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Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s
Worlds Beyond Time is the definitive visual history of the spaceships, alien landscapes, cryptozoology, and imagined industrial machinery of 1970s paperback sci-fi art and the artists who created these extraordinary images.
In the 1970s, mass-produced, cheaply printed science-fiction novels were thriving. The paper was rough, the titles outrageous, and the cover art astounding. Over the course of the decade, a stable of talented painters, comic-book artists, and designers produced thousands of the most eye-catching book covers to ever grace bookstore shelves (or spinner racks). Curiously, the pieces commissioned for these covers often had very little to do with the contents of the books they were selling, but by leaning heavily on psychedelic imagery, far-out landscapes, and trippy surrealism, the art was able to satisfy the same space race–fueled appetite for the big ideas and brave new worlds that sci-fi writers were boldly pushing forward.
In Worlds Beyond Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s , Adam Rowe—who has been curating, championing, and resurrecting the best and most obscure art that 1970s sci-fi has to offer on his blog 70s Sci-Fi Art—introduces readers to the biggest names in the genre, including Chris Foss, Peter Elson, Tim White, Jack Gaughan, and Virgil Finlay, as well as their influences. With deep dives into the subject matter that commonly appeared on these covers—spaceships, alien landscapes, fantasy realms, cryptozoology, and heavy machinery—this book is a loving tribute to a unique and robust art form whose legacy lives on both in nostalgic appreciation as well as the retro-chic design of mainstream sci-fi films such as Guardians of the Galaxy , Covenant , and Ragnarok .
Includes Color Illustrations
In the 1970s, mass-produced, cheaply printed science-fiction novels were thriving. The paper was rough, the titles outrageous, and the cover art astounding. Over the course of the decade, a stable of talented painters, comic-book artists, and designers produced thousands of the most eye-catching book covers to ever grace bookstore shelves (or spinner racks). Curiously, the pieces commissioned for these covers often had very little to do with the contents of the books they were selling, but by leaning heavily on psychedelic imagery, far-out landscapes, and trippy surrealism, the art was able to satisfy the same space race–fueled appetite for the big ideas and brave new worlds that sci-fi writers were boldly pushing forward.
In Worlds Beyond Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s , Adam Rowe—who has been curating, championing, and resurrecting the best and most obscure art that 1970s sci-fi has to offer on his blog 70s Sci-Fi Art—introduces readers to the biggest names in the genre, including Chris Foss, Peter Elson, Tim White, Jack Gaughan, and Virgil Finlay, as well as their influences. With deep dives into the subject matter that commonly appeared on these covers—spaceships, alien landscapes, fantasy realms, cryptozoology, and heavy machinery—this book is a loving tribute to a unique and robust art form whose legacy lives on both in nostalgic appreciation as well as the retro-chic design of mainstream sci-fi films such as Guardians of the Galaxy , Covenant , and Ragnarok .
Includes Color Illustrations
224 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 27, 2024
This art book is a very good overview of the SciFi art of the 70s and 80s, especially cover art from that period. Almost every chapter is dedicated to a particular artist, giving their short biography and overview of their work. Legends from this time such as Chris Foss, Syd Mead, John Berkey (my personal favorite) and John Harris are included as a matter of course.
Some chapters instead of being dedicated to artists were dedicated to themes such as , Chess in Scifi, Cityscapes, Underwater and some more esoteric ones. I had to chuckle at the Skeletons in Spacesuits chapter because I remembered the authors twitter thread on that topic.
For some this book will be a trip down memory lane and for the rest a good glimpse into the magic of 70s and 80s paperbacks. All in all I can recommend this art book to all classic SciFi lovers.
Some chapters instead of being dedicated to artists were dedicated to themes such as , Chess in Scifi, Cityscapes, Underwater and some more esoteric ones. I had to chuckle at the Skeletons in Spacesuits chapter because I remembered the authors twitter thread on that topic.
For some this book will be a trip down memory lane and for the rest a good glimpse into the magic of 70s and 80s paperbacks. All in all I can recommend this art book to all classic SciFi lovers.
April 25, 2024
Absolutely five stars.
