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Al Hirschfeld is one of the greatest caricaturists ever to have put pen to paper, and this monumental retrospective is a testament to his genius. From '30s icons like actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine to the stars of Seinfeld, Hirschfeld's fluid line has limned some of the most enduring images of our favorite entertainers. The collection opens with a biographical essay by New York Times writer Mel Gussow that sketches the arc of Hirschfeld's career and the development of his reputation as a chronicler of American show business. Additional essays by Arthur Miller, Kurt Vonnegut, Whoopi Goldberg, and Hirschfeld's daughter Nina cast further light on the artist, but the bulk of the book is, of course, given over to his wonderful drawings. Hirschfeld has written that it is his aim to capture character, rather than caricature, and each of the hundreds of images reproduced here encapsulates its subject perfectly, without ever resorting to cruelty. After more than six decades, Hirschfeld has recorded the careers of generations of performers, and this collection further illuminates his work by including comments on each drawing by the artist himself, providing a delightful personal history of Broadway, Hollywood, and all points in between. --Simon Leake ... Read more

Reviews (6)

It's All Here...
Here is the indispensible Hirschfeld book - a must for any fan of his work, or of line in general. From his earliest pieces, all the way through his long career with New York theatre, his work is showcased - and done so through his eyes. Each piece is described by this great artist - his inspirations, methods, and thoughts. I cannot imagine a better way to present his wonderful drawings, and I am so very, very thankful that this collection was printed before his death. Although, yes, the work would show just as beautifully without, his commentary alongside each piece just opens up an entirely new viewpoint. This is a truly timeless book, and I highly recommend it.

An Amazing Gallery; An Extraordinary Career
Al Hirschfeld rose above titles like "cartoonist" and "illustrator", and every other tag specifically applied to visual artists who inject design and humor into their work. His intelligent blend of the caricaturist's eye and the designer's sense of the beauty in flat forms add up to an entirely unique contribution to twentieth century popular culture- and a highly influential one. His recent passing at age 99 marks the end of the century that he witnessed and commented upon so wittily and so stylishly. His legions of admirers (and imitators) will be well served by this 1999 book, assembled by the artist himself, with an excellent selection from his career, his invaluable commentary, and a fairly satisying selection of his amazing (and less celebrated) color work. The reproductions are fine here, and the volume is designed and presented well. It can only be hoped that more comprehensive releases and reissues of earlier books are in the near future.

"Nina"
I really enjoyed looking through this book. I am absolutely in love with theater and I love seeing how he depicts all of my favorite shows and actors. He's been through the "Golden Age" of theater and has also done so much work for modern entertainment. I also have tons of fun looking for all the hidden "Nina"s. Just in case you might not know what I'm talking about, let me explain. After his daughter was born, Hirschfield began hiding her name in his drawings. The number by his "signiture" indicates the number of "Nina"s in the drawing. "Nina" is also written all in caps. Because of this, this book is not going to be just some ordinary coffee table book that only his fans might check out. It could also be a great deal of amusement for those who like to play the kind of "Where's Waldo" games.

A delightful collection of Hirschfeld's caricatures
I bought this book as a gift for my husband, and I fell in love with with the book myself. I recently visited the Delaware River Museum and saw my first in-person Hirschfeld line drawing of George C. Scott housed in the museum. Mr. Hirschfeld captures a personality with the stroke of a few lines. This book is wonderful. It has inspired my husband, a professional artist, to study Mr. Hirschfeld's style, and I found my husband doing line drawings yesterday. Packed with 400 drawings and photographs, this is a "must have" book for any Hirschfeld follower.

Wonderful! What a GIFT this man has!
Mr. Hirschfield comes up with more creative ideas in one day than most artists come up with in a year+. The history of his life and career is thoroughly enjoyable. ... Read more

Book Description

Rick Griffin began his career drawing for Surfer and Hot Rod Cartoons. By the mid-1960s, his work was appearing in posters designed for the Fillmore and album covers for the Grateful Dead. Descended from dada and surrealism, Griffin's art expresses psychedelic and religious themes. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

the master of the underground pen and ink movement
rick 's art is excellent in quailty and presentation and i had no problem buy this book and was very pleased with the result

Paint & Drugs & Rock'n'Roll
Whew, that guy digged drugs! Definitely! When Rick Griffin died in 1995 the world lost one of its most talented alternative artists. This book gives a good overview on his work with dozens of examples of cover artwork for bands, concert posters, comics, flying eyeball...
The printing quality is alright, although colors could sometimes be more saturated. I'll never understand why art books like this are still sold as cheesy paperbacks instead of hardcovers. Also the size could be a little bigger. Nevertheless: Highly recommended!!

