Art books featuring classic illustrations from pulp magazines, comic strips, comic books, men's magazines, and even toy catalogs from the golden age of American pop culture 1930-1960 were almost as prevalent as graphic novels at this year's Book Expo America (see 'Give and Take at the BEA' for an analysis of over-all trends and links to all of our BEA articles). Most, but not all, of these volumes will be deluxe 'coffee table' type books that should have a strong appeal to the visually oriented customers who shop at pop culture stores. Unless otherwise noted, these books are all scheduled for Fall, 2001 release. There was too much to cover in one article, so we're presenting this coverage in two parts. See below for our link to Part I.
Watson-Guptil
Well known for its excellent series of 'how-to' books for artists (more on them later), Watson-Guptil is also publishing some of the finest art books in the pop culture field. The new offerings for this season include Pin-Up Dreams: The Glamorous Art of Rolf Armstrong, a spectacular 256-page collection that includes over 300 stylish and sizzling pin-ups. The nine-by-twelve-inch trade paperback carries a cover price of $39.95.
Batman Collected, a comprehensive compendium of Dark Knight collectibles compiled by ace book designer Chip Kidd is now available from Watson-Guptil in a deluxe trade paperback (with flaps) format. This large format (9'x12') volume includes over 400 full color illustrations (and five gatefolds) and will retail for $29.95, making it much more affordable for comic fans.
Watson-Guptil is also publishing The Superman Radio Scripts Volume 1 (paperback, $19.95). While this book is not an art collection (it only contains sixteen black-and-white illustrations), it does provide insight into the impact that the Superman comic had on American culture, and shows how the adventures of the Man of Steel were adapted for radio broadcast.
As important as radio was to the pop culture of the 1930s, the newspaper comic strip was equally crucial, and Brian M. Kane's biography, Hal Foster: Prince of Illustrators (trade paperback $19.95) is a fitting tribute to the creator of Prince Valiant. With 75 color and 273 black-and-white illustrations this volume doesn't skimp on the visuals, but it also provides the first true biography of one the great illustrators of the twentieth century.
Chip Kidd
Chronicle Books
The comic strip may have come first, but by the late 1930s, the comic book had muscled its way on the newsstands right next to the pulp magazines, and Chronicle Books has two volumes that celebrate the classic creations of the comics' golden age. Art Spiegelman (Maus) and book designer extraordinaire Chip Kidd (Batman Collected) have joined forces to create a tribute to one of the dazzling comic book artists of the era, Jack Cole, whose ultra-malleable creation Plastic Man was one of the great works of the period. Comic fans should love this heavily illustrated, reasonably priced ($19.95) tribute to one of the most interesting artists of the 1940s.
Collectors Edition
The Wonder Woman Masterpiece Edition pays tribute to the Golden Age of Wonder Woman in two different formats, a compact trade edition ($40.00) that includes an eight-and-one-half inch figure of the Amazon Princess as she appeared circa 1941 as well as a lavishly illustrated 96-page volume by Les Daniels (see 'Wonder Woman Book Reviewed by N.Y. Times'), and a deluxe Collector's Edition ($70.00), which also includes a replica of the first 64-page Wonder Woman comic along with the book and the action figure.
Dark Horse
In the midst of all this retro mania, let's not forget the golden age of space toys--Dark Horse Comics certainly hasn't. This September Dark Horse is publishing Blast Off!, a compendium of full color illustrations of rockets, robots, and ray guns compiled by S. Mark Young, Steve Duin, and Mike Richardson. This ultra-cool coffee table book features a cloth binding, illustrations throughout its 256 pages, and a cover price of $34.95.
See also 'Bumper Crop of Retro Art Books, Part I.'
