Vanguard – serie

In his 60-year career, Carmine Infantino has practised nearly every job that there is in the field of comics, for a "Who's Who" list of publishers. But Infantino will always be remembered as the personification of DC Comics' Silver Age. Infantino helped to resurrect the dying comics industry in 1956, as the artist who launched the Silver Age with his co-creation, the Flash, and remains the best remembered Flash artist of all-time. Infantino proved one of the all-time, great sci-fi artists with his elegant, cityscaped Adam Strange. The only sci-fi comic to rival the sales of "Adam Strange" was "Star Wars", to which Infantino also contributed. In 1964, Infantino became indispensable to the Batman legacy. He, with editor Julius Schwartz, saved the Caped Crusader's comics from impending cancellation with the "New Look". Infantino also redesigned the Batmobile and with Schwartz, created Batgirl. In 1971, Infantino became Publisher and ultimately, President of DC Comics.Infantino's brave corporate moves include: comic books of pulp characters; the Shadow and Tarzan; the Adams/O'Neil Green Lantern-Green Arrow series; Jack Kirby Fourth World saga; the revival of Captain Marvel; pay raises, royalties, and the return of originals to artists. This is Infantino's own history of comics, through his experiences, from the industry's primordial, Golden Age, through his artistic achievements, corporate years at DC Comics, and post-corporate years including his animation work, teaching, return as a top artist to DC, and Batman newspaper strip.

Echoes collects drawings from the myriad periods of Kaluta's notable career and reveals the artist's unique passion for historical accuracy and unbridled fantasy, traits that have inspired more than one generation of artists and aficionados. Michael William Kaluta has been referred to as the artist's artist. He has earned that reputation by immersing himself in the worlds he draws, offering up his visions with painstaking detail -- from Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age through the noir era of The Shadow to the delightfully retro sci-fi worlds of Starstruck, and all places in between. Commontary by the artist, Paul Chadwick, Neil Gaiman and compilers Dean Motter and J. David Spurlock.

After a noteworthy career with "Superman", "Indiana Jones" and "Deadly Foes of Spiderman", the work of well-known, veteran, comic-book artist Kerry Gammill mysteriously disappeared from the pages of "Superman" and "X-Men". This volume reveals the reason for Gammill's exodus - to fulfil a life-long desire to work on monster films. He has been working as a conceptual artist on film and television projects which include "Stephen King's Storm of the Century" TV mini-series, "Virus" (1999), "Species II" (1998), "Can of Worms" (TV 1999), Dean Koontz's "Phantoms" (1998), "Stargate SG-1" TV series, and "The Outer Limits" TV series. In this volume Gammill takes us behind the scenes on the very important but little-known world of film conceptual art with a focus on designing creatures for action films. This is not just a "how to" book, but also Gammill's autobiographic career retrospective, filled with art and anecdotes about his years at Marvel, DC and Hollywood.

Award-winning illustrated biography of Hal Foster, in which author Brian M. Kane examines the 70-year career of one of the greatest illustrators of the 20th century. Superman was modelled after Foster's drawings of Tarzan, Flash Gordon's Alex Raymond borrowed compositions from Foster's Prince Valiant, and many artists, including the famous contemporary Western painter James Bama, who contributed the foreword, count Foster among their greatest influences.

Heroic drawings and spirited animations have earned Frank Brunner a reputation as an illustration powerhouse. Influenced as much by the celebrated fantasy painter Frank Frazetta as by "Weird Science" legends Wally Wood and Al Williamson, Brunner carved his own niche, earning a reputation as an illustrator who could combine heroics, eroticism and whimsy in a single brush stroke. This is a showcase of classic and new art produced by this master illustrator of Doctor Strange, Howard the Duck, Creepy magazine, Red Sonja, Man-Thing and Elric. Foreword by Elric author Michael Moorcock.

A collection of new works by artists who have riveted the world with their contributions to fine art, comics, film and illustration. Celebrating the tenth anniversary of Vanguard's flagship cutting-edge comics anthology, this book features: "Mr. X", a tale by best-selling author Neil Gaiman and "Sandman" cover artist Dave McKean; "Beyond the Clash", a contemplation on the loss of musical visionaries John Cage and Frank Zappa by Society of Illustrators Gold Medal winner Barron Storey; "Frogs", a 12-page visual storytelling experiment by Jim Steranko, and "Endangered Species Cookbook" by novelist Paul Theroux and Marshall Arisman. This volume also features innovative works by "Elektra: Assassin" graphic novelist Bill Sienkiewicz; Marilyn Manson poster artist Justin Hampton; "Kabuki" creator David Mack and many more.

