Out of this World: the art of Josh Kirby

'Valentine Pontifex' (2)

Painted 1984. Pan Books, 1985

In the third book in Silverberg’s series, war looms and the planet is in crisis. Valentine must decide whether to accept the mantle of ‘Pontifex’ or use his powers to avert bloodshed. In his restless painting Kirby evokes the enormity of Valentine’s dilemma, the tumultuous waves a metaphor for the hero’s predicament and the danger that faces his world after eight thousand years of peace. Even the majestic sea dragons take on a threatening air.

The mural-like compositional similarities to works in Kirby’s Ayeguy series are striking here. Only a small detail was used on the book’s cover.

Used with the permission of the Trustees of the Josh Kirby Estate.