Much of Coulthart's work is inspired by mysticism and Lovecraftian horror. He has frequently collaborated with comic book writer Alan Moore, and illustrated David Britton's Lord Horror, a Lovecraft-themed book so controversial, it was declared obscene and banned by a Manchester magistrate. Coulthart's 2006 book, The Haunter of the Dark: And Other Grotesque Visions includes selections from Lord Horror, as well as illustrations based on Lovecraft's own stories and attempts to visually represent the cosmic entities he describes.

[John Coulthart via Dark Roasted Blend]

R'lyeh
Cthulhu Rising
Azathoth
The Call of Cthulhu — Opening Page

The Haunter of the Dark — Federal Hill
The Haunter of the Dark — Inside the Church
Yuggoth
Dagon
R'lyeh

Nyarlathotep

Shub-Niggurath


Yog-Sothoth

The Dunwich Horror — Wilbur Whateley

Coulthart's design incorporates the Sigilum Dei Aemeth, created by Doctor John Dee in the sixteenth century. Apparently Moore is a big Dee fiend, and of course mystical designs like this appear in many of his graphic novels - most notably in From Hell, where it turns out that London's streets and landmarks were designed to create part of a vast occult symbol.

Here's a great clip from the documentary of Moore explaining the politics of using science fiction to tell the story in V for Vendetta.

Here's Coulthart's poster, too. He says the CD and DVD should be coming out soon. [via Feuilleton]