Banner Art Credits

In 2007, the ISFDB began a monthly series of banners as an homage to the seminal magazines of the genre. Each banner contains an ISFDB logo in the style of the magazine, and includes a montage of low-res clips from representative covers. As of July 2009, we started putting these through a daily rotation. Credits for the clips follow.

The image is a book cover depicting a man standing through a U.S. Capitol with a gun in his hand, under the titles "Brad Thor" and "Takedown".

Detailed Description: (oil painting)

The book cover background is dominated by a backdrop of a devastating Fourth of July terrorist bombing in Manhattan and a hunt for a crucial secret.

In the foreground, a man standing in black t-shirt on a leather jacket, holding a handgun in his right hand.

Above the character, the author's name, "Brad Thor," is printed in large, stylized letters, with the "O" in "Thor" containing the silhouette of a sniper lying in wait. Below the author’s name, the book title “Takedown” is printed in white letters, with the subtitle "Overkill" appearing underneath in a smaller font.

At the bottom left corner, there is a black logo for "Festa.".

The overall mood of the image is intense and suspenseful, reflecting a thriller or action genre. The use of cool colors and dramatic lighting underscores the gritty, high-stakes atmosphere typical of modern espionage thrillers.

The book cover depicts a determined, armed man running against a dramatic red sky backdrop, under the titles "Jack Carr" and "Blutroter Himmer". (acrylic painting) - Sharlto Copley (acrylic painting and celebrity update)

Detailed description: The image is a book cover featuring a determined male figure prominently positioned in the foreground. The man is depicted in motion, actively running, and wears a jacket. His expression is serious and focused, conveying a sense of urgency. He is clearly armed, holding a weapon that is identified as possibly a rifle.

Behind the man, there is a backdrop of a major looming crisis for the United States, including a nuclear threat from a rogue Chinese submarine, a powerful tech mogul with questionable loyalty, and a foreign-controlled politician nearing the presidency. Contrast between the red sky gradient and the man's dark clothing intensifies the image.

The title of the book, "BLUTROTER HIMMER", is prominently displayed in large, bold letters, likely to catch the reader's attention. (Tungsten Condensed font) Below that, the author's name, "JACK CARR," is also written clearly. At the top left corner is a logo that reads "FESTA."

The overall atmosphere and mood of the image are intense, action-packed, and potentially violent, suggesting that the book may be a thriller or action novel. The use of warm colors like red and orange in the dramatic sky backdrop contrasts sharply with the man's dark clothing and enhances the intense, action-packed mood. This color palette is highly effective at conveying a sense of danger, urgency, and conflict, which aligns with the book's thriller genre and the description of a major crisis.

The book cover depicts a man in a leather jacket holding a gun against a dark, dramatic background, under the titles "Vince Flynn" and "Capture or Kill".

Detailed Description: (acrylic painting) The image is a book cover featuring a man stands in the foreground. He has short, dark hair and is wearing a black leather jacket. His expression is serious and focused. He holds a black handgun with both hands, aiming it slightly upwards.

A section of an old, ornate building, possibly a government building or historical landmark, is visible in the upper left corner. A blurred mountain range can be seen, adding depth and a hint of wilderness. The overall background has a cloudy, somewhat ominous sky. (acrylic painting)

The title of the book, "CAPTURE OR KILL" in large white letters at the top. Below the title is a subtitle in German, "FANGEN ODER TÖTEN," flanked by stars. Below that, the author's name, "VINCE FLYNN," is prominently displayed in bold, white letters in the middle of the cover, preceded by the text "#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR." At the bottom of the cover, it reads "EIN MITCH RAPP-THRILLER VON DON BENTLEY" in smaller white letters, and the publisher's logo, "FESTA," is at the very bottom.

The overall atmosphere and mood of the image conveys a sense of tension, action, and suspense. The dark colors, focused expression of the man, and the presence of a weapon all contribute to this mood. The old building in the background creates a sense of historical context or perhaps a connection to power and authority.

Argosy

• January 23, 1932, Robert A. Graef. Cover story: "Dwellers in the Mirage", A. Merritt.
• December 29, 1928, Paul Stahr. Cover story: "The Phantom in the Rainbow", Slater La Master.
• May 5, 1923, P. J. Monahan. Cover story: "The Moon Maid", Edgar Rice Burroughs.
• February 11, 1928, Paul Stahr. Cover story: "Beyond the Stars", Ray Cummings.
• June 28, 1924, Stockton Mulford. Cover story: "The Radio Man", Ralph Milne Farley.
• August 7, 1920, Glen White. Cover story: "The Metal Monster", A. Merritt.
• December 7, 1929, George W. Gage. Cover story: "The Sky's the Limit", Erle Stanley Gardner.

Astounding

• July 1948, Hubert Rogers. Cover story: "Dreadful Sanctuary", Eric Frank Russell.
• July 1939, Graves Gladney. Cover story: "Black Destroyer", A. E. van Vogt.
• January 1934, Howard V. Brown. Cover story: "Colossus", Donald Wandrei.
• November 1962, John Schoenherr. Cover story: "Space Viking", H. Beam Piper.
• April 1962, John Schoenherr. Cover story: "Mercenary", Mack Reynolds.
• August 1940, Hubert Rogers. Cover story: "The Stars Look Down", Lester del Rey.
• June 1935, Howard V. Brown. Cover story: "The Invaders", John W. Campbell, Jr. as by Don A. Stuart.

