News has sadly broken that science fiction and fantasy artist Chris Achilleos has passed away at the age of 74. Achielleos was best-known for his long-standing work on the Doctor Who franchise.
Born in Famagusta, Cyprus, Achilleos moved to the UK with his family in 1959. He graduated the Hornsey College of Art and began work in the publishing industry. In 1974 he began his association with Doctor Who by painting the covers to several of the Target Book adaptations of the series. He eventually created the artwork for thirty-one of the books, his last contribution being a retro-style re-release of the Battlefield novel in 2016. He also created the cover art for five nonfiction tie-in books, and various Doctor Who-themed covers for magazines. In 2016 then-Doctor Peter Capaldi paid tribute to Achilleos's work for helping attract new fans to the franchise at a time when there were no repeats or videos.
Achilleos also painted the covers to several of the popular Fighting Fantasy choose-your-own-adventure books, as well as the covers to Stark Trek novels and UK editions of books by Anne MCaffrey, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Michael Moorcock, Leigh Brackett, M. John Harrison, Piers Anthony and Robert E. Howard. His artwork also adorned various issues of White Dwarf magazine and he worked as a concept artist on the films Heavy Metal and Willow.
Achilleos had spent the last several decades living and working in London. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren.
Huge influence on my career as a costume designer and maker. Very shocked and immensely sad to hear of his death. Rest in peace dear Chris.
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