Whelan and Elric
Michael Whelan, a colossus in the realm of SFF art, turns a venerable seventy years old today. In honor of the occasion, I considered covering Michael’s incredible run of Barsoomian covers or perhaps picking a “greatest hits” from his forty-five year relationship with DAW Books or maybe even going through the surprising number of Howardian artworks that Whelan has painted over the years. However, I finally settled on a retrospective looking at Michael’s unparalleled body of work devoted to Elric of Melnibone.
As I've recounted elsewhere, Whelan was one of the very first SFF artists I admired and knew by name. His cover for Elric of Melnibone immediately caught my eye. Every subsequent Elric cover from him sustained that level of cool and he remains my favorite Elric artist. However, I must admit that what tipped the Cosmic Balance in favor of me covering Michael's Elric art was this:
"Like Bob Haberfield in England, Michael Whelan helped identify my work to readers, especially with the Elric covers which remain many readers’ favourites. Michael captured the demonic hero better than anyone."
That, Gentle Readers, is a quote straight from Michael Moorcock himself, as sent to the Dread Editor of DMR Books, Dave Ritzlin, last week. When the planes of the Multiverse converge in such a fashion, one has little choice but to heed the omens and saddle up.
So, on with it. As has been written elsewhere, Michael Whelan made his paperback debut at DAW Books in 1975, thanks to the eagle eye of Don Wollheim, who had previously launched the paperback illustration careers of Roy Krenkel, Frank Frazetta and Jeffrey Jones. After about a year and a half, Whelan had roughly ten book covers--all quite solid--under his belt at DAW. That's when Wollheim published Elric of Melnibone. It sold like crazy and was followed two months later by The Sailor on the Seas of Fate, which sported a cover even more bad-ass than the first. Michael Whelan had arrived, ladies and gentlemen.
Over the next eleven months, four more Elric books would be published, all of them adorned with instant-classic Whelan covers. In the history of sword-and-sorcery illustration, the only comparable feat would be Frazetta's Conan covers for Lancer. Even then, that run was spread over a longer time period and Frank had been a pro for well over a decade at that point.
Eight years after Stormbringer hit the spinner racks, Michael would paint one last Elric cover for DAW, Elric at the End of Time. However, he didn't stop painting Elric. Far from it. As near as I can tell, he has continued to create new Elric art fairly steadily over the three decades since.
“Elric in Exile”, 2012.
A case in point is "Elric in Exile". This painting was, apparently, completed by Michael in 2012. If so, then Whelan has definitely not lost his mojo. I loved it the first time I saw it and my admiration has only increased since then. It may now be my favorite of all his Elric paintings. "Exile" has a great metal vibe to it. The look on Elric's face could be from wandering the planes of the Multiverse or from playing a year of grueling gigs on the road. Instead of Stormbringer slung at his back, it could be a Flying V or an Iceman. Another classic Elric from Whelan.
Speaking of a metal vibe, Cirith Ungol has been rockin' Elric covers on all their albums since the '80s. Here's the missive that Cirith Ungol drummer, Robert Garven, sent to DMR Manor:
"Michael Whelan is one of the most exceptional artists of all time. He is a living legend and his use of color, light, and texture are a thing of true enchantment. Having had the rare opportunity to witness his work up close, I was blown away, words could not describe the wonder I beheld. Being allowed to use his work as a visual representation for our music is a rare honor, and privilege, and I consider him a true friend. Michael’s talent and vision are extraordinary and we are fortunate enough to live during the time of his creations."
Well said. Cirith Ungol's newest CD, Forever Black, has "Exile" as the cover art. Check out a great review here. Oh, and coincidentally, Robert's birthday is June 29th as well.
Feel free to click on the carousel art gallery below. Not only does it contain all of the original DAW Elric cover paintings, but numerous illustrations, sketches and later Elric paintings by Michael Whelan. Mr. Whelan's website can be found here. His ISFDB entry can be found here.
Happy birthday, Michael! May you continue to create immortal works of art for many, many years to come.
More Michael Whelan coverage on the DMR Blog: