Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s

by Adam Rowe

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 Time: 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.

Genres: Art, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[George Kaslov · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Carlex · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ben Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love sci fi so much man. Awesome book to get really high and look at.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...has a multi-colored cover."

Right off the bat, the art is the real star here, and honestly would make it a 5 star, if only there were more of it. It's the reason I grabbed the book in the first place—the art is bold, weird, colorful, and completely transporting. If you're a fan of vintage sci-fi paperbacks or pulp aesthetics, there's plenty to feast your eyes on. The covers are spectacular, and flipping through them is like opening a wormhole straight into the imagination of a more adventurous era.
That said, the writing didn't do much for me. The tone often felt...off—too modern, too self-aware, and occasionally distracted by current-day talking points that didn’t feel relevant to the art or its era (it struck me as written by someone who thought they were absolutely adorable and hilarious). Sometimes it felt like the author was straining to impose a theme rather than letting the work speak for itself. I read another Goodreads review that said something similar, oftentimes there was mention of artwork that just wasn't in the book.
I would’ve preferred more space devoted to the artists themselves, with deeper dives into their techniques and careers rather than fitting everything into loose groupings (Cloaked Figures, Domed Cities, Robots, etc.). I think it would've worked better to just pack those extra pages with more art. A more focused approach—less interpretation, more celebration—would’ve made this a knockout.
Still, for the art alone, it’s worth it. Just maybe skim the commentary and let the visuals do the talking.

[Andrew Nette · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to have to go through this book in more detail later but it's wonderful and I love it.

[Mason Cantwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Benjamin]

How? 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.

[Murtaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worlds Beyond Time is a stunning tribute to the bold, surreal, and wildly imaginative sci-fi art of the 1970s. I've always been drawn to that retro-futuristic aesthetic—those richly painted covers that feel like oil paintings come to life. This book captures that era perfectly, celebrating the artists who helped define it, like Chris Foss, Peter Elson, and Tim White and many other great artists.

What I love most is how the book dives into the strange and beautiful elements that made those covers so unforgettable—spaceships, alien landscapes, mysterious machinery, and even cryptozoology. Even if the artwork didn’t always match the story inside, it sparked your imagination the moment you saw it on a spinner rack. Highly recommended for anyone who loves classic sci-fi, vintage book covers, or just beautiful, otherworldly art.

[Ryan Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Timbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Oz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning art, and a really great history/overview of SF.

[Shannon Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s is an extraordinary visual journey into the imaginative and visually stunning works of science fiction art from one of the most transformative decades in the genre. This book captures the vibrant and bold artistic visions of the 1970s, a time when sci-fi was experiencing a resurgence in both literature and cinema, influencing the visual arts in profound ways. The collection showcases the work of legendary artists such as Chris Foss, Moebius, and Richard Powers, whose art defined the aesthetic of an entire generation’s vision of the future. Each piece is a captivating blend of surrealism, fantastical landscapes, and bold color schemes that not only tell a story but also transport the viewer into alternate realities. The exploration of these artists’ work reveals how their style evolved in response to the cultural shifts of the time, from the countercultural movements to the advent of new technology, making this book a celebration of both art and the era.

What truly sets Worlds Beyond Time apart is the meticulous curation of art that spans a variety of mediums and artistic techniques. The book doesn’t just focus on the iconic cover art for books and magazines, but also delves into the conceptual designs for films, television, and even album covers, offering a deeper appreciation of how science fiction art permeated popular culture in the 1970s. Each section is richly annotated, providing context not only about the works themselves but also about the artists’ influences and the cultural significance of the time. The result is a book that serves as both an art book and a historical artifact, offering readers an insight into the fascinating intersection of visual culture and science fiction during a particularly revolutionary era. Whether you're a fan of sci-fi or simply appreciate the power of visual storytelling, Worlds Beyond Time is a must-have for anyone interested in the art that helped define the future.

[Tenley Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worlds Beyond Time: Sci-Fi Art of the 1970s offers an insightful and visually stunning exploration of a transformative period in the genre of science fiction art. The book delves into the dynamic world of 1970s sci-fi, an era marked by bold, experimental visuals and a move away from the more traditional, often simplistic depictions of space and technology in earlier decades. With a focus on the works of some of the most iconic artists of the time, this collection highlights the unique blend of futuristic visions and social commentary that characterized the genre during this period. The detailed images presented within the book showcase a diverse range of styles, from the surreal and abstract to the hyper-realistic, illustrating how sci-fi art became an essential aspect of the genre's storytelling and appeal. Each piece feels like a window into the imaginative worlds these artists envisioned, with a sense of both wonder and a foreboding look at humanity's place in the universe.

