This is really a stunning piece of art.
A cloaked figure rises from the earth and stands complacently upon a featureless landscape. In the far distance, a chain of desolate hills moodily rests against a subtly glowing horizon. A moon (“the” moon? “our” moon?) brightly illuminates all, its backlit glow casting the skeletal figure’s face into invisibility. Or perhaps – and what does this portend? – the anonymous figure has no face whatsoever. At least, not a face to be seen by man.
And the figure, motionless, stands.
And the figure, timeless, watches.
For where is it bound?
For whom is it destined?
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This illustration is from The Acolyte, a science-fiction fanzine published during and shortly after the Second World War, which was was focused on the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Though several examples of the publication’s art are eye-catching and compelling, Alva C. Rogers’ cover for the Fall, 1944, issue is easily among the best carried by the publication, having a level of detail and imagination worthy of some of the best art in established pulp magazines.
I am He who howls in the night
I am He who moans in the snow
I am He who has never seen light
I am He who mounts from below
– H.P. Lovecraft
For your distraction and amusement…
The Acoltye, at…
… Internet Speculative Fiction Database
… The FANAC Fan History Project (Issues 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14)
… The Online Books Page at University of Pennsylvania (Issues 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14)
… The Online Books Page at University of Pennsylvania (Copyright Information)
… Pulp Magazine Archive (Issues 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12)
… The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
Alva C. Rogers, at…