(John Schoenherr’s cover for the 1964 edition of Alien Worlds (1964), ed. Roger Elwood)
Michael Whelan’s cover for the 1979 Dutch edition of Greybeard (1964) by Brian W. Aldiss appeared in a collection of SF art Space Wars, Worlds & Weapons (1977). I remember encountering the collection at a used bookstore, perhaps in Philadelphia when I went to visit my grandparents… It terrified me for years. The bizarre metal construct looming over the destroyed world—and most of all, the strange tentacled hands…
…hence, today’s themed art post!
Tentacles and Other Strange Appendages.
I have a confession: I am warming to the art of Charles Moll—1974 edition of New Dimensions 3 ed. Robert Silverberg. His covers for Malzberg and Spinrad for example really encapsulate the outlandish experimentation, irreverent dismantlement of cliché and convention, etc. of their work.
This can easily be a series so if you know of any I did not include (there are probably hundreds of covers that match the theme) let me know. Also, what are your favorites? Why?
(Leo Morey’s cover for the February 1936 issue of Amazing Stories, ed. T. O’Conor Sloane)
(Julian S. Krupa’s cover for the June 1940 issues of Amazing Stories, ed. Raymond A. Palmer)
(Ralph McQuarrie’s cover for the 1986 edition of Sinister Barrier (1939), Eric Frank Russell)
(Ronald Walotsky’s cover for the 1969 edition of Dark Stars (1969), ed. Robert Silverberg)
(Paul Lehr’s cover for the 1969 edition of The Aliens Among Us (1969), James White)
(John Holmes’ cover for the 1982 edition of Honeymoon in Hell (1958), Frederic Brown)
(Michael Whelan’s cover for the 1979 Dutch edition of Greybeard (1964), Brian W. Aldiss)
(Brian Lewis’ cover for the November 1957 issue of New Worlds, ed. John Carnell)
(Gerard Quinn’s cover for the September 1961 issue of New Worlds, ed. John Carnell)
(Charles Moll’s cover for the 1974 edition of New Dimensions 3 (variant title: New Dimensions III) (1973), ed. Robert Silverberg)
(Malcolm Smith’s cover for the May 1950 issue of Other Worlds Science Fiction, ed. Raymond A. Palmer)
(Luis Rey’s cover for the 1988 edition of The Secret Ascension or Philip K. Dick Is Dead, Alas (1987), Michael Bishop)
(Ed Emshwiller’s cover for the 1964 edition of To Conquer Chaos (1963), John Brunner)
(Jack Gaughan’s cover for the 1966 edition of The Planeteers (1966), John W. Campbell, Jr.)
(Jack Gaughan’s cover for The Second War of the Worlds (1976), George H. Smith)
(Richard Powers’ cover for the 1957 edition of Those Idiots from Earth (1957), Richard Wilson)
(Vincent Di Fate’s cover for the 1977 edition of The Tritonian Ring (1951), L. Sprague de Camp)
(Uncredited (Karen Thole?) cover for the 1967 edition of Hospital Station (1962), James White)
(Robert Foster’s cover for the 1971 edition of A Wilderness of Stars (1969), ed. William F. Nolan)
(Ron Turner’s cover for the 1953 edition of Exit Life (1953), John Russell Fearn)
(John Cayea’s cover for the 1978 edition of Unto Zeor, Forever (1978), Jacqueline Lichtenberg)
For many many many more art posts consult the INDEX