Dark Labyrinth [Hardcover]

Luis Royo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006

The best-selling book of art by the great Royo.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 62 pages
• Publisher: NBM Publishing (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561634840
• ISBN-13: 978-1561634842
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #797,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DARK, SHADOWY DELIGHTS, December 24, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Dark Labyrinth (Hardcover)

Dark Labyrinth is artist Luis Royo's latest collection, thinly disguised as a graphic novel. There is a modest story that frames the collection of Royo's artwork. The story tells of a young artist who visits the studio of a painter that he has long admired. The young man has long been enthralled by the painter's brooding, yet sensual work. The young man praised the older painter as he was invited into the master's studio. When the old man asks if he would like to become his apprentice, the young artists jumps at the chance.

The old painter's routine, however, is quite confusing. He paints only at night, and in a small room with only moonlight for illumination, a room the apprentice is forbidden to enter. One day, while his teacher is sleeping, he dares to enter the forbidden room, only to find canvases covered completely in black. He begins to touch the painting, sensing something beautiful and terrible beneath the darkness, and soon finds himself drawn into the gothic, exquisite world of the Dark labyrinth.

Well that's the backstory but the real story is 64 pages of Royo's stunning art, all fitting into this theme. The book contains primarily work that was previously unpublished, most of it finished paintings along with a smattering of sketches. Royo's art is horrific and evocative. His beautiful women are sexy yet with an air of danger about them.

"Mother Earth" is one of my favorite paintings in the book. It shows that nature goddess shedding a tear of blood over a desolate landscape. Then there is "The Game of the Mask" featuring a lovely, mask-clad nude in a richly detailed costume, looking like a princess of Hell. "The Counter of Time" depicts an angelic blond maiden wearing a skull headpiece, apparently looking down over the world.

Each page of Dark Labyrinth brings a new shadowy delight to the reader in one of Royo's best collections yet from NBM Publishing. A true spectacle!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars elegant and bold, quality art like no other, December 27, 2008

By 

BGP "author of 'Ab Antiquo, Ab Aeterno'" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Labyrinth (Hardcover)

True to the title, this is probably Luis Royo's darkest book of artwork. I don't mean it is gory, horrific, or offensive, I'm merely referring to the shades and tones he uses in his paintings here. Everything here is mostly drab (in a good way) but detailed... not near as colorful and eclectic as "Visions" but still very stylish and pleasing to the eye. "Dark Labyrinth" is without a doubt one of my favorites. As usual, there are lots of beautiful women, along with skulls, swords, demonic beasts and maybe even a little trickle of blood here and there. One of Royo's best collections yet.

5.0 out of 5 stars Particolare fantastici, June 24, 2009

By 

Pieraccini Matteo "Matte aka Esy" (Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Labyrinth (Hardcover)

I particolari che si possono ammirare nel libro sono favolosi ... l'immagine sul PC non rende affatto ... seppur sia gia' bella.

Un bellissimo acquisto!