Hardware is not a perfect book. The binding, while sturdy, struggles slightly with the two-page spreads of his most famous panoramic paintings (a common curse of the format). Additionally, a few of the earliest commercial pieces feel like filler compared to the majesty of the space art.
Hardware: The Definitive SF Works of Chris Foss (published by Titan Books) is the long-overdue cathedral to that vision. Weighing in as a massive, coffee-table-sized volume, it promises to be definitive. The question is: does it deliver the hardware, or just the casing? Hardware- The Definitive SF Works of Chris Foss
The book is organized thematically rather than chronologically, which is a wise choice. Chapters divide his work into "Giant Ships," "Alien Worlds," "Weapons & Hardware," and his famous "Book Cover Art." This allows you to appreciate Foss not just as an illustrator, but as a designer of worlds. His ships don’t just fly; they feel like they have internal logic, gravity, and a terrifying mass. Hardware is not a perfect book
Hardware is not a perfect book. The binding, while sturdy, struggles slightly with the two-page spreads of his most famous panoramic paintings (a common curse of the format). Additionally, a few of the earliest commercial pieces feel like filler compared to the majesty of the space art.
Hardware: The Definitive SF Works of Chris Foss (published by Titan Books) is the long-overdue cathedral to that vision. Weighing in as a massive, coffee-table-sized volume, it promises to be definitive. The question is: does it deliver the hardware, or just the casing?
The book is organized thematically rather than chronologically, which is a wise choice. Chapters divide his work into "Giant Ships," "Alien Worlds," "Weapons & Hardware," and his famous "Book Cover Art." This allows you to appreciate Foss not just as an illustrator, but as a designer of worlds. His ships don’t just fly; they feel like they have internal logic, gravity, and a terrifying mass.
