While common themes of science fiction art and illustration are inspired by technology, engineering, space exploration, let alone transcending the known and established physical laws governing the nature of the universe, another motif of the genre’s art pertains to the realm of the biological:
Genetic engineering, the effects of man upon his environment (and likewise, the effects of nature upon man – how jarringly topical now, in March of 2020…); relationships with alien species – whether romantic, sexual, or familial – as exemplified in striking combination through Philip Jose Farmer’s great “The Lovers“; the natural, random evolution of homo sapiens into forms and variants whose physical and intellectual abilities effectively create a new species of “man”.
These and other concepts have all been the basis of science fiction art, both in books and magazines.
A nice example of biological art appears as Robert E. Schulz’s cover illustration for The Best of Barry Malzberg. No stylized, abstract spacecraft here, the symbolic center of the image is the form of a man, before whom are two helixes, probably representations of strands of DNA. At his right side, glass laboratory-ware associated with chemistry (see that Erlenmeyer flask?), which seem to be involved in the condensation of some kind of chemical. Plus, there’s that dark sphere outlined in a diffuse red halo (a planet?; a miniature black hole?), with an electrical circuit below.
But, his other side is different, for the symbolism isn’t scientific, it’s religious. The central object is a huge chalice, above which is a crucifix, all ornamented by a seeming brass clockwork. And, there seems to be a brass shield covering the man’s thigh.
Lots going on here!
As for the book itself? – Oh, yes… Though titled “The Best of…”, it’s actually a Pocket Books publication, rather than being part of the Del Rey / Ballantine Series “The Best of…” which covered the works of a variety of other authors.
Contents
Introduction to The Best of Barry N. Malzberg, by Barry N. Malzberg
Introduction to “A Reckoning”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“A Reckoning” (variant of Notes Leading Down to the Conquest), from New Dimensions III, October, 1943
Introduction to “Letting It All Hang Out”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Letting It All Hang Out” (variant of Hanging), from Fantastic, September, 1974
Introduction to “The Man in the Pocket”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“The Man in the Pocket” (variant of The Men Inside), from New Dimensions II, December, 1972
Introduction to “Pater Familias”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Pater Familias”, from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March, 1972 (by Kris Neville and Barry N. Malzberg)
Introduction to “Going Down”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Going Down”, from Dystopian Visions, 1975
Introduction to “Those Wonderful Years”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Those Wonderful Years”, from Frontiers 1: Tomorrow’s Alternatives, 1973
Introduction to “On Ice”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“On Ice”, from Amazing Science Fiction, January, 1973
Introduction to “Revolution”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Revolution”, from Future City, 1973
Introduction to “Ups and Downs”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Ups and Downs”, from Eros in Orbit, 1973
Introduction to “Bearing Witness”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Bearing Witness”, from Flame Tree Planet, 1973
Introduction to “At the Institute”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“At the Institute”, from Fantastic, 1974
Introduction to “Making It Through”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Making It Through”, from And Walk Now Gently Through the Fire and Other Science Fiction Stories, 1972
Introduction to “Tapping Out”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Tapping Out”, from Future Quest, 1973
Introduction to “Closed Sicilian”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Closed Sicilian”, from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, November, 1973
Introduction to “Linkage”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Linkage”, from Demon Kind, 1973
Introduction to “Introduction to the Second Edition”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Introduction to the Second Edition”, by Barry N. Malzberg
Introduction to “Trial of the Blood”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Trial of the Blood”, from The Berserkers, 1974
Introduction to “Getting Around”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Getting Around”, from Frontiers 1: Tomorrow’s Alternatives, 1973
Introduction to “Track Two”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Track Two”, from Fantastic, July, 1974
Introduction to “The Battered-Earth Syndrome”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“The Battered-Earth Syndrome”, from Saving Worlds, 1973
Introduction to “Network”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Network”, from Fantastic, January, 1974
Introduction to “A Delightful Comedic Premise”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“A Delightful Comedic Premise”, from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, February, 1974
Introduction to “Geraniums”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Geraniums”, from Omega, 1973 (by Valerie King and Barry N. Malzberg)
Introduction to “City Lights, City Nights”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“City Lights, City Nights”, from Future City, 1973
Introduction to “Culture Lock”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Culture Lock”, from Future City, 1973
Introduction to “As in a Vision Apprehended”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“As in a Vision Apprehended”, from The Berserkers, 1974
Introduction to “Form in Remission”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Form in Remission”, from The Berserkers, 1974
Introduction to “Opening Fire”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Opening Fire”, from Frontiers 2: The New Mind, 1973
Introduction to “Running Around”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Running Around”, from Omega, 1973
Introduction to “Overlooking”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Overlooking”, from Amazing Science Fiction, June, 1974
Introduction to “Twenty Sixty-one”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Twenty Sixty-one”, from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, July, 1974
Introduction to “Closing the Dead”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Closing the Deal”, from Analog Science Fiction / Science Fact, March, 1974
Introduction to “What the Board Said”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“What the Board Said”, 1976
Introduction to “Uncoupling”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Uncoupling”, from Dystopian Visions, 1975
Introduction to “Over the Line”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Over the Line”, from Future Kin, 1974
Introduction to “Try Again” and “An Oversight”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“Try Again”, from Strange Gods, 1974
“An Oversight”, 1976, (variant of “Oversight”, from Strange Gods, 1974)
Introduction to “And Still in the Darkness”, by Barry N. Malzberg
“And Still in the Darkness”, 1976
References
The Best of Barry N. Malzberg, at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
Robert E. Schulz, at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
Facebook Page for The Art of Robert E. Schulz