Hide and Go Mad, Creepy cover 1977

Ken Kelly created this unnerving image for the cover of "Hide and Go Mad," inviting us into a world where myth clashes with humanity. Kelly, known for his heroic fantasy art, here subverts the archetype of the monstrous Yeti, a figure deeply rooted in Himalayan folklore and Western imagination. The painting portrays a colossal, enraged Yeti bearing down on hapless explorers, evoking the thrill and terror of encountering the unknown. But the explorers' wide-eyed panic also invites questions about cultural projection. Are they intruders disturbing a creature in its natural habitat? What does it mean to cast the "monster" as something to be feared, rather than understood? The stark, snowy landscape heightens the sense of isolation, suggesting a space beyond the reach of civilization. Kelly masterfully captures the raw, visceral fear of confronting something that challenges our understanding of the world. The image lingers in the mind, prompting us to question who the real monsters are.