I have always been a fan of science fiction artists. My love of sf art began with the magazines. Looking at the great book covers and magazine art inspired me. Just looking at them would transport me to other worlds. One of my favorites is Michael Whelan.
I never spent the money on any of the art books. When a friend (a big thank you to Terry Kissinger) gave me a Borders gift card for Christmas, I knew it was time to start a collection of these books.
The first one to arrive was Wonderworks by Michael Whelan. Just leafing through the pages took me back to the days I spent reading the books he illustrated. Some of my favorites are included.
How can you not appreciate the series of covers he did for Ace's Poul Anderson series? One of the lesser known covers still stands out in my mind. It is the cover from World Without Stars.
The striking colors of the campfire lit protagonist surrounded by the rabbit like aliens with the galaxy in the background stands out. Whelan comments that the colors were too dark but it is a haunting image that has stayed with me since the first time I saw it in 1977. I have not read the book since that first time. In my mind, I have always ranked it high on my list of Poul Anderson books. Sometimes, I wonder if part of the reason is the excellent cover.
Whelan's cover for Clifford Simak's classic City collection was one that I don't remember seeing before this collection. I do not know how I missed this one when it first appeared.
Among the other images that took me back to the days of yesteryear were the Elric and Morgaine series' covers. I bet if you look through this collection, Michael Whelan's art will bring back good memories for you.