I consider myself a good fan of science fiction and the fantasy genre in general. Within the first, I am an admirer of the evocative power of science fiction illustrations, that a simple image (that is, a simple cover, in a cheap paperback on many occasions) they can convey a... great sense of wonder, never better said. And this despite the fact that on many occasions the cover illustration does not match the content, but who hasn't bought a book just because you were seduced by the cover?
As the great Vincent di Fate says in the prologue, if the golden age of science fiction is established in the 1930s and the late 1950s, the golden age of covers is located in the 70s, with the recognition of many of the great artists of the genre. Hence this book, written by Mr. Adam Rowe, a great expert on the subject. In this regard, be sure to visit his blog 70s Sci-Fi Art.
I consider myself a good fan of science fiction and the fantasy genre in general. Within the first, I am an admirer of the evocative power of science fiction illustrations, that a simple image (that is, a simple cover, in a cheap paperback on many occasions) they can convey a... great sense of wonder, never better said. And this despite the fact that on many occasions the cover illustration does not match the content, but who hasn't bought a book just because you were seduced by the cover?
As the great Vincent di Fate says in the prologue, if the golden age of science fiction is established in the 1930s and the late 1950s, the golden age of covers is located in the 70s, with the recognition of many of the great artists of the genre. Hence this book, written by Mr. Adam Rowe, a great expert on the subject. In this regard, be sure to visit his blog 70s Sci-Fi Art.
August 18, 2023
i love sci fi so much man. Awesome book to get really high and look at.
February 23, 2024
I'm going to have to go through this book in more detail later but it's wonderful and I love it.
November 11, 2023
In many respects, Rowe’s book picks up from where Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950-1985, the 2021 book I co-edited with my friend Iain McIntyre, left off. While our book featured a wealth of book covers over the period in question, we did not go into detail about the art of the artists. Rowe takes this aspect and really elevates it to the next level. His knowledge of the area is first class, he examines the artists and reproduces an absolute treasure trove of science fiction illustration from magazines, books and comics, ordering much of the visual material along thematic lines with an explanation of the artistic, genre and social forces that made shaped the tropes concerned.
This means that the book includes a section on what is without doubt my favourite current of 1970s science fiction art, skeletons in space suits. But there are so many others: images reflected in space helmets, cats in space, underwater science fiction, canals on Mars, etc. Quite simply, if you get it, you get it and, if you get it, then you need to buy this book.
I have no doubt that Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s will in the not too distant future be one of those publications that become a rare collector’s item fetching a fortune online, and people will kick themselves for not getting it when they had the chance. Don’t be one of those people, pick up your copy.
This means that the book includes a section on what is without doubt my favourite current of 1970s science fiction art, skeletons in space suits. But there are so many others: images reflected in space helmets, cats in space, underwater science fiction, canals on Mars, etc. Quite simply, if you get it, you get it and, if you get it, then you need to buy this book.
I have no doubt that Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s will in the not too distant future be one of those publications that become a rare collector’s item fetching a fortune online, and people will kick themselves for not getting it when they had the chance. Don’t be one of those people, pick up your copy.
Read
June 26, 2024How? Recommended by the Vintage RPG people. (Can't remember if it was Stu/Hambone on the podcast or someone on the discord.)
What? Remember Grady Hendrix's Paperbacks from Hell? Well, Hendrix is thanked in this book, so that should give you some idea. The subtitle says this is sci-fi art of the 70s, but really it goes from about the 70s-90s, with a lot of book covers, some concept art, and even some portfolio pieces. (Which is kind of odd to me if you're looking for things that made an impact: did other artists see these portfolio pieces?)
Like the Hendrix book, there's some loose chapters (Aliens, megastructures), and each chapter has a bunch of essays (including themes -- "skeletons in spacesuits", artists, or just some particular works).
Yeah, so? I'm a little confused by how the subtitle doesn't actually cover the contents of the book, but I guess the argument is something like: this is art before a lot of digital tools became commonplace.
I think there's also an argument here that this art is pretty different from what came before or after, but without seeing the art before or after, it's hard to make that case. Perhaps a more specific book -- maybe something just covering magazine covers -- might make that case.
But as a miscellaneous collection of some art, it was fun to look through.
