Neal Adams Monsters

by Neal Adams
Published by Vanguard Productions
390 Campus Drive Somerset, NJ 08873
www.creativemix.com/vanguard
Trade Paperback Edition ISBN # 1-887591-55-9 68 pgs. $12.95
Hardcover Edition ISBN # 1-887591-56-7 72 pgs. $24.95
Deluxe Slipcase Hardcover Signed Edition ISBN # 1-887591-57-5 88 pgs. $39.95
(Deluxe Hardcover Reviewed)

Adams is back and Vanguard has him -- and talk about your perfect fit. For those of you who might not appreciate the true meaning of that sentence, allow me to explain.

Neal Adams is one of the premier illustrators of our time, and that is no hype. From his work on the syndicated Ben Casey newspaper comic strip, through his icon redefining run on Batman which returned him to his Dark Knight status after the campiness of the 1960s television series. His award winning run on Green Lantern/Green Arrow to the 1970s that brought social relevancy to the pages of comics with such an impact that the effects are not only still talked about, but are also still felt in the industry to this day. His art defined realism in the medium for a generation of readers through not only his penciling and inking, but also for his skillful and groundbreaking use of colors and dynamic page layout. After working for years with the major publishers, Adams started his own company, Continuity Studios, and still leads the way in stretching the field to new heights.

It was through Continuity Studios and an anthology released in Europe entitled Echo of Future Past that a series of stories featuring the classic monsters we have all grown up with first appeared. The Frankenstein Monster, Count Dracula, and the Werewolf, interpreted through Adams masterful vision set a new standard in comic art. Yet, sadly, these have never been collected in an English language volume until now, forcing collectors to scour back issue bins and pay extravagant prices to see these masterworks.

Enter Vanguard Productions. Vanguard has become recognized as one of the leaders of not only the preservation of comic history, but of also the revitalizations of classic work to new and broader audiences. I have the honor of having several of their publications in my collection, and the quality they contain on each page stands on a par with the art books released by the major houses. Working in conjunction Vanguard and Neal Adams have designed a collection that is, to put it simply, breathtaking.

First, Neal Adams Monsters is oversized, 8.5 X 11 inches and printed in what has become known as prestige format, allowing the richness and beauty of the art to shine through in ways never before seen. Next, not only has the art been remastered, but also enhanced with digital coloring and effects not available upon its first publication in magazine format. I own a few of the original issues in my collection, and in a side by side comparison, the new pages are so far superior to what was available before that I could but sit in awe as my eyes darted between the two. If that was not enough, there is also a special section of rare paintings, sketches and drawings of different monsters, which Adams had done through different stages of his career. In the deluxe slipcase edition, which I was lucky enough to review, not only is it signed by Neal himself, but also includes a 16-page bonus art portfolio of rare and unpublished work -- a true treat for any fan well worth the extra investment.

If you love monsters, and who doesn’t, then Neal Adams Monsters is the book for you. If you are a fan of graphic storytelling told by one of the best ever, then get Neal Adams Monsters. If you want to see what the marriage of artist and the highest level of quality production can produce, look no further than Neal Adams Monsters.

Vanguard Productions is certainly on a roll, and I for one cannot wait to see what they have coming up next.

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Copyright 2004 Rick Mohr, All Rights Reserved.