I was wondering if anyone knew the significance to the whole "cartoon almost comic book" pics of the Album News of the World. I know the story about how Roger Taylor seen the pic when he was younger and wanted the artist to make it for the cover but im wondering if there is any symbolism behind it? even though its cool Art, I must say, its not something I would except from Queen. Not that's its BAD but that's why im guessing there is some sort of symbolism. You see all these covers nowadays from heavy metal bands and u expect to see that sort of thing.. I just didnt understand why Queen chose to have that art. So if anyone knows the story behind it that would be cool.. thanks.
As far as i know there is no hidden message behind that artwork, beside what you mentioned about Roger liking but thats about it. Perhaps Google it,, thats if this forum doesnt help...
Ok, How do you guys know this? im researching album symbolism and thats why im wondering. Is there ANY proof of either of these answers? like how exactly did you find out. Thanks :)
Semme wrote: I was wondering if anyone knew the significance to the whole "cartoon almost comic book" pics of the Album News of the World. I know the story about how Roger Taylor seen the pic when he was younger and wanted the artist to make it for the cover but im wondering if there is any symbolism behind it? even though its cool Art, I must say, its not something I would except from Queen. Not that's its BAD but that's why im guessing there is some sort of symbolism. You see all these covers nowadays from heavy metal bands and u expect to see that sort of thing.. I just didnt understand why Queen chose to have that art. So if anyone knows the story behind it that would be cool.. thanks.
beautiful soup! Im assuming you have or HAD the U.S. vinyl for News of the World or at least seen it. I am doing a paper on it, and it seemed that the board has answered my question UNTIL i came to a site where they had a picture other than the three i had provided. (below) link link link
everyone on the board says YES those are the ONLY pics.. then i go to this site queenpicturehall.com and find another pic and im like "where the hell did that come from??" It may just be an extra pic which fine. Please do me a favor and take a look at the site. My paper is due soon and i REALLY just need this one question answered.. is this pic thats on this page (yellow eyed pic and pic of people running at VERY bottom) ANYWHERE on the U.S. vinyl? if you dont know then its cool but if you can remember PLEASE tell me. It would help me out alot. again please only answer if you know for sure so I can be accurate as possible. Thank you :)
Well, 'the board' did answer your question back then: Frank Kelly Freas made only 2 (TWO) pictures for the artwork of NEWS OF THE WORLD: link link
So everything you see in the QUEENPictureHall.com design comes either from one or the other.
Now about the original illustration: link
It was first published as the front cover from the October 1953 issue of the famous 'Astounding SCIENCE FICTION' magazine (Volume LII, Number 2). The image of the robot is inspired by 'The Gulf Between', a short novel by Tom Godwin and the main feature of that number.
Kelly Freas: "[...] The story [...] was about the gulf between artificial and human intelligence. I set myself the problem of illustrating it with a very intelligent robot (note the eyes) saying, 'Please... fix it, Daddy?' [...]"
Frank Kelly Freas & Laura Broadian Freas
AS HE SEES IT
2000 - UK, Paper Tiger/Collins & Brown Ltd.
2000 - USA/Canada, Sterling Publications Co.
ISBN: 1 85585 848 7
A similar idea was used later on the 1986 movie SHORT-CIRCUIT: link
The bottom line of Godwin's story reads: 'A MACHINE DOES NOT *CARE*'.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for all your help, I am done with my report. Oh and just a question (not for my report) but I find it interesting it notes that Godwin is implying a machine doesn't care yet Freas has the robot saying, "Please fix it daddy." I would say that shows some emotion wouldn't you? Or am I confused and Tom's novel was just INSPIRED for the illustration for the Science fiction mag? and not nessicarily made for TOMS novel?
First of all, the picture does not represent a scene of the story. Secondly, I think that Freas used that expression just to depict the robot's eyes. Anyway, the word 'fix' from that very same line indicates that the robot does not fully understand the concept of life and therefore has no moral. So, from a human point of view, it is correct to assume *it* does not *care*.
