Well, the most commonly seen element appearing on fantasy books published last year was, it seems, the sword. Closely followed by glowy magic, castles, and dragons. I suspect a few covers contained all these elements. Meanwhile, fans of unicorns, maps, and stilettos had a disappointing year, and perhaps were lost to other genres.
Tim Holman posts some of his market research.
The Chart of Fantasy Art
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I wonder sometimes about the glamour attached to swords. Some of the historical accounts that I've read recently suggest that these were not glamorous weapons at all but fearsome meat cleavers used for rudely hacking living people to pieces. But then I suppose it's no different from the glamour which attaches itself to guns today.
I wonder sometimes about the glamour attached to swords.
— weapon of aristocrats. Enough said.
One of the most common themes of fantasy covers in the 1970's and 1980's is conspicuous by its absence.
I speak, of course, of tits. Often encased in armor.
What accounts for the decline of this once ubiquitous visual trope?
Judging by the covers I've seen, cleavage has been replaced by back views of sinewy women with tramp stamps.
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