@SI: I have to say I wonder if this one is entering a strange crossover zone between cringeworthy SF book covers and totally kick ass heavy metal album art.
@TN, A-S: I would take issue with calling it Tyrannosaurus rex. But when part of my argument incorporates the phrase, ‘Dinosaurs didn’t have bat wings at the nape of their necks,’ the whole thing becomes an exercise in futility.
I went to Amazon hoping to find out more about this book. Not with the intention of reading it, mind you. Rather just trying to figure out what the heck someone could be thinking (or smoking?) to generate a cover like this in the first place. Unfortunately, there are only two reviews, both shorter than this comment, and both from the late 1990s. Also, there is a totally different cover image showing on Amazon. The one here is much more entertaining. (Sales rank of 1,946,865, by the way…)
“This is your captain speaking. Unfortunately, it appears that we are going to be delayed for takeoff due to unforeseen cover-artist brain fart. Please remain in your seats.”
Goodness! This book is the antecedent to another good show featuring a ridiculously bewinged draconian. Here’s a review, and I hope that link works. Sadly, the former book seems to be MUCH less awesome than SI’s soundtrack.
@Sneaky Burrito. I managed to find a few more references. Apparently Space T-Rex is actually a space *dragon* descended from a race of evil “energy beings” from a higher plane, who are battling a “malevolent computer” for control of the galaxy.
@RachelJ: Wow. Could it therefore be that the artist had poor command of English, and when asked to paint a space dragon, asked what a “dragon” was, and was told “you know, like a dinosaur. With wings.”
@Rachel J: Your research was clearly much more thorough than mine. Though even with the apparent artist’s error in depicting a dragon, I am now forced to wonder what the AUTHOR was thinking.
I suspect that concepts like “energy beings” and “malevolent computers” are the reasons that I don’t often read science fiction. (I have several chemistry degrees and a scientific mind and it makes my brain hurt to think about such concepts as those in quotation marks.) At least with fantasy (which I consume voraciously), there’s magic to explain things away.
Wish I had more of a capacity to suspend disbelief. I think reading some of this stuff would be a hoot.
I’d really like to buy the rights to this art, and print it up on spine labels, which I would put on all the science fiction and fantasy in our grade school library. Then the local public library. Then all the libraries. Then your libraries at home. All the SFF books should have this art on their spines.
The outcome of the first experiment — the space t-rex fell off and impaled his belly on a rock. The outcome of the second experiment — space t-rex successfully space skied and couldn’t contain his giddy smile. Beware children, he’s coming!
JOAT/Jaouad: Yep. Janet Jeppson was already Dr. Mrs. Dr. Asimov by the time this was published; she used her maiden name (gender-neutral) on her SF work for about a decade after their marriage, even on their collaborative stories, just to avoid any suggestion that she was only getting work due to her husband’s name.
We need more covers like this nowadays. I can’t think when my SFF reading included a book with an evil space T Rex shipsurfing on it and I think I’m all the poorer for it.
like the semi useless little arms of the t rex, their little known wings were also such a dissapointment that the only way they could get play meteorite vollyball was by straddling the nearest transport shuttle
Went to see the new star trek over the weekend. The new clothing style just made me think one thing. Baen Book Cover: http://t.co/0FKAAFiYYh:Click for Tweet:
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July 26th, 2012 at 11:38 am
The Calgary Stampede ain’t got nuthin’ on us.
July 26th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
If that’s the second experiment, what in space was the first?
July 26th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
That’s no moon!
July 26th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
The mating rituals of the Tyrannosaurus Rex are now thought to be far more intricate than first believed.
July 26th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Tired of your extreme sports videos, sir? Might I recommend something for the connoisseur?
July 26th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
The Imperial Space Armada’s hood ornaments were a little over the top.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
With wings like that, I’m not surprised Space Lizard needed some additional thrust.
July 26th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
The First Experiment: A flying T-Rex in space
Due to a lack of wind in space the scientists were forced to make some alterations…
The Second Experiment: A flying T-Rex in space with a rocket attached!
July 26th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Is it me, or does the T-Rex look like he’s enjoying himself?
July 26th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
For some reason I can’t get judas priest – breaking the law out of my head while looking at this!
July 26th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@SI: I have to say I wonder if this one is entering a strange crossover zone between cringeworthy SF book covers and totally kick ass heavy metal album art.
Good Show, Dude?
July 26th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
For maximum enjoyment, I’m just going to assume that ship is full of cat people.
July 26th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@TN, A-S: I would take issue with calling it Tyrannosaurus rex. But when part of my argument incorporates the phrase, ‘Dinosaurs didn’t have bat wings at the nape of their necks,’ the whole thing becomes an exercise in futility.
