Charles Addams: The Addams Family: an Evilution [Hardcover]

Kevin Miserocchi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2010

The ‘evilution’ of Charles Addams's singularly eccentric family began long before the television and film interpretations made them icons of American popular culture. Addams first created Morticia, Lurch, and The Thing in a cartoon published in a 1938 issue of the New Yorker—though he hadn't named them at the time, or even conceived of a family unit. (When he did name the deadly matriarch, he was inspired by the Yellow Pages listing for ‘Morticians.’) Other characters were born and developed in a multitude of Addams's cartoons over the next twenty-six years, before the cheerfully creepy clan debuted on ABC television in 1964 and later on the big screen, twice, in 1991 and 1993.

The Addams Family: An Evilution is the first book to trace The Addams Family history, presenting more than 200 cartoons created by Charles Addams (American, 1912-1988) throughout his prolific career; many have never been published before. Text by H. Kevin Miserocchi, director of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation, offers a revealing chronology of each character's evolution (for instance, did you know that Addams originally named Pugsley ‘Pubert’?), while Addams's own incisive character descriptions, originally penned for the benefit of the television show producers, introduce each chapter. As the presence of the Family continues to permeate generation after generation, and in celebration of the Broadway musical debuting in 2010, this book reminds us where these oddly lovable characters came from and, in doing so, offers a lasting tribute to one of America's greatest humorists. A phenomenon of rare proportion, The Addams Family is the manifestation of one artist's dark but irresistible wit, expressed with an uncommonly deft hand.

224 pages with more than 200 cartoons (approximately 50 are published here for the first time), many in color. Ten chapters explore each Addams Family character, as well as their mansion (a “House To Die For”). Size: 8 x 10 inches. Smyth-sewn casebound book with jacket.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Gomez and Morticia's misbegotten brood may have been creepy and kooky, but they were also happy, as the cartoons in [this] delightful anthology [attest].” --—LA Times Book Review

“One of the signs of genius is that an artist sheds new light on the human condition. Or, in Addams’s case, casts new shadows.” --—Wall Street Journal, Books section

“The Addams Family: An Evilution is a lovely—and loving—family portrait of our most long-lasting and favorite dysfunctional family and their slightly off-kilter creator.” --—Comics Worth Reading blog

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Pomegranate; 1St Edition edition (March 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764953885
• ISBN-13: 978-0764953880
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine study April 2, 2010

By James D. Crabtree VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This volume looks at Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester, Lurch and the rest of the recurring characters that Charles Addams used in his single-panel cartoons primarily appearing in the New Yorker. This book gives us some idea of the artist's character development and thoughts about this rogues gallery and the book includes some previously unpublished material. Although much of this material was previously published in Addams' collections it is still worth it to me, as someone who admires his work, to have this all in one place along with previously unseen material.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophisticated view of the dark side May 1, 2010

By Richard Beeman

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Chuck Addams, as he was known to friends, shares with us his joy in the wierdness present in daily life. His cartoons aren't violent, just pregnant with ideas that nudge along your own imagination. PoIsed to greet Christmas carollers by pouring boiling oil from the manse's roof, one cartoon prompts a chuckle from it's perverse perspective alone. You aren't drawn to ponder the ugly effect of an actual cascade of boiling oil on the people below. I like this innocennce in Addams' work. His characters are twisted, yet credible exaggerations of somewhat 'normal' wife, father, kids, and family monster in the attic. Many cartoons tease you, appearing straightforward until close examination finds the funny small detail that makes the whole scene a kick.
Among my favorites are the boy's report card detailing his teacher's warning that his anti-social behavior seems deliberately devious and malicious, prompting Morticia to proudly pat him on the head. Another shows the arrival of two animal carrier cages at the mansion, with Morticia exclaiming, "The children are back from camp, dear."
This book appreciates Addams's work, and made me laugh and think. That is a home run.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Addams Family wow May 3, 2010

By Lee E. Blasingame

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

this is a great book of the Addams Family drawings, that the tv show was based on. it collects most of the drawings of the characters as they evolved in print. it is a wow of a book. Lurch for instance started out bearded, and Mortishia didn't wear any shoes early on. Uncle Fester always was drawn to look like Charles Addams himself. Seeing the personalities written down by Charles Addams is nice, i have not seen that before in any of his books. the older Chas Addams art books always have some pages of the Family as well as just odd ball drawings. but this book is all Addams Family.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great collector's item October 27, 2011

By Melissa Niksic VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

If you are a fan of the Addams Family cartoon drawings by Chas Addams, then you need to get this book. It's a great collectible hardcover filled with many of Addams' most celebrated drawings. The book is sectioned off by character, and also provides some information on each member of this notorious family in addition to many of the drawings they are prominently featured in. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it to any Addams Family fan.

5.0 out of 5 stars extrodinary May 18, 2013

By Rinea Manuela

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

i really like this book. is amazing. its condition was great. the part that i like the most were the photos

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected April 16, 2013

By Brent

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I didn't realize that this book was hardcover - my fault for not reading the details of the description. I was pleasantly surprised when it was! This book is made very well and has a premium feel. The pages are semi-gloss, thick stock. Nice.

All of the Addams family drawings are here, including rough sketches that were never released. Each character has a bio, written by Charles. It's all very informative and gives great insight on the characters.

The only thing I don't like about the book, and it's nit-picky, I know: the font they chose for the captions of the drawings, headers and the book title is ridiculously ugly. It cheapens the feel of the book and, especially on the drawings, is difficult to read. Something simpler would have been pleasing and easier on the eyes. It reminds me of those weird fonts that you'd see on a flyer for a Halloween party - a bit tacky.

I bought my book new though the "other sellers" option in Amazon (from a local shop in NY listed under the amazon seller name bookcultureny) and their price, brand new, was half the price as normal Amazon. The book arrived before I even had time to think about where it was and the process was painless. Awesome!

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome March 13, 2013

By Alice F. Harris

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was a gift. As told by my sweetheart...this was so awsome. just what they wanted and very pleased. Thank you.

5.0 out of 5 stars STILL SOOOOO BAD January 21, 2013

By E. S. Noyes

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gave this to my boyfriend, who like me was raised on Addams. Had fun leafing through. Addams was so ahead of his time. This is a very nice, big hardcover collection and the cartoons are large and crisp. Addams is still edgy, all's right with the world.