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What is this green alien supposed to be on the American covers of the “Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”?
Whose arm gets bruised in the missile scene of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?What does 'And Another Thing…' add to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?At What Age is the Average Child Ready for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?Can any ebook be stored and read on the ereader for 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'?In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, does the answer the Earth was built for refer to the girl?In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, how deep do the influences of Pink Floyd run?In Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, how much did six pints cost?Is “spewed up a payment” a misprint?Where does real political power lie in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?What does “Sund, explns.” mean in one of the Hitchhiker's guide books?
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I have the 2017 Del Rey Books mass market edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Here is the front cover:
It features a circular green alien with two arms sticking its tongue out. Looking at other covers, the first American edition also has this character:
Who is this supposed to be? I have no clue.
character-identification the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
|
show 4 more comments
I have the 2017 Del Rey Books mass market edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Here is the front cover:
It features a circular green alien with two arms sticking its tongue out. Looking at other covers, the first American edition also has this character:
Who is this supposed to be? I have no clue.
character-identification the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
2
I'm not sure that's actually supposed to be anyone/anything. The Vogons are (dark) green, but they have eyes and legs. The only other possibly relevant green reference I can find is that it's the colour of the Betelgeuse trading scouts, but presumably that would be a bit more serious.
– DavidW
Jul 17 at 18:04
1
Interesting. It can't be Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, because he first appears in the third book of the trilogy. Perhaps it's a visual representation of the Guide itself, with its message "DON'T PANIC".
– b_jonas
Jul 17 at 18:05
1
@DavidW Are you in America? It’s only on American books.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:13
1
I always assumed it was an artist's depiction of the Great Green Arkleseizure
– agweber
Jul 18 at 19:56
1
I always thought it was just a green planet making a face, not any particular entity discussed in the books. While I (American) do recognize it in the wild as a HHG mascot, that's only because the first copy I came across had it. Other books in the series I acquired later didn't use it, but I somehow managed to connect the dots anyways.
– brichins
Jul 18 at 22:28
|
show 4 more comments
I have the 2017 Del Rey Books mass market edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Here is the front cover:
It features a circular green alien with two arms sticking its tongue out. Looking at other covers, the first American edition also has this character:
Who is this supposed to be? I have no clue.
character-identification the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
I have the 2017 Del Rey Books mass market edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Here is the front cover:
It features a circular green alien with two arms sticking its tongue out. Looking at other covers, the first American edition also has this character:
Who is this supposed to be? I have no clue.
character-identification the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy
character-identification the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
edited Jul 18 at 5:03
Jenayah
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
29k9 gold badges131 silver badges177 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
asked Jul 17 at 17:44
StormblessedStormblessed
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
5,2894 gold badges26 silver badges65 bronze badges
2
I'm not sure that's actually supposed to be anyone/anything. The Vogons are (dark) green, but they have eyes and legs. The only other possibly relevant green reference I can find is that it's the colour of the Betelgeuse trading scouts, but presumably that would be a bit more serious.
– DavidW
Jul 17 at 18:04
1
Interesting. It can't be Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, because he first appears in the third book of the trilogy. Perhaps it's a visual representation of the Guide itself, with its message "DON'T PANIC".
– b_jonas
Jul 17 at 18:05
1
@DavidW Are you in America? It’s only on American books.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:13
1
I always assumed it was an artist's depiction of the Great Green Arkleseizure
– agweber
Jul 18 at 19:56
1
I always thought it was just a green planet making a face, not any particular entity discussed in the books. While I (American) do recognize it in the wild as a HHG mascot, that's only because the first copy I came across had it. Other books in the series I acquired later didn't use it, but I somehow managed to connect the dots anyways.
– brichins
Jul 18 at 22:28
|
show 4 more comments
2
I'm not sure that's actually supposed to be anyone/anything. The Vogons are (dark) green, but they have eyes and legs. The only other possibly relevant green reference I can find is that it's the colour of the Betelgeuse trading scouts, but presumably that would be a bit more serious.
– DavidW
Jul 17 at 18:04
1
Interesting. It can't be Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, because he first appears in the third book of the trilogy. Perhaps it's a visual representation of the Guide itself, with its message "DON'T PANIC".
