I agree, there were more interesting/amusing cover illustrations than the abstract, generic ones on the bulk of compiler and computing books today. That's how the Dragon Book got its name too.
I was (and still am) deeply disappointed when I got my copy of the dragon book and there's no dragon on the cover. That is blasphemy. What next? SICP with no wizards?
Related article: http://www.globalnerdy.com/2007/09/14/reimagining-programmin...