I picked up a copy of I Am Legend at an airport bookstore this morning, since I was sufficiently impressed by the movie. Thought it was (of course) fitting that the cover is just like the movie poster, with Will Smith walking along in front of a barren NY skyline. Then I noticed the first publication date of 1954. Yeah, I think this should be fun. The thing that bugs me is that the synopsis on the back cover is based on what the movie was about…when in fact the book seems to have a very different plot. Oh, and the main character is blond. Kinda funny.
It makes sense for them to put Will Smith’s face on the cover to sell more books by “brand recognition” (if you want to call it that), but it doesn’t make any sense to lead the reader into believing the book shares the same storyline. Me, I’m pretty sure I’ll be entertained. I’m glad the movie had its own flavor, and I’m glad the book will give something new to chew on, too. Funny, that the “distant future” in this book is actually the year I was born.