THE ART THAT INSPIRED NO-MAN'S SKY
​
MODERN GAME LOGOS ARE RUBBISH

THE XBOX ONE OWNER'S GUIDE TO NO MAN'S SKY - AS ILLUSTRATED WITH GUY FIERI
27 Comments
Mister Cheese-us
10/1/2017 12:48:44 pm

Best "let it go" yet

Reply
Hamptonoid
10/1/2017 12:51:00 pm

I always thought that the orc on caverns of the snow witch looks like he's in the middle of a sexy dance. Look at his hips...

Also, "reptile guy" is a shape changer. Or shifter. And that is easily the best cover by a mile.

Reply
Spiney O'Sullivan
10/1/2017 06:49:06 pm

He's dancing to the Snow Queen's song:

Let it go/
Let it go/
I'm a head living in a bowl!

Let it go/
Let it go/
Where's my body, I just do not know!

In this cave, hanging out with orcs/
This is the best text game/
Until someone invents a game called Zork


Reply
Duncan
10/1/2017 01:05:34 pm

Citadel of Chaos? More like Monkey Mountain. Not good.

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Paul C
10/1/2017 01:09:04 pm

That Freeway Fighter cover was also the box art for the Atari ST game Nitro, I remember it well.

I have a feeling it was used one at least one other thing as well, I seem to remember it being familiar even at the time (unless we had that same book lying around, which is always possible).

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Mr Biffo
10/1/2017 01:20:02 pm

I did not know this!

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Andi Ewington link
10/1/2017 01:24:48 pm

There was another version which used the art from the Battlecars boardgame.

Plus a third US cover which featured a helicopter.

Andi Ewington link
10/1/2017 01:16:44 pm

City of Thieves, Deathtrap Dungeon and Freeway Fighter were my faves - hopefully some more Freeway Fighter goodness will come later this year with the comic I'm releasing via Titan :-D

Reply
Mr Biffo
10/1/2017 01:19:44 pm

Looking forward to that, Andi. Just make sure you get that red roadster from the cover in there.

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Andi Ewington link
10/1/2017 01:22:48 pm

Working on it :-D

I also liked the House of Hell cover too and Creature of Chaos...

Jabberwoc
10/1/2017 01:20:03 pm

I always felt the severed head on City of Thieves made me look cool and hard although obviously realise now that I was actually a friendless geek.

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Keith
10/1/2017 01:20:38 pm

The City Of Thieves cover was painted by Iain McCaig. Who later designed Darth Maul, or, designed him here, more or less.

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Mr Biffo
10/1/2017 01:28:20 pm

Blimey. Never knew that.

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mcgeeza
10/1/2017 02:46:32 pm

He also did Forest of Doom, Island of the Lizard king and Deathtrap Dungeon. He was my favourite FF artist too.

Sean Buckingham
10/1/2017 01:55:58 pm

I also had a fondness for almost the same exact covers.
I hadn't noticed until now though that the Deathtrap Dungeon sac lizard guy's head was made principally from eyes.
Proper creepy, if impractical.

Reply
JB
10/1/2017 02:44:42 pm

Surely trial of the Champions deserves a nod

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SweetMrGibs
10/1/2017 03:44:59 pm

"Starship Traveller" had better not be on your "Shit cover List", or you'll be getting a 'rocket' up 'Uranus'.

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PeskyFletch
10/1/2017 04:20:20 pm

A wryly amusing blog of one bloke playing through a bunch of 'em:
http://turnto400.blogspot.co.uk/

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S Hawke
10/1/2017 06:32:35 pm

No love for the Ian Miller covers, like House of Hell?

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dunc
10/1/2017 07:28:07 pm

So many memories! And City of Theives cover is all sorts of awesome. What I want to know though is did anyone actually bother with the battles or did they just assume victory and treat it like a normal choose your own adventure?

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Leigh
10/1/2017 07:50:42 pm

Another vote for childhood fave Island of the Lizard King, although I've just been reliving it through the mobile version and the writing is mince. On the bright side, they've coloured all the internal illustrations and some of them are bloody lovely...

Reply
Star Hotel Henry
10/1/2017 08:06:39 pm

My copy of Citadel of Chaos had a much better cover than that.
I'd show you but my dad gave all my FF books to a school for naughty boys WITHOUT MY PERMISSION DAD!

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Andi Ewington
10/1/2017 08:11:54 pm

Slightly off tangent, but I always liked the Falcon book covers.

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RoboJamie
10/1/2017 09:09:33 pm

Masks of Mayhem was the formative F&F book of my childhood. I think because for so long I only had that 1 book, and the fact it was sooo fuckin hard.

In fact I know if I went back to Masks today I still wouldn't complete it.

Reply
Starbuck
10/1/2017 10:28:20 pm

1. If you wish to read my thoughts on the original books then turn to 2. If you would prefer to read my comment about the newer books then turn to 3.

2. Loved the way the classic book covers would bring to life a scene or enemies from the books - the excitement as a child as you realise it's "that" bit. Even the birds circling above the Citadel of Chaos. Turn to 4.

3. Got a boxset of some of the rereleased books last year. The covers just don't have the same impact, or their own individuality. Great to have the same inside line drawings though. Turn to 4.

4. You die.

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John K
12/1/2017 12:35:23 pm

You're an absolute legend - I've been looking for Appointment With Fear for absolute years! I couldn't remember what it was called and thought it was a Choose Your Own Adventure book.

That image has stayed in my head since I was a kid. It was the only one I couldn't finish. Just ordered it now, thank you ever so much!

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AlmightyCasual
12/1/2017 09:56:44 pm

Robot Commando? Cowboys duffing up dinosaurs?

Reply



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