– b_jonas
Jul 17 at 18:05
1
@DavidW Are you in America? It’s only on American books.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:13
1
I always assumed it was an artist's depiction of the Great Green Arkleseizure
– agweber
Jul 18 at 19:56
1
I always thought it was just a green planet making a face, not any particular entity discussed in the books. While I (American) do recognize it in the wild as a HHG mascot, that's only because the first copy I came across had it. Other books in the series I acquired later didn't use it, but I somehow managed to connect the dots anyways.
– brichins
Jul 18 at 22:28
2
2
I'm not sure that's actually supposed to be anyone/anything. The Vogons are (dark) green, but they have eyes and legs. The only other possibly relevant green reference I can find is that it's the colour of the Betelgeuse trading scouts, but presumably that would be a bit more serious.
– DavidW
Jul 17 at 18:04
I'm not sure that's actually supposed to be anyone/anything. The Vogons are (dark) green, but they have eyes and legs. The only other possibly relevant green reference I can find is that it's the colour of the Betelgeuse trading scouts, but presumably that would be a bit more serious.
– DavidW
Jul 17 at 18:04
1
1
Interesting. It can't be Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, because he first appears in the third book of the trilogy. Perhaps it's a visual representation of the Guide itself, with its message "DON'T PANIC".
– b_jonas
Jul 17 at 18:05
Interesting. It can't be Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, because he first appears in the third book of the trilogy. Perhaps it's a visual representation of the Guide itself, with its message "DON'T PANIC".
– b_jonas
Jul 17 at 18:05
1
1
@DavidW Are you in America? It’s only on American books.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:13
@DavidW Are you in America? It’s only on American books.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:13
1
1
I always assumed it was an artist's depiction of the Great Green Arkleseizure
– agweber
Jul 18 at 19:56
I always assumed it was an artist's depiction of the Great Green Arkleseizure
– agweber
Jul 18 at 19:56
1
1
I always thought it was just a green planet making a face, not any particular entity discussed in the books. While I (American) do recognize it in the wild as a HHG mascot, that's only because the first copy I came across had it. Other books in the series I acquired later didn't use it, but I somehow managed to connect the dots anyways.
– brichins
Jul 18 at 22:28
I always thought it was just a green planet making a face, not any particular entity discussed in the books. While I (American) do recognize it in the wild as a HHG mascot, that's only because the first copy I came across had it. Other books in the series I acquired later didn't use it, but I somehow managed to connect the dots anyways.
– brichins
Jul 18 at 22:28
|
show 4 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Apparently it's called "The Cosmic Cutie".
This question was also asked on reddit, which links to this FAQ.
According to Douglas, the little green blobby planet thing (nickamed
the "Cosmic Cutie") has been struck the final blow, and will not be
featured on any of the new (American) HHG books. Here's what Adams
had to say:
"I HATE the little green blob and have spent years locked in arguments
with my publishers with me trying to get rid of the obscene little thing.
I've finally secured its demise with the new Ballantine editons of the soft
cover backlist."
Non-American readers are perhaps unaware of this book adornment, as it
was only the American publishing houses that determined that without a
consistent motif, all of us Yanks would become hopelessly confused by a
series of books with different names.
It's also mentioned on a Wikipedia talk page. It's mentioned on Topless Robot, which does not provide a source, and The Geek Twins, which in turn links to this FAQ (thanks DavidW).
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
12
He clearly failed to get it removed from the covers.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:17
24
I find it endlessly amusing that the publisher insisted on using this thing as some sort of icon or mascot for the HHG franchise (because Americans would be "hopelessly confused" without it) and yet nobody in the general public knows what it is or why it's there, and the only confusion about the book series seems to be why it's there in the first place.
– Steve-O
Jul 18 at 13:05
9
@Steve-O I assume their "thought" process was it doesn't matter what the thing is, so long as the general public goes "ahh... it's got a green blob sticking its tongue out, it must be a "Hitchhiker" book".
– TripeHound
Jul 18 at 14:25
40
I was fairly bummed I missed Big Hero through Big Hero 5. But Big Hero 6 worked reasonably well as a stand-alone film.
