THE NIGHT FACE

Cover illustration for Poul Anderson

Jan 29, 2025

Long limbed monkey-like creatures carry the body of an unconscious human through an alien forest. Their fur is green except for the white manes that frame the dark skin of their faces. The lead monkey is holding a curved knife and seems to be hissing at something off panel left. All of the creatures emote angry energy. They look like a pissed off band of pallbearers working without a coffin as they struggle with the weight of the uniformed man. — THE NIGHT FACE (1977), Acrylic on Illustration Board

I took a Polaroid of myself lying on the floor to help me get the foreshortening correct. The result was ghastly: it looked like a grimy police morgue photo—with me as the victim!

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Additional images from THE NIGHT FACE

LEFT: Detail from THE NIGHT FACE featuring six monkey-like creatures carrying the body of an unconscious human through an alien forest. A seventh holds a long knife while facing off panel left and hissing. Their victim wears a white spacesuit with a red stripe down the front. As the creatures carry him by his limbs, his head falls slack unsupported with blonde hair pulled by gravity toward the colorful flora on the ground. RIGHT: Photo reference for the pose of the unconscious human featuring the arms with his legs on a chair, back on the floor, with his arms folded behind him. There is an unfolded newspaper in the foreground and the end of a coach in the background. The lighting from above leaves his face mostly in shadow giving the photo the look of a gruesome crime scene. — Detail from THE NIGHT FACE and photo reference

Book cover for THE NIGHT FACE by Poul Anderson, published by ACE Books. Formerly titled LET THE SPACEMEN BEWARE! — **The Night Face** by Poul Anderson (Ace)

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THE NIGHT FACE

Cover illustration for Poul Anderson

Additional images from THE NIGHT FACE

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