If you ever had been in Russia you probably noticed that there are a lot of book sales in Russia. Before, in Soviet times, they had called Russians “The most reading nation of the world” for their passion to read.
Nowadays, people still fond of reading even under the pressure of dvd/internet entertainment pouring on the heads from everywhere – in good old Soviet times they had no of such available so reading was the only way out to get some fun.
The quality of reading material has changed also a lot. If before it was mainly classic literature or some modern novels carefully picked by Soviet censorship for not having something unwanted in them then today people more often read low-level detective stories or fantasy books which are being created at a great speed of thousands new titles every week.
So all of those go in great competition for readers minds and attention. They sell hundreds of books in some totally weird places as just on the street or in the subway or just on a sidewalk. The brighter the cover the more chances that a passing by soul would spot some new shocking story of Cyber OMOH fighter stuck in 2020 with his new BHD-9000 gun and a mission to save the princess.
Today we have some of such illustrations for those kind of books made by Russian illustrator Leo Hao. You have a lot of chances seeing his works at such book selling points in Russia.
first
He’s a fantastic artist. I wonder if I’ve seen his earlier stuff, since they reminded me of some books I’ve read.
way too much GAR here. where are the girls?
still, some drawings are very nice.
beep beep beep
Fortunately, some books are still good enough and not correspond to any of these pictures.
The first one looks of Daniel Craig checking his text message.
I would be curious to see what the American Civil war book would have to say from a Russian view (not a whole lot)
Ария!
Is that Carl Weather’s character from ‘Predator’ in the 6th image from top?
Poor Leo Tolstoy is probably rolling over in his grave about now!
Those aforementioned celebrity resemblances are intentional, I’m sure. 4th from the bottom is Jean Claude Van Damme with a bird of prey.
Obviously copied from American action movies, with minor changes to scene, scenario and faces.
This guy is actually pretty popular. He does CD cover illustrations for some American, British, and Russian Rock bands. I recognize his work from Blind Guardian and Iced Earth albums.
He put a bayonet in front of a grenade launcher in that first picture… this does not seem very practical.
neither does the T34 and the mech in the background. lol
it’s a fantasy book. the cover isn’t meant to be realistic.
It`s not too bad still. There is guys who make covers even worse. They are just photoshopping it from different pictures and neve mind the mistakes, like to the left of hero`s tie is shirt, and to the right it`s bullet-proof vest!
But on those pictures you see most popular things like copiyng famous poses, costumes or things from films and pictures.
Great art! But why is there a scene from the American civil war? That’s strange.
The scene from the American Civil War is the CD cover for the American band Iced Earth called “The Glorious Burden”.
Awesome work RESPECT!
This is really cool work, but don’t some of the faces look familiar? I spotted Daniel Craig (pic 1), Mark Williams (of UK ‘Fast Show’ fame – pic 3), Peter Sellers (pic 31) and Jena-Claude Van Damme (pic 43) !! How odd….
Pic with spaceman and pistol under two moons is Steve McQueen
Good spot! Any takers on the picture below that one being Hayden Christensen?
And an artwork from Heroes of Might and Magic V addon. Hmm, curiously, does he work for Nival?
very nice………….
Really liked the twin towers and the eagle. Very patriotic.
I’m trying to figure out the logic of having an underslung grenade launcher and a bayonet. The grenade will hit the bayonet and blow the dude up.
ooOoooo! Check out the rich dimension! Fantastic Art!
I love his bold style! Great Artist! Amazing work!
haha it’s daniel craig. and carl weathers 6th from top
I would have to say that Daniel Craig is the best James Bond of all times.,.:
i think that Daniel Craig is second to Sean Connery when playing James Bond.”‘
i think that Daniel Craig is only second to Pierce Brosnan when playing the role of James Bond*”.
Yet another Chinese Rip of every War Hammer concept art and artists in particular Dan Scott and Mark Gibbons. Also pioneers Neil Roberts, Karl Kopinski, Andrea Uderzo, John Gravato and modern day Dwayne Harris, Johnny Lowe, Matthew Ralphs, Jason Manley etc.
Special mention to the brilliant one-armed Dave Gallagher.
this artwork its totally brilliant