Customer Reviews

Barry Windsor-Smith: Opus Vol. 1

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Barry Windsor-Smith's artwork is in a class all its own - not to say that it's technically perfect, but he is definitely an original in the field of fantastic art. It's art that he's good at, and it's art that his fans should receive -

- which is why this book is such a disappointment. Sure, it features his artwork, but you'd better be prepared for an abundance of text detailing BWS's paranormal experiences and otherworldly beliefs. I guess if he published this himself, he can do whatever he wants, but shame on him for taking his fans for granted like this. I had hoped to see art all over the inside of this book, with BRIEF accompanying text on his methods, inspirations, etc. Instead, I'm treated to a narrative on a subject which, while it may have influenced his work, is far too personal. It comes across as obscure and alienating.

I'll complain about the presentation of the artwork, too: I could have done a better job arranging the layout of this book. You don't center an image between two pages when moving it to either side will enable the image to be viewed completely. Think about it!

In closing, if you must buy this book, just look at the art. Spare yourself the pain and skip the text.

I had been gnashing my teeth waiting for this book to arrive, but it was released earlier than expected, and I missed it at the stores. A friend let me view his copy, and I can say that I'm glad I missed it.

This is a pitiful presentation for an artist of Windsor-Smith's caliber. "Opus" is the first of a series of books on his art, but judging from this book, it's hard to see how the series will continue. This is not an ordered presentation of his works; it's a hodgepodge, picked from here and there, with no real organization or chronological order.

Another irritating factor is the layout of the art on the pages. To split Windsor-Smith's artwork between two pages is a true disservice. A quarter of the image is lost in the spine! What ever happened to fold-outs? How about increasing the size of the book? This is horrible.

Finally, the text: I like to get to know the artist and find out what makes them tick, but this is ridiculous. Too much time is devoted to Windsor-Smith's philosophy on life, the cosmos, etc. The guy is an ARTIST, so get rid of all this babbling and show more ART!!! Or at least alter the text to provide commentary on the pieces.

What kills me is that I anticipated this book so highly, but what resulted was a huge disappointment. I won't be purchasing the second printing of this book, or any others in the series.

"Opus" is like taking a chimneysweep to a High Tea. Windsor-Smith is an accomplished comics illustrator (still love his adaptation of REH's "Red Nails"), but the "fine artist" mantle he tries to wear just doesn't fit. His anatomy is faked, his faces only occasionally well-rendered, his color sense and compositions are confusing messes...and I still enjoy his art. There's nothing that will ever land in a museum--and that's okay. Windsor-Smith is an entertaining commercial artist and "Opus" is full of fun works. But the reviewer is right when he complains about the layouts and the artist's pretension--and since Windsor-Smith wrote and designed his own book, he has no one to blame but himself. Many of the drawings that get ruined in the gutter didn't have to--simple shuffling to the left or right would've saved many of the pieces. Regarding Barry's own comments, well, there'll hopefully come a day in the near future when he slaps himself in the head and asks, "What was I thinking?"

...is how I felt when the book arrived. Most of the illustrations are studio leftovers, preparatory sketches, discarded works and so. Little work as the one in the cover. This book is not as those on Michael Whelan or Jeff Jones. The text I tried to read but couldn't.

I was in love with BWS's art from the first time I saw it featured on a Weapon X cover. I enjoyed the mix of fine art, illustration, and comic book art that this book contains, and the "one image per page with a reason for it" is all well and good for some artistis, but the spontenaity of the design is very much in the same feeling as his work. A worthy read!

In his introduction to volume 1 of OPUS, Barry Windsor-Smith cautions the reader that this won't be a typical memoir, so you can't accuse him him of not being upfront. But were it not for his typically stellar artwork, this and OPUS 2, the next in his (presumably now-moribund) series of autobiograpical ramblings, would be intolerable. Clearly there was a pivotal moment in Windsor-Smith's life in 1973 that he talks about in gratingly obscure fashion (Gabriel Garcia Marquez he's not!), and I'm sure it was important to him, but he fails to make a case for why I, as a reader, should care at all. I got both of the OPUS volumes as remainders for significantly lower than their list price, and for the artwork alone it was money well spent. Otherwise, I'd rather Windsor-Smith kept his musings either to a diary or a therapist.

I remember some of Windsor-Smith's work at Marvel Comics way back when. It was always great stuff. My interests wandered away from the superhero genre, though - now I know, so did his.

"Opus" collects a spectacular selection from almost thirty years of WS's work. A few of his Marvel pages appear, of course, and some amusing, looser comic figures for comics themselves or for advertising. The large majority of this work comes from other kinds of illustration, however. Once WS worked himself free of the Marvel "house style," he really cut loose.

These images represent every stage of the creative process, from detailed sketches in pencil or colored pencil, on up to finished works in pen, watercolor, and/or oil. Although this collection shows his versatility in many styles, his most stunning images evoke pre-Raphaelite romance (like the cover art, "A Dream of Olden Days), art nouveau sensuality, or both. The mood of his work varies, though. It often captures complex contradictions - for example "Red Wine," which hints at sensuality and seduction, but also addiction and loss of human affection in favor of love with destructive potential.

Nearly half the page area in this beautiful book is autobiographical text. I admit, I was so taken by the imagery on my first (and second) pass through the book, that I didn't read a lot. The bits that stuck with me, however, justify a closer reading. I look forward to enjoying this book again and again.

