In March of 1959, exactly twenty years after the first publication of Isaac Asimov’s “Marooned Off Vesta”, Amazing Stories republished the story, his third and first-published science-fiction story. The 1959 issue featured the same – or almost the same! – or mostly the same? – or basically the same!? – lead illustration as that created by Robert Fuqua two decades prior. Only this time, the illustration was created by the singularly talented Virgil W. Finlay.
Given Finlay’s creativity, originality, and disposition towards symbolism, eroticism, and mythology, the result for this issue of Amazing Stories was remarkably straightforward, albeit naturally completed in Finlay’s immediately recognizable style and attention to detail. It seems obvious that editor Cele Goldsmith or art director Sid Greiff wanted the story’s lead art to follow – and commemorate? – that of Fuqua from 1939, leading to the result on pages 8 and 9 of the March issue. Even given the artistic requirements (limitations/0 he was operating under, Finlay’s art is still superb.
As for the cover? Albert Nuetzell’s simple painting is still a vast and refreshing improvement (not hard to do!) over that of 1939. No megacephalic, big-eared, naked, spindly, blue-skinned aliens here. You can learn more about Nuetzell in the video below…
Sin & Sci-fi in 60s~ (“Charles Nuetzel & Albert Nuetzell (ft. Bill Pronzini) – Ep. 9: S&SF60s“)
While you’re here, you might want to visit Fuqua’s imagined future from 1939…
As for the non-fiction Vesta, view this NASA Video “Dawn Spacecraft’s Farewell Portrait of Giant Asteroid Vesta“…
Marooned Off Vesta, at…
… Internet Speculative Fiction Database
… ArtStation (by Cosmin Panfil)
… Science Daily (“Geologists propose theory about a famous asteroid”)
Albert Nuetzell, at…