Mascots & Mugs: The Characters and Cartoons of Subway Graffiti [Hardcover]

David "Chino" Villorente (Author), Todd "Reas" James (Author), Jonathan Lethem (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2007

In the graffiti world it's the name that brings the fame, but what about the figural components of this urban typography? Some of the most iconic pieces in the history of graffiti have earned their place in the street art pantheon with the help of masterfully rendered figures that lend additional presence to these works. Mascots & Mugs, brought to you by the publisher of the best-selling sneaker encyclopedia Where'd You Get Those? is the first book to examine figurative elements in graffiti art: It traces the history of key characters from the earliest examples by writers such as Stay High, Cliff 170 and Blade, to those of later masters like Mode 2, Doze and Tack. Drawing inspiration from Saturday-morning television, printed comic strips and the dense urban landscape itself, graffiti writers created characters free from the constraints of their usual letterforms. The result is a host of outlandish visual sidekicks that, over time, have become so prevalent that any would-be king needs at least a few in his artistic arsenal. Filled with never-before-published photographs and rare artist interviews, this chronologically sequenced graffiti bible is a must-have reference work for anyone interested in cartoons, comics, graphic design or the myriad ways in which this self-taught urban street art has influenced today's contemporary art landscape. Also available in a deluxe, clothbound, slipcased limited edition with a signed screenprint of a classic "mug" from graffiti legend Doc TC5.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Testify Books (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972592040
• ISBN-13: 978-0972592048
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,043,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a classic, MUST HAVE, February 17, 2008

By 

Kevin (Philly, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mascots & Mugs: The Characters and Cartoons of Subway Graffiti (Hardcover)

Let me just start off by saying this book is OFF THE HOOK! This book is up there with Subway Art, Dondi White and Freight Train Graffiti. This is a book written by real artist that influenced the graff game at a whole other level. I was lucky enough in my youth to have met Todd "Reas" James and he was one of the coolest writers I ever met. He gave me outlines and would just kick it with me even though I was new to the scene. His style is still seen today in so many writers doing their thing today. The interviews in this book are amazing! The photos are clear and I like how they show the writers at that time and what influenced them. For anyone a fan of graffiti or any new writers looking to get schooled this is a must have.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have, February 15, 2008

By 

Copasetic Kid "...mining the vaults of pop cu... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mascots & Mugs: The Characters and Cartoons of Subway Graffiti (Hardcover)

In the same league as classic books like

watching my name go by
getting up
subway art
spraycan art
dondi white

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a trip back in time, January 30, 2009

By 

HOKESE "hokese" (australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mascots & Mugs: The Characters and Cartoons of Subway Graffiti (Hardcover)

well what can i say.this book is dope.from start to finish it keeps the reader interrested.the interviews with some of new yorks king and pioneers of graffiti are well detailed with out dragging on.
the pictures are great even thoo some of them are over 30 years old.
this book is a trip back in time.
also i loved the fact that there was plenty of text.alot of graffiti books try to avoid this or just dont have much text.
this is part of the reason the book got 5 stars.for me i really like reading.so having alot of text is just a added bonus.
if you enjoyed books like dondi,t-kid,fuzz,hip hop files,then get this book.
my only gripe is that i didnt spring for the limited edtion...
oh and its pretty thick too,so lots of pictures,lots of text.
a great all round graff book,from the early graff times in new york city!