Comic Book Review

Title: The Art of BOOM! Studios

Book Design by: Brian Latimer

Artists: Various

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Released: February 23, 2011

Pages: 128

ISBN13: 978160886036451999

Diamond Code: MAY100839

Reviewed By Felicia Chow (Calgary)

As far as reading comic books go, I am an amateur having only read Archie comics during my childhood.Nevertheless, without my interest in comics I wouldn’t have developed my interest in drawing.It wasn’t until a University class on Visual Communication that I (and possibly many of my classmates) was introduced to modern day comics and how they encompass and evolved in different artistic style. 

BOOM! Studios is a comic book publishing house headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and who specialize in projects covering a wide range of genres which include some high-profiled talents in the industry today.Talents include The Henson Company’s Farscape and Mark Waid’s original series Irredeemable.As an anniversary project to celebrate BOOM! Studios’ sixth year as a company, a limited hard cover edition of the greatest comic book covers from their publishing catalogue was created.

This collection of The Art of BOOM! Studios feature artists Dave Johnson, Rafael Albuquerque, Sean Phillips, and many other talents.The book is impressive in the wide artistic scope of comic book covers and genres published by the studio.As a viewer of the art book you become immersed into the world depicted with the intricate details and use of bold colours.As famous comic book legend Stan Lee (Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Hulk) writes in the book’s introduction “the artwork is the thing that totally knocks you out when you open this amazingly beautiful book.” 

The artwork which has been included in this collection is a definite feast for the eyes, and is more resigned to being a book for the coffee table rather than as a reference guide to comic books because the entire focus is on the art.There is no question that the intent to showcase the best of the best covers from BOOM! Studios was adhered to and achieved.  The downside to such a book is that there is a lack in and disconnect from the artists themselves in that unless you are familiar with the particular series which the artist creates for, you would have no clue as to who the artist is.There is also nothing in the book (such as an index) for reference which lists who the artists are or what the comic they draw for is about.Some definite extra research is required for those needing more information on a particular comic book series.  The book is divided into different genre categories such as thriller, horror, and fantasy; however in order to find a particular genre the reader would need to do some page flipping as the book also lacks in a table of contents. 

The drawings created for comic book covers are true pieces of art and should be admired as such.The Art of BOOM! Studios, is one such collection which highlights what comic book series look like today.Definitely eye-catching and attention grabbing, this art medium much like other forms of pictures speaks volumes a thousand words and beyond.

Written by :

FhC330