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| Suspended Animation, 8/7/2004 |
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Black & White Images: Second Annual Collection (Images from the Vadeboncoeur Collection)
#2/102
$20
JVJ Publishing
Various artists and writers with comments by Jim Vadeboncoeur
"A century ago," claims author Jim Vadeboncoeur of Black & White Images, "artists were the media super-stars." This statement from his magnificent collection of black and white drawings is true. Wait! Isn't this column limited to comic book and strip reviews? These drawings influenced the first comic strip and book pencillers and inkers, and that is why Black & White Images is being praised in this column.
Inside his oversized collection are 300 magazine and book illustrations by over 60 amazing artists. This art is reprinted from "the golden era of pen and ink illustration: 1889-1922". Before photographs were easily reproduced and the use of color in print publications was affordable, publishers were hungry for art to satisfy the demand for images, and "stylistic experimentation exploded." The human form was their dominant subject, but nature and architecture were important as well, as was an eye for meticulous detail, missing from most of today's print illustrations.
You may not recognize artists like Charles Dana Gibson, Edwin Austin Abbey or N.C. Wyeth, but you do know comics professionals like Jim Steranko, Alex Toth, and Neil Gaiman who appreciated their work. The reason these influential illustrators were superstars is that their art is stunning. Wise cartoonists seek out the best to emulate.
Black & White Images is one of nine issues published to date. Artists and those who love art must own them all without delay; early issues are growing scarce. If enough back issues are sold, it is likely that a tenth will be published. No other magazine deserves to continue more than this wonderful title. Buy today.
This marvelous collection and The Vadeboncoeur Collection of Images (its sister magazine featuring color illustrations) garner the highest recommendation.
Shudder at Vance's Light's End horror short stories narrated by actor William Windom at www.plan9.org.
Questions? Comment? E-Mail Suspended Animation at vance@digitalwebbing.com
Any statements made, expressed or implied are solely those of columnists or persons interviewed and do not represent the editorial position of the administration, who does not accept responsibility of such statements. All characters and artwork shown are trademark and © of their respective owners.
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