Classic cover art by Boris Vallejo for Tarnsman of Gor – questionable book content but quintessential fantasy art!

(20) FANTASY ART

On the face of it, this may not appear to be my usual kinky entry I throw in among my wilder special mentions as my final or twentieth special mention – but it is, o yes, it is.

Fantasy art – the art illustrating subjects from cinematic or literary fantasy, whether as art of itself or book covers and film posters or promotional art.

You know the ones – the ones from about the 1970s onwards, particularly in the pulpier book covers. Conan books as well as comics, particularly in the archetypal Conan pose with leg cling – the leg cling of course being the scantily clad damsel clinging to the warrior’s leg.

And that reference to the Conan pose alone shows where the kink comes in – that fantasy art tends to default to pinup art, for both male and female subjects.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that – we’re talking Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo and Luis Royo among others.

Perhaps the pinnacle of fantasy pin-up cover art is for Gor – the book covers for the Gor series, the best of which was by Boris Vallejo. The books may be pure pulp in content – I’ve never read them, but I know the basic premise – but that content, which I understand to be increasingly of female bondage and submission as the series goes on, is perfect for for pinup fantasy art.

RATING:

X-TIER (WILD TIER)