Russ Thorne

Companion title to The Astounding Illustrated History of Science Fiction this new book reflects the same roots in Gothic literature but follows a complementary path through the 20th century, to the movies of Peter Jackson, the success of streaming TV series such as Grimm, and the fantasy of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. From the wellspring of Frankenstein, Germanic fairy tales, and heroic, epic myths a dark and fantastic path can be found to the fragmentation of the 1930s: the schlock horror of early modern movies, the invention of High Fantasy by Tolkien and fellow Inkling C.S. Lewis, and the pulp magazine powerhouse Weird Tales with Robert E. Howard’s sword and sorcery archetype Conan. A brilliant concoction of movie posters, stills, book covers, fantastic art and incredible timelines.

A truly astonishing, illustrated history of Science fiction, covering fantasy, and horror, with forays into crime, mystery and the gothic. Using timelines, online links, illustrations, posters, movie stills, book covers, and more, this amazing new book propels us into the well of modern imagination, from its roots in Frankenstein, through Verne, H.G. Wells, the late gothic and weird horror of Lovecraft to the mass market sensationalism of the Pulp magazines. The Pulps then invoked a new generation of writers (such as Ray Bradbury and Robert Bloch) of the Golden Age before many transitioned to screenwriting for the movies and early TV (Psycho, Star Trek, Twilight Zone), inspiring, in turn, the invasion of superheroes, gigantic spaceships, and dystopian landscapes onto our data-streaming tablets and computers. The book explores the interplay between great writers, (Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke) and story-telling directors (Kubrick, James Cameron, Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, George Lucas) who create powerful Sci-Fi, reflecting and challenging the developments of technology, science and society. Each have played a major role in this all-consuming, speculative form of world-building, from its early manifestation as a shocking literary event, to the mass market sensation is today.

The Art of Fine Gifts: a new title in our bestselling large format series, Street Art is a fantastic foray into the unique and extremely creative world of this art form. The explosion of graffiti-styled street art in the early 1980s has continued to be a popular form of self-expression. By choosing public places to display their artwork, artists can achieve a more direct communication with the public, as opposed to being confined to the more formal art world. This exciting new book includes over 170 photographs of expressive and unconventional street art images from around the world, as well as a fascinating discussion of the styles, techniques and inspirations of both infamous artists and unknown talents. From mind-boggling illusions to satirical depictions, this book will have you looking on in awe.

Tatoveringer har vært en del av menneskehetens historie i flere tusen år. De har prydet egyptiske mumier, maorikrigere og konger fra Afrika til England. I dag er tatoveringer mer populært enn noen gang - filmstjerner, musikere og sportsfolk viser mer enn gjerne fram tatoveringene sine. Boken egner seg til ungdom som er interessert i tatoveringer og ønsker å lære om de ulike tatoveringsstilene og symbolbruken bak de forskjellige motivene. Man får også en kort innføring i tatoveringens historie. Boken inneholder 100 vannbaserte engangstatoveringer med motiver som blant annet drager, mytiske skapninger og insekter, slik at man kan prøve seg frem på egen hånd.