Classics Illustrated


Book Description

A significant expansion of the critically acclaimed first edition, Classics Illustrated: A Cultural History, 2d ed., carries the story of the Kanter family's series of comics-style adaptations of literary masterpieces from 1941 into the 21st century. This book features additional material on the 70-year history of Classics Illustrated and the careers and contributions of such artists as Alex A. Blum, Lou Cameron, George Evans, Henry C. Kiefer, Gray Morrow, Rudolph Palais, and Louis Zansky. New chapters cover the recent Jack Lake and Papercutz revivals of the series, the evolution of Classics collecting, and the unsung role of William Kanter in advancing the fortunes of his father Albert's worldwide enterprise. Enhancing the lively account of the growth of "the World's Finest Juvenile Publication" are new interviews and correspondence with editor Helene Lecar, publicist Eleanor Lidofsky, artist Mort K�nstler, and the founder's grandson John "Buzz" Kanter. Detailed appendices provide artist attributions, issue contents and, for the principal Classics Illustrated-related series, a listing of each printing identified by month, year, and highest reorder number. New U.S., Canadian and British series have been added. More than 300 illustrations--most of them new to this edition--include photographs of artists and production staff, comic-book covers and interiors, and a substantial number of original cover paintings and line drawings.




Classic Comics Illustrators


Book Description

The fifth volume in the acclaimed Comics Journal Library series celebrates four of the great all-time comic book artists. Frank Frazetta, Burne Hogarth, Mark Shultz and Dave Stevens are the modern masters of illustration, here collected in their own words in one gorgeous, wrap-around cover. Together, these four artists bridge almost 70 years of comics and fantasy art tied to tradition, craft and an emphasis on the human form.




Comic Book Artist Collection Volume 3


Book Description

It's the '70s Marvel Monster Marching Society versus the Independent Comics of the '80s in the Eisner Award-winning CBA's third compilation, re-presenting that acclaimed mag's seventh and eighth sold-out issues. Behind a new cover by Michael T. Gilbert -- featuring his great creation Mr. Monster doing battle with various Marvel monsters -- you'll find interviews with Gilbert, Steve Rude, Paul Gulacy, Steve Gerber, Don Simpson, Howard Chaykin, Scott McCloud, Rich Buckler, John Byrne, Denis Kitchen, and many others




A Contract with God: And Other Tenement Stories


Book Description

The revolutionary work of graphic storytelling that inspired a new art form. Will Eisner was present at the dawn of comics. In the 1940s, he pushed the boundaries of the medium with his acclaimed weekly comic strip The Spirit, and with the publication of A Contract with God in 1978, he created a new medium altogether: the graphic novel. It was unlike anything seen before, heralding an era when serious cartoonists were liberated from the limiting confines of the comic strip. Eisner’s work was a shining example of what comics could be: as inventive, moving, and complex as any literary art form. Eisner considered himself “a graphic witness reporting on life, death, heartbreak, and the never-ending struggle to prevail.” A Contract with God begins with a gripping tale that mirrors the artist’s real-life tragedy, the death of his daughter. Frimme Hersh, a devout Jew, questions his relationship with God after the loss of his own beloved child. Hersh’s crisis is intertwined with the lives of the other unforgettable denizens of Eisner’s iconic Dropsie Avenue, a fictionalized version of the quintessential New York City street where he came of age at the height of the Depression. This centennial edition showcases Eisner’s singular visual style in new high-resolution scans of his original art, complete with an introduction by Scott McCloud and an illuminating history of Eisner’s seminal work. Now readers can experience the legendary book that launched a unique art form and reaffirmed Will Eisner as one of the great pioneers of American graphic storytelling.




Masters of Comic Book Art


Book Description




Jim Lee's X-Men Artist's Edition


Book Description

Jim Lee has been drawing comics for more than 30 years and is one of the most popular comic book artists of all time. The impact his dynamic artwork has had on the comics industry--to his legions of fans and the artists who have been inspired and emulate him--is truly immeasurable. And, in a career filled with highlights, his work on the X-Men is arguably his most popular and enduring. This very special Artist's Edition features Jim's stellar work on the X-Men, including the complete oversized X-Men #1--still the bestselling comic book of the modern era! Additionally, there will be covers, splash pages, pin-ups, and interior pages by Lee doing what he does best--creating great comics. Each page has been meticulously scanned from Jim's original art for this book... affording the reader a keen insight into his creative process never before available outside of original art collectors. Produced in the one-and-only, accept-no-imitations, multi-Eisner Award-winning Artist's Edition format. For any fan of Jim Lee, this book will soon become a cherished centerpiece of your collection!




How to Draw Noir Comics


Book Description

How to Draw Noir Comics: The Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling is an instructional book based on the cinematic, high contrast noir style of acclaimed comic book and graphic novel illustrator, Shawn Martinbrough. Martinbrough’s work has been published by DC Comics, Vertigo and Marvel Comics, illustrating stories ranging from Batman to the X-Men. This is his first book, released through Watson-Guptill Publications and The Nielsen Company. In How to Draw Noir Comics, Martinbrough shows how the expert use of the color black is critical for drawing noir comics. He demonstrates how to set a mood, design characters and locations, stage action and enhance drama, and discusses important topics like page layout, panel design, and cover design. How to Draw Noir Comics includes The Truce, an original graphic novel written and illustrated by Martinbrough which incorporates the many lessons addressed throughout the book, and has an introduction by critically-acclaimed novelist Greg Rucka, author of the graphic novel Whiteout, currently in production as a major motion picture.




Underground Classics


Book Description

"Underground Classics" provides the first serious survey of underground comix as art, turning the spotlight on influential and largely under-appreciated artists, including Gilbert Shelton, Kim Deitch, and Trina Robbins. Illustrations throughout.




Weapon X


Book Description

Of all the members of the X-Men, none has been more popular than Wolverine -- yet the origins of this mutant hero had always been tightly shrouded in mystery. Aside from a few hazy tidbits, Wolverine's past has always been little more than a blank slate. In WEAPON X, acclaimed writer/illustrator Barry Windsor-Smith peels back this veil of secrecy to reveal how Wolverine's skeleton became laced with an indestructible adamantium metal. Kidnapped and drugged, Wolverine is subjected to a series of sadistic medical experiments designed to create the perfect soldier. As he battles back against this tortuous experience, Wolverine proves himself to be a true hero long before his days as an X-Man.--Amazon.com.




The Dragon Seed Saga


Book Description

Iron Man finds himself once again battling his old nemesis, the Mandarin, whose ten rings of power have added ten awakened dragons to the menacing mix.