The book also does a wonderful job of contextualizing the artwork, providing background on the cultural and political climate of the 1970s and how it influenced the visual aesthetics of science fiction. The influence of the space race, environmentalism, and societal upheaval is evident in the themes explored in the art—often dealing with the tensions between technological advancement and the potential consequences of human overreach. While the visual appeal is undeniably the highlight, the accompanying text provides just enough detail to give readers a deeper understanding of the movements, the artists' philosophies, and the broader impact these pieces had on the pop culture of the time. Worlds Beyond Time is not only a feast for the eyes but also a thoughtful commentary on the intersection of art, science fiction, and society, making it an essential read for both art aficionados and fans of the genre.

[Emmalyn Renato · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his introduction, the author states "Seventies-era science fiction cover art is the wellspring of imagination that we're drinking from to this day, percolating through our consciousness until it has become inseperable from how we perceive modern science fiction."

It's certainly what I grew up on. It all changed in the 1990's when Photoshop and the heavy use of digitally generated cover art came into it's own. Thankfully it didn't completely disappear, and we still see the occasional cover that's inspired from that earlier period.

The book has sections on a huge variety of the genres best artists. It also has sections on the usual things you can find in sci-fi books, such as spaceships, vehicles, megastructures, cities, alien landscapes and so on. It has sections of typical tropes like space helmet reflections, sailing ships in space, a single flower on an alien planet plus lots more.

It isn't just book artwork mentioned here. It also covers other areas like magazine artwork, album covers, NASA promotional material and so on.

As you can imagine, it's the artwork that fills up most of the pages. As well as well known pieces, there were wonderful covers for books by authors that are unknown or obscure nowadays. There were are covers that would make me immediately buy the book, even if I'd already read the story (and/or still owned a copy of it). That in itself should show you how impressed I was by it.

[Liz Thoth · Rating 1 out of 5]

The art compilation is great in the book. I would have given it more except the authors clear, sjw, dead materialist, atheism style was a put off. Go figure that a book that is supposed to talk about sci-fi art in the 70’s has common era politics in it, including talking points that include, spirit is not real, space travel will never happen every because humans are monkeys, Sasquatch is not real and thousands of people from different cultures, backgrounds and indigenous tribes are ‘crazy’. Sounds pretty racist to me. But hey at least mentioned an author who goes by he/him pronouns is actually trans, and instead of referring to the author by the pronouns the author WANTS he/him. He refers to the author with BOTH pronouns in to areas of the referred authors life. Can’t even respect the wishes of a person that is trans because Adam Rowe wants to virtue signal so hard he completely misses the mark. Why there are losers like this compiling books like this and remain to be objective? It’s sci fi and OTHER people’s work, not a place to insert you limited and inexperienced works view. I would not recommend solely based on this. Try Tachen fantasy art compilations books, and other books by Frazetta.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful overview of science-fiction illustration, starting with the 1960's and extending into the mid 1980's (somewhat in contradiction to the title). The book is organized into common themes, but there are also sub-sections that focus on particular artists. This nicely balances wider trends in the genre, while also giving insight into the individual creators. My only criticism is that in order to include more examples, some of the art is reproduced at a very small scale, making it hard to appreciate finer details.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An wonderful introduction/coffee-table book about a beloved period of Sci-fi. The art featured in it's pages is quite memorable; from famous covers to obscure masterpieces, Rowe covers a wide range of both styles and topics with both reverence and humor. I do wish there were more full page images, as many of them were too small for me to really take in, but this wouldn't be a drawback for people just getting into art books or classic sf. This is one I could keep going back to, to rediscover the wonder (thankfully there's the blog and social media pages to now go explore).

[Louise Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, and while it had some strong moments, it ultimately fell flat for me. The writing was beautiful, and there were some truly profound passages. However, the pacing was off, with long stretches where not much happened. The characters were interesting, but I never felt fully connected to them. It’s a book with great potential that just didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

[Millie Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that I absolutely loved, but there were also sections that felt repetitive and slow. The characters were well-developed, but their motivations sometimes felt forced. The plot had potential but didn’t quite deliver on its initial promise. However, the writing was lovely, and there were moments of beauty that kept me engaged. It’s a book that had its highs and lows.

[Geoffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Vestealva · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Federico Lucifredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Esme Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! The author has a way with words that brings every scene to life. The story was engaging, the characters lovable, and the pacing just right. It was the perfect escape and exactly what I needed. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

[Gracie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the premise, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The middle part dragged a bit, and some of the characters felt one-dimensional. It’s not a bad story, but it could have been so much more. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.

[Maisie Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there were some interesting ideas here, the execution was a bit lacking. The pacing was off, and I found myself losing interest in the middle. It had some great moments, but they were overshadowed by slower parts. It’s worth a read, but it didn’t blow me away.