Swiss surrealist HR Giger, best known for designing the ET abomination in Ridley Scott's Alien , has passed away aged 74.
Giger was celebrated for his beautiful, nightmarish 'biological horror' visuals, which explored the relationship between machines and the human body.
His first book, Necronomicon , was published in 1977, and was handed to a young Ridley Scott when the director was working on the pre-production of Alien .
"I nearly fell off the desk," Ridley said back in '79 of first seeing Giger's work.
"There are a lot of artists in this area of surrealism and Giger has an extra quality... of reality, combined with his own form of fantasy. That's what makes it stronger; the reality, not the fantasy."
As well as his work on the Alien movies, Giger also contributed the infamous Vomit Creature to Poltergeist II: The Other Side , as well as the sexy alien in Species . He also designed an unused version of the Batmobile for Batman Forever .
Giger's designs were always intricate, unique and beautiful, the best kind of gothic. He'll be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
