SOUL OF A ROBOT

"At the far end of the hall a tall door swung open. Through it strode Gogra: a giant of a robot, twelve foot tall and broad to match. Gogra was coal-black. In his right hand he carried a massive sledge-hammer that in a few blows could have crushed Jasperodus to junk, tough as he was. Pausing in the doorway, the terrifying robot surveyed the hall. As soon as he caught sight of Jasperodus he lunged forward, lifting the hammer with evident purpose. Jasperodus backed away. Gogra's appearance was frightening; his head was thrust forward on his neck, reminiscent of an ape-man; and the face was a mask of ugliness as to arouse both terror and pity: Gogra's designer had sought to give his massive frame sufficient agility by filling his interior with oil under pressure; the safety valve for that oil was his grotesque grilled mouth, from which green ichor dribbled copiously and continuously."

Orbit paperback, 1977. Cover by Bob Layzell.

Rear cover/synopsis.

VISIONS OF THE FUTURE: AN EXCITING AND NOVEL SELECTION OF SCIENCE FICTION ART OF TODAY

It's books like this that make me wish I had an A3 scanner. Actually, I do own one, but it's old (Windows 95/98) and only has a SCSI cable, which I don't think any of my PCs have had since 2005. Anyway... this is a large format paperback book published in 1976 featuring content previously featured either in New English Library's Science Fiction Monthly (an A3 sized poster magazine that run from the mid to late 1970s), or the covers of NEL's line of SF paperbacks. Artists featured include Brent Armstrong, Jim Burns, Gary Chalk, Gareth Colman, Lucinda Cowell, Gordon C. Davies, Roger Dean, Emlyn Duffy, Ray Feibush, Chris Foss, C. Foster, Bob Fowke, Bob Haberfield, David Hardy, G. W. Harrison, Colin Hay, David Higgins, P. Jepson, Josh Kirby, Bob Layzell, Mike Little, Brigid Marlin, Ian Miller, Kristine Nason, Michael Payne, David Pelham, Bruce Pennington, Time White and Chris Yates. There is a little biographical info on each, ranging from a line (date of birth, country) to whole pages. There's also an introduction by A. E. van Vogt.

The back cover, featuring the work of Karel Thole, who is not in the book, unfortunately. 

Rear-cover guff: 

"These imaginative visions of the future have all been culled from the pages of Science Fiction Monthly, Britain's top-selling sf colour magazine. They represent the work of established illustrators like David Pelham, Roger Dean, Bruce Pennington, David Hardy and Chris Yates and also the best of the new sf artists who have been featured over the past two years. Their range of interpretation and expression is quite exceptional - from the mysteriously innocent idylls of Bob Fowke, through the meticulously detailed space hardware of Chris Foss to the bizarre worlds of Ray Feibush. Like all good artists, they challenge us to think twice about our assumptions - whether the world of two hundred (or two million) years from now will be the technological heaven the scientists have promised, or whether it will be a nightmarish landscape in which we and our values have been hopelessly lost to the superiority of other civilizations 'out there'. As A.E. van Vogt says in his introduction, these pictures represent 'a new and remarkable. . .contribution to the slowly shifting balance of the human psyche as it once more tries to confront reality.' Through the airbrush and the photo-collage these artists tell us about ourselves and our place in the universe. At the same time they give us much of the fun of sf it has come down from the world of pulp fiction - bug-eyed monsters, rayguns, gigantic space battleships and fantastic planets. Their approach is wide-ranging and open, as it should be in tackling a world which looms nearer every day."

"Beyond Bedlam" by Jim Burns.

Painting for "Early Asimov 3" by Chris Foss.

Painting (detail) for Hughes Cooper's "Sexmax" by C. Foster.

"Purple Gas" by David Higgins.

"Invasion" (detail) by Bob Layzell.

"The Rat Catcher" by Ian Miller.

Painting (detail) by Bruce Pennington for M. John Harrison's "The Pastel City".

GALACTIC ENCOUNTERS: DANGEROUS FRONTIERS - THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL ON DISANT WORLDS

Intercontinental Book Productions, hardback, 1980. Cover painting by Bob Layzell.

"The ships of the Galactic Federation's Survey and Preliminary Study Service ceaselessly range among the alien stars and unexplored planets which lie beyond the distant Perimeter. Contact with the bustling, central worlds of the Federation is difficult and infrequent as they face the dangers of the vast unknown. 

But the prosperity and growth of this great association of worlds would be impossible without new sources of supply and new avenues for expansion. Scarcely more than one in every hundred planets explored proves to be of sufficient interest to justify the implementation of a settlement programme. 

All the planets described in Dangerous Frontiers have won a place in the Federation at great cost in lives and efforts, and their existence owes much to the courage and determination of the creatures who first struggled for a foot-hold in their lonely and alien landscapes. 

Dangerous Frontiers is a study of those worlds as they are today. Some are vital to the network of trade, others have faded in importance and a few are only just emerging from obscurity. Whatever their current status in the Federation, it is to those who struggled alone in the emptiness beyond the frontiers that the honour belongs."

Painting by Angus McKie.

