That cover could also be seen as a person being blown up by a clock that had a bomb in it. The gear, bolt and other speck could simply be shrapnel form the clock bomb.
See, I need to get out more. This is the kind of stuff I think about after spending all day in the house drawing.
This made me laugh out loud. You don't need to get out more, that is brilliant! All these years & have never heard that take before.
I never heard the clock bomb theory before either. I love it. Makes me appreciate the cover even more. (thumbs u