Ray Bradbury's The Illustrated Man is a kaleidoscopic blending of magic, imagination, and truth, widely believed to be one of the grand master's premier accomplishments. Collected here are eighteen tales, startling visions of humankind's destiny, unfolding across a canvas of decorated skin, visions as keen as the tattooist's needle and as colorful as the inks that indelibly stain the body.

Leaving behind a world on the brink of destruction, man came to the red planet and found the Martians waiting, dreamlike. Seeking the promise of a new beginning, man brought with him his oldest fears and his deepest desires. Man conquered Mars - and in that instant, Mars conquered him. The strange new world with its ancient, dying race and vast, red-gold deserts cast a spell on him, settled into his dreams, and changed him forever.

A strander has been terrifying a small town by murdering single women. Will the dark and mysterious ravine be enough to save Lavinia and her friends from the "Lonely One"?

Nine year-old Margaret Leary is playing in a field by her house, whcn suddenly she hears a woman screaming for help, from the ground! Can she get anyone to believe her?

Old aunt Tildy is shocked and angry to find a mortician has come to take her to the mortuary. How dare he put her body in an old wicker basket! She''s still using it!

A wealthy couple builds the ultimate virtual playroom for their spoiled children. This electronic nursery comes complete with an African savanna and man-eating lions. It is so real, you can even smell the lions last meal.

Where does the wind come from? Is it "born" somewhere? Is it intelligent? A terrified man seems to know all about the wind, and who it seems to be after.

Harry Bittering is resigned to the idea of living on Mars for a while with his family, until a nuclear war back on Earth strands the settlers forever. Now, will Mars devour the earthlings?

Escaping war in the year 2155, a couple flees back in time to 20th century Mexico, a paradise compared to their world of disease bombs and widespread horror. But soon they realize they are being tracked by those who want them to return....

An old man builds the ultimate machine, a "happiness machine", which is meant to make anyone how enters it happy. But the most important person in his life is not amused!