"One of the first sights to meet the eyes of a visitor to Monk's Field, are the impressive orbital terminals built in the mid twenty-second century."

Painting by Colin Hay.

"One of the scores of gigantic ore extraction plants constructed on Alpha Indi II to process the sea water. This plant is still operational."

Painting by Angus McKie.

"A view of Nihalan and its nearby lunar companion, Phox, showing one of the areas of intense volcanic activity which are scattered over the planet."

Painting by Chris Moore.

"The Beta Phoenicis system provides a base for the largest single industrial centre in the Federation. Transport between the twenty-seven planets and countless asteroids orbiting the sun is assisted by the vast transit stations where passengers can embark for any destination in known space."

Painting by Peter Elson.

"Passenger liners such as this Starfleet Major now ferry in pleasure seekers from all over the Federation to sample the delights of Ethsymon."

Painting by Cesare Reggiani.

"Until quite recently, the dolmens of 15 Lyncis Bee marked the sites of zyrillium treasure troves."

Painting by Roy Virgo.

"The research team's surface skimmers proved invaluable in their surveys of Eptel III."

ROBERT SHECKLEY: FUTUROPOLIS

Cover by Alan Daniels.

Futuropolis: 

"Is a memorable illustration-packed journey to the extraordinary cities of the future as envisioned by some of the most notable artists, writers, philosophers, architects and film makers, past and present, ever assembled in one volume. Here are the fantastic visions of Piero della Francesca and Buckminster Fuller, of Plato, George Orwell and Isaac Asimov, of Fritz Lang, of Breughel and Druillet, and many more. Impossible cities? Nothing but science fiction and fantasy? Many of these astounding visions already exist."

Robert Sheckley: 

"A well-known science fiction writer whose works include Mindswap, Dimension Of Miracles, Citizen In Space and The Tenth Victim, which was made into a movie starring Ursula Andress and Marcello Mastroianni. A Brooklyn-born graduate of New York University, he lives with his family in London."

Painting by Colin Hay for The Lathe Of Heaven by Ursula Le Guin.

Painting by Bob Layzell.

"Fire Time" by Colin Hay.

Amazing Science Fiction Stories, February 1959. Illustration by Phil Berry.

"The City Crumbles" by Bob Layzell.

"Torquedara Varenkor" by Philippe Druillet.

Painting by George Underwood.

Céméroon by Philippe Druillet.

THE BEST OF OMNI SCIENCE FICTION NO.2

The Best Of Omni Science Fiction No. 2, 1981. Cover painting by Fred-Jurgen Rogner.

This is a re-post of an Omni mag I originally scanned in May 2011. I was skimming through a few issues a few days ago and noticed I'd apparently missed at least half a dozen pieces of artwork from this particular magazine. This issue also featured pictorials on Chris Foss' book 21st Century Foss and John Schoenherr's Dune illustrations (from The Illustrated Dune) but you can find the real thing(s) here and here, respectively.

"This very worthy successor to a much-acclaimed first volume is intended for science-fiction devotees and neophytes alike. It has an introduction by Robert Sheckley and 16 memorable stories by such masters of the genre as Theodore Sturgeon, George R. R. Martin, and Orson Scott Card. In a special sf appearance TV personality Hugh Downs describes a reincarnation deep in the future and Robert Silverberg contributes a never-before-published novella about a distant moon in a distant time. Arthur C. Clarke annotates an illustrated presentation of cosmic spaceships. Five other breathtakingly colourful pictorials include works of John Schoenherr, Christopher Foss, and David Jackson."

Painting by Bob Layzell, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Bob Layzell, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Peter Knifton, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Peter Knifton, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Alan Daniels, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Bob Layzell, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Colin Hay, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Alan Daniels, from the pictorial Spaceships.

Painting by Paul Lehr, from the pictorial Star Seekers.

Painting by John Schoenherr, from the pictorial Star Seekers.

Taken Hostage, painting by Michael Whelan, from the pictorial Star Seekers.

The One Who Stayed Behind, painting by Darrell Sweet, from the
pictorial Star Seekers.

Painting by Angus McKie, from the pictorial 7 Wonders Of The Universe.

"The doors of Launch stand four kilometers from the ground. The hangar itself measures 4,600 square kilometers and was built when subatomic fuel was still cheap and muon-guzzling space limousines were gigantic."

Painting by John Harris, from the pictorial Time Travellers.

GALACTIC ENCOUNTERS: WORLDS AT WAR - AN ILLUSTRATED STUDY OF INTERPLANETARY CONFLICT

Intercontinental Book Productions, hardback, 1980. Cover painting by
Tony Roberts.

"Despite the vast breadth of the Galactic Federation, and the many worlds and races it encompasses, it is nevertheless a minute speck on the rum of the great wheel of our Galaxy. Other worlds and other races lie scattered among the innumerable stars beyond its frontiers, and many of these will have evolved at least as far as the worlds comprising the Federation. 

There will be the those beyond its boundaries within reach, who regard the existence of the Federation with alien eyes: sometimes with resentment, sometimes with fear. As long as this is the case there exists the threat of interstellar war. 

