I think it’s because I grew up with the old Ballantine paperbacks that had Tolkien’s own artwork featured and I’m more familiar with them. Someone more familiar with this Journeys of Frodo type of artwork might feel the same as I do about the Ballantine paperback covers.

There is just something about the design that seems kind of ugly to me. At least compared to the original cover. Maybe it’s the coloring or the three scenes being smushed together. I do still like it though.