The 15th anniversary new cover for
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which will be on sale this September, was unveiled Monday morning on
Good Morning America, who spoke to artist Kazu Kibuishi about his process is creating not only the first book's cover, but art for the rest of the series.
Kibuishi admitted that he did hear J.K. Rowling's thoughts on the cover art for Sorcerer's Stone, and admits that he is well underway on covers for the next six books, all of which are still in progress. No word yet on when
Chamber of Secrets and the next five installments will be released.
What was your inspiration for the new cover for ‘Sorcerer's Stone’?
Kibuishi: That one was the clearest cover for me to do. It probably best signifies the idea of Harry becoming a new perennial classic. I feel like over time [Harry Potter] is going to be looked at like we look at a Dickens novel or a Wells novel. I wanted to give the covers that classic look. It was like I was doing almost a kind of fan art of Harry Potter, but done in the style of classic literature. The initial cover was very Dickens. I was thinking of “Great Expectations” or “A Christmas Carol.” I have a film background and I’m a big fan of movie poster. It’s probably reflective of some of my favorite movie posters as well.
Did you use artist Mary GrandPre’s work as a jumping off point?
Kibuishi: Her work stands alone in its own way. They are like icons….As I said, I came at it as more as an art historian. Taking a look at how we have sort of accepted Harry into our culture and trying to invent it for a new generation of readers. I tried to sever as many ties as I could and try to think about it from a completely fresh perspective while paying respect to the work that came before.
I made stylistic tributes to Mary’s work. There are little elements and flourishes that I probably wouldn’t have done myself, but they’re so subtle, in the technique that I’m not sure someone would notice.
What interaction did you have with J.K. Rowling or Mary GrandPre on the project?
Kibuishi: I have never met Mary GrandPre or [J.K.] Rowling. I did help with a gallery show that showed Mary GrandPre’s work. That was my only small connection that I had to the Harry Potter universe besides from being published by the same publisher as Joanne and being a fan.
Are you nervous to see what fans’ reactions are?
Kibuishi: I was more nervous to hear what Joanne Rowling would think. When I heard that she enjoyed it, I was happy. Now that I heard she’s happy, I’m going to sail my way to the end of this thing.
Which was the hardest cover of the seven to illustrate?
Kibuishi: They’ve all been incredibly challenging in their own way. I’m near completion on almost all of them, but the first one is the only one that’s complete. The first one was very difficult. What you see is a very late draft in the process, but it came together pretty quickly.
How quickly is quickly?
Kibuishi: Two-and-half to three days to paint it. Most of the process is pulling the information, doing the research, taking the look at what I’m going to do. Then doing the illustration and rendering. I tend to feel like if I spend too much time, I’m over baked it.
What’s in store for “The Chamber of Secrets” and “Prisoner of Azkaban” covers?
Kibuishi: It’s still in a state of flux. There’s a lot I’m redoing or revising. Nothing in the history books yet.
Harry Potter Scholastic 15th anniversary artist talks JK Rowling, future book covers 
