APRIL 27, 2022 - He was probably best known among genre fans for his Doc Savage and other paperback book covers, pulp magazine illustrations, movie posters, and other artwork, such as the box cover art for Aurora’s monster model kits. Star Trek fans know him for his illustration that became the cover for the first James Blish novelization of episodes from Star Trek: The Original Series. Artist James Bama has died, on April 24, confirmed by the Ballard funeral home. He was just shy of his 96th birthday.

Word spread on social media of Bama’s death, including the Facebook page of Star Trek author Dayton Ward. 

Following a 22-year career as a commercial artist, according to Wikipedia, which included work for The Saturday Evening Post and Reader’s Digest, Bama left New York for Wyoming to focus on painting Western themes in his realist style. Among other honors, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame in 2000.

Please join us in offering our condolences to the friends and family of James Bama.