Paint [] & Rock'n'Roll
...When Rick Griffin died in 1995 the world lost one of its most talented alternative artists. This book gives a good overview on his work with dozens of examples of cover artwork for bands, concert posters, comics, flying eyeball...
The printing quality is alright, although colors could sometimes be more saturated. I'll never understand why art books like this are still sold as cheesy paperbacks instead of hardcovers. Also the size could be a little bigger. Nevertheless: Highly recommended!!

Amazin and fabulous.Cartoony psychodelia
Griffin. Psychodelic strangness brewwed deep within the boiling pot called the human skull.Vivid, colorfull, other worldly. Deeply profound. A religious expieriance in art form. Cryptic and occultic. Art work the likes we will never see again. Praise Jah. Praise Griffin. ... Read more

Book Description

A collection of vintage Christmas cards for very bad little girls and boys.The Devil in Design is a fascinating, full-color compendium of extremely rare, late 19th and early 20th-century Krampus postcards culled from key postcard collections from around the world. Lavishly illustrated with over a 150 striking and stylized full-page examples, the book also includes a short introduction tracing the character's origin and its overwhelming popularity throughout Europe.In the Christmas traditions of Europe, the Krampus is Saint Nicholas's dark servant—a hairy, horned, supernatural beast whose pointed ears and long slithering tongue gave misbehavers the creeps! Whereas Saint Nicholas would reward children who had been good all year with treats, those that had been disobedient were paid a visit by the Krampus.

The Krampus terrorized the bad until they promised to be good. Some he'd spank; others he'd whip, while others he'd shackle, stuff into his large wooden basket, and then hurl into the flames of Hell! Such scenarios were delineated by skilled and imaginative Old World craftsmen, printed on penny postcards and disseminated throughout Europe.

The Devil in Design is the first English-language book to offer this breathtaking collection of the finest, rarest, and most visually-stunning Krampus cards history has left to offer. 168 pages full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first-ever compilation of the best and most provocative examples of MTV design and promo work.

With its instantly identifiable aesthetic sensibility, MTV has become an adjective, a language, style, and system unto itself, mimicked by advertisers, magazines, and others seeking that very desirable twelve-to-twenty-four demographic. From its blockbuster (1999) Video Music Awards campaign to the unforgettable Itchy ads to its on-air promos featuring the likes of Chris Rock, Shawn, Marlon and Keenan Wayans, and Jack Black, among others, MTV is about ideas that stick, unlike the teflon approach of most pop culture today. MTV has consistently been at the vanguard of contemporary visual media, producing work that is unique in its extraordinary global reach and its pervasive influence on high and low culture. Every designer fantasizes about doing work that is both cutting edge yet experienced by the mainstream; MTV's design is both. With an introduction by Moby, anecdotes from the MTV Design staff, and more than 300 four-color images, including the work of photographers David LaChapelle, Mark Seliger, and Dewey Nicks, along with video and print work from Anton Corbijn, Tractor, Hunter Gatherer, and Modernista, Not Teflon: MTV Design is as innovative and provocative as the legendary designs it compiles, and it's a must-have for every graphic designer, art director, advertiser, and design enthusiast.
... Read more

Book Description

Gary Martin’s The Art of Comic-Book Inking has become an industry-standard how-to guide for ink artists, but Gary hasn’t been resting on his laurels. Since AoCBI’s release, Gary has discussed his book with hundreds of inkers, aspiring and professional, and now he’s produced an accompanying volume to fulfill inkers’ most common requests. The Art of Comic-Book Inking II includes new sections regarding the inking of animation-styled pencils and how to problem solve a myriad of common inking headaches, plus a handycompendium of textures and effects to give any inking assignment variety and verve. And in this volume, another small army of top professional black-fingered maestros — Martin, Karl Kesel, Alex Garner, Al Gordon, Rachel Dodson, Steve Leialoha, Randy Emberlin, Michael Bair, and Mike Royer — tackle the pencil art of four artists — Terry Dodson, Brent Anderson, Adam Warren, and Randy Green — each with vastly different styles that create diverse embellishing challenges. And each of these penciled pages is included, reproduced in non-photo blue on full-size, high-quality art board so that every aspiring inker can try their own approach and have potential professional samples ready for action! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Fully Realized How to Book
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Martin focuses on his genre (superhero) and the inking techniques he describes are best suited for that. However, he is really talking about classical, traditional inking styles and in that sense, he is talking about comic book art as a whole. There are beautiful examples of different techniques. Plus, Martin is funny and fun to read. He also gives glimpses into the industry and talks about the role of a professional inker. There's even some theory in there -- really cool. Perfect how to and reference book for a beginning or medium experience inker.

