Discussion
  • JP July 9, 2010 at 7:33 am

    Given the prevalence of tech deep in the world’s history and the pristine condition of everything in this picture, perhaps it’s a scene from early on? It has been a while since I read the books (translation: I have a horrible memory and I’m providing a generic excuse), but I think I remember a bridge that might resemble the one in the background here. Of course, we don’t see or hear of that bridge in The Blade Itself, so I have no idea why it would be in the first book.

    Side note: love the blog. I don’t usually hear much discussion about cover art, so thanks for stepping up!

  • aidan July 9, 2010 at 8:07 am

    Ahh, that’s an interesting tidbit that I’d forgotten about. Most of that imagery happened in Before They Are Hanged, yeah? I’m certainly curious to see the rest of the art.

    I’m glad you like all the art/cover art discussion. It’s an area of the industry that’s fascinated me since I was a little kid, so I’ve no real choice but to explore it and analyze it here on my blog!

  • Roland July 9, 2010 at 8:12 am

    I have no idea what it is, cause I am yet to read the books. But the art is gorgeous!

    http://rolandscodex.blogspot.com/

  • Patrick (YetiStomper) July 9, 2010 at 8:41 am

    My guess would be when Logen, Bayaz, and the apprentice arrive in the harbor of the capital (I forget the name). But the bridge in the old land is a good guess too.

  • neth July 9, 2010 at 11:19 am

    I was thinking it maybe Dagoska (sp?) when Ferro and what’s his name set sail.

  • Chase Collins July 9, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    I agree with Patrick. I think it’s when they arrive at that old place. It certainly looks like a sci-fi art piece though.

  • […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Aidan Moher. Aidan Moher said: Artwork from the limited edition of THE BLADE ITSELF by Joe Abercrombie. Now with 100% more Science Fiction! http://bit.ly/a45Iif […]

  • Incubus Jax July 9, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    Isn’t it the canal that separates the House of the Maker?

  • Adam Whitehead July 11, 2010 at 6:02 am

    I’m pretty sure it’s the House of the Maker which figures prominently in the first and last books and is described as being very SF-like.

  • MMH: The Sobriety Edition « GRRuMblers July 12, 2010 at 3:13 am

    […] That made for a nice segue don’t you think?  Also checkout Joe Abercrombie’s new cover art for Heroes and The Blade Itself. […]

  • Adam Whitehead July 12, 2010 at 7:35 am

    According to Joe himself on Westeros, it is the shipyards of Gurkhul, as witnessed by Ferro and Yulwei.

  • Caul Shivers July 13, 2010 at 4:56 am

    Ahh that makes sense, So this would be a scene from the Blade Itself – Yulwei and Ferro’s flight through Gurkhul to the Union. I would have been more inclined to think that it was maybe a setting from Before They Are Hanged, whilst Bayaz, Logen and the rest of the company come across a bridge made by the Maker in the old empire.

    Beautiful artwork though.

  • […] This piece from Alex Preuss is just another example. My opinion here more-or-less mirrors what I felt about the artwork released for The Blade Itself: it’s a terrific piece, full of moody atmosphere and wonderful […]