Judging Books By Their Covers: The Hitchhike Killer

Today in aesthetic central: How a color scheme tames a wild theme. Let’s ride.

The Hitchhike Killer (Chopper Cop #2) by Paul Ross

Published: 1972, Popular Library

Cover Artist: Paul Rader

Just looking- What would the seventies have been without bikersploitation?

What it makes me think – I know. Bikersploitation is probably a made-up word, but this cover makes me want to listen to Tony Bruno’s Hell’s Angels ’69 score and imagine myself somewhere in Northern California when people were still hitchhiking. The soundtrack is full of typical late-1960s/early-1970s instrumental fare with a few vocals here and there. It’s a feast for the ears.

How about the eyes? The chopper puts me in a good mood. Very seventies. The man looks like a cop who wants to look like a biker but doesn’t quite pull it off, and that’s why we don’t need the badge on top of the title. Of course, that’s probably a series motif. The font looks like ITC Machine, and that works well for adventure titles. I like the blurb position, but…luscious stewardess? Yeah, we’re definitely back in the seventies. Reminds me of when I worked in radio. Lord help us, that’s a long story. I digress. The blue color scheme conveys trust and reliability. It’s one reason police have traditionally used it in their uniforms. For this cover, the color is a good choice when presenting questionable subject matter. Bikers in the late 1960s and early 1970s were not viewed in a positive light by the general public. It was, however, just taboo enough to pique a reader’s interest. What happens in that world? What do they do? There’s a woman there. Maybe there’s a romance. Is she the stewardess? I don’t think lady bikers looked like her, but I could be wrong. I wasn’t around them. All in all, an intriguing cover.

Would I buy it? Yes (with an asterisk: I would look for Book 1 first). Unfortunately, I’m not able to find it. Let me know if you come across a copy.