What? Remember Grady Hendrix's Paperbacks from Hell? Well, Hendrix is thanked in this book, so that should give you some idea. The subtitle says this is sci-fi art of the 70s, but really it goes from about the 70s-90s, with a lot of book covers, some concept art, and even some portfolio pieces. (Which is kind of odd to me if you're looking for things that made an impact: did other artists see these portfolio pieces?)
Like the Hendrix book, there's some loose chapters (Aliens, megastructures), and each chapter has a bunch of essays (including themes -- "skeletons in spacesuits", artists, or just some particular works).
Yeah, so? I'm a little confused by how the subtitle doesn't actually cover the contents of the book, but I guess the argument is something like: this is art before a lot of digital tools became commonplace.
I think there's also an argument here that this art is pretty different from what came before or after, but without seeing the art before or after, it's hard to make that case. Perhaps a more specific book -- maybe something just covering magazine covers -- might make that case.
But as a miscellaneous collection of some art, it was fun to look through.
January 5, 2024
Fuck it, two art books to start the year.
This was fun, and I greatly appreciated some of the added text that explained some of the techniques and structures used in some of the pieces. Sci Fi art has the added benefit of "portraying" the future as a kind of aesthetic diagram, but when done well, they're still pieces of art that draw upon rich traditions of illustrations and painting.
I'm sure there are rights/licensing issues I can't even comprehend putting this together, but I felt like it could have been more comprehensive even for a strictly 70's survey. More art by the artists featured (some got only a few per page). Still, what's here is fabulous.
This was fun, and I greatly appreciated some of the added text that explained some of the techniques and structures used in some of the pieces. Sci Fi art has the added benefit of "portraying" the future as a kind of aesthetic diagram, but when done well, they're still pieces of art that draw upon rich traditions of illustrations and painting.
I'm sure there are rights/licensing issues I can't even comprehend putting this together, but I felt like it could have been more comprehensive even for a strictly 70's survey. More art by the artists featured (some got only a few per page). Still, what's here is fabulous.
June 4, 2024
I really love the artwork in here, much of which I'd, of course, seen before, having grown up in the 70s and buying the paperbacks with these paintings gracing the covers.
But there's also a bigger selection I'd never seen before, and that's worth the price of admission all on its own.
If I've got any issues with this book it's with the somewhat workmanlike, dry text that accompanies the artwork, that far too often even references art that's...not in the book. They make mention of an artist painting, describing it, then I flip the pages looking for it, and it's not there.
But, overall, a very pretty book to look through.
But there's also a bigger selection I'd never seen before, and that's worth the price of admission all on its own.
If I've got any issues with this book it's with the somewhat workmanlike, dry text that accompanies the artwork, that far too often even references art that's...not in the book. They make mention of an artist painting, describing it, then I flip the pages looking for it, and it's not there.
But, overall, a very pretty book to look through.
February 19, 2024
Lots of neat insights and avenues from more than the '70s. The chapters on fantasy, cryptids, monsters, and ufos were my favorite. The author dares to get political a few times, but it's his book, so whatever. If you're a fan of art or are interested in this genre then pick up a copy. I scored mine for $20.
October 10, 2023
I ordered this book back in July and waited for weeks while it was on backorder. The illustrations and reproduced paintings are amazing and the accompanying text would be a great primer for anyone interested in mid 20th century SF art.
Read
August 5, 2023I love Adam Rowe's Twitter, and this was a no-brainer preorder. Lots of great art and commentary inside, and made me interested in about 10 mostly out-of-print art books! My only complaints are that some of the images are very small, and occasionally he references pieces that aren't reproduced in the book, which is kind of unhelpful if you don't want to get up and look them up on the computer.
April 22, 2024
This is a book I have seen advertised so many places and feeds I cannot count - there is even an Instagram update from the author on the topic with extended articles based on those from the book - and so when I finally took a copy was a little skeptical
Boy was I wrong I loved it - I could not have designed it better myself with articles on artists and topics from the era with so many of them being recognisable and even relating to topics close to my heart too.
