Thenovelizationof George A. Romero’s zombie horror classicDawn of the Dead– the sequel toNight of the Living Dead– was co-written by Susanna Sparrow and first published bySt. Martin’s Pressin 1978. Interestingly, jacket designerPaul BrunerusedDavison Art Nouveauwith the same alternates as on the covers of Frank Herbert’sDune, as extensively detailed inThe Mystery of the Dune Fonthere on Fonts In Use.
This typography system communicates a sophisticated horror literary aesthetic that bridges vintage publishing elegance with otherworldly dread. The Art Nouveau flourishes suggest both the ornate decay of abandoned places and the twisted organic forms that horror often explores, while the classical serif foundation grounds it in serious literary tradition rather than pulp sensationalism.
Davison Art Nouveau's elaborate swashes and organic curves create an unsettling contrast against the rational structure of Baskerville Old Face, mimicking the horror genre's tension between civilization and chaos. The Art Nouveau's flowing terminals and decorative alternates evoke both elegance and corruption, while Baskerville's high contrast and refined letterforms maintain literary credibility. Times New Roman provides neutral hierarchy for supporting text without competing with the dramatic display typography.
The pairing creates a deliberate tension between ornate Art Nouveau decoration and classical serif rationality, perfectly mirroring horror's core theme of beauty corrupted. Davison's organic flourishes feel almost parasitic against Baskerville's orderly elegance, while the stark contrast between decorative display and clean text fonts establishes clear information hierarchy without sacrificing atmospheric impact.