– T.J. Crowder
Jul 18 at 16:14
14
@wizzwizz4 Don't be.
– chepner
Jul 18 at 20:13
|
show 9 more comments
Somebody asked Douglas Adams about that green blob thing at a 1997 or 1998 reading I attended. The question (asked by a preteen kid) got a round of applause before the author even had a chance to answer. Adams immediately got very animated and said, "I have no idea!" He explained that he "hate[d] the bloody thing," had no idea why anybody had put it on the covers to begin with, and had fought (successfully) to keep it off the cover of the omnibus edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
1
Authors have little, if any, say about what goes on the covers. At least until their books turn out to be best sellers.
– jamesqf
Jul 19 at 16:49
add a comment |
I was fortunate to have a chance one-on-one conversation with Douglas Adams, sometime around 1982. (In a bookstore called "A Change of Hobbit," in Santa Monica, California.)
When I asked him the same question, and his answer then was that he had no idea what it meant, and that he had never seen the cover art before it was published.
This was about a year after the film Heavy Metal was released, and it featured an evil glowing green orb as a character. I asked if perhaps that inspired the the green thing on the cover. He averred that it was possible, but he really didn't know.
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
add a comment |
I always thought it was a Zero. If you watch the far superior BBC adaption of HHGttG when it gets to the bit about the population of the Galaxy, being Zero, and the chance encounters you would make to counter such arguments. Would be the sum product of a deranged imagination. A bunch of these raspberry blowing Zeros would just start popping in and out.
But, then it's probably some meaningless coincidence, brought on by some random event somewhere in the deeper universe.
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
For that "Zeros" question, perhaps you can ask Rod Lord himself: rodlord.com/pages/home2.htm (I bought one of his prints of "Dog 02" (rodlord.com/H2G2PRINTS/PAGES/prints1.htm ) a while back. )
– April
Jul 18 at 13:53
This was my first thought too, good answer.
– Crow T Robot
Jul 18 at 17:36
add a comment |
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4 Answers
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4 Answers
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votes
Apparently it's called "The Cosmic Cutie".
This question was also asked on reddit, which links to this FAQ.
According to Douglas, the little green blobby planet thing (nickamed
the "Cosmic Cutie") has been struck the final blow, and will not be
featured on any of the new (American) HHG books. Here's what Adams
had to say:
"I HATE the little green blob and have spent years locked in arguments
with my publishers with me trying to get rid of the obscene little thing.
I've finally secured its demise with the new Ballantine editons of the soft
cover backlist."
Non-American readers are perhaps unaware of this book adornment, as it
was only the American publishing houses that determined that without a
consistent motif, all of us Yanks would become hopelessly confused by a
series of books with different names.
It's also mentioned on a Wikipedia talk page. It's mentioned on Topless Robot, which does not provide a source, and The Geek Twins, which in turn links to this FAQ (thanks DavidW).
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
12
He clearly failed to get it removed from the covers.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:17
24
I find it endlessly amusing that the publisher insisted on using this thing as some sort of icon or mascot for the HHG franchise (because Americans would be "hopelessly confused" without it) and yet nobody in the general public knows what it is or why it's there, and the only confusion about the book series seems to be why it's there in the first place.
– Steve-O
Jul 18 at 13:05
9
@Steve-O I assume their "thought" process was it doesn't matter what the thing is, so long as the general public goes "ahh... it's got a green blob sticking its tongue out, it must be a "Hitchhiker" book".
– TripeHound
Jul 18 at 14:25
40
I was fairly bummed I missed Big Hero through Big Hero 5. But Big Hero 6 worked reasonably well as a stand-alone film.
– T.J. Crowder
Jul 18 at 16:14
14
@wizzwizz4 Don't be.
– chepner
Jul 18 at 20:13
|
show 9 more comments
Apparently it's called "The Cosmic Cutie".
This question was also asked on reddit, which links to this FAQ.
According to Douglas, the little green blobby planet thing (nickamed
the "Cosmic Cutie") has been struck the final blow, and will not be
featured on any of the new (American) HHG books. Here's what Adams
had to say:
"I HATE the little green blob and have spent years locked in arguments
with my publishers with me trying to get rid of the obscene little thing.
