Category: Art & History

STAR WARS ICONS: HAN SOLO

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 22, 2020

Written by Gina McIntyre

SUMMARY:

Published in 2018 by Insight Editions (through Disney and Lucasfilm), this 242-page coffee table hardcover purports to be the ultimate visual guide to Han Solo. In addition to examining his various incarnations (most notably, actors Harrison Ford and Alden Ehrenreich), this collection’s insights includes rare glimpses of artwork, merchandising, and rare behind-the-scenes images from Solo’s live-action history.

For this project, insightful interviews with Ford, Ehrenreich, Peter Mayhew, Billy Dee Williams, Mark Hamill, directors J.J. Abrams and Ron Howard, screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan and Jake Kasdan, among others.

Further, the character’s evolution (including preliminary sketch drawings) beginning with Lucas’ earliest version depicts how Han Solo became pivotal to the Star Wars saga. The book also analyzes Solo’s appearances in comic books, radio, novels, newspaper strips, role-playing, video games, etc. over the past forty years.

REVIEW:

It’s stellar! Short of a retrospective documentary, this informative, vault-like hardcover acknowledges seemingly everything imaginable about Han Solo. There’s even a section on other pop culture characters evidently influenced by him. Yet, unlike a video, author Gina McIntyre designs this nostalgic book in such an interactive way that fans can reach out and explore the character on a far more personal level. McIntyre’s text stays on point and corresponds well with the constant imagery.

The enormous wealth of visual material celebrates Harrison Ford’s legacy with rare glimpses from inside the original Star Wars trilogy. Gratefully, there is far less emphasis on all the various forms of merchandise. A reasonable portion covers 2018’s Solo movie, which confirms that this book is meant as a cross-promotional tie-in. While giving the prequel movie project its due, Star Wars Icons: Han Solo is far more an eye-popping treasure trove honoring Ford as the legendary Corellian smuggler-turned-Rebel hero.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

As this book should be handled with care, the extra goodies include a bookmark, fold-out artwork, and multiple instances of detachable sketches. Although there isn’t an index, there is a helpful bibliography and an acknowledgments page.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

Art & History Collector's Magazines DC-Related Movies & Television (Books)

SUPERMAN: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE MOVIES, TV SHOWS, COMICS, & MORE (2018)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 21, 2020

SUMMARY:

Released in mid-2018 by Centennial Legends’ Hollywood Spotlight series, this 98-page collector’s edition extravaganza celebrates the Man of Steel’s 80^th Anniversary. Illustrated by images from the films, TV shows, and cartoons, this homage reviews the following:

Superman’s existence as the first and greatest super-hero;
The concept and development of the character;
The co-creators: writer Jerry Siegel & artist Joe Shuster;
Comics;
Cartoons;
Superman’s supporting cast (and its revolving door of actors);
Evolution of Superman’s costume;
Villains;
The Fortress of Solitude;
Superman’s history on television (including Lois & Clark and Smallville)
Various actors;
Superman’s movies;
Merchandising;
Other Projects (radio shows, books, the musical, etc.)
Cultural impact; and
An eighty-year timeline.

REVIEW:

The writers wisely don’t bog the audience down with either serious depth or analyzing Superman’s often-convoluted comic storylines. Instead, it works best as a solid overview for new fans or even a welcome recap for long-time Super-fans.

Its few factual missteps (i.e. claiming there wasn’t a Superman cartoon series between the canceled Super Friends of the mid-80’s to the mid-90’s Superman: The Animated Series) are frankly easy to miss. For what this one-shot issue is meant for, it’s a classy tribute to the Superman phenomenon.

Note: The cartoon series not recognized is the short-lived 1988 Ruby-Spears version for CBS Saturday morning television, as it was timed to capitalize on the Man of Steel’s then-50^th Anniversary.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In addition to a helpful table of contents, this magazine’s assortment of photo stills is mighty impressive

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Art & History Books & Novels Movies & Television (Books)

FILM POSTERS OF THE 80’S: THE ESSENTIAL MOVIES OF THE DECADE

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 21, 2020

Written by Tony Normand & Graham Marsh [Co-Editors]

SUMMARY:

Published by Overlook Press in 2001, this 127-page softcover photo album celebrates significant films (both U.S. and international) from the 1980’s. The posters appear courtesy of London’s Reel Poster Gallery collection. Partially arranged by genre, actor, or director, each poster specifies its film’s year of release; country; size dimensions; and design/illustration credits, if applicable. Besides depicting a wide variety of artistic styles, the editorial choices extend between high-profile films and lesser-known titles. For instance, many popular films and/or cult hits (i.e. Superman II; The Cannonball Run; The Princess Bride; Glory; and Highlander) didn’t make this particular cut. Further, only the James Bond franchise scores more than one appearance — in this instance, for A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights.

