A horizontal cyan band spans the top edge, showing "DOUBLE NOVEL BOOKS" in white sans-serif capitals next to a large "35c" on the right. The left corner holds a vertical "ACE" logo with stacked white letters on blue blocks above "D-449" in yellow. Beneath this, the text "Did he face a galactic Waterloo?" is in yellow serif type. The title "THE GENETIC GENERAL" is in the upper center in massive, white sans-serif block letters against a background of streaked red, orange, and black hues. In the foreground, a male figure reclines in a high-backed mechanical pilot seat tumbling diagonally. He wears a muted olive-green flight suit featuring ribbed black flexible segments at the elbows and knees. Two wide white straps form a V-shape across his chest. A clear spherical helmet encases his head, showing short brown hair and a distressed expression with an open mouth. A thin black hose connects the helmet to the seat's headrest. His gloved hands tightly clench the armrests near a side panel equipped with small red-topped levers. The grey metal seat has a curved lower base with a row of six circular vents. His legs extend forward, ending in heavy black boots adorned with white wing designs. To the right, shattered jagged black debris and a detached instrument dial with a needle float in the fiery orange void. The author's name, "GORDON R. DICKSON," runs along the bottom left in white capitals, while "First Book Publication" is in white serif text in the bottom right corner.

A horizontal cyan band spans the top edge, showing "DOUBLE NOVEL BOOKS" in white sans-serif capitals next to a large "35c" on the right. The left corner holds a vertical "ACE" logo with stacked white letters on blue blocks above "D-449" in yellow. Beneath this, the text "Did he face a galactic Waterloo?" is in yellow serif type. The title "THE GENETIC GENERAL" is in the upper center in massive, white sans-serif block letters against a background of streaked red, orange, and black hues. In the foreground, a male figure reclines in a high-backed mechanical pilot seat tumbling diagonally. He wears a muted olive-green flight suit featuring ribbed black flexible segments at the elbows and knees. Two wide white straps form a V-shape across his chest. A clear spherical helmet encases his head, showing short brown hair and a distressed expression with an open mouth. A thin black hose connects the helmet to the seat's headrest. His gloved hands tightly clench the armrests near a side panel equipped with small red-topped levers. The grey metal seat has a curved lower base with a row of six circular vents. His legs extend forward, ending in heavy black boots adorned with white wing designs. To the right, shattered jagged black debris and a detached instrument dial with a needle float in the fiery orange void. The author's name, "GORDON R. DICKSON," runs along the bottom left in white capitals, while "First Book Publication" is in white serif text in the bottom right corner.