An enraged village hungry for blood pursues Vincent, the nephew assistant of the now-dead Doctor Frankenstein, and his fiancee Erika. From out of nowhere, Prince Vlad rescues the terrified young couple. But Vlad is, in fact, "Dracula," and he has a sinister purpose. If he has an unstoppable creature like the Frankenstein monster, his safety will be assured. To get this, Vlad holds Erika for ransom. The monster is created then kills Erika but a werewolf's bite brings her back. The scene is set for a battle of pitiless monsters.

Legendary Batman and X-Men talent, Neal Adams, bursts back onto the comics scene with a new graphic novel, Neal Adams Monsters, featuring the most terrifying supernatural creatures in classic horror history: The Frankenstein Monster, Count Dracula and the Werewolf. Neal Adams Monsters was rendered oversized to take the art to the max. The end result is a masterwork which features the dramatic linework and exquisite fine rendering Neal Adams has been canonized for. Thrill to a level of unprecedented detail as a comics grandmaster reveals the story of these infamous horror legends as only he can see them: a horror epic guaranteed to thrill.Collected into an English-language graphic novel for the first time, this material was originally serialized in Adamıs groundbreaking anthology "Echo of Future Past." This new edition has digital coloring and effects in a process personally overseen by Adams to conform to his exacting standards for rendering, lighting and form. New pages have been added, new covers, anf a special section of rare paintings, sketches and drawings of monsters from throughout his illustration career. For fans of monsters, great art or great storytelling—comic lover or not—Neal Adams Monsters is a must-have.

Star Wars, Batman, 007, The Terminator, Master of Kung Fu, Catwoman-illustrator and graphic novelist Paul Gulacy has built his reputation on these megaproperties. Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu examines Gulacy's work in all its glory, with a gallery of 140 of his incredible drawings and paintings-some never before published. This is the first monograph on the artist whose innovative and surreal designs made director Quentin Tarentino say, "Master of Kung Fu...hands down my favourite comic book." Let Gulacy inspire a new generation of artists with Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu.

This, Vanguard's second volume devoted to the work of J. Allen St. John concentrates on the artist's full-color fantasy, science-fiction and adventure paintings for novels and Pulp-magazines for famous authors, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jack Williamson, Robert E. Howard and more. St. John is the original grand master illustrator of Tarzan, John Carter of Mars (now in major motion picture development by Pixar), and others. His illustrations inspired generations of later fantastic artists including Roy G. Krenkel, Jeffrey Jones and Frank Frazetta. St. John will always be recognized as the first, and most important illustrator of Burroughs' writings and this book is produced with the full endorsement and cooperation of Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. Also featured are essays by renowned science-fiction author Jack Williamson; Danton Burroughs, Lin Carter, and illustrators Vincent Di Fate, and Frank Frazetta.St. John began his career by studying the old master in the museums of Paris around 1880. Returning to America, his notoriety among Fine Art enthusiasts developed with recognition from the Society of American Artists and Metropolitan magazine in 1889. The artist went on to become a professor of drawing and painting at both The American Academy of Art and the Chicago Art Institute, but his greatest notoriety came as he ventured into the colorful world of Pulp magazine and adventure book illustration. For the readers of fantasy, science fiction and adventure, St. John surpassed the work of his famous contemporaries Frank Schoonover, James Montgomery Flagg, and N. C. Wyeth, and led the way for future masters, including Roy G. Krenkel, the Brothers Hildebrandt, and Frank Frazetta.INTRODUCTION BT LIN CARTERAFTERWORD BY FRANK FRAZETTA

Among the few comics creators to be featured on US Postage Stamps, Rich Buckler is one of the best-known comic-book artists. He's drawn noted runs on Fantastic Four, Avengers, Spectacular Spider-Man, X-Men, Teen Titans, and more. Stan Lee says, "From the time he drew his first assignments for Marvel Comics, I've been one of his biggest fans. There are few people better qualified to write a book on the subject than Rich Buckler!" Now, Buckler reveals the secrets of drawing the heroic figure, the language of storytelling, narrative technique, and building a better page in focused chapters that build the reader’s skills step by step—an authoritative guide to creating compelling comics.

Among the few comics creators to be featured on US Postage Stamps, Rich Buckler is one of the best-known comic-book artists. He's drawn noted runs on Fantastic Four, Avengers, Spectacular Spider-Man, X-Men, Teen Titans, and more. Stan Lee says, "From the time he drew his first assignments for Marvel Comics, I've been one of his biggest fans. There are few people better qualified to write a book on the subject than Rich Buckler!" Now, Buckler reveals the secrets of drawing the heroic figure, the language of storytelling, narrative technique, and building a better page in focused chapters that build the reader’s skills step by step—an authoritative guide to creating compelling comics.

