December 15th, 2012 
Beyond the Marquee 
A selection of Great Reads from TITAN Books
It’s the holiday season and there is still time to get those last minute gifts purchased in time for Christmas Day, or the last few nights of Hanukkah. Now you could go with simplistic gifts like candles and socks, or more complex gifts like video games and blu-ray sets. But for our money, we think there’s nothing better than the gift of a good book. Something solid, well written, colorful, endures over time and can be a centerpiece of conversation on your coffee table at your upcoming holiday party. To this we suggest 3 titles that you’ll sure to love; the Tarzan The Centennial Celebration, Dark Shadows A Visual Comapnion and FLASH GORDON The Tyrant of Mongo. Read ahead for our reviews and how you can order these in time for the gift giving season.
Tarzan The Centennial Celebration
If you were ever a fan of Tarzan growing up, or know someone who was, then this is a MUST HAVE, it’s the Tarzan The Centennial Celebration, a lavishly illustrated collection celebrating one hundred years of Tarzan. Exploring the 24 original novels and the many varied appearances on stage, screen and in print, this book features extensive commentary on all aspects of the Tarzan franchise, alongside rare comic strips, cover art and movie stills.
Celebrating one hundred years of Tarzan, Titan Books presents the only official commemorative illustrated history of this worldwide phenomenon. To celebrate the Lord of the Jungle’s 100th birthday, internationally-acclaimed Edgar Rice Burroughs expert Scott Tracy Griffin presents the ultimate review of a century of Tarzan. Lavishly illustrated and with fascinating insight into every element of Burroughs’ extraordinary legacy – from his first writings to the latest stage musical – this is a visual treasure trove of classic comic strip, cover art, movie stills, and rare ephemera. From the first publication of the smash hit Tarzan of the Apes, Burroughs’ ape man captured the hearts and the imaginations of adults and children across the globe, whether by written word, moving image, comic strip or radio. Each of the 24 original novels and the many varied appearances on stage, screen and in print receive a detailed commentary, illustrated with some of the most evocative and beautiful artworks, illustrations and photographs, many rarely seen in print before. With features on Korak, Jane, Tantor and Cheetah, plus their innumerable friends, foes and exotic adventures, this is an amazing collection of all things Tarzan and a vital addition to any Tarzan-lover’s library. The book is huge, heavy and one full of amazingly archived reference material and images. What you take away from this book will have you quickly searching NetFlix and your Sunday afternoon TV guide for listings for a classic TARZAN film. TARZAN: THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION is now available HERE.
So many amazing images, art and references to TARZAN over the past 100 years, you will not be dissapointed!
Dark Shadows: The Visual Companion
The jury pretty much rang in that the Tim Burton movie Dark Shadows, which was a remake of the old TV series, was a bomb. The result was a comedic soap opera of sorts on a high end budget with lavish sets and an all star cast. But Dark Shadows: The Visual Companion opens up an entirely new perspective on the film we all saw and gives it a breath of fresh air and perhaps even challenges us to go back and see it once more to appreciate the finer qualities and details that went into the making of it. Produced in close co-operation with Tim Burton and the production team, this hardcover official companion volume to the film includes a Foreword by Johnny Depp and an Introduction by Tim Burton, alongside scores of photos, concept drawings and production designs, and interviews with the cast and crew.
For those who recall watching the original TV show then you’ll be in for a treat to follow the history of that original series and compare it with the most recent incarnation on the silver screen.It’s easy to say that this book was a labor of love and you can tell by the fact that everyone involved with this film, from cast to crew, from the leads to the cameos all enjoyed sharing their experiences and talking up the film. I love seeing the behind the scenes magic behind a film and with all the action and effects this movie conjured up, getting sneak peeks at the larger picture is a true delight. After recently seeing the Tim Burton exhibition here in Los Angeles I developed a deeper appreciation for the works of Tim Burton and it’s great to see some of Tim’s creative sketches and mind at work pre-visuals on hand here in his development of the film. Costumes, props, sets, visual effects and more are all all in here. Every page is full of information or some sort of fun fact that again, lures you almost back to the film to rewatch and enjoy. It’s a fun size hard cover, well crafted and is a great table book for a true Dark Shadows fan, or a fan of Johnny Depp. Sink your teeth into one by ordering HERE!
Behind the Scenes set photos and some true gems like this conceptual art from Tim Burton fill the book from end to end.
Flash Gordon: The Tyrant of Mongo
The highest tossing comedy of all time “TED” has brought an excited new resurgence of the epic hero Flash Gordon back into pop-culture. Sure it’s the classic 80’s movie version w/ actor Sam Jones…but the point is, it’s Flash Gordon! And the movie of course was an inspiration of the old comics and film serials of days long gone, but now those days are back…and better than ever! Flash Gordon: The Tyrant of Mongo is the continuing comprehensive library of the greatest science fiction hero of all time, this brand new collection of library editions feature all new restorations that will preserve these legendary adventures for generations to come. Starting with revered writer-artist Alex Raymond, this volume continues the adventures of pulp hero Flash Gordon on the planet Mongo and his ongoing battles with the deadly and heartless Ming the Merciless.
As a kid I used to clip and save comic strips like these and paste them up onto boards like early posters and re-read them over and over. Now the classic strips are collected, restored and bounded for all to enjoy. Alex Raymond is a true genius and his works have been noted to have inspired film greats such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, and in some of their works, its easy to see nods and influences from the world of Flash Gordon. At times these feel very similar in nature to Edgar Rice Burroughs own John Carter of Mars with the visual style and story lines, but Flash has an air of quality and coolness all his own. Though one could compare the various John Carter / Princess /Warlords of Mars to The Ice Kingdom / Beast Men of Mongo in their titles who establish a character or characters on a certain planet.
The reprinted that make up this particular volume span the Sunday comic strips from April 25, 1937 to January 12, 1941, the period considered to be Alex Raymond’s artistic peak, and have all been restored from the original tearsheets to present the series as intended.the year 1937 thru 1941. If you’re a sci-fi fan, this is a given, if you’re a Flash Gordon fan, this is a no brainer. If you’re both, then you’re in for a treat, and this is just one of a series of other Flash Gordon books Titan is putting out, so be sure to collect the whole series to not miss any of the exciting adventures. Order your copy HERE!!!
Relive the magic and imagination of the comic strips of Flash Gordon
Special thanks to our friends over at TITAN BOOKS for sending us these for review, looking forward to more great product reviews with them in the new year!
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