A science fiction blog featuring science fiction book reviews and with frequent ramblings on fantasy, computers and the web.
The winners if the 20th Spectrum Fantastic Art Awards have been announced!
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Another round of book cover smackdownery today…this time with a selection of blue-tinted space scenes.
Which is your favorite?
Another round of book cover smackdownery today…this time with some colorful renditions of cool-sounding books
Sound off in the comments about which cover you like the best and why…
Tor.com’s single-story ebook publications (which come DRM-free) come with cover art that crushes that of most novels. Take, for example, this trio of covers of Tor.com originals that will be available next month. I don’t envy the person who has to choose the best among them. That’d be you!
Tell us which cover you like the best and why…
Sometimes simple is better. Check out these three subtle covers from books coming your way in April
Which ones do you catch and which do you let fall to the ground? You decide!
Several anthologies and colections are coming your way soon. Here are three of them to lord over…artistically speaking…
Which ones do you like? Tell us and be mighty!
Here are the contenders…
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Irene Gallo at Tor.com tells us that judging for the 20th edition of the Spectrum Fantastic Art Annual wrapped up. Here are the gold and silver finalists:
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REVIEW SUMMARY: A beautiful, haunting compilation of art from the bestselling video game horror franchise Dead Space.
MY RATING: 
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Over 300 iconic, full color images and sketches, with commentary from artists.
MY REVIEW
PROS: Absolutely stunning images that latch onto the mind in an icy death grip, annotations from artists deliver a glimpse into the twisted creative cycle that spawned such striking and grotesque visuals.
CONS: Some may consider the price steep.
BOTTOM LINE: An collection of art from all three Dead Space games, recommended for fans of the series, concept artists, and aspiring authors/horror film directors looking to add a serrated edge of inspiration to their work.
So how is this for something different – I’m going to review an art book! Bear with me, as this is a first, but I feel as though my love of video games and my limited stint at an art school provide me just enough knowledge to get the job done. As a disclaimer I must warn you, I haven’t played Dead Space 3 yet. Nor have I beaten Dead Space or Dead Space 2, though I have owned each at one point in time. One thing that always has impressed me with the series has been the unique art direction. Dead Space is a series that is visibly influenced by the titans of space horror that came before it. The Alien franchise is an obvious source, as is Event Horizon. Still, Dead Space has developed an identity all of its own. As the introduction of the book states, “It has sci-fi that’s never fantastical, horror that’s always personal, and action that’s delivered like a punch to the gut…” I couldn’t agree more. All of the science fiction elements of Dead Space are utilitarian. The future isn’t a bright, gleaming beacon of hope – it’s worn and functional and grimy. The horror is isolating and atrocious, and the action is limb-dismembering-visceral. All of this becomes evident as you open The Art of Dead Space and begin to flip through the pages.
March is throwing at least these three militray science fiction titles your way. Which ones do you catch and which do you let fall to the ground? You decide!
Here are the contenders…
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February is a popular month for books with Dragons on the cover. But in a book cover cage match, who emerges victorious? You decide!
Here are the contenders…
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On the 28th of March 2013, Harper/Voyager will reprint 7 classic sf/f novels with beautiful minimalist covers to accompany the special minimalist-cover Collector’s Edition of The Hobbit that is out right now.
Read on to see bigger versions of the new covers…
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I have had lovely covers. Prior to The Creative Fire, my best cover story was when publisher Sean Wallace told me he wanted to buy Mayan December by sending me the cover art (by Scott Grimando) and asking if I thought it would go with the book. In every other case, I gave input about cover ideas on a basic form, but actually learned what the covers looked like by spotting them on Amazon. My experience with John Picacio’s stunning cover for The Creative Fire has been very different. My belief is that the support we have each provided the other in talking about the book and the art benefited us both greatly.
I knew John, but not well. We had been introduced at conventions, had talked at parties, and would have recognized each other walking down the street, but we had never had a private conversation that lasted more than two minutes. I admired his work. I own his art book, Cover Story: The art of John Picacio. A signed print of his Asimov’s cover, Away from Here hangs on my office wall among other pieces of science fiction art.
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by cover…unless it’s an SF Signal Book Cover Smackdown!
It’s time once again to have your way with some upcoming book covers, this time with a new trio of young adult titles being released next month.
Here are today’s contenders…
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They say you shouldn’t judge a book by cover…unless it’s an SF Signal Book Cover Smackdown!
It’s time once again to have your way with some upcoming book covers, this time with a new trio of steampunk titles being released next month.
Here are today’s contenders…
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Richard Powers is one of science fiction’s seminal artists. His work is both distinctive and iconic.
In this promo film, musician Andy Partridge combines Powers’ art with music inspired by it for his 2010 called Powers.
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They say you shouldn’t judge a book by cover…unless it’s an SF Signal Book Cover Smackdown!
It’s time once again to have your way with some upcoming book covers, this time with a new trio of November fantasy releases.
Here are today’s contenders…
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Hugo Award-winning and Chesley Award-winning artist John Picacio has just announced a Kickstarter project for a 2013 calendar featuring twelve of his fantastic illustrations.
This is the debut project of John’s new company, Lone Boy, and it promises to be something worth showing off. It’s being produced to John’s normal high quality standards. It will be printed on 12 pt. premium paper stock with a satin aqueous-coated finish, and is sure to look absolutely beautiful. John has not only illustrated the artwork that appears within the calendar, but he has also designed the calendar itself. One thing worth noting: whereas most calendars feature artwork occupying a 12″ x 12″ page, this calendar will devote more space to the stunning illustrations that are included.
What pieces are included? Glad you asked! Each month, you’ll see the artist’s cover illustration from the following:
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They say you shouldn’t judge a book by cover…unless it’s an SF Signal Book Cover Smackdown!
It’s time once again to have your way with some upcoming book covers, this time with a new trio of November fantasy releases.
Here are today’s contenders…
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Hot off the heels of his Chesley Award win, his Hugo award win and his announcement about the sale of limited-edition museum-quality prints, artist John Picacio has just announced the opening of his own company, Lone Boy.
The company’s first product offerings will include:
Don’t miss out: Sign up for the Lone Boy mailing list right now.
