Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Star Trek X 2 and Aliens


It’s no secret that I’m a huge Star Trek fan.  I’ve been watching the franchise since it first aired on NBC beginning in 1966 with the original series starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Deforest Kelley.
 

Since Star Trek has been around so long it’s very seldom that something new associated or inspired by the original series appears.


The Art Of Juan Ortiz Star Trek from Titan Books is one of those instances.


I was unfamiliar with Ortiz’s work until I visited Titan’s website and spotted the cover to the oversize hardbound book.  After looking at a few preview images from the book I knew I had to get a copy to review.  Which I did.


Ortiz has managed to take each and every episode of the original series and present them as individual poster art.  His work in this compilation reminds me of the movie posters seen during the 1940s, 1950s and especially the 1960s.  Each piece looks as if it is silk screened with bold flat colors, stark images and eye-catching images.


While the pieces emulate bygone era art the designs are very much 21st Century.  Ortiz is a master of color and composition and if my guess is right he also is proficient in Photoshop and Illustrator.


Whatever his technique(s), I love the art is this book.  It’s quirky, kitsch and perfect for Star Trek The Original Series.


Over the course of the last 40 plus years the history of the Star Trek history has been hinted about.  The Star Trek franchise has done a good job of introducing elements of the history of Star Trek (specifically The Federation) but in bits and pieces.


The Enterprise TV series introduced the most history but no single Star Trek show or movie has delved deeply into the complete history of The Federation for its first 150 years.


Titan Books and David A. Goodman have done just that.


Star Trek Federation The First 150 Years begins with Zefram Cockrane’s historic Warp flight and Earth’s first meeting with the Vulcans and continues up until Captain Kirk’s command of the Enterprise.


Readers get to witness the birth of The Federation, the meeting of key alien races: including the Vulcan’s, Romulans and Klingons, get to explore an expanding universe as provided by Warp Drive and see the birth of the Phaser, the Transporter, Tricorder, the first starships and (unfortunately) the various wars between planets.


Extremely comprehensive and thorough the book fills in all the gaps left empty by the various Star Trek shows and movies and gives reads the full lowdown on The Federation, its members, its mission and a quick glimpse into its expanding future.


For a different sort of science fiction series be sure to pick up a copy of Lee Brimmicombe-Wood’s’ Aliens Colonial Marines Technical Manual.


Of all of the Alien movies I like Aliens the best.  James Cameron’s Aliens (the second movie in the Alien franchise) has everything: deadly Aliens, Colonial Marines, big weapons, big ships, a powerful tough female lead and plenty of action, horror and suspense.  What’s not to like?


The Technical Manual takes readers through the world of the Colonial Marines.  You’ll learn about uniforms, weapons, military procedures and command, spacecraft, land vehicles, ground support, technical devices, Alien encounters and more.


The book is filled with technical illustrations and stats, photos and schematics.  If you have the hankering to take on some Aliens then this is the book for you.  Study it and commit it to memory and it just may save your life.