Arthur C. Clarke is credited with the truism which states “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Alan Pollack‘s impressive portfolio of fantasy and science fiction works span three decades, and clearly demonstrates this delicate distinction. Adventurers from our magical prehistories and technologically enhanced futures call to us from his complex visualizations.

Mr. Pollack’s classic painterly approach is clearly inspired by the modern fantasy masters, yet he also eagerly embraces the digital age — in both subject matter and medium — in his ongoing stylistic evolution. Figures populate seedy spaceport bars and intergalactic marketplaces as well as treasure-filled dungeons and mighty castles.

While many of his meticulous illustrations were commissioned for a particular collectible card game, do remember Terry Pratchet’s corollary: “any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.”