I've been meaning to do this Face Off for ages, because I'm sure by now, most of you have seen the updated covers for HP. (I'm talking, of course, about the US editions, which recently got a completely overhauled look in honor of the 15th anniversary of the book's US release. The new Kazu Kibuishi-designed editions are much more intricately detailed and snazzy, a little more sleek and perhaps even a little more modern, compared to the original Marie GrandPré-designed iconic US versions we've all grown up with and love.
Of course, we're all always going to have a soft spot for our Harry Potter, but take a look at the two versions below, and tell me what you think! Which would you rather own, or pass on to kids in your life?
Which one did it better?
I doubt it needs mentioning, but originals on the left, commemorative editions on the right.
Last week on FFO: Various versions of Amy Kathleen Ryan's Sky Chasers series went head to head, and when we were all done chuckling over "Spork," we were able to come to the conclusion that the original design still has a leg up on the competition, spork or no... (Though I think we liked them all pretty well.)
Winner ------->
I love the new covers! They're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey are both cute but I like the new ones better.
ReplyDeleteI like the new covers and think they'll draw kids in better, so that's my vote. But for me, the old covers will always be the ones.
ReplyDeleteAside from that distracting Scholastic logo at the bottom, I rather favour the new covers over the old. Of course, I don't even have the original ones you've got here - mine are the UK editions.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll be buying the box set of new covers, just because.
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ReplyDeleteI really do love the new books but the classic covers are... classic. :) Can't help but vote for those.
ReplyDeleteBonnie @ Sweet Tidbits
I like the new covers. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the old covers. But a lot of kids today obviously have not grown up with Harry Potter and I think that giving the books a newer design will draw in readers who may not otherwise pick the books up.
ReplyDeleteI love all the HP covers, but the new ones win ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to buck tradition and say the NEW ones re my favorite. Given the gravity of the books, especially the ones later in the season, the story conflicts with the whimsical, almost comic original cover designs. The second covers pay homage to the original cover style, but are nicely sleek and detailed.
ReplyDeleteIlike the new ones, artistically I like them better than the old - but for nostalgia's sake I have to vote for the originals. :)
ReplyDeletei actually really like both and plan on getting the sc set once they are released to go with my hc.
ReplyDeleteThe new covers are a completely different approach. It's not just a different style. The classic covers are all collages of various important plot elements--Harry flying, the Snitch, and the unicorn in the first, with Hogwarts in the background, and Fawkes carrying Harry out of the Chamber in the second. The new covers depict one scene--often one that's not really central to the plot.
ReplyDeleteFor that reason, even though I like the art style, I'm going for the classic covers. They convey much more of what the story is about, and isn't that what a cover is supposed to do?
I never really liked the original covers but I'm still a little partial to them so I'll have to go with the original Harry Potter covers.
ReplyDeleteoooh this is a hard one. I love them both!! I think the originals are creative but the new ones are fun too!!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I'm attached to the old covers, I really like the redone covers and I might have to look into getting at least the first one considering my own book is falling apart.
ReplyDeleteI love the details of the new covers, but the letters get really hard to read, in my opnion. I love the creative ways of the titles in the older covers, but the details of the new draw me in. I can't choose, but if I absolutely had to, I'd pick the old.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the writing on the original covers because it looks like part of the art, but I prefer the pictures on the new covers. How about a mashup? :)
ReplyDeleteHow can you even do this to us?! Of course I'm attached to the original coves, but I really like the new ones as well. As if I haven't sunk enough money into that franchise, I'll just own copies of BOTH!
ReplyDeleteAhahahaha! I'm right there with you, Heidi!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the new covers. But I like the Bloomsbury covers better (I own them).
ReplyDeleteAre you really going to make me choose? The new covers are bright and exciting. But, the old covers...they make me feel all nostalgic! I think I'll have to go for the old ones. The original ones.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Harry Potter was getting new covers, but I really like the new ones!! There's a lot of detail in them, and I lovelovelove the burrow on the second. Even though they're not the ones I grew up with I think I prefer the new ones.
ReplyDeleteI do like the new covers better.
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