Michael Whelan

Michael Whelan, a preeminent figure in contemporary science fiction and fantasy illustration, has exerted significant influence on the visual aesthetics of the genres through his meticulously detailed and naturalistic artworks, spearheading a revival of realism in book cover design and garnering widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences alike.

After college, Whelan received steady commissions from publishers including DAW, Ace, Del Rey, and Marvel Comics. He painted covers for a number of important novel series such as Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern and Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Mars novels.

His painting for McCaffrey’s best-selling The White Dragon gained him national attention, and in 1980 he won the Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist. He captured that award 15 more times. Among his many notable works are covers for 2010: Odyssey Two by Sir Arthur C. Clarke, The Snow Queen by Joan D. Vinge, and Stephen King’s The Dark Tower.