A must have for aspiring comic book artists!
This is easily the best book about drawing for comic books that I have ever read. Not only are the inking tips and examples outstanding, but I think this book is necessary for aspiring pencillers as well. You learn not only how to ink pencilled lines, but how to create ink-ready drawings. Beautiful artwork throughout the book. Seeing how various inkers handle the same pencils is really helpful. Thanks, Gary Martin, for putting this book together.

A Little Disappointing
First of all I want everyone to notice that this is only VOLUME 2. Volume one is no longer available anywhere. Thus, making this book fairly useless. The only thing that it's really good at it showing different stiles between professional comic book inkers. It nice to page through and I don't regret buyin it but it is not necessary for an artist's library.

Vol. 2 - Only Half the Story
This item shown at Amazon is Volume 2 of Gary Martin's instructional. I'm not sure why they don't sell volume one, but it can still be found at a good comic book store. This truly is only half the story, with many important basic details found in Volume 1. As a professional artist, I can't give this volume more than an adequate rating. It falls short as a stand alone instructional. For a more fully detailed instructional - in a single volume - I recommend DC's Guide to Inking (Though it really is a style guide to inking DC comics, with notes important for that publisher. Other comic publishers thrive on breaking many of the rules that the DC artist lays down.)

Martin's guide is okay, though probably best for inspiration and a cursory view into a pro's skills. If you're a beginner and you can afford both volumes (if you can find vol.1) you'll get more out of them.

Great book on learning to ink.
This is a great book if you're interested in making your drawings look better with inking and if you're interested in getting in the comic industry. This book is good in that they talked about the different media used for inking and what the professional use. They also talked about lots of techniques to make the artwork look a whole lot better. I highly recommend for those who are interested in the art of inking their drawings. ... Read more

Book Description

Besides the gorgeous work he does on the Cities of the Fantastic series, Schuiten also has amassed a body of work in theater and Opera set design, posters and full scale recreations which is impressive. This handsome art book presents an awesome array of these never-before-seen pieces in large size along with an interview of the artist conducted by Peeters. A handsome addition to anyone?s library that shows off the talent involved in comic art! ... Read more

Book Description

During the economic boom of the 1990s, art museums expanded dramatically in size, scope, and ambition. They came to be seen as new civic centers: on the one hand as places of entertainment, leisure, and commerce, on the other as socially therapeutic institutions. But museums were also criticized for everything from elitism to looting or illegally exporting works from other countries, to exhibiting works offensive to the public taste.

Whose Muse? brings together five directors of leading American and British art museums who together offer a forward-looking alternative to such prevailing views. While their approaches differ, certain themes recur: As museums have become increasingly complex and costly to manage, and as government support has waned, the temptation is great to follow policies driven not by a mission but by the market. However, the directors concur that public trust can be upheld only if museums continue to see their core mission as building collections that reflect a nation's artistic legacy and providing informed and unfettered access to them.

The book, based on a lecture series of the same title held in 2000-2001 by the Harvard Program for Art Museum Directors, also includes an introduction by Cuno and a fascinating--and surprisingly frank--roundtable discussion among the participating directors.A rare collection of sustained reflections by prominent museum directors on the current state of affairs in their profession, this book is without equal. It will be read widely not only by museum professionals, trustees, critics, and scholars, but also by the art-loving public itself.

... Read more

Book Description

Pizza is a universal food -- beloved here in the United States, where statistics show that Americans consume more than 100 acres of pizza a day. That's about 350 slices a second! With the help of this innovative idea book, pizza lovers can stretch their imagination, their brain, and their stomach by learning art history while they munch. Whether you're in the mood for a Picasso or a Keith Haring, something in the style of the Incas, or perhaps a pizza out of a fairy tale, you will be inspired by these absolutely new and original pizza variations. They're guaranteed to make you smile.

This full-color book includes:
* basic recipes for delicious dough and sauces
* witty food design based on art masterpieces
* easy to follow decorating tips
* hours of laughter and fun
... Read more

Book Description

Perspectives for Comic Books extensively and thoroughly examines the principles of perspective and how they apply to comics. Pat Quinn covers everything from basic linear perspective to the more advanced vertical horizons. Every line made is broken down into color coding, allowing the reader to fully grasp the structure of the 3-dimensional form on a 2-dimensional surface. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It teaches you what it says on the cover!
This book does exactly what it promises. It teaches basic perspective. When I was learning to draw comic books this book was a godsend. It explains the basics with superb accompanying illustrations and easy to follow text.

