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.