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction

• May 1962, Ed Emsh. Illustrating: "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloomed", Vance Aandahl.
• May 1965, Mel Hunter.
• April 1953, Ed Emshwiller. Illustrating "Beggars All" by J. T. M'Intosh.
• July 1957, Mel Hunter.
• March 1954, Fred Kirberger. Illustrating "5,271,009", Alfred Bester.
• May 1955, Stanley Meltzoff.
• December 1950, Chesley Bonestell.
• August 1958, Ed Emshwiller. Illustrating "Have Space Suit--Will Travel", Robert A. Heinlein.

New Worlds

• August 1956, Terry Maloney as by Terry.
• January 1953, Gerard Quinn.
• July 1954, Gerard Quinn.
• May 1956, Gerard Quinn.
• May 1957, Elton.
• January 1952, Gerard Quinn.

Weird Tales

• May 1942 (Canadian Edition), Edmond Good.
• November 1949, Matt Fox.
• November 1941, Hannes Bok.
• January 1947, A. R. Tilburne.
• November 1950, Frank Kelly Freas.
• October 1933, Margaret Brundage.
• August 1935, Margaret Brundage.

Amazing Stories

• August 1928, Frank R. Paul.
• January 1934, Leo Morey.
• January 1944, Robert Fuqua.
• May 1931, Leo Morey.
• March 1950, Robert Gibson Jones.
• October 1933, Leo Morey.
• August 1927, Frank R. Paul.
• September 1928, Frank R. Paul.

Galaxy

• May 1953, Mel Hunter.
• February 1956, Ed Emshwiller as by Emsh.
• February 1951, Chesley Bonestell.
• March 1956, Ed Emshwiller as by Emsh.
• March 1954, Ed Emshwiller as by Emsh.
• May 1952, Jack Coggins.
• September 1953, Ed Emshwiller as by Emsh.
• January 1953, Ed Emshwiller as by Emsh.
• September 1954, Ed Emshwiller as by Emsh.

Authentic Science Fiction

• #80, May 1957, Josh Kirby.
• #6, March 15, 1951, D. L. W..
• #13, September 1951, D. L. W..
• #10, June 1951, George Ratcliffe.
• #14, October 1951, D. L. W..
• #69, May 1956, John E. Mortimer.
• #23, July 1952, Gordon C. Davies.
• #55, March 1955, John Richards.

If

• October, 1966, Dan Adkins as by Adkins.
• January, 1953, Anton Kurka.
• May, 1961, Jack Gaughan.
• August, 1954, Ken Fagg.
• May, 1953, Ken Fagg.
• June, 1967, Paul E. Wenzel as by Wenzel.
• December, 1965, Gray Morrow.

Startling Stories

• Fall 1943, Earle Bergey.
• Winter 1946, Earle Bergey.
• July 1939, Howard V. Brown.
• January 1939, Howard V. Brown.
• May 1947, Earle Bergey.
• Spring 1954, Alex Schomburg.
• Summer 1945, Earle Bergey.
• September 1949, Earle Bergey.

Banner created by Phileas.

Asimov's Science Fiction

• November 1983, Wayne Barlowe.
• August 1989, Michael Whelan.
• January 1990, Gary Freeman.
• June 1995, Todd Lockwood.
• June 1990, A. C. Farley.
• February 1988, Hank Jankus.
• June 1980, Roger Stine.

Magasin d'Éducation et de Récréation

• December 15, 1877, Paul Philippoteaux. Illustrating Hector Servadac, voyages et aventures à travers le monde solaire by Jules Verne.
• July 5, 1869, Alphonse de Neuville. Illustrating Vingt mille lieues sous les mers by Jules Verne.
• April 15, 1879 Léon Benett. Illustrating Les cinq cents millions de la Bégum by Jules Verne and A. Laurie.
• August 1, 1892 Léon Benett. Illustrating Le château des Carpathes by Jules Verne.
• April 20, 1870, Édouard Riou/Alphonse de Neuville. Illustrating Vingt mille lieues sous les mers by Jules Verne.
• 1904 (issue unknown), George Roux. Illustrating Maître du monde by Jules Verne.
• February 1, 1880 Léon Benett. Illustrating La maison à vapeur by Jules Verne.
• 1905 (issue unknown), Léon Benett. Illustrating L'invasion de la mer by Jules Verne.

Photoshop Blank

If anyone else feels as creative as Phileas, and would like to take a shot at making ISFDB banner art, a blank Photoshop project with the usual backgrounds in it is provided.

Contact me to submit. Artwork needs to be rendered in JPG format for the rotation script to work correctly. Alvonruff 01:03, 12 July 2009 (UTC)

2020 update: if you create a new image and would like to have it added to the ISFDB rotation, post a request on the Community Portal. Ahasuerus 10:30, 2 June 2020 (EDT)