The wizards behind the Harry Potter phenomenon created quite a stir today when they released not one, not two, but three covers for J.K. Rowling’s final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. For us kids of all ages who are desperate to find out how the whole shebang ends, this is quite a big day, indeed.
And we have three images to peruse for clues before 12 million copies of the book hit US stores on July 21st. The orangey North American edition features the first wrap-around cover in the series’ history, with a cloaked HP holding up his arm (waving goodbye?) on the front and a sinister-looking He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named on the back. In the U.K., meanwhile, the adult edition bears the simple image of a pendant with a jeweled "S" on it, while the kids get a busier, almost comic-book-ish depiction of HP and his homies amid a pile of treasure. All of them, in their own ways, look pretty cool, huh?
But what does it all say to you? Spot anything of significance in these pics? Scholastic has added a nice feature to their website where you can magnify the cover art to search for hints. Then again, you don’t have to be a Hermione to know that, well, they’re probably just teasing us.
Comments (1-30) of 42 Add your comment
The US cover offers no clues for my pea brain but I really like the orange and red title combo. It’s weird this cover doesn’t have purple, though, because pretty much all the rest do.
Quick, everyone guess what Harry’s doing! I think he’s hoisting his mystical, invisible bowling ball.
I noticed a sort of Gryffindor color scheme on the NA one. Anyone else, or am I just too distracted by the prettiness?
mary grand pre’s art is way cooler than the shipment they’re getting across the sea.
yea!
He’s crushing your head.*
*Does anyone else remember The Kids in the Hall?
I’m from Canada, and I am forced to buy the U.K. version. It looks like a bad Robin Williams movie. Everyone in it has a dumb expression on their face. And Harry looks a gruff 35 years old! It’s a dumb cover, and I wish I had the cooler American version.
Actually, I think several (if not all) of the Harry Potter covers wrap-around. Just take your books out and look!
Other of the covers have the wrap around feature. Look at the Chamber of Secrets. In fact they all do. You may want to get out the hard backs and look again.
Can’t wait until it is out in July. We are counting down the days.
Amy
Jeez, I’m not even a big HP fan and I’m disappointed.
So it’s a little hard to tell, especially with the way Harry’s hair is falling…But does anyone but me NOT see the scar on his forehead? You could probably argue that his hair is covering it, but they have always made it pretty apparent…I’m not sure what that would mean, though, as far as why he wouldn’t have it anymore.
Woo hoo looks so cool!I totally can NOT wait until July 21st.I hope Harry and Hermione become a couple in Deathly Hallows NOT Hermione and Ronald!But if they do they H/R thing I will not be to mad I guess!I just would love to see Harry and Hermione.But if what I am thinking happens Harry and Hermione Will not be together if something happens from what I’m thinking right now.Good job J.k.Rowling through the years you have made my life happy with your books.Thank you!
There appears to be something around Harry’s neck.
I don’t see the scar either, but it could be the hair.
Also, Harry and Hermione will never happen
I wonder who the house elf is on the UK cover. And is he about to hit Harry on the head with the sword or trying to help? Also notice that there’s only red jewels. Maybe a connection to Griffindor, or is it his Gringotts vault?
Harry and Voldemort don’t seem to be fighting, but both seem to be reacting to something off page that we can’t see. Maybe something to do with the deathly hallows, whatever that may be?
I’m surprised that nobody noticed the coliseum in the background and the shadows of people who appear to be spectators. The curtains suggest that perhaps they are in some sort of Greek theatre, which kind of makes sense for the idea of “hallows” as a hallows is either a holy person, place or thing. Perhaps the Deathly Hallows is the final location, which holds some significance, religious or otherwise, where Harry and Voldemort duke it out?
All of the books have wrap-around covers. What are you smokin’?
Anyone else notice that neither Harry nor Voldemort have their wands on the American cover, yet Harry looks as though he’s trying to summon something? Very odd. Looking forward to reading!
For serious, I don’t care if everyone dies as long as Ron & Hermoine finally hook up. That being said, the orange is pretty and it makes sense that it’s just Voldie & Harry, as this is all about their mano-a-mano phrophecy showdown.
But word to sarah on the lack o’ purple. Odd.
That adult cover with just the Slytherin pendant/locket is pretty freaking bitchin’.
It looks like he’s throwing something up in the air and Voldemort’s reaching for it. I think he’s destroying the last horcrux, which would allow him to actually kill Voldemort for good
I love this cover! I think it might be favorite of all the books, and yes all of them have wrap-around covers. The scar is on there. I saw an upclose picture on mugglenet.com and it was definitely there. As for Harry and Hermione getting together- not going to happen. How do I know this? I actually read the books!
ok 1. Gringotts vault? and my bro said he spotted dobby’s arm in the background. 2. there are people around, and this could be the room with the veil in it, ooh ooh quite exictable! 4. I love the color scheme in the american version. 5. Joshua Rich as many of us have already pointed out silly all of em had wraparounds. 6. I like your name, is it real?
In the UK cover the elf behind Harry is holding what looks to be Griffndor’s sword which makes the elf probably Dobby, there’s armor with a dragon on the helmet and I think it may be Griffindor’s vault or something. In the US cover it looks like the Colossium and I think it’s the locket around his neck. I don’t usually focus too much on the cover cuz’ they tend to not make too much sence until you’ve read the books. Happy reading and good luck with the wait
I just saw a high resolution photo of the cover online and it is kinda an extended look of the cover.It looks as if it is Voldemort in a black cloak (like he always is) pointing in the same direction as Harry is.Maybe Harry is attempting to destroy the last Horcrux or something in that area.I dunno but it was just something that I noticed.
i think the wraparound thing refers to an even bigger wraparound than before. it was mentioned in an interview in the today show. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17828868
Yes all the previous books had wrap-around covers, but not a single scene that extended all the way across like this one. And I’m pretty confident that’s Dobby on the cover of the UK one. Harry and Voldy look like they’re both reaching for something–the Snitch maybe?
Hey Furry Tom–HUGE Kids in the Hall fan here!
Anne – I too got the impression Harry was reaching out to catch the snitch…it looks like he might be on a broom. Also, you are correct, this is the first book that features one wrap-around image.
Haha… figures the guy campaigning Eva Green as one of the “best” Bond babes would have NO CLUE WHATSOEVER that all the Harry Potter books had wrap-around covers for their first edition hardcovers!
Ron and Hermione all the way.