Cool "Crime" Cover — 1st in a Series
I’ve always thought this was one of the coolest covers. Painted by Dan Brereton, it may have seen print elsewhere [Chris Mills would know!] before landing on the seventh issue of Draw! magazine. If it wasn’t painted for a specific story, it cries out for one to be written around it. It has all the right elements for a great crime saga… a tough dame, guns, money, and a rough thug [gotta wonder where that scar came from] on the run [note the hanging handcuff].
An alt-universe Mike Hammer perhaps???
(An alt-universe Mike Hammer perhaps???)
Okay…
You were right. I do know. Because I was the one who originally commsissioned it for the fourth issue of my crime fiction magazine, NOIR.
It illustrated a story that Dan wrote for the issue.
Unfortunately, the magazine never came out.
Glad Dan found a home for it eventually.
Chris, I just KNEW you’d know. Hey, I remember NOIR. I may have some buried in the collection still!
WOW! This is outstanding!I missed this issue and this is the first I’ve seen it! Thanks for putting this in your blog! I wonder if there is a poster version of this cover?
I love the painted covers of the ol’ paperbacks. As much as I’m a Robert McGuiness fan, I wish he had slipped the tough mug into the scenes of his many beautifully rendered damsels in distress (Armed and unarmed). I’ve debated placing some covers on my blog as I read them. Ya made me realize folks might otherwise NEVER see these dynamic pieces! Thanks!