Saturday's random pulp cover: G-8 & His BATTLE ACES : "The Squadron of Death Flies High"_December, 1942

 I'd love to love this cover, but I just can't.  Exciting?  Undoubtedly.  Enticing?  For sure.  So why don't I like it?  The figure at the bottom of the cover is just that, riding the bottom edge of the cover.  The parachute lays up against the left edge of the cover.  It stops the action and it no longer feels like they are falling out of the sky.  This is painted well enough, but the design is severely lacking.  This feels like an art director told the artist to include all of these elements and despite several thumbnail sketches that were far superior the guy behind the desk kept pushing for a large figure in front, a significantly sized airplane and a hero diving to his possible death.  That's how I see this one coming together.  I could be wrong but I'd like to give the artist the benefit of the doubt.

Saturday's random pulp cover: G-8 & His BATTLE ACES : "Death to the Hawks of War!"_January, 1941

 Let's continue with the Hawks and Death titles.  This cover may actually have too much going on.  The giant grappling hook dominates this composition and, unfortunately, the bi-plane on the right is a victim of a tangency... a cardinal sin in art.  If Mr. Blakeslee had just moved the plane down even a quarter inch then the top wing wouldn't look so static and the plane would look even more like it is in the background.  Still, that bad guy is pretty awesome to look at.  So, all is forgiven.

Saturday's random pulp cover: G-8 & His BATTLE ACES : "Wings of the Hawks of Death"_April, 1943

 In the grip of DEATH, it would seem.  This is a really great looking cover that is very well composed and designed.  Every angle leads to the victim being held by the skeleton.  The bayonets all point at him.  The soldiers are all looking at him.  The planes are seemingly diving straight towards him.  And the condemned man is basically backed against the edge of the cover, nowhere to go.  Nicely done.