Halo, Struzman And Crime

Titan Books has just released a trio of book the lovers of popular art are sure to appreciate.  From video games to comic books the three books cover the gambit of art made popular and loved by the man on the street.

The video game Halo has struck a cord with video game enthusiasts and in the process garnered millions of fans and millions of dollars in profits.  Halo merchandise is a big hit with fans and range from toys to clothing. 

Halo conventions are not uncommon as are fans dressing up as their favorite Halo characters. The Great Journey Halo: The Art Of Building Worlds from Titan Books and Martin Robinson with a foreword by Frank O'Connor.

Inside Halo enthusiasts will be awed by the beautiful sketches and finished art of environments, characters, weapons, vehicles and other accoutrements seen throughout the various Halo games.

This book is a first-hand look at the creation of a video game universe as envisioned by some of the top designers in the world.  Lush illustrations, production notes and glimpses at the creative process make this a must-have book for any Halo fan.

Artist Drew Struzan is known by most art lovers as the man who paints movie posters.  But his work encompasses far more than that.  The new book from Titan Books and co-written by Drew and Dylan Struzan, examines the man, his life and his art.

Drew began his career primarily as an album cover artist.  It wasn't long afterward that his unique style drew the attentionn of movie makers.  Once Drew proved himself to be a reliable and innovative designer his work was in high demand.  George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and other notable directors all clamor for his work and speak highly of Drew.  His reputation in the movie industry is well-respected.

Even when movie poster art is transitioning to Photoshop designs Drew is one of the few movie poster artists whose work is still in demand. A huge gallery of both his record and movie poster art is reproduced in stunning color and makes up the bulk of the book.

Drew is also a book cover illustrator, an excellent fine artist, designer and concept artist.  Oeuvre Drew Struzan is a large hardbound book that contains the bulk of his work in all genres reproduced in stunning colors and printed on high-quality, coated paper stock.  It's like walking through an art gallery without leaving the comfort of your chair.

It seems only fitting that Titan Books would release the latest in its 'The Simon & Kirby Library Series: Crime book recently.  Joe Simon, part of the creative team of Kirby and Simon passed away a short time ago and this book makes a fine tribute to the man.

Mystery writer (and sometimes comic book scribe) Max Allan Collins provides an introduction to this hefty collection of the best of Simon & Kirby's early Crime stories.  Reproduced in full-color, including the covers, the book contains the Crime stories that started a whole new genre in early comic book publications.
Kirby and Simon's dynamic writing and drawing brought gangland and domestic violence crimes to life as they offered a no apology, in-you-face look at the true face of crime, pimples and all.  It would be a 'crime' to pass this book up.