July 26th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
I went to Amazon hoping to find out more about this book. Not with the intention of reading it, mind you. Rather just trying to figure out what the heck someone could be thinking (or smoking?) to generate a cover like this in the first place. Unfortunately, there are only two reviews, both shorter than this comment, and both from the late 1990s. Also, there is a totally different cover image showing on Amazon. The one here is much more entertaining. (Sales rank of 1,946,865, by the way…)
July 26th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
“This is your captain speaking. Unfortunately, it appears that we are going to be delayed for takeoff due to unforeseen cover-artist brain fart. Please remain in your seats.”
July 26th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Vampire Godzilla w/ Liam Neeson as Van Helsing. How could this not gross billions?
July 26th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Also I just found out that J.O. Jeppson was the future Mrs. Asimov.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Goodness! This book is the antecedent to another good show featuring a ridiculously bewinged draconian. Here’s a review, and I hope that link works. Sadly, the former book seems to be MUCH less awesome than SI’s soundtrack.
July 26th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Bat-winged T-Rex menacing a spaceship! I am overwhelmed by the sheer awesome.
July 27th, 2012 at 5:53 am
@Sneaky Burrito. I managed to find a few more references. Apparently Space T-Rex is actually a space *dragon* descended from a race of evil “energy beings” from a higher plane, who are battling a “malevolent computer” for control of the galaxy.
July 27th, 2012 at 9:10 am
@RachelJ: Wow. Could it therefore be that the artist had poor command of English, and when asked to paint a space dragon, asked what a “dragon” was, and was told “you know, like a dinosaur. With wings.”
July 27th, 2012 at 11:04 am
@Jerk of all Trades: whoa yes. J.O. Jeppson = Janet Asimov
July 27th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Rachel J: Your research was clearly much more thorough than mine. Though even with the apparent artist’s error in depicting a dragon, I am now forced to wonder what the AUTHOR was thinking.
I suspect that concepts like “energy beings” and “malevolent computers” are the reasons that I don’t often read science fiction. (I have several chemistry degrees and a scientific mind and it makes my brain hurt to think about such concepts as those in quotation marks.) At least with fantasy (which I consume voraciously), there’s magic to explain things away.
Wish I had more of a capacity to suspend disbelief. I think reading some of this stuff would be a hoot.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
We’ve seen the sequel before on this very Web site. Along with a radically different interpretation of the dragon, you will note.
July 28th, 2012 at 9:21 pm
Ah, if I had time and money…
I’d really like to buy the rights to this art, and print it up on spine labels, which I would put on all the science fiction and fantasy in our grade school library. Then the local public library. Then all the libraries. Then your libraries at home. All the SFF books should have this art on their spines.
July 29th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
I vaguely rember reading this many years ago, and really enjoying it. Mind you I was going through a period of some excellent red wines at the time.
July 29th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
The outcome of the first experiment — the space t-rex fell off and impaled his belly on a rock. The outcome of the second experiment — space t-rex successfully space skied and couldn’t contain his giddy smile. Beware children, he’s coming!
August 1st, 2012 at 12:54 am
JOAT/Jaouad: Yep. Janet Jeppson was already Dr. Mrs. Dr. Asimov by the time this was published; she used her maiden name (gender-neutral) on her SF work for about a decade after their marriage, even on their collaborative stories, just to avoid any suggestion that she was only getting work due to her husband’s name.
August 1st, 2012 at 11:25 am
We need more covers like this nowadays. I can’t think when my SFF reading included a book with an evil space T Rex shipsurfing on it and I think I’m all the poorer for it.
August 1st, 2012 at 1:18 pm
DINOSAUR RIDING A ROCKET SHIP.
Your argument is invalid.
January 21st, 2013 at 12:30 am
this was the inspriation for that game in harry potter. pl
January 21st, 2013 at 12:33 am
like the semi useless little arms of the t rex, their little known wings were also such a dissapointment that the only way they could get play meteorite vollyball was by straddling the nearest transport shuttle
January 29th, 2013 at 5:32 am
It’s an alien dinosaur-dragon Dr, Strangelove. I must read it!
February 1st, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Newest add campaign for Viagara! ”
Take our pill limpy and turn into FLYING T-REX WITH A ROCKETSHIP IN HIS PANTS!”
March 20th, 2013 at 1:47 am
This cover is awesome. It is best enjoyed embiggened:
http://www.sfreviews.com/displays/J.%20O.%20Jeppson_1974_The%20Second%20Experiment.htm
March 20th, 2013 at 8:39 pm
Well found, sir!