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WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS

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WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS

Cover illustration for Clifford D. Simak

Michael Whelan
Sep 25, 2024
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WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS

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A swordsman with dirty blonde hair and beard is caught mid-turn on a rocky perch overlooking a mass of monstrous creatures. He wears a tunic over chainmail. The shoulders are checkered red and black. The back is emblazoned with a winged creature that is partially obscured as he turns. The man stands out against a hazy foreground and a background dominated by a yellow palette. Rising above the mob of creatures, a dragon opens its maw in a roar and spreads its wings. The crooked trunk of a leafless tree rises along the right edge across the top of the painting.
WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS (1982), Mixed Media - 29 ½" x 18 ½"

Early in my career, Ace Books commissioned me to illustrate new covers for classics by grandmaster Clifford D. Simak: City, Time and Again, and The Trouble with Tycho.

Born in 1904, Simak was still writing at this point, and I would later work on original covers for new books published by Del Rey, including this fantasy set in an alternate Europe where the Roman Empire never fell.

Preliminary concept for WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a swordsman halting in surprise on a rocky outcrop facing a mob of creatures. His sword is in his left hand and there is no scabbard on his belt. The winged creature above the mob is turned to the right and looks more like a pterodactyl instead of a dragon.
The Empty Land (1982), Preliminary Sketch, Gouache - 10" x 6 ½"

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Additional images from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS

LEFT: Detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a swordsman caught surprised as he turns toward a mass of monstrous creatures below. CENTER: Background detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a variety of monstrous creatures including a cyclops and werewolf. RIGHT: Close detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a swordsman wearing a tun over chainmail. The hood of metal falls on his back to reveal dirty blonde hair and beard. The shoulders of his tunic are checkered black and red. The back is emblazoned with a winged creature, possibly a dragon breathing fire. The image cuts off as his torso twists. He grips a long, plain sword as he pivots toward a mass of monstrous creatures. The scabbard belted on his waist is more ornate with leather Xs crossing the top and chevrons of yellow down toward the point. The artist sigil and copyright decorate the very end.LEFT: Detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a swordsman caught surprised as he turns toward a mass of monstrous creatures below. CENTER: Background detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a variety of monstrous creatures including a cyclops and werewolf. RIGHT: Close detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a swordsman wearing a tun over chainmail. The hood of metal falls on his back to reveal dirty blonde hair and beard. The shoulders of his tunic are checkered black and red. The back is emblazoned with a winged creature, possibly a dragon breathing fire. The image cuts off as his torso twists. He grips a long, plain sword as he pivots toward a mass of monstrous creatures. The scabbard belted on his waist is more ornate with leather Xs crossing the top and chevrons of yellow down toward the point. The artist sigil and copyright decorate the very end.LEFT: Detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a swordsman caught surprised as he turns toward a mass of monstrous creatures below. CENTER: Background detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a variety of monstrous creatures including a cyclops and werewolf. RIGHT: Close detail from WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS featuring a swordsman wearing a tun over chainmail. The hood of metal falls on his back to reveal dirty blonde hair and beard. The shoulders of his tunic are checkered black and red. The back is emblazoned with a winged creature, possibly a dragon breathing fire. The image cuts off as his torso twists. He grips a long, plain sword as he pivots toward a mass of monstrous creatures. The scabbard belted on his waist is more ornate with leather Xs crossing the top and chevrons of yellow down toward the point. The artist sigil and copyright decorate the very end.
Details from WHERE EVIL DWELLS
Book cover for WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS by Clifford D. Simak, published by Del Rey Books.
Where the Evil Dwells by Clifford D. Simak (Del Rey)

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WHERE THE EVIL DWELLS

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erniet
just a guy
Sep 25Liked by Michael Whelan

I have the paperback with this cover!

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