Michael Whelan is an American artist of imaginative realism. For over three decades, he has been a prominent figure in the realms of illustration, specializing in science fiction and fantasy cover art. From the mid-1990s onward, Whelan has dedicated himself to a fine art career, offering non-commissioned paintings through galleries across the United States and via his own website.

In a significant accolade to his influence and popularity, the Science Fiction Hall of Fame inducted Whelan as its first living artist in June 2009. He has been a transformative presence in genre book covers, bringing a shift from the surrealism of the 1950s and 1960s back to realism. His distinctive paintings have adorned the covers of more than 350 books and magazines. This includes the works of Stephen King, Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series, Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series, and many others.

Michael Whelan's art extends beyond books to music, providing album covers for bands such as Demolition Hammer, Sepultura, Soulfly, Obituary, and Cirith Ungol. His iconic work is also featured on Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell and The Very Best of Meat Loaf.