NEW ORIGINS 1: SPACEX LAMA

Readers who have followed the blog for some time will know that I am particularly interested in sci-fi art and the possible influences that it had on SWORD and SPACEX toys and box art. During one of my regular forays into the cyber wilderness I came across this paperback cover of SINISTER BARRIER by Eric Frank Russell. This particular edition is from 1966 and was painted by none other than SWORD and SPACEX pioneer artist Ed Valigursky.

 

 

SPACEXers amongst you will immediately recognise the strange contraption on the cover as the LAMA or Lunar Anti-Meteorite Attacker. The toy appeared as part of the SpaceX II range circa 1970. Below is an example of the toy from the Ferryman collection, together with backing card art and a black and white illustration from a SpaceX comic-advert.

Comparing Ed Valigursky's original art with the Tri-ang backing card art reveals just how similar they are. What do think?

If you want to find out more about the plot of SINISTER BARRIER then look here on Wikipedia. If you want to find out more about the possible artistic background to Project SWORD toys box art then you might want to get hold of my book, The Art of S.W.O.R.D. Email me for details.