Presented for your comparison: the cover of Warren Ellis’s novel Crooked Little Vein (2007) and the logo for Glenn Beck’s Common Sense Comedy tour (2009).
Mr Ellis is a noted writer, especially in the field of comics. Mr Beck presents shows for Fox News. You can probably guess whose work I admire more.
There is, I realise, the possibility that the snake image is based on something pre-existing – it does, for example, look a bit like an olde worlde map drawing of a river – and that the above snarking is missing a fundamental point. Put me straight, by all means – that’s what the Comment function is for.
EDITED TO ADD: the ever-vigilant Piers has pointed out that it’s derived from a common source – a woodcut by Benjamin Franklin from 1754. I am suitably chastened.
Piers
There's another version on DHD, suggesting they're all riffing off something pre-existing.
[googles]
Here you go, it's a woodcut by Benjamin Franklin.
John Soanes
Oh, smart chap. I shall edit the post accordingly… this is the second time I've had to change a post because of your sharp-eyedness, I realise. I owe you a drink for saving me from excess public shame, I think.
J
Piers
That sounds like a fine plan to me. Coming down the Knights Templar on the 16th?
John Soanes
Already have (unchangable and already paid-for) plans that night, unfortunately – pity, sounds like it'll be quite the sizable bash!
J