Amazing Stories 1960s

The issue September 1963, volume 37, number 9 was illustrated by Lloyd Birmingham. The 1960s was filled with astronaut and spaceship imagery, which was likely inspired by the space race. However, this issue seems to differ in imagery quite a bit; showing the variety in topics and current events through the decade. 

In this issue, there is a fish-like human creature swimming in the ocean with a small trident in hand. This creature is green with fins on their arms, legs, head and back or tailbone. It seems to be swimming towards the viewer with its eyes set directly on the viewer, making intense eye contact. Illustrated next to the creature is a normal fish, showing the viewer the great differences and mutations of the human-like one. There is a title at the top if the cover saying "Homo Aquaticus by Poul Anderson", this is likely a short story in the magazine that inspiration was drawn from to create the cover. 

Creature of the Black Lagoon trilogy had been made and the subject popularized in the 1950s, the decade prior. However, it was still very popular in the 1960s. There were action figures and merch are still being manufactured and sold. There is even some action figures still being sold on ebay in present day.