Customer Reviews

Modern Masters Vol. 4: Kevin Nowlan

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The fourth volume in the series on comix and graphical novel artists, Modern Masters: Kevin Nowlan is a clear and deserved tribute to Eisner Award-winning artist Keven Nowlan, perhaps best known for his superhero comic book art of such four-color heroes as Batman, Superman, Doctor Strange and Jack B. Quick (a character Nowlan has co-created with Alan Moore). Nowlan is truly a renaissance man of the superhero comic industry, skilled at cover art, penciling, inking, lettering, coloring, and even writing. Featureing an in-depth interview with Nowlan, numerous black-and-white examples of his art - some never before published - plus a gallery of color plates, Modern Masters: Kevin Nowlan is a "must-have" for his legions of fans and all who appreciate Nowlan's contribution to modern comic art.

Kevin Nowlan is a master of illustration and storytelling, and this MODERN MASTERS tome is essential reading. The MODERN MASTERS series is pretty much the best series covering comics artists... it's a wonder that a series like this exists. It takes the best of comics interview magazines... which is presenting a candid talk with artists.... and yet covers the subject from beginning to end in a long, satisfying session. This is better than the aforementioned magazines, because this is no shortened conversation... it will take you two hours to read (or longer)... much more satisfying than a 10-15 page interview. This one focuses on Nowlan, and covers his entire career. Aspiring artists can learn a lot about Nowlan's techniques, particularly in the final chapter (before the portfolio)... which breaks down the artist's thought processes and techniques. Then, of course... you get a great portfolio. The interview is illustrated throughout by examples of Nowlan's work. It showed me work that he had done that I wasn't aware of, and that I'll have to hunt down! Most fun, throughout the book, Nowlan tells us what went on 'behind the scenes' for some of his jobs, and this is a neat peek into the how-to of modern comics companies.

Highly recommended!