Dan Brown’s book cover reveal: It’s ‘Da Vinci Code’-y!

The cover design of Dan Brown’s forthcoming novel, “Inferno,” was revealed Wednesday. It pretty clearly resembles his mega-huge bestselling hit, “The Da Vinci Code,” which introduced readers to Brown’s hero, renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon.

Both covers have gold text; both are in all caps. Both appear to have a tear in the cover paper, revealing something underneath. And that something is classic and recognizable: On “The Da Vinci Code,” it’s the Mona Lisa; on “Inferno,” it’s the dour-ish profile of Dante.

Although Dante Aligheri, an Italian poet who died in the 14th century, is probably just a wee bit less recognizable than Da Vinci’s famous painting.

It’s Dante’s famous work “Inferno” that is at the center of Brown’s latest novel. Robert Langdon travels to Florence to pursue a mystery that will, I’m guessing, lead him into danger.

“Although I studied Dante’s ‘Inferno’ as a student, it wasn’t until recently, while researching in Florence, that I came to appreciate the enduring influence of Dante’s work on the modern world,” Brown said in a statement. “With this new novel, I am excited to take readers on a journey deep into this mysterious realm … a landscape of codes, symbols, and more than a few secret passageways.”

If you look closely at the cover of Brown’s “Inferno,” you’ll see it also includes a view of Florence and the traces of Dante’s nine circles of Hell.

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