Earth’s Solar Heat Wave 

Don Ivan Punchatz created this artwork of a world engulfed in flames, sometime before his death in 2009. Punchatz was an illustrator, and his art was often featured on science fiction book covers. Here, three blue figures surround planet Earth, breathing fire upon it. Are they gods? Devils? The eyes of the figures contain stars, while the eyes of the viewer might be drawn to the sharp teeth inside their mouths. The context of this image is rooted in the science fiction and fantasy genres, often reflecting fears about technology and industrialization. However, the themes present in "Earth's Solar Heat Wave" also mirror contemporary fears. The work evokes anxieties about climate change, but also the hope that we can still look at the world with eyes full of stars.