If you need to learn the basics of perspective, this book is for you. At only 48 pages it's a little pricey, which cost it the extra star, but as they say, knowledge is priceless. Treat this as a primer for more advanced perspective study, and you'll be delighted. 'Basic Perspective for Comics and Illustration' delivers the goods.

You can't ask more than that! ... Read more

Book Description

Born in Los Angeles and raised in the epicenter of the California hot rodexplosion, Ed Roth created automotive forms purely from his ownimagination. His hand-built creations and revolutionary techniquestransformed car design, reinvented American hot rod culture and put Detroiton notice. Each of his creations transcended function and form to turn theAmerican automobile into rolling sculpture. He fathered a movement known asLowbrow Art, and his sculpture, design, and illustration inspiredunderground cartoonists and tattoo artists, and launched the careers ofsuch artists as Robert Williams. This volume features articles, essays, andwriting by Ilene Roth, Von Franco, Coop, Todd Schorr, The Pizz, GregEscalante, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Lost for words...
This book first off is GREAT. I wasn't sure what to expect when i first ordered, but once i got it, i was very impressed and blown away. This not only goes over the history of Ed Roth, but also has a great deal of his work shown in it. From old custom Hot Rods, to his Kustom Cars, to the different Rat finks (surf fink, race fink ,etc) this book is a blessing.

The only thing i would say that it lacked on is that fact it didn't go into great detail on his Kustom Cars that he created in his lifetime. I was expecting to be a great deal more, but since i was more into his art and collabrated art, no harm no foul in my eyes.

If you like Big Daddy Ed Roth in the least, this book is perfect!
joshua
http;//www.hydro74.com

Rat Fink the art of Big Daddy Roth
Pretty cool book,it has alot of art if you are a Rat Fink fan,brings back alot of memories.

Great Gift for all your Pals!
This book is a great addition to the libraries of all your baby boomer friends influenced by Ed Roth (some of them without even knowing it). I gave copies to friends, cousins, nephews, brothers and have received glowing gratitude from everyone!! Another great book from Douglas Nason and the Copro/Nason gang!!

The Complete Roth
This book is an amazing tribute. The editors, authors, photographers, and writers who came together obviously did so out of a very real respect, and dedication to showing the reader the full scope of who Ed Roth was and what he accomplished in his lifetime. It is an impressive collection and demonstrates a much vaster influence than I had known before. I think the editors and the biographers really included the broad spectrum of who Ed Roth was and remains to us all. I've long been a fan of Roth's work but I had such a limited idea of just who he was. He was a mega-talent absolutely. Now no one will ever doubt the significance of this amazing American legend.

Big Daddy Lives!
This is a great, must-have book that provides the definitive overview of Big Daddy's art and more general contribution to pop culture. Unlike "Ed Big Daddy Roth: His Life, Times, Cars, and Art" by Pat Ganahl (which is also great), this book focuses more on Roth's art rather than his car creations (although there are quite a few photos of the cars too). The book is divided into chapters focusing on different aspects of his art like the Rat Fink model kits he designed for Revell, t-shirt art, comic book art, vintage decals, etc. Each Chapter is written by a different author (including many lowbrow artists like Robert Williams, Dave "DB" Burke, and the Pizz) who discuss how Big Daddy influenced their childhood and artistic career as well as his overall impact on pop culture. While the claim made by the book that Roth was the greatest artist of the 20th century may be a bit of an overstatement, his influence on boys (mostly) who grew up during the 60's and 70's can hardly be overstated.

There's also plenty of interesting biographical info here including how Big Daddy's appropriation of outlaw symbols in the late 6o's, like the maltese cross and swastika, resulted in a commercial backlash against him (not unlike The Ramones who did the same thing and suffered similar criticism).

In short, this is a must own book whether you're a fan of hot rod culture, lowbrow art or pop culture in general. The book cover done up to look like the box from an old Revell Rat Fink model kit is a nice touch by the publisher, Last Gasp.