I've finally secured its demise with the new Ballantine editons of the soft
cover backlist."
Non-American readers are perhaps unaware of this book adornment, as it
was only the American publishing houses that determined that without a
consistent motif, all of us Yanks would become hopelessly confused by a
series of books with different names.
It's also mentioned on a Wikipedia talk page. It's mentioned on Topless Robot, which does not provide a source, and The Geek Twins, which in turn links to this FAQ (thanks DavidW).
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
12
He clearly failed to get it removed from the covers.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:17
24
I find it endlessly amusing that the publisher insisted on using this thing as some sort of icon or mascot for the HHG franchise (because Americans would be "hopelessly confused" without it) and yet nobody in the general public knows what it is or why it's there, and the only confusion about the book series seems to be why it's there in the first place.
– Steve-O
Jul 18 at 13:05
9
@Steve-O I assume their "thought" process was it doesn't matter what the thing is, so long as the general public goes "ahh... it's got a green blob sticking its tongue out, it must be a "Hitchhiker" book".
– TripeHound
Jul 18 at 14:25
40
I was fairly bummed I missed Big Hero through Big Hero 5. But Big Hero 6 worked reasonably well as a stand-alone film.
– T.J. Crowder
Jul 18 at 16:14
14
@wizzwizz4 Don't be.
– chepner
Jul 18 at 20:13
|
show 9 more comments
Apparently it's called "The Cosmic Cutie".
This question was also asked on reddit, which links to this FAQ.
According to Douglas, the little green blobby planet thing (nickamed
the "Cosmic Cutie") has been struck the final blow, and will not be
featured on any of the new (American) HHG books. Here's what Adams
had to say:
"I HATE the little green blob and have spent years locked in arguments
with my publishers with me trying to get rid of the obscene little thing.
I've finally secured its demise with the new Ballantine editons of the soft
cover backlist."
Non-American readers are perhaps unaware of this book adornment, as it
was only the American publishing houses that determined that without a
consistent motif, all of us Yanks would become hopelessly confused by a
series of books with different names.
It's also mentioned on a Wikipedia talk page. It's mentioned on Topless Robot, which does not provide a source, and The Geek Twins, which in turn links to this FAQ (thanks DavidW).
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
Apparently it's called "The Cosmic Cutie".
This question was also asked on reddit, which links to this FAQ.
According to Douglas, the little green blobby planet thing (nickamed
the "Cosmic Cutie") has been struck the final blow, and will not be
featured on any of the new (American) HHG books. Here's what Adams
had to say:
"I HATE the little green blob and have spent years locked in arguments
with my publishers with me trying to get rid of the obscene little thing.
I've finally secured its demise with the new Ballantine editons of the soft
cover backlist."
Non-American readers are perhaps unaware of this book adornment, as it
was only the American publishing houses that determined that without a
consistent motif, all of us Yanks would become hopelessly confused by a
series of books with different names.
It's also mentioned on a Wikipedia talk page. It's mentioned on Topless Robot, which does not provide a source, and The Geek Twins, which in turn links to this FAQ (thanks DavidW).
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
edited Jul 19 at 13:43
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
answered Jul 17 at 18:05
RajRaj
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
2,7551 gold badge10 silver badges21 bronze badges
12
He clearly failed to get it removed from the covers.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:17
24
I find it endlessly amusing that the publisher insisted on using this thing as some sort of icon or mascot for the HHG franchise (because Americans would be "hopelessly confused" without it) and yet nobody in the general public knows what it is or why it's there, and the only confusion about the book series seems to be why it's there in the first place.
– Steve-O
Jul 18 at 13:05
9
@Steve-O I assume their "thought" process was it doesn't matter what the thing is, so long as the general public goes "ahh... it's got a green blob sticking its tongue out, it must be a "Hitchhiker" book".
– TripeHound
Jul 18 at 14:25
40
I was fairly bummed I missed Big Hero through Big Hero 5. But Big Hero 6 worked reasonably well as a stand-alone film.
– T.J. Crowder
Jul 18 at 16:14
14
@wizzwizz4 Don't be.
