Fear Planet

A Voyage into the Dark Corridors of Sci-fi and Horror!

Welcome to Fear Planet, where we journey through the chilling corridors of science fiction and horror’s dark art. We delve into the most unsettling tales, novels, and movies from bygone eras on a daily basis, with a particular emphasis on the posters, covers, and interior illustrations that captivated generations.

Fear Planet was created by me as an exercise in organizing and preserving my thoughts on and obsessions for sci-fi and horror art. As a child growing up in the 80s, I remember being enraptured by the mesmerizing aisles of musty old bookstores my parents frequented. I was captivated by the vivid and eerie covers of horror paperbacks and sci-fi novels from the 1950s to the 1980s, long before I could read.

Those covers, with their intricate designs, otherworldly creatures, and haunting landscapes, were windows into far-off worlds, both terrifying and enticing. They beckoned with a promise of stories filled with unimaginable horrors, futuristic visions, and tales that would both astonish and disturb. Needless to say, once I did manage to read as many of those terrifying tomes that I could find, they did not disappoint.

Movie poster art similarly enticed me. I could spend an entire day browsing the stacks of Betamax or VHS video covers at our local Videon, gaping at the beautiful, grotesque, fantastical, and often inscrutable painted art adorning those films.

The cover artists of that era had a unique gift. They could capture the essence of a story, its most terrifying or fantastical element, and depict it on the cover in such a way that it would instantly ignite the imagination of anyone who laid eyes upon it. These covers and posters were not just mere illustrations to me; they were the gatekeepers of worlds unknown, challenging the brave to access their terrifying wonders and venture into the darkness within.

Of course, it wasn’t just the allure of the art that drew me in. It was the stories they projected as well. Tales of distant planets where unspeakable horrors lurked, of dystopian futures where humanity battled against oppressive regimes and alien invaders, mutated monstrosities, and of haunted houses and cursed towns where the dead refused to rest. These tales were a testament to the power of imagination, pushing boundaries, and exploring the darkest corners of the human psyche. These stories and their art became my singular obsession.

As I grew older, my passion for this dark art never waned. Instead, it intensified. I found myself yearning to share the stories, the illustrations, and above all the emotions they evoked. And thus, Fear Planet was born.

Fear Planet is not merely a blog; it’s a tribute to an era where sci-fi and horror were in their golden age. An era where writers and artists dared to challenge conventions, to terrify, and to awe. Here, we will explore the masterpieces of yesteryear, dissecting the tales, understanding the art, and reveling in the sheer genius of the minds that created them.

But why specifically the name “Fear Planet”? On the surface it’s an obvious nod to those fictional worlds, whether set in the cold void of space or a haunted mansion on a hill, where fear reigns supreme. It’s meant as a testament to the power of these images and stories that transport us to places where our deepest fears and wildest imaginations come to life. But the name did not form in my head like some random instance of abiogenesis. Rather, it stems from a throwaway scene in an old Star Trek episode from the series Enterprise that has always fascinated me. (Season 2 Episode 22, “Cogenitor”). In this scene we are treated to the contents of the Enterprise’s motion picture library. One of the science-fiction film entries on the list was “Fear Planet.”

With our origins told, let’s look ahead. In the coming months, the blog will ‘trek’ deep into the stories and art that defined an era. We’ll explore the posters and covers that made us gasp in horror or gape in awe-struck wonder. We’ll introduce the artists and writers, the visionaries who dared to venture where few had gone before. Together, we’ll embark on a journey to the very heart of what makes sci-fi and horror so irresistibly captivating.

So, to all you fearless but fear-loving souls out there, prepare for an exploratory expedition like no other. Fear Planet promises a ride that’s thrilling, chilling, and, hopefully, utterly unforgettable.