Most cool!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

This complete guide to Tiki culture in North America and abroad lists, describes, and reviews every known Tiki bar, Polynesian restaurant, and other site of interest to fans of "Polynesian Pop." From Tiki godfathers such as Edgar Leeteg and Don the Beachcomber to contemporary Tiki artists like Shag and Bosko, this resource covers all things Tiki in prose that is witty, entertaining, and essential for anyone who has ever stepped up to a bar, glanced up at the pufferfish hanging from the ceiling, and ordered a Singapore Sling. In addition to the exhaustive listings, recipes for classic cocktails, a glossary of Tiki terms, and resources for buying Tiki goods and artifacts are also included. Reminiscences of famous points of interest that have closed are provided for the completist, for historical perspective, and for those seeking information on the current status of a favorite Tiki site. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Scattershot but worthwhile
Tiki Road Trip is an excellent, if somewhat scattershot guide of Tiki bars, restaurants, and other Polynesian-themed facilities. Teitelbaum provides names, addresses, reviews and in some cases, photos to help you plan your next driving trip.

The author's reviews vary from cursory to pretty detailed. His emphasis is on the "Tikiness" of each place, based on decor, atmosphere, and food/drink. I didn't always agree with his "TiPSY" rating of some places, primarily because his emphasis seems to be primarily on Tiki decorations. I felt that Teitelbaum did not give enough weight to rarer architectural features (e.g. lava rock construction, A-framed roofs, etc.) in calculating his TiPSY scores. However, he states in the beginning that TiPSYness ratings are subjective, so any criticism described here is very minor.

This book isn't so much a road trip guide, as it is a compendium of Tiki joints past and present. While some places are alive and well, Teitelbaum includes places that are closed - in some cases for many years. Some of the Tiki spots documented are long forgotten, and the only testament that they even existed is a mug or matchbook. Also the addresses or, in some cases, cities of some of the spots listed are not provided.

A few improvements would help with subsequent editions of this guide. An index would be useful. Tables listing Tiki joints by TiPSYness, category, etc. would also be beneficial. Another recommendation is the inclusion of maps, at least at the state level. Finally, color photos are a must. Teitelbaum includes some outstanding pictures, unfortunately all in black and white.

While this book could be a bit better, it is still a must have for Tiki buffs.

Tiki magic - such a fun day following this guide....
If you love tiki's and what to know where they are in your area, or are traveling, get this book. We visited the Kon-Tiki bar in Tuscon for lunch while on vacation after reading about it here - the tiki atmosphere was awesome. Our waitress Cathy showed us a good time and let us take pictures of the fabulous Tiki's. The author said their waitress did not know much about the history of the bar, but Cathy did, and we chatted for several hours. Get this book....and go enjoy tiki hunting.

THIS GUY IS TIKI RIFFIC !
I got a chance to meet the author, and he is awesome. The book is fantastic, and details every, good and bad, tiki location around the country. You gotta get this book.

The Midwest is not the place for Mai Tais
This book is an excellent tribute to tiki history and lore--written by an man who is obviously passionate about his subject--all the while being amusing and charming. You may not be able to visit the bars, but his vivid and detailed descriptions make it almost as good.

My only real gripe is the small, black and white photos inside--no colour used to depict the vibrant and lush world that is tiki--faux or otherwise. also, I hoped that I would be able to use this book as a guide for some inspired tropical travels--but, alas! there aren't very many good bars in the heartlands.

one amusing plus--
James Teitelbaum leaves few stones unturned.
in a bleak winter, while driving through Iowa, I observed a fabulous sign for the "Tiki-Truck Stop". we were too tired to be tempted to stop, but my heart is now at peace knowing there is a full report in this book.

if you're already into tiki-lore, this book's glossaries and recipes will probably not be anything new. I advise looking at a copy first and seeing if there are any tiki locals near your area before making a purchase. unless you are happy to know there are fabulous tiki bars in california and scant ones in michigan.

mondo fun!
Jump on your Vespa and click on the 'buy' button, daddy-o! This one's a must-have for the chronically chic! ... Read more

Book Description

Every Warhammer 40,000 fan knows of the foul treachery committed by the arch-traitor Warmaster Horus to the Imperium of Man, but the full story has never before been revealed. It is told for the first time in this series of amazing artbooks, in explosive text and swathes of incredible art.

Reviews (2)

Street Rodder Hall of Fame Pick
Just want to let everybody know that Jerry Weesner of Streetrodder (June 2002) picked Cool Cars, High Art as a Hall of Fame selection with only three other books on the art of customizing.

Blue Collar Art on Parnassus
This handsome book is an unusual treatment of its subject for sure. There is a bevy of color photographs to satisfy the aficionado--and to make it an ideal gift for any car-crazy friend. But what I find most striking is the author¹s truly unique take on the car as an art object. Obviously comfortable with the demands of current theoretical discourse, he seems purposefully to prove that the obscurantism that bedevils so much academic prose today is merely self-indulgent. He has helped me grasp much more than just the beauty of the customized car. Readers (and especially teachers in a number of disciplines) will appreciate Prof. DeWitt¹s cunning explications of a Williams poem, a Picasso collage, a Futurist sculpture, and a surprising number of movies and TV shows to support his insights into our car culture. ... Read more

Book Description

"This book effectively integrates art history, literary history, and political and social history. . . . It will appeal to any well-educated reader and scholar of colonial Latin American studies . . . who will find it a unique lens through which to view this period and culture." --Stacey Schlau, Professor of Spanish and Women's Studies, West Chester UniversityReacting to the rising numbers of mixed-blood (Spanish-Indian-Black African) people in its New Spain colony, the eighteenth-century Bourbon government of Spain attempted to categorize and control its colonial subjects through increasing social regulation of their bodies and the spaces they inhabited. The discourse of calidad (status) and raza (lineage) on which the regulations were based also found expression in the visual culture of New Spain, particularly in the unique genre of casta paintings, which purported to portray discrete categories of mixed-blood plebeians.Using an interdisciplinary approach that also considers legal, literary, and religious documents of the period, Magali Carrera focuses on eighteenth-century portraiture and casta paintings to understand how the people and spaces of New Spain were conceptualized and visualized. She explains how these visual practices emphasized a seeming realism that constructed colonial bodies--elite and non-elite--as knowable and visible. At the same time, however, she argues that the chaotic specificity of the lives and lived conditions in eighteenth-century New Spain belied the illusion of social orderliness and totality narrated in its visual art. Ultimately, she concludes, the inherent ambiguity of the colonial body and its spaces brought chaos to all dreams of order. ... Read more

Book Description

"The artistic heritage of this place does matter." —David Salle

Julian Schnabel owns a 10-bedroom Stanford White spread in Montauk, and RossBleckner has settled into Truman Capote's Sagaponack saltbox. The Hamptons havecome a long way since Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner borrowed $5,000 from PeggyGuggenheim to pay for an unheated farmhouse in Springs, but one thing hasn't changed:the East End's allure to America's leading artists. In Studios by the Sea, Vanity Faircorrespondent Bob Colacello and photographer Jonathan Becker go inside the renovatedbarns, split-shingled cottages, and minimalist mansions of the modern-day artist colonythat is Long Island's East End.

Larry Rivers, John Chamberlain, April Gornik, Chuck Close, and David Salle areamong the 40 prominent painters and sculptors featured in this gossipy, anecdotal book,full of luscious, sunlight-infused images. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Prominent art critic Peter Schjeldahl once wrote that "to know the art of Ed Ruscha, you should know something about Los Angeles, and the reverse: knowing something about Ruscha's art will help you with Los Angeles." Today Edward Ruscha is considered a major voice in postwar American painting and one of contemporary art's most significant graphic artists. Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959-1999 presents the entire oeuvre of this innovative artist, whose subject and sensibility are uniquely American. Ruscha began his career as a commercial artist, and the visual language of advertising and his interest in typography as both word and image have exerted a profound influence on his art over the years. He says, "I like the idea of a word becoming a picture, almost leaving its body, then coming back and becoming a word again." His works often depict the interplay between bold letterforms and a more atmospheric background, a visual strategy that has become a Ruscha signature. For example, in Hollywood (1968), Ruscha created a panoramic image of low hills dramatically silhouetted against the blazing heat and hazy sky of a California sunset. The word Hollywood, reminiscent of the famous sign, sits directly on the horizon, angled toward us in capital letters and seemingly emerging from the setting sun itself.

This catalogue raisonné was published on the occasion of the exhibition of the same name, originating at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, and traveling to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and other venues through early 2001. Both the catalogue and the exhibition document 40 years of Ruscha's innovative work, and they feature 17 artist's books, such as Twentysix Gasoline Stations (1963); a group of photographs taken on the historic Route 66; and some 300 prints, including a fragrant installation made entirely of paper sheets screen-printed with chocolate. Two large, slim, silvery hardback volumes are presented in a handsome black fabric-covered slipcase. Volume 1 illustrates hundreds of prints, books, and other projects with small, numbered images laid out like a series of film cells or words going by on an LED sign. Volume 2 includes entries for each piece and essays about the prints and artist's books, neither of which have ever been discussed in a publication of this scope. --A.C. Smith ... Read more

Reviews (3)

rush to buy ruscha
a must have book for fans of Ruscha and/or contemporary art/ print collectors/dealers in general. I use this reference material frequently. my one gripe is that many of the reproductions are small and very difficult to see clearly. the two volumes are also a bit confusing. but, certainly a worthwhile addition to my art book collection.

