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An Interview with Doug Bell about 'Perdido Street Station'
The Folio Society, an independent publisher of beautifully illustrated hardback books, has partnered with Fantasy/Science Fiction author China Mieville to re-release an ultimate edition of his iconic steampunk novel, Perdido Street Station. Originally published 25 years ago, Perdido Street Station blends elements of fantasy, horror and science fiction. This new edition will include a re-work of the iconic map of Mieville's world as well as striking art by award-winning illustrator Doug Bell.
I recently caught up with Doug to talk about his artistic influences and his inspiration behind working on this extravagantly lush fantasy world.
My Kind Of Weird: Weird Fiction is right up my alley. Can you tell my readers how you and China Mieville became involved in this project?
Doug Bell: I became involved when the Folio Society art director, Sheri Gee, asked me to participate in this project. The group at The Folio Society thought that my work would be a good fit for this book.
My Kind Of Weird: Your artwork seems equal parts horror and fantasy-inspired. Was this the overall intent?
Doug Bell: Most definitely. The author created such a lush world full of fantastic lands and characters both in tone and visualization. It allowed me to dig in and thoroughly flesh out artwork that hopefully supports this novel.
My Kind Of Weird: Michael Moorcock has called this release "a massive and gorgeously detailed parallel-world fantasy." But I'm curious if the works of Michael Moorcock or similar contemporaries have influenced your artistic style over time.
Doug Bell: Mr. Moorcock’s Elric saga was required reading amongst my friends in high school along with JRR Tolkien. I was also taken with the works of Stephen King from a very early age. Looking back some of it was probably a little too old for me at the time, which ended up giving me nightmares. It was shortly after that, that I discovered HP Lovecraft and the other authors that picked up where Lovecraft left off.
My Kind Of Weird: This release makes me consider the following concept “Art can inspire words but can words equally inspire art?" I'm curious what your take is on this 'chicken or the egg' equation.
Doug Bell: I do believe that words inspire art. This project was an indulgence in words in inspiring art. So I don’t believe it’s chicken or the egg, but chicken and the egg. One inspires the other.
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My Kind Of Weird: How would you pitch 'Weird Fiction' to those who have never read or heard of it?
Doug Bell: My interpretation of weird fiction is that it shares a lot with the fantasy genre but moves into darker themes. Now, that could be characters, settings, or plots that make it weird fiction. In short, 'It’s weird'.
My Kind Of Weird: Which projects are you working on next?
Doug Bell: I have a couple of projects that I am working on presently. Unfortunately, I am under an NDA with both so I can not discuss those at this time. Later this year, I will be working with a group of other artists to produce a 2026 calendar of work inspired by Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.”
My Kind Of Weird: Where can my readers follow you online and discover more of your art?
Doug Bell: The best places to see my work online are my website and my Instagram page. I keep both updated regularly.
Doug Bell Artwork in Perdido Street Station:
