Three of a Kind - When Eight Bells Toll

Just a quick one today. I haven't done a "Three of a Kind" post for a while so here's three covers from popular thriller writer Alistair Maclean's When Eight Bells Toll. Originally published in 1966 it marked his return to writing after a three-year break during which he was running the famous Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor.

(Click for larger images).

First we have the US first edition... 

This cover, by Kiyoaki Komoda, was also used on a Book Club Edition.

Kiyoaki Komoda (1937- ) was born in Saijo-Shi, Ehime, Japan. He studied at Los Angles City College and Chouinard Art Institute, and worked as an Art Director in New York. His wife, Beverley Hagishida, is also an artist and they live in New Jersey.

This Companion Book Club edition was also published in 1966. It just goes to show that you don't necessarily need full colour to produce an effective cover.

I really like this final example by artist Vernon Hayles. Melbourne-based publisher Colorgravure Publications produced this Readers Book Club edition in 1968.

Hayles  was born in England but moved to Australia after World War Two. He worked for K.G. Murray as a cartoonist and illustrator on Man magazine where he created the trademark character Wilbur. He also worked on the company's comics line including Man Out of Space and the Climax range (stop sniggering at the back!). In 1952 he joined the Melbourne Herald as an editorial and gag cartoonist.