Edward Ruscha: Editins 1959-1999
The most disapointing book I have ever bought. I am truly in a state of confusion. Mr. Engberg has made the most self indulgent art cataloug imaginable. The reproductions in this book are not just small, not tiny, but miniscule. The gasoline station photographs are literally one inch squares, while three quarters of each page is left completely blank! Ed Rusha's art work is phenomenal, and I have looked forward with huge anticipation for this book, however, I cannot imagine what was going through Mr. Engberg's mind when he made the reproductions unbelievably tiny. It seems he wanted to get in on the action and made this book with an eye for design. It is true that the each page has a nice design, but the book is, about the artwork of Edward Ruscha, not about you Mr. Engberg!!!
I reiterate the reproductions are so small that one can scarcely see them. This is not an exageration an injustice has been done. Please Siri Engberg reprint the book with consideration for the viewer. Until he does I beg you dear reader to buy any, any other book about Ruscha's art.

Ed Ruscha from A-Z with all the attractions in-between
This two-volume set about the work of LA artist Edward Ruscha is in itself a work of art. It's a complete catalog of EVERY print, photograph, series and book Ruscha created from the earliest days of his career until the end of the last century. And because Ruscha's work has its roots in graphic design, it translates well to book format. Many catalogs miss the texture or scale of an artist's work, but this one manages to capture the experience of seeing Ruscha's work in person. Add to that numerous interesting essays and more details about the artist and his work than one can ever grasp, and you'll see why I think that... it's a deal. An impressive work about an important contemporary artist. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Typical Douglas Brode --- Brilliant!
As always, Douglas Brode delivers in spades. Professor Brode completely overturns the idea of Disney as a middlebrow filmmaker by detailing how Disney movies played a key role in transforming the children of the Eisenhower era into the radical, pot-smoking Aquarians (also known as losers) of the '60s.Fortunately, Professor Brode either lacks or effectively hides any bias (such as mine) against those members of the '60s movement that to this day ruin our nation.Another testiment to Brode's professionalism and character.A must read for Disney movie buffs... ... Read more

Book Description

Based on interviews with Stan Lee and dozens of his colleagues and contemporaries, as well as extensive archival research, this book provides a professional history, an appreciation, and a critical exploration of the face of Marvel Comics. Recognized as a dazzling writer, a skilled editor, a relentless self-promoter, a credit hog, and a huckster, Stan Lee rose from his humble beginnings to ride the wave of the 1940s comics books boom and witness the current motion picture madness and comic industry woes. Included is a complete examination of the rise of Marvel Comics, Lee's work in the years of postwar prosperity, and his efforts in the 1960s to revitalize the medium after it had grown stale. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Well-researched, even-handed, and hugely entertaining.
Ignore the rather pitiful review from the writer who takes rather a lot on themself by claiming that all comic fans (and "Star Trek" fans as well) want is to hide from the awful attentions of the "mainstream" (i.e.; the real world), and be left alone. Having spent much of my life as a comics/SF/fantasy enthusiast,I can testify that many of them take great comfort in the idea that they are special, persecuted, and somewhat beyond the comprehension of non-fans, the "mainstream", and other people they conceive of as "outsiders". Well, they're not. This book is in no way, shape, or form "tabloid journalism" as claimed, but an excellent and thought-provoking examination of a pivotal, highly creative, yet slightly ambiguous figure in pop-culture. Lee's talent and influence are nowhere denied by the authors, and yet it's hard not to be a little uncomfortable with the efficiency with which he wound up assuming virtually all credit for creating a lot of hugely profitable superheroes that were, pretty clearly, co-created and plotted by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. I've never really thought that Stan deliberately hogged the glory; It's just that he was so effusive, so outgoing and personable, whereas Kirby and the extremely private Ditko were not, that fans just sort of gravitated toward the idea that Stan was the mastermind. He could certainly have done more to dispel this notion, but it was good for business, and having seen Stan give a lecture once in the early 70's, I can bear witness to the fact that the audience regarded him as almost a holy object. It can be awfully hard to make yourself contradict complete adulation. The result was that Kirby and Ditko were, for years, relegated to the status of simple illustrators, drawing the pictures that brought to life what we all presumed were Lee's great imaginative visions, rather than as the indispensible creative forces that they were.Read Jack Kirby's immediate pre-Marvel CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN stories, compare them to the early FANTASTIC FOUR, then tell me who you think deserves the most credit for the FF.This very readable book does a very fine job of covering the life of the man,without either worshipping or denigrating him unfairly, but using Lee as a prism through which the history of the "silver age" of comics is viewed. And it's a lot of fun, as well. Far from crawling into a hole and asking to be "let alone", I say, "more please".
Incidentally, if you're interested in the subject of the history of the modern comic book, I can highly recommend THE COMIC BOOK HEROES, by Jones and Jacobs, a terrifically readable behind-the-scenes history of above-ground comics from the beginnings of the silver age. But, be careful to pick up the large,revised and updated version; it's almost completely rewritten from the original 80's version, which pulls most of its punches. The revised edition is the one with the behind-the-scenes coverage; you know: the stuff that the publishers like to publicly pretend never happened.