* The most comprehensive index of the artist's work ever published!* Fantastic reference for artists; great entertainment for fans.The work of Frank Frazetta--THE greatest heroic-fantasy artist of all time--has influenced generations of artists, fans, designers, and movie directors. Now more than 400 of his unforgettable images have been collected in Frazetta, The Definitive Reference. With essays by experts and collectors, this one-of-a-kind volume traces the entire arc of Frazettas career. From his early 1950s comics; to his breathtaking book covers featuring Tarzan, Pellucidar, King Kong, and John Carter of Mars; to his 1960s monster mags, including Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella; to his major movie posters, including After the Fox, The Night They Raided Minsky's and Whats New Pussycat?; and, of course, his revolutionary Conan paintings--its all here. Frazetta - The Definitive Reference overflows with fantastic images, an index of every published Frazetta work and insightful commentary on this fantasy-art icon.Compiled by James A. Bond (no relation to the international spy). Edited by J. David Spurlock and Andrew Steven with a foreword by Frazetta close personal friend Dr. David Winiewicz.

* The most comprehensive index of the artist's work ever published!* Fantastic reference for artists; great entertainment for fans.The work of Frank Frazetta--THE greatest heroic-fantasy artist of all time--has influenced generations of artists, fans, designers, and movie directors. Now more than 400 of his unforgettable images have been collected in Frazetta, The Definitive Reference. With essays by experts and collectors, this one-of-a-kind volume traces the entire arc of Frazettas career. From his early 1950s comics; to his breathtaking book covers featuring Tarzan, Pellucidar, King Kong, and John Carter of Mars; to his 1960s monster mags, including Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella; to his major movie posters, including After the Fox, The Night They Raided Minsky's and Whats New Pussycat?; and, of course, his revolutionary Conan paintings--its all here. Frazetta - The Definitive Reference overflows with fantastic images, an index of every published Frazetta work and insightful commentary on this fantasy-art icon.Compiled by James A. Bond (no relation to the international spy). Edited by J. David Spurlock and Andrew Steven with a foreword by Frazetta close personal friend Dr. David Winiewicz.

Joe Kubert's career as a comics artist and graphic novelist is legendary. The founder of the renowned Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, he has taught many of the finest cartoonists working today. In How to Draw from Life, he presents a wealth of his own original drawings from nude models, spanning his sixty-plus years as an artist and art instructor. Subjects include gesture drawing, contour drawing, the figure in motion, short studies, long studies, form and structure, anatomy, and lighting. Fully annotated with Kubert's insightful commentary on drawing from life, this is the perfect book for art students, professionals, and comics enthusiasts everywhere.

Vanguard presents every dragon lover's dream come true, Art of the Dragon: The Definitive Collection of Contemporary Dragon Paintings. This concise and comprehensive survey by Visions of Never author Patrick Wilshire and How to Draw Chiller Monsters, Werewolves, Vampires, and Zombies author J. David Spurlock presents and examines the ultimate collection of contemporary dragon paintings and provides insights about and from the foremost dragon-painting fantasy artists including Jeff Easley, Larry Elmore, Clyde Caldwell, Keith Parkinson, Todd Lockwood, Donato Giancola, John Howe, Bob Eggleton, Don Maitz, Stephen Hickman, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Greg Hildebrandt, and record-breaking Hugo Award winner Michael Whelan who, also provides the cover to this long-awaited and breathtaking compendium.

Starting in 1932, Margaret Brundage, wife of leftist revolutionary Slim Brundage -- who she met at the wildly-bohemian Dil Pickle Club during the Chicago Renaissance -- forever changed the look of Fantasy and Horror with her alluring, sensationalistic covers for the legendary pulp magazine, Weird Tales. Brundage, whose art contemporaries include Virgil Finlay and Hannes Bok, is unique as she was the first female cover artist of the pulp era. Decades before the gothic fetish craze, Brundage's lush, provocative paintings, which frequently featured smoldering, semi-nude young women bearing whips, became a focus of acute attention and controversy. At the very peak of the notorious pulp's classic run, the magazine's appeal was due as much to Brundage's covers as to the stories inside by famous authors H. P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert Bloch and Conan creator, Robert E. Howard. Long before Frazetta, it was Brundage who was the very 1st Conan cover artist. The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage is the premier book devoted to this noted artist and features all of her Weird Tales and Conan covers.Authors Stephen D. Korshak and J. David Spurlock follow their seminal collaboration, The Paintings of J. Allen St. John -- Grand Master of Fantasy, with The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage which, also features essays by noted artist Rowena, Weird Tales historian Robert Weinberg, First-Fandom member / Shasta publisher Melvin Korshak, and Men's Adventure Magazines: In Postwar America co-author George Hagenauer. THE VILLAGE VOICE said 12-11-2013: "Brundage's menaced damsels were sleek eye candy, but this book reveals politics --advocating for gender and racial equality as well as labor rights at a time when activism led to blacklisting -- that prove that the 'Queen of the Pulps' was as brave as any of her titillating heroines."