– chepner
Jul 18 at 20:13
|
show 9 more comments
12
He clearly failed to get it removed from the covers.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:17
24
I find it endlessly amusing that the publisher insisted on using this thing as some sort of icon or mascot for the HHG franchise (because Americans would be "hopelessly confused" without it) and yet nobody in the general public knows what it is or why it's there, and the only confusion about the book series seems to be why it's there in the first place.
– Steve-O
Jul 18 at 13:05
9
@Steve-O I assume their "thought" process was it doesn't matter what the thing is, so long as the general public goes "ahh... it's got a green blob sticking its tongue out, it must be a "Hitchhiker" book".
– TripeHound
Jul 18 at 14:25
40
I was fairly bummed I missed Big Hero through Big Hero 5. But Big Hero 6 worked reasonably well as a stand-alone film.
– T.J. Crowder
Jul 18 at 16:14
14
@wizzwizz4 Don't be.
– chepner
Jul 18 at 20:13
12
12
He clearly failed to get it removed from the covers.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:17
He clearly failed to get it removed from the covers.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:17
24
24
I find it endlessly amusing that the publisher insisted on using this thing as some sort of icon or mascot for the HHG franchise (because Americans would be "hopelessly confused" without it) and yet nobody in the general public knows what it is or why it's there, and the only confusion about the book series seems to be why it's there in the first place.
– Steve-O
Jul 18 at 13:05
I find it endlessly amusing that the publisher insisted on using this thing as some sort of icon or mascot for the HHG franchise (because Americans would be "hopelessly confused" without it) and yet nobody in the general public knows what it is or why it's there, and the only confusion about the book series seems to be why it's there in the first place.
– Steve-O
Jul 18 at 13:05
9
9
@Steve-O I assume their "thought" process was it doesn't matter what the thing is, so long as the general public goes "ahh... it's got a green blob sticking its tongue out, it must be a "Hitchhiker" book".
– TripeHound
Jul 18 at 14:25
@Steve-O I assume their "thought" process was it doesn't matter what the thing is, so long as the general public goes "ahh... it's got a green blob sticking its tongue out, it must be a "Hitchhiker" book".
– TripeHound
Jul 18 at 14:25
40
40
I was fairly bummed I missed Big Hero through Big Hero 5. But Big Hero 6 worked reasonably well as a stand-alone film.
– T.J. Crowder
Jul 18 at 16:14
I was fairly bummed I missed Big Hero through Big Hero 5. But Big Hero 6 worked reasonably well as a stand-alone film.
– T.J. Crowder
Jul 18 at 16:14
14
14
@wizzwizz4 Don't be.
– chepner
Jul 18 at 20:13
@wizzwizz4 Don't be.
– chepner
Jul 18 at 20:13
|
show 9 more comments
Somebody asked Douglas Adams about that green blob thing at a 1997 or 1998 reading I attended. The question (asked by a preteen kid) got a round of applause before the author even had a chance to answer. Adams immediately got very animated and said, "I have no idea!" He explained that he "hate[d] the bloody thing," had no idea why anybody had put it on the covers to begin with, and had fought (successfully) to keep it off the cover of the omnibus edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
1
Authors have little, if any, say about what goes on the covers. At least until their books turn out to be best sellers.
– jamesqf
Jul 19 at 16:49
add a comment |
Somebody asked Douglas Adams about that green blob thing at a 1997 or 1998 reading I attended. The question (asked by a preteen kid) got a round of applause before the author even had a chance to answer. Adams immediately got very animated and said, "I have no idea!" He explained that he "hate[d] the bloody thing," had no idea why anybody had put it on the covers to begin with, and had fought (successfully) to keep it off the cover of the omnibus edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
1
Authors have little, if any, say about what goes on the covers. At least until their books turn out to be best sellers.