As the majority of the represented films are U.S.-produced., one will occasionally see alternate versions or advance/teaser copies (i.e. back when Return of the Jedi was still called Revenge of the Jedi). There are also foreign release variants for films like Raging Bull (Czechoslovakia); Cinema Paradiso (Italy); Ran (Japan); Women on a Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Spain); Once Upon a Time in America (Germany & Hungary); Raiders of the Lost Ark, Return of the Jedi, and Gandhi (Poland); Top Secret and Sex, Lies, and Videotape (Britain); The Sacrifice (Russia); and The Terminator (Poland and Czechoslovakia).

Note: The co-editors have also published related volumes for the 50’s; 60’s 70’s; and Alfred Hitchcock films.

REVIEW:

Sporting high-caliber production values, this guide should delight movie buffs. As a coffee table option, its classy approach should also merit casual interest from houseguests. To the editors’ credit, they don’t offer analysis — they let the posters speak for themselves. Case in point: the Polish skull-themed version for Raiders of the Lost Ark is eye-popping to behold. Further, its more obscure posters may prove an effective enticement to viewers to track down some of these movies. For what this book is, it’s really a vivid treat to peruse.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Entitled “From Wall Street to Your Wall,” the co-editors provide a two-page introduction. There is also a single-page index of the posters.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Art & History Books & Novels Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics Marvel Comics

THE SUPERHERO BOOK: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Heroes and Hollywood Heroes, 2nd Ed.

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 9, 2020

Written by Gina Misiroglu (editor); Michael Eury; Andy Mangels; Michael A. Martin; Adam McGovern; Frank Plowright; David Roach; & Peter Sanderson

SUMMARY:

Released by Visible Ink Press in 2012, this 263-page paperback offers a wide historical perspective on notable super-hero properties from the comic book industry, as well as Hollywood. In addition to expected entries on high-profile characters such as Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, The Incredibles, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Wolverine, the text examines some of Marvel and DC’s lesser-known competitors, as many of them no longer exist. Twenty letters are represented with a limited number of entries, but there aren’t any entries for “K,” “O,” “Q,” “U,” “Y,” and “Z.” Photos of vintage comic book covers and various film stills decorate this easy-to-read resource guide.

REVIEW:

A super-competent writing squad (identified by their initials per each entry) offers balanced analysis of a variety of characters and their often-convoluted histories. The concise backstories of other publishers like America’s Best Comics, Image Comics, Charlton Comics, Eclipse Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and even Archie Comics’ forays into super-heroes offer a glimpse into DC and Marvel’s various rivals.

For instance, who knew that the original Blue Beetle (courtesy of the first of his numerous independent publishers) actually bested Batman by becoming the second super-hero to score his own monthly comic after Superman? How about Lee Falk’s Phantom predating Superman as the first costumed hero? Or that DC’s gas mask-clad Sandman followed Batman as the fourth super-hero with a solo monthly title? Or, in a nod to more likely common knowledge, that the Golden Age Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner were simultaneously Marvel’s first heroes?

Considering that so many letters are skipped, one might conclude that this kid-friendly and well-decorated guidebook neglects quite a bit. Closer inspection indicates that the writers take a streamlined approach by referencing topic-related characters (i.e. second-tier members of the Avengers and the Justice League) within entries attributed to a particular super-team or with the publishing company itself. Still, Marvel’s Hawkeye, Power Man, and Iron Fist receive individual entries – yet, other major industry names (i.e. Firestorm, Zatanna, Harley Quinn, Cyborg, and Witchblade) don’t make this book’s cut. The book’s front cover hype of being an “ultimate” reference, as a result, isn’t as accurate as one might hope for.

Beyond omitting an index, the book’s only other flaw is that it is already outdated. For instance, handy information pertaining to DC’s recent slew of TV programming (i.e. Arrow; The Flash; Supergirl; and Legends of Tomorrow) and Marvel’s more current box office hits (i.e. Spider-Man: Homecoming; Ant-Man; and Doctor Strange) will have to wait for another update. For what it offers, The Superhero Book is a solidly entertaining read that would make a nifty gem for teenage comic book fans.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

The contributors share a two-page biographical section. The book’s last page is for photo credits.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

Note: For an ideal companion piece, there is Ron Goulart’s 2004 full-blown Comic Book Encyclopedia hardcover, which sports 378 pages re: the history of the comic book medium.