Layzell, Bob
Entry updated 8 February 2026. Tagged: Artist.
(1940-2026) UK artist who drew some inspiration from the paintings of Chris Foss and Bruce Pennington, and began to publish artwork of genre interest in Science Fiction Monthly for September 1974 as by Merlin (painting signed "Merlin 70", presumably created in 1970). His impressively detailed Hard SF covers soon began to appear on sf titles from various UK imprints including Corgi, Futura/Orbit Books, New English Library – where his wraparound cover for Mike Ashley's The History of the Science Fiction Magazine: Part 3 1946-55 (anth 1976) is fondly remembered – Pan, Panther/Granada and Sphere; for Orbit he provided cover illustrations for a number of translated Perry Rhodan titles. Outside the UK he also created cover artwork for the Paris-based publisher Fleuve Noir and Tor Books of New York. The lingering influence of Foss can often be detected, but Layzell's distinctive hardware tends to look more plausibly functional and used. His publication of paperback covers continued until the early 1990s; he remained active in other spheres, including theatrical set decor, and staged an exhibition of his sf paintings (including recent work) as late as 2024. No collection of his artwork has appeared. [DRL]
Robert G Layzell
born Brighton, Sussex: 4 May 1940
died 29 January 2026
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