– jamesqf
Jul 19 at 16:49
add a comment |
Somebody asked Douglas Adams about that green blob thing at a 1997 or 1998 reading I attended. The question (asked by a preteen kid) got a round of applause before the author even had a chance to answer. Adams immediately got very animated and said, "I have no idea!" He explained that he "hate[d] the bloody thing," had no idea why anybody had put it on the covers to begin with, and had fought (successfully) to keep it off the cover of the omnibus edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
Somebody asked Douglas Adams about that green blob thing at a 1997 or 1998 reading I attended. The question (asked by a preteen kid) got a round of applause before the author even had a chance to answer. Adams immediately got very animated and said, "I have no idea!" He explained that he "hate[d] the bloody thing," had no idea why anybody had put it on the covers to begin with, and had fought (successfully) to keep it off the cover of the omnibus edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series.
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
answered Jul 17 at 22:12
BuzzBuzz
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
45.1k7 gold badges152 silver badges242 bronze badges
1
Authors have little, if any, say about what goes on the covers. At least until their books turn out to be best sellers.
– jamesqf
Jul 19 at 16:49
add a comment |
1
Authors have little, if any, say about what goes on the covers. At least until their books turn out to be best sellers.
– jamesqf
Jul 19 at 16:49
1
1
Authors have little, if any, say about what goes on the covers. At least until their books turn out to be best sellers.
– jamesqf
Jul 19 at 16:49
Authors have little, if any, say about what goes on the covers. At least until their books turn out to be best sellers.
– jamesqf
Jul 19 at 16:49
add a comment |
I was fortunate to have a chance one-on-one conversation with Douglas Adams, sometime around 1982. (In a bookstore called "A Change of Hobbit," in Santa Monica, California.)
When I asked him the same question, and his answer then was that he had no idea what it meant, and that he had never seen the cover art before it was published.
This was about a year after the film Heavy Metal was released, and it featured an evil glowing green orb as a character. I asked if perhaps that inspired the the green thing on the cover. He averred that it was possible, but he really didn't know.
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
add a comment |
I was fortunate to have a chance one-on-one conversation with Douglas Adams, sometime around 1982. (In a bookstore called "A Change of Hobbit," in Santa Monica, California.)
When I asked him the same question, and his answer then was that he had no idea what it meant, and that he had never seen the cover art before it was published.
This was about a year after the film Heavy Metal was released, and it featured an evil glowing green orb as a character. I asked if perhaps that inspired the the green thing on the cover. He averred that it was possible, but he really didn't know.
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
add a comment |
I was fortunate to have a chance one-on-one conversation with Douglas Adams, sometime around 1982. (In a bookstore called "A Change of Hobbit," in Santa Monica, California.)
When I asked him the same question, and his answer then was that he had no idea what it meant, and that he had never seen the cover art before it was published.
This was about a year after the film Heavy Metal was released, and it featured an evil glowing green orb as a character. I asked if perhaps that inspired the the green thing on the cover. He averred that it was possible, but he really didn't know.
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
I was fortunate to have a chance one-on-one conversation with Douglas Adams, sometime around 1982. (In a bookstore called "A Change of Hobbit," in Santa Monica, California.)
When I asked him the same question, and his answer then was that he had no idea what it meant, and that he had never seen the cover art before it was published.
This was about a year after the film Heavy Metal was released, and it featured an evil glowing green orb as a character. I asked if perhaps that inspired the the green thing on the cover. He averred that it was possible, but he really didn't know.
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:38
Steven KleinSteven Klein
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
3811 silver badge2 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
I always thought it was a Zero. If you watch the far superior BBC adaption of HHGttG when it gets to the bit about the population of the Galaxy, being Zero, and the chance encounters you would make to counter such arguments. Would be the sum product of a deranged imagination. A bunch of these raspberry blowing Zeros would just start popping in and out.
But, then it's probably some meaningless coincidence, brought on by some random event somewhere in the deeper universe.
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
For that "Zeros" question, perhaps you can ask Rod Lord himself: rodlord.com/pages/home2.htm (I bought one of his prints of "Dog 02" (rodlord.com/H2G2PRINTS/PAGES/prints1.htm ) a while back. )
– April
Jul 18 at 13:53
This was my first thought too, good answer.
– Crow T Robot
Jul 18 at 17:36
add a comment |
I always thought it was a Zero. If you watch the far superior BBC adaption of HHGttG when it gets to the bit about the population of the Galaxy, being Zero, and the chance encounters you would make to counter such arguments. Would be the sum product of a deranged imagination. A bunch of these raspberry blowing Zeros would just start popping in and out.