The True Story of Marvel
Stan Lee is one of the best-known names in comic books. He's credited with creating some of the most beloved superheroes of our time including The Hulk, The Fantastic Four and Spider-man. What most people don't really know is the real story behind the creation of these characters. Anyone who's read Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay will notice a great deal of similarities between Stan Lee's origins, which the authors meticulously recreate, and the fictionalized settings Chabon created for his book. Raphael and Spurgeon have written a fair and honest tribute to the work of Lee and in doing so, tell the story of the comics medium as a whole. Stan Lee: The Rise and Fall of the American Comic is about as smart and entertaining as biographies come.

Stan Lee the Forrest Gump of the Comics Scene
This book was a quick and enjoyable read and very balanced in showing Stan warts and all (i.e. what went wrong with him and Kirby).

What amazed me was the conectivity of Lee. He was here, there and everywhere during nearly the entire age of the American comic book and just like Forrest Gump, at times, did not seem to totally grasp what was going on.

You come away understanding that Stan Lee was more than anything one of many catalysts that started the engine of the four color comic industry.

Stan the self promoting man. Book 4 star; Stan 2 star.
I happened to see this book in the library last week. Having read a ton of comics through the 1980s, ten to fifteen comics a week was fairly typical, I was very interested in learning more about Stan Lee. I found this a fascinating book. The authors write well. The book is entertaining, and it is hard to put down.

The authors do a good job of setting the stage. In addition to explaining and documenting just who Stan Lee is; the authors provide background by showing us Stan's early years, a whole lot about the comic industry, and those who have worked with Stan Lee. Having the background of the comic industry was fun.

For example I had never understood why for so many years the fights in the comics were mostly with fists. The book explains that in reaction to concerns about negative affects of comics, the comic industry started following a set of codes created in the 1950s. One of the codes was the restriction of guns.

The book clearly shows that Stan Lee comes across as a nice guy; moreover, it shows some of Stan Lee's major character flaws. A big one is his consistent pattern over decades of taking the credit for other people's work. This was not a one time event. He likes to be well known, and worked hard over the years to be famous. I was also disappointed to read of his experimenting with alternative comics, and his attempts to get into pornography.

In contrast to DC, many of the superheroes Stan Lee is known for were the misunderstood who did the right thing even when they weren't appreciated. Spiderman was constantly mistrusted and even persecuted, but he always fought the bad guys, he always did the right thing. So it is ironic that Stan Lee is know for creating superheroes who did the right things, even when it was not popular; however, he did the wrong things in taking creating so he could be popular.

All in all it was a fun book to read.

Excelsior!...not.
The book claims to be unbiased, but has phrases like 'hero or huckster'.

Throughout the book, various stuff has been shown in a negative light;

They say something along the lines of "Stan Lee is the creator of various superheroes from Spider-Man to the X-Men...or so he'd have you believe. In truth, he is only the COcreator." No sh*t, Einstein.

They then claim Stan Lee is trying to steal the fame of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko. No use pointing out Ditko is now a recluse and Jack Kirby is dead.

Or they'll point out with glee, although Lee is credited with creating X-Men and Daredevil, it is the talents of Frank Miller and Chris Claremont who brought them to the fame they are today. They treat it like a scandal being brought forth, but anyone familar with the superheroes KNOW Miller defined Daredevil and so forth. Again, easy facts that nearly everyone knows twisted into a negative light.

The book concludes with a statement that is basically "Comics sell bad. The art is good, but the writing is cliched. The days of the Golden Age are long gone." If this was the 90s, fine. But right now comics are getting mainstream press, great writers among other stuff. Although comics aren't selling as well as they're used to be, they are hitting a remarkable rise. ... Read more