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Sunday Sci-Fi Vol. 2

Paul Lehr illustrated a ton of work for sci-fi kings like Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and H.G. Wells. While last week we saw John Berkey’s scientific and technical approach to space craft and space flight, Lehr’s work is certainly more organic in both his subjects and technique. He leans more towards fantasy-like creatures, life forms, and orbs. There is also a recurring scene of numerous people all surrounding an object or life form. I find it interesting when artists have a heavy overarching presence of certain themes in their art; links between separate bodies of work. I was thinking while posting this week’s covers how different one artist’s view of the future can be from the others’. I think that seeing each artist’s different take on the future will be an interesting part of this series.

I’m curious–does anyone has any favorite images from this week or a preference between the styles seen this week or last?

Posted by Smyjewski

21 Comments Leave A Comment

1

DK says:

February 2, 2014 at 10:46 am

Definitely prefer Berkey’s work — pure genius. I think his skills are on a different level altogether from Lehr. Just floored by almost everything space-related that Berkey did.

2

escdotdot says:

February 2, 2014 at 11:15 am

Both a great, but (obviously) different. They both make me want to read the books behind those covers, so from that point of view they’ve succeeded!

I am very much looking forward to when you feature Chris Foss (is that too presumptuous?). As well as the sci-fi that Foss is better know for, his work was also on war fiction paperbacks published by Fontana in the ’70s. My parents have a few on their shelves if you want scans…

4

Collective says:

February 2, 2014 at 11:57 am

@Escdotdot – Thats a good point. Thats one thing that carries through all this work is all of it makes you want to crack that cover open and dig in.

Ahh yeah Chris Foss, some of his Asimov covers are REALLY good. Im sure I will be posting his stuff in this series. Which ones do you own? You should throw some pictures up on instagram with the #sundayscifi tag so I can check them out.

8

KYLE says:

February 3, 2014 at 6:21 am

Lehr’s work is on a different scale, let alone a different level. Lehr shows the humans as an ant-like creature amid a bubbly shape, except for the first one. The first picture is excellent in my eyes, I like the trippy bubbled humans.

Berkey’s work is incredible, the ships are beautiful and the low res planets in the background are, well, done with a certain tact that background planets rightly so deserve.

9

Sean says:

February 3, 2014 at 5:12 pm

@Collective, this is an awesome series. Please continue. You just may spark a resurgence of 70’s sci-fi readership.

13

Jake says:

February 5, 2014 at 5:13 pm

I prefer Berkey’s myself. I love the contrast of the fine detail of the ships against the muddy renderings of planets. The painting of the ship’s interior is especially cool with the light reflecting off of the instruments and panels.

I like Lehr’s as well, especially “Captive Universe” in all its purple glory, and the greenish one with the spherical insectoid ship which looks a bit comical but still sinister.

This is my favorite new column on the Internet. Great finds! I’ll have to post a few more from my small collection.

16

Collective says:

February 9, 2014 at 2:07 pm

@Kyle – I agree Kyle, Berkey’s stuff is SO much more detailed and intricate. Its sort of hard to compare the two since they are such different styles.

19

Collective says:

February 9, 2014 at 2:11 pm

@Jake- Great point Jake. I love the lighting on Berkey’s work. Its funny you mention the Captive Universe that has been a favorite of a few people I have spoken to, it seems to be that one and the Foxcroft cover are the fan favorites. I appreciate the kind words I hope you continue to enjoy it.