If ever there is a book that could be described as a labour of love this it! You can instantly tell this was put together by someone who not only loves the topic but has the time and resource to do it properly this is a brilliant book my only compliant (not really) was that it was way too short I wished the articles were much much longer
Boy was I wrong I loved it - I could not have designed it better myself with articles on artists and topics from the era with so many of them being recognisable and even relating to topics close to my heart too.
If ever there is a book that could be described as a labour of love this it! You can instantly tell this was put together by someone who not only loves the topic but has the time and resource to do it properly this is a brilliant book my only compliant (not really) was that it was way too short I wished the articles were much much longer
September 24, 2024
This was wonderful. For any with interest in science fiction, cover art, or both ... what a terrific guide. And not quite as limited as the name suggests, since it ventures well outside of the titular decade.
Rowe, obviously a fan, covers a wide range of artists and themes, providing a humorous engaging narrative and full color reproductions. I would have loved to see more retro-futurism but was very happy with the selection. In fact, my two main thoughts leaving this book were ...wish it was longer and wish the author would cover other genres. That's a high praise in this reviewer's books. Recommended.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Rowe, obviously a fan, covers a wide range of artists and themes, providing a humorous engaging narrative and full color reproductions. I would have loved to see more retro-futurism but was very happy with the selection. In fact, my two main thoughts leaving this book were ...wish it was longer and wish the author would cover other genres. That's a high praise in this reviewer's books. Recommended.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
April 22, 2024
This collection was both researched and put together very well. It's a gorgeous book crammed with dazzling, colorful prints of retro sci-fi art and I appreciated the historic thread throughout. As a woman artist, I can't help but notice as I do with all art books that it's pretty much all men, and wonder what could have been if more women had been allowed into "the club." But alas, still a great book, my personal favorite section being Space Cats. Highly recommended for either reading or just flipping through if you're into this kind of thing.
February 5, 2024
I assume that many readers of Worlds Beyond Time will find that their particular favourite book cover artist is not included, or at least under-represented. In my case, I was disappointed to see only one reference to Stanislaw Fernandes, who produced covers for Del Rey books editions of a number of Arthur C. Clark novels and collections, Avon editions of books by Stanislaw Lem, and more.
June 5, 2024
Beautiful covers, with some texts that contextualize said covers, in a clear and often funny way, and that are just as long as they need to be.
The only defect I find is that it's a bit inconsistent and confusing that topics are mixed in with authors inside every chapter, maybe it'd be clearer if every chapter had some sort of subsection called Famous Names or something like that.
The only defect I find is that it's a bit inconsistent and confusing that topics are mixed in with authors inside every chapter, maybe it'd be clearer if every chapter had some sort of subsection called Famous Names or something like that.
August 2, 2023
A wonderful collection of period illustrations — it always amazes me how artists can imagine worlds yet unknown. Imagination informs the rational mind, which informs the imagination, in a virtuous circle.
September 3, 2023
Recent Reads: Worlds Beyond Time. Adam Rowe's feeds showcased mass market paperback SF art from the 70s and 80s, and it's now in book form. An excellent selection of art from well-known and forgotten artists. One to go with our collection of SF art, from several of those artists.
December 24, 2023
A couple of silly, unsupported political opinions mar an otherwise excellent and enjoyable introduction to sci-fi art. But don't skip the commentary! It does add to the enjoyment and understanding of the art.
July 22, 2023
This is the science fiction and fantasy art book I've been looking for! all my favorite artists in one amazing book
September 9, 2023
The paperback covers of my youth!
October 29, 2023
Great images! And a helpful corrective to my hazy recollections of sci-fi books’ covers from long ago.
December 2, 2023
A fantastic look at this period of scifi art.
December 21, 2023
Beautiful. One day I'll get a John Harris sci-fi print.
April 14, 2024
Una maravilla. Un regalo para la vista y una edición estupenda.
April 28, 2024
Adam Rowe's masterful survey of 20th century genre art is a book to sit with and savor. I will be revisiting it many times.
July 4, 2024
Excellent art, of course, and really humorous, wry commentary.
August 18, 2024
An absolute blast of sceneries, concepts and inspirations. I will definitely open it again from time to time
August 28, 2024
A stunning yet contemplative analysis of the ethereal art of this period, as well as the artists who dreamed beyond their time and place; all presented with an enjoyable sardonic wit.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews