The Art of Superman Returns [Hardcover]

Daniel Wallace (Author), Bryan Singer (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2006

The Man of Steel is back on the silver screen when Superman Returns hits theaters June 2006. Directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men) and packed with explosive action, this blockbuster film documents the super hero's returnafter a mysterious absence of several yearsto a troubled Metropolis, where he is compelled to face his destiny in a world that has forgotten what it's like to have a hero. The Art of Superman Returns is an in-depth celebration of the concept and developmental art that served as an aesthetic foundation for the highly anticipated film. Nearly 200 pieces of gorgeous art capture all-new setsa cosmopolitan, art deco Metropolis, a massive, shimmering Fortress of Solitude, and a spectacular spaceshipand showcase the film's inventive costumes and breathtaking locations. An informed text that includes interviews with the director, screenwriters, artists, and production and costume designers completes this thoughtfully crafted deluxe hardcover. For the many Superman fans anxiously awaiting his revival, The Art of Superman Returns is a behind-the-scenes tour not to be missed.

SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of DC Comics 2006

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Daniel Wallace is the author of more than a dozen books, including the The DC Comics Encyclopedia and the New York Times best-seller Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Characters . He lives in Detroit.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811853446
• ISBN-13: 978-0811853446
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 11 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #769,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel Wallace is a comic book expert, sci-fi sage, and lifelong geek. Author or co-author of more than two dozen books including The Jedi Path, The Art of Superman Returns, DC Comics Year by Year, The Marvel Encyclopedia, and the New York Times bestselling Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Characters, he has alternately found himself trading tense questions with Kevin Spacey about head-shaving and banging out three thousand trivia questions for Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. Other universes he has worked with include Smallville, Indiana Jones, and Supernatural.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GORGEOUS BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK, December 10, 2006

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Art of Superman Returns (Hardcover)

One of the best cross-promotional items I've seen based on the new Superman Returns film is "The Art of superman Returns" from Chronicle Books. This 160 page, hardcover book with dust jacket is simply breathtaking as it takes readers behind the cameras of the recent blockbuster film with hundreds of pieces of concept art, storyboards, models and miniatures, paintings, sketches, costumes and photography. It serves to show in vivid depth the amount of detail and planning that goes into making a big budget film like Superman Returns.

The Foreward by director Bryan Singer brings this home right off the bat as Singer is shown standing in the midst of a miniature version of Metropolis, surrounded by buildings taller than he as train tracks and weave all around him. It's a fascinating photo. Full color paintings show Superman's rescue of the stricken jet. Storyboards bring the rooftop standoff sequence to near life as the machine gun pours bullets at the Man of Steel to no avail.

Moving to Smallville, we see the Kent farm recreated in perfect miniature and you can't help but marvel at the skill of the model and miniature artists as no detail is too small for them to include in their work. Once painted, you'd be hard pressed to guess that you were looking at a model, and not a real farmhouse and barn.

One of my favorite parts of the book was a look at Krypton. The Krypton of this film, while similar to the earlier Superman films, is a bit darker and edgier. Superman's Fortress of Solitude gleams compared to earlier films where it was sort of a dull white.

Throughout the book, author Daniel Wallace provides even more detail about the creative process behind the various creations of settings, scenes, and costumes. Metropolis, with all its art-deco accents is truly a sight to behold. Wallace is aided by comments from the film's screenwriters, production and costume designers, not to mention Bryan Singer himself. This is one of those books designed for the avid fan or collector, or even those who might be interested in getting into film work themselves.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating souvenir book from the superhero motion picture of the year, July 24, 2006

By 

Gustavo H B Alves (Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Superman Returns (Hardcover)

This book is much more than just a compilation of photos and sketches from Bryan Singer's SUPERMAN RETURNS, which in my opinion is the superhero motion picture of the year. The book is divided into five (05) different chapters (Superman; Smallville; Metropolis; Krypton; and Lex Luthor), all beautifully illustrated and explained by author Daniel Wallace. I bought it together with the movie score by John Ottmann, which turned out to be an interesting combination to be enjoyed at the same time. All of the magic from this movie in portrayed in the book, there's nothing missing at all. This is certainly a must-have for any superman fan such as myself. Five stars !

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificently COOL Book!!!, August 3, 2006

By 

Scott N. Kassner (Longmont, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Superman Returns (Hardcover)

This is a magnificent book. If you were swept away by the artistry of the movie "Superman Returns" like I was, this book is a MUST. Big photographs from the film, sketches, paintings, and storyboards galore abound in this excellent coffeetable edition.

Among my favorites are:
*A full page painting of Superman lying unconscious in a crater in Metropolis Park after falling from space
**An almost 2-page painting of Superman lifting New Krypton out of the ocean, complete with tidal waves and green Kryptonite-laced lightening
***Photos and details about the new Superman uniform - like that it is actually fit for a 9-year old boy, then stretches onto a 6-foot-three Brandon Routh so that there will be absolutely no wrinkles
****Great explanation about Superman's story-opening trip to Krypton and his starship, complete with awesome paintings and photos from deleted scenes
*****Insight about the art deco design of Metropolis - why we just can't take our eyes off of that COOL Daily Planet Building

Superman fans will be happily consumed by the book's artwork and text that will broaden their knowledge and scope of the film. It is a nice size, probably worth more than you'll pay for it, and will definitely become a collector's item! To be re-read often!