A quick video flick through of the ‘fresh off the press’ Hardware.

Hardware: The Definitive SF Works of Chris Foss

Foss’ ground breaking and distinctive science fiction art revolutionized paperback covers in the 1970s and 80s. Dramatically raising the bar for realism and invention, his trademark battle-weary spacecraft, dramatic alien landscapes and crumbling brutalist architecture irrevocably changed the aesthetic of science fiction art and cinema. Featuring work for books by Isaac Asimov, E. E. Doc Smith, Arthur C. Clarke, A. E. Van Vogt and Philip K. Dick, and film design for Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick, this volume brings together many rare and classic images that have never been seen or reprinted before. The first comprehensive retrospective of Chris Foss sci-fi career. ‘Chris Foss name has become pre-eminent among sci-fi artists… He is in love with the monstrous, with angular momentum, with inertia-free projectiles and irresistable objects.’- Brian Aldiss. ‘[Foss ] creations are real machines, not just an artist’s dreams. They combine the two elements so essential to science fiction: realism and a sense of wonder… A medieval goldsmith of future eons.’- Alejandro Jodorowsky. Rian Hughes is an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator, font designer and comics artist, noted for his work on 2000AD, and Dan Dare. His illustration work is highly distinctive, wearing its design influences on its sleeve. Clients include Virgin Airways, Penguin Books, DC Comics (for whom he has designed numerous logos), Eurostar the BBC and a range of magazines and newspapers. He is the editor and designer of several books including Lifestyle Illustration of the 60s, and the recently released Cult-ure. ‘One of the most successful and prolific designer/illustrators of the past 20 years’ – Roger Sabin, Eye magazine.

Chris Foss’s evocative science fiction book covers pioneered a much-imitated style featuring vast, colourful spaceships, machines and cities. He also illustrated the original black and white edition of The Joy of Sex. He produced the UK pb covers for Asimov s Foundation Trilogy, worked with H.R. Geiger on concepts for the unrealised Jodorowsky Dune movie and on Alien, as well as on Superman.

Rian Hughes is a graphic designer and artist particularly noted for his work on 2000AD titles in the 1990s, including Robo Hunter and Dan Dare, and his logo and font designs. His design work is bold and highly distinctive.

 

Billy appreciates the front cover of Hardware or the comfy box, it’s hard to tell. Merci pour la photo JP!

 

11 Comments

  1. Newton Ewell 01/06/2011 at 20:02

    Oh ho HO!!! Looks like another epic work from you, Chris! I *eagerly* await my copy!!!

  2. Michel Gagne 02/06/2011 at 20:38

    I’ve been a fan of Chris Foss my whole life and have had his other art books (20th Century Foss, Diary of a Spaceperson, The Chris Foss Portfolio) displayed proudly on my bookshelves for years. This one looks like it’s going to be the best one yet! I can’t wait. Thanks for inspiring a whole generation of sci-fi artists.

  3. Grant 04/06/2011 at 12:04

    That video clip has me salivating now. What a fantastic looking collection – roll on July.

  4. Imogene 05/06/2011 at 17:09

    Thanks for the positive comments, they’re greatly appreciated. I think Rian has done a great design job creating a superb cohesive layout, with an exciting comic book feel to it.

  5. Wayne 09/06/2011 at 04:30

    That is such a tease!! Can’t wait!

    Total inspiration for decades, unique and unmatched. The UK sf artists of the 70’s 80’s have had such an impact on the look of sf and continue to do so today.

    I became an artist because of Burns, White, Elson et al but Foss was the first.

    A life long THANK YOU Mr Foss!

  6. stef 28/06/2011 at 18:12

    I still have a edition of dragon´s dream tittled “21 st century foss”… buy it in 1984… great artist and really inspirated artist.

  7. David 12/07/2011 at 15:41

    great to see a new book out, i still have one i bought in the late 1970’s, inpired me in my own work at the time, looking forward to seeing some more recent work in the new book, best of luck with it.

    • Imogene 12/07/2011 at 15:44

      Cheers David

  8. JPN 14/07/2011 at 18:30

    To my surprise, I received a note from Amazon UK that the copie I ordered last april was shipped, and we are only the 14th…

  9. JPN 20/07/2011 at 22:09

    Hardware land today. Rian and Imogene, you are fantastic! Thank you so much for this ultimate catalogue of Chris works. The differents inroductions and Imogene presentation is verry satisfying with details. You make my year! JPN

    • Imogene 20/07/2011 at 22:13

      Thanks so much JP, that’s really great to hear.

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