Starting in 1932, Margaret Brundage, wife of leftist revolutionary Slim Brundage -- who she met at the wildly-bohemian Dil Pickle Club during the Chicago Renaissance -- forever changed the look of Fantasy and Horror with her alluring, sensationalistic covers for the legendary pulp magazine, Weird Tales. Brundage, whose art contemporaries include Virgil Finlay and Hannes Bok, is unique as she was the first female cover artist of the pulp era. Decades before the gothic fetish craze, Brundage's lush, provocative paintings, which frequently featured smoldering, semi-nude young women bearing whips, became a focus of acute attention and controversy. At the very peak of the notorious pulp's classic run, the magazine's appeal was due as much to Brundage's covers as to the stories inside by famous authors H. P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert Bloch and Conan creator, Robert E. Howard. Long before Frazetta, it was Brundage who was the very 1st Conan cover artist. The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage is the premier book devoted to this noted artist and features all of her Weird Tales and Conan covers.Authors Stephen D. Korshak and J. David Spurlock follow their seminal collaboration, The Paintings of J. Allen St. John -- Grand Master of Fantasy, with The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage which, also features essays by noted artist Rowena, Weird Tales historian Robert Weinberg, First-Fandom member / Shasta publisher Melvin Korshak, and Men's Adventure Magazines: In Postwar America co-author George Hagenauer. THE VILLAGE VOICE said 12-11-2013: "Brundage's menaced damsels were sleek eye candy, but this book reveals politics --advocating for gender and racial equality as well as labor rights at a time when activism led to blacklisting -- that prove that the 'Queen of the Pulps' was as brave as any of her titillating heroines."

Discover, or return to, the world's greatest heroic fantasy artist, Frank Frazetta in this landmark art collection entitled, Fantastic Paintings of Frazetta. The New York Times said, "Frazetta helped define fantasy heroes like Conan, Tarzan and John Carter of Mars with signature images of strikingly fierce, hard-bodied heroes and bosomy, callipygian damsels" Frazetta took the sex and violence of the pulp fiction of his youth and added even more action, fantasy and potency, but rendered with a panache seldom seen outside of major works of Fine Art. Despite his fantastic subject matter, the quality of Frazetta’s work has not only drawn comparisons to the most brilliant of illustrators, Maxfield Parrish, Frederic Remington, Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth but, even to the most brilliant of fine artists including Rembrandt and Michelangelo and, major Frazetta works sell for millions of dollars, breaking numerous records.This innovator’s work has not only inspired generations of artists, but also movies and directors including the Conan films, John Carter of Mars, the sensationally successful Lord of the Rings trilogy, Robert Rodriguez’ films including From Dusk Till Dawn, Ralph Bakshi films, the epic, award-winning Game of Thrones series, Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, Disney’s animated Tarzan films, Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and George Lucas’ Star Wars series. The Forbes magazine article Schwarzenegger's Sargent led with the line, "Which artist helped make Arnold governor? Frank Frazetta, the Rembrandt of barbarians."J. David Spurlock started crafting this book by reviving the original million-selling 1970s mass market art book, Fantastic Art of Frank Frazetta. But, he expanded and revised to include twice as many images and, presents them at a much larger coffee-table book size of 10.5 x 14.625”! The collection is brimming with both classic and previously unpublished works of the subjects Frazetta is best remembered for including barbarians, beasts, and buxom beauties. Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin said, “Though he bears only a passing resemblance to the Cimmerian as Robert E. Howard described him, Frazetta’s covers of the Conan paperback collections became the definitive picture of the character… still is.” Schwarzenegger said, “I have not been intimidated that often in my life. But when I looked at Frazetta’s paintings, I tell you, it was intimidating.” Game of Thrones, Conan and Aquaman film star Jason Momoa said, “I am a huge Frank Frazetta fan. Both of my parents are painters, so I'd known Frazetta's paintings, that's what I wanted to bring to life.” See the revolutionary art that helped inspire Schwarzenegger, Momoa, the Lord of the Rings films and Game of Thrones: FRAZETTA!

Award-winning poet and performer Saul Williams explores how artists today must respond to systemic violence and injustice—in the words of Paul Robeson, by choosing sides.Songs My Mother Taught Me is Williams’ clear-eyed exploration of the role of the artist in these times by answering the question: what radicalized you? He answers by examining how his role models—writers and artists, from Amiri Baraka to local musicians in Brazilian bars to Palestinian hip-hop heads—have responded to imperialist violence, oppression, and genocide. Riffing on Paul Robeson’s famous declaration, Williams builds a provocative case for why today’s artists cannot remain neutral in the face of injustice. “We need songs that crumble empires,” he writes, “films that teach, remind, and inspire, poems that would make a despot revoke your citizenship.”The radical artists of the Vanguard Series offer new poetry and prose to answer the question, What does poetry have to do with politics?