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In February 1980, Jove became the new U.S. paperback publisher of Fleming's Bond books. After having issued only the first 8 novels -- and non-sequentially, at that -- Jove's run abruptly came to an end about a year and a half later (Berkley quickly became the new U.S. paperback publisher). The cover art, from illustrator Barnett Plotkin, is more reminiscent of a Bond movie poster than a Bond book cover, complete with a tagline. Every cover features three characters: Bond (with one exception) in the center, a girl, and a villain, against a backdrop related to the storyline. Roger Moore had been the on-screen Bond for 4 films over 7 years at this point, yet this Bond is clearly not Moore, although neither is he Sean Connery; he actually looks more like George Lazenby than either of then. Nonetheless, the quality of Plotkin's illustrations is among the best from any Bond publisher. I like his style, although I can't always say the same about the characters' clothing styles. Although this was the 1980's, it was the early 1980's, and 1970's clothing styles were on their last leg.
Casino Royale was the 6th Bond book that Jove published. The main issue I have with this cover is not the depiction of Bond or the clothing styles (although Le Chiffre should not be wearing red pants with flared legs). The issue I have is with the background and tagline. The game played in Casino Royale is not roulette; it's baccarat. It's one thing to have changed the card game to Texas hold'em in the movie. But Texas hold'em is still a card game (and one that works better on screen than baccarat), and a card game is essential to the storyline. It's essentially a character along with Bond, Vesper, and Le Chiffre. I know -- I hope -- that roulette is only being used figuratively on the cover. But the cover gives the impression that Jove and Plotkin never read the book they published and illustrated, respectively.
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