-- wiredweird

It is ironic that Barry Windsor-Smith once created a comic book called Storyteller, because his true story is actually being told somewhere else; here, in the 175 pages of this gorgeous hardcover edition, Windsor-Smith finally gets to tell his story.

This book serves a number of purposes. It accomplishes each of its goals handsomely, and so will appeal to a number of different audiences.

On the surface, Opus is a coffee-table style art book, lavishly illustrated with some pithy comments on some of the pieces presented. Windsor-Smith's delicate, complex images fill virtually every page, and almost any one of the nearly 200 illustrations could be pored over for hours as the reader searches for meaning and depth where there clearly is plenty to be found.

The book also serves as a summary of Windsor-Smith's impressive career, which began at Marvel Comics in the 1960s, and has more recently encompassed intensely personal, visionary work such as The Paradoxman in the BWS: Storyteller comic. There are numerous illustrations from BWS's days as the illustrator of the much-loved and highly regarded Conan the Barbarian series, as well as some familiar fine art pieces, and incidentals such as bookmark and menu illustrations.

Neither of these angles, though, the coffee-table book or the career overview, suggest the book's true purpose. As I said, Windsor-Smith has a story to tell, and he is taking his time making sure he tells it right.

Opus is meant as the first in a series of five deluxe hardcover books, which are all highlighted by BWS's personal saga he calls "Time Rise." In this story, which is merely introduced in this volume, Windsor-Smith describes the paranormal experiences that have informed and influenced his work for the past three decades.

The word "paranormal" of course is a loaded one; many people may therefore dismiss this volume as some sort of practical joke or artistic indulgence by Windsor-Smith, who may very well lose all credibility by laying his cards out on the table this way. I suspect that's why so very few details of his story are revealed in Volume One, although there are some very broad hints about what is soon to be revealed.

BWS tells the story of how, as a young artist, he experienced confusing and inexplicable events that took him years to understand. Moments of time that bended, twisted and folded back on themselves, perhaps opening up his consciousness for the first time to the beauty and wonder in life that has given such depth and meaning to his work.

Windsor-Smith is not the first person to claim to have been touched by paranormal phenomena, nor will he be the last. The difference between BWS, though, and the average alien abductee is that Windsor-Smith has a built-in audience eager to hear his story. I've been a fan of his work for a long, long time, and while this book would have been a treasure even without the text, the chance to get a look at the life that has produced such beauty is a rare one indeed. We're lucky that Windsor-Smith has chosen to reveal his story in this manner, and I believe we owe it to him to listen to him and try to evaluate his story, and the theories he has to explain what he has seen and experienced.

Unfortunately, though, many people have not had such experiences, and that is where this series of books will have its true test. How open will the average comics reader be to the story BWS wants to tell? I am interested and fascinated, because I love his work and I believe that he means what he says when he describes the events that he has experienced. But for those who will doubt Windsor-Smith's story, how will they see this volume?

I don't think it would be hard to see it is a successful project even for the most doubtful reader. At [the price], I have to assume people buying this book are at the very least fans of Windsor-Smith's art, and this volume provides almost 200 beautiful examples of his work. The production values are absolutely top-notch, and this book will make a worthy addition to the collection of any comics fan or anyone who appreciates fine art in general.

But for those willing to look beneath the surface, beyond the pretty (and sometimes profound) pictures, there is a richer experience waiting; Barry Windsor-Smith, Storyteller, is coming to take you away on a Magical Mystery Tour to the edges of known reality.

Are you ready to come along?

I think OPUS is underpriced. And unlike the first (and only, to date) review at this site, I enjoyed the so-called "hodgepodge" way it runs. That's the way life runs..and thoughts, and especially creativity. Even Stanley Kubrick had a hodgepodge moment or two, I'm sure. I thought the art was beautifully presented, and I especially enjoyed seeing stuff I'd never seen anywhere else, like the cartoons (sorry, oops, sorry). There are plenty of other books, including some with pirated BWS artwork, that present the Gorblimey material and all the rest of Windsor-Smith's independent ventures. And, of course, all the comics--from Conan on-- can be bought from dealers around the globe. This book strikes me as very personal offering by the artist, and it was a privilege to be given a glimpse into the mind of a bonafide genius. If you're a Windsor-Smith fan (or a comics buff), or just like having your brain challenged a bit and your eyes delighted, this book is a must-buy. And a bargain at twice the price.

After reading the review by thneeban@briefcase.com, I felt it necessary to give my own opinions about OPUS.

Like thneeban@briefcase.com, I was highly anticipating OPUS. But unlike thneeban@briefcase.com, I feel Barry Windsor-Smith spectacularly delivered a large volume of work with originality, beauty, and humor.

The artwork alone is worth the price of the book (as any good art book should be)! There are fantastic pencil and pen and ink drawings and sketches previously unpublished that show what an amazing draftsman Windsor-Smith really is. Barry's talent is deservedly one of the most highly respected in the comics field.

As for the text, at first I was confused as to why Windsor-Smith chose to write about the incidents he did. But as I began to question this, I also began to make the connections between the art and the text, which in turn brought to light a whole new dimension to the artwork. If the reader is capable of sitting back, relaxing and opening up their mind to take in what BWS is presenting, they will discover not only beautiful artwork, but a book full of personal insight, humor, and originality. It all makes for a great presentation of Barry's work, as well as one hell of a good read.