But, then it's probably some meaningless coincidence, brought on by some random event somewhere in the deeper universe.
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
For that "Zeros" question, perhaps you can ask Rod Lord himself: rodlord.com/pages/home2.htm (I bought one of his prints of "Dog 02" (rodlord.com/H2G2PRINTS/PAGES/prints1.htm ) a while back. )
– April
Jul 18 at 13:53
This was my first thought too, good answer.
– Crow T Robot
Jul 18 at 17:36
add a comment |
I always thought it was a Zero. If you watch the far superior BBC adaption of HHGttG when it gets to the bit about the population of the Galaxy, being Zero, and the chance encounters you would make to counter such arguments. Would be the sum product of a deranged imagination. A bunch of these raspberry blowing Zeros would just start popping in and out.
But, then it's probably some meaningless coincidence, brought on by some random event somewhere in the deeper universe.
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
I always thought it was a Zero. If you watch the far superior BBC adaption of HHGttG when it gets to the bit about the population of the Galaxy, being Zero, and the chance encounters you would make to counter such arguments. Would be the sum product of a deranged imagination. A bunch of these raspberry blowing Zeros would just start popping in and out.
But, then it's probably some meaningless coincidence, brought on by some random event somewhere in the deeper universe.
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
edited Jul 18 at 12:35
TheLethalCarrot
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
70.1k29 gold badges455 silver badges499 bronze badges
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
answered Jul 18 at 12:34
IchijoeIchijoe
511 bronze badge
511 bronze badge
For that "Zeros" question, perhaps you can ask Rod Lord himself: rodlord.com/pages/home2.htm (I bought one of his prints of "Dog 02" (rodlord.com/H2G2PRINTS/PAGES/prints1.htm ) a while back. )
– April
Jul 18 at 13:53
This was my first thought too, good answer.
– Crow T Robot
Jul 18 at 17:36
add a comment |
For that "Zeros" question, perhaps you can ask Rod Lord himself: rodlord.com/pages/home2.htm (I bought one of his prints of "Dog 02" (rodlord.com/H2G2PRINTS/PAGES/prints1.htm ) a while back. )
– April
Jul 18 at 13:53
This was my first thought too, good answer.
– Crow T Robot
Jul 18 at 17:36
For that "Zeros" question, perhaps you can ask Rod Lord himself: rodlord.com/pages/home2.htm (I bought one of his prints of "Dog 02" (rodlord.com/H2G2PRINTS/PAGES/prints1.htm ) a while back. )
– April
Jul 18 at 13:53
For that "Zeros" question, perhaps you can ask Rod Lord himself: rodlord.com/pages/home2.htm (I bought one of his prints of "Dog 02" (rodlord.com/H2G2PRINTS/PAGES/prints1.htm ) a while back. )
– April
Jul 18 at 13:53
This was my first thought too, good answer.
– Crow T Robot
Jul 18 at 17:36
This was my first thought too, good answer.
– Crow T Robot
Jul 18 at 17:36
add a comment |
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I'm not sure that's actually supposed to be anyone/anything. The Vogons are (dark) green, but they have eyes and legs. The only other possibly relevant green reference I can find is that it's the colour of the Betelgeuse trading scouts, but presumably that would be a bit more serious.
– DavidW
Jul 17 at 18:04
1
Interesting. It can't be Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, because he first appears in the third book of the trilogy. Perhaps it's a visual representation of the Guide itself, with its message "DON'T PANIC".
– b_jonas
Jul 17 at 18:05
1
@DavidW Are you in America? It’s only on American books.
– Stormblessed
Jul 17 at 18:13
1
I always assumed it was an artist's depiction of the Great Green Arkleseizure
– agweber
Jul 18 at 19:56
1
I always thought it was just a green planet making a face, not any particular entity discussed in the books. While I (American) do recognize it in the wild as a HHG mascot, that's only because the first copy I came across had it. Other books in the series I acquired later didn't use it, but I somehow managed to connect the dots anyways.
– brichins
Jul 18 at 22:28