Evolution of science fiction covers in color
Arthur Buxton plotted the most common colors of Penguin Publishing science fiction colors and arranged them over time. Also available in print.

I wonder if there's a good way to show connections between the titles or the different covers for each title.
Data Points
Small Multiples in R
A Survival Guide to Starting and Finishing a PhD
How to Make an Animated Growth Map in R
Visualize This
Sure, there is; there is the histogram, which is a 2D vector (if you discount the lightness).