Worlds at War records the battles that have already taken place in the dark and airless wastes of space, describes the reasons behind them, the events which followed and the final outcome of each confrontation between the Federation and its enemies. Only three major wars have taken place during the last 150 years but each of them threatened the security of the hundreds of inhabited planets that make up the Galactic Federation, and each of them demanded considerable sacrifices from the brave creatures who offer their lives in defence of their fellows."

Painting by Chris Moore.

"The huge transmitting centers of the Federation's signalling stations played a key role in the desperate attempt to halt the advance of the nightmarish intruder, and proved more effective than the sophisticated weaponry of the entire Federation Defence Force."

Painting by Jim Burns.

"A grim sight met the eyes of the rescue teams rushing to the main camp on the planet of Bell's Lode in answer to the desperate cries for help of its occupants."

Painting by Bob Layzell.

"Operating from semi-permanent bases established near Bell's Lode, squadrons of military warships stood by to intercept any further raids by the Marauders."

Painting by Tony Roberts.

"Beneath the dense cloud cover of a Marauder planet a huge invasion fleet was massing."

Painting by Bob Layzell.

"Aware that they had advanced too far, and with supplies running low, the Phalan attack began to slow. The arrival of the Federation fleet from the battle with the support force turned the tide against the enemy. Here a Phalan command ship makes a dash for the safety of deep space."

GALACTIC ENCOUNTERS: ALIENS IN SPACE - AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE INHABITED GALAXY

Intercontinental Book Productions hardback, 1979. Cover painting by
Bob Layzell.

"One of the more significant developments in human history, and without doubt the most dramatic in terms of mobility of he species, was the introduction of the first Hyperdrive engine by Henri DeVass in 2027 AD. Within a short space of time this device had transformed Man's attempts to explore his extraterrestrial environment, and the doorway to the stars was open. 

The question of whether we were along in the Universe had haunted Homo Sapiens for generations, but even those believing most fervently in the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the vast reaches of space, had little idea that it would be discovered so close to our solar system, or that contact would lead directly to the founding of a great galactic empire. 

Aliens in Space is a fascinating account of the worlds within the Galactic Federation where sentient beings exist, and describes the characters, cultures and circumstances of an extraordinary variety of creatures, from the gentle and sophisticated Alpha Centaurians to the terrible Fangstones of Hades. Each section opens with a planetary data check and navigational reference, before going on to outline the planet and some of the intriguing life-forms to be found there. 

Steven Caldwell joined the galactic Federation Security Force in 2393 and quickly rose to the rank of Group 1 Battleforce Commander. During his 15 years of active service he travelled to all parts of the Federation, and was awarded the Andromeda Star for his part in the settlement of the Perimeter Worlds. He now runs his own company prospecting for the ore Zyrillium - the major propulsive for Interstellar Military Interceptors. 

The GALACTIC ENCOUNTERS series is produced by the Federal Data Bureau which was formed in 2168 as a division of the Galactic Information Service in order to provide a comprehensive service for space travellers. 

Although most of its publications are highly technical programmes for licensed spacecraft operators only, the series was developed to satisfy the the growing demand for information of a more general nature, and to serve as an introduction to the rich variety of life within the Galactic Federation."

Painting by Bob Layzell.

"The settlements of Gadgetia are entirely industrial in nature and offer little in the way of amusement to travellers. They are, however, a fascinating race and there are sufficient points of interest to justify a brief stay, although the only places suitable for humans to relax are the domed glass solar centers where the inhabitants top up their energy levels."

Painting by Joe Petagno.

"Due to their extraordinary powers, the solitary wandering people of Nova Nevada are known as the Magicians."

Painting by Tony Roberts.

"A private solar-sailer encounters the infrequent but no less unpleasant phenomenon of the high-flying creatures of Swarmy as they congregate during the mating season in the manner which earned the planet its name."

Painting by Mike Masters.

"Very often the first sight visitors to Reptilia have of the local wildlife is the arrival of the nearest Scarlet Dragon whose ferocious-looking form belies its placid and inquisitive nature."

Painting by Chris Moore.

"The ponderous dormant species of Matar IV is a wholly unpredictable creature, and it is best to avoid any unnecessary contact. Although frequently generous in their dealings with off-worlders, they are as likely to erupt into an unprovoked rage."

Essentially re-purposed paperback covers, artist portfolio pieces and other examples of fine SF art of the late 1970s, Aliens In Space is part of the series of Galactic Encounters books. As the synopsis gives away, this one is a guide to extraterrestrial life-forms in a fictional Galactic Federation, rather similar to Steven Eisler's The Alien World - The Complete Illustrated Guide, which I also have (see post here). This one amusingly re-uses a painting of H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu by Terry Oakes to illustrate a Reptilian alien called the Slycath, and R'lyeh is its sophisticated aquatic civilization. Peter Elson's painting for the Hamlyn paperback cover of Henry Kuttner's Mutant (see post here) doubles as a Proximan; hairless beings resembling humans in all ways but for the arrangement of their internal organs. I love these books, at times it's a little difficult if you're familiar with the artwork to accept that painting X is a depiction of alien Y, but the descriptions really are brilliant and imaginative, if a little juvenile sometimes - emphasis on a little, and sometimes.