Customer Reviews

Norman Saunders

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Saunders was likely easily in the top 5 quality cover artists of the pulp magazines from mid-1930's to mid-1950's. He was one of the most prolific artist during this period also. The artist's son has authored a wonderful exhibition of his work in an extremely well-made book by Illustrated Press. Dust jacket notes there are over 800 illustrations(300+ from original art), 30 working drawings, 30 reference photos, 30 family photos. Has a great deal of full color. Heavy, massive size book. Does not err by reproducing thumbnail size magazine covers(typically ones in this book are 3.5 by 4.75--large enough for genuine appreciation. There are many full page and half page pieces of art reproduced. Repro is impeccable and taken from either originals or copies that are not damaged. Book is not burdened by overage of prose or vague, ramblings of children/grandchildren who had little memories and records to go by when doing book. Norm Saunders also excelled in art for paperbacks, for the few digests he did(wonderful Mysterious Travelers art), and did excellent covers for Zip-Davis/Fawcett(Crime Clinic, Space Busters, Amazing Adventures, etc). He had excellent work across many genres(mystery, horror, western, science fiction, western). His interior art work for the men's adventure magazines was excellent also--but many of his Nazi-type, torture/bondage covers for the lesser such magazines in the late 1950's and early 1960's do not display his best work by any means. New to me was his misc. early work for Modern Mechanix, Spicy/Saucy, Sports Afield magazine work and also his Oriental work from his period in China(World War 2). There are many detailed repros of his Mars Attack, Batman, Ugly, Battle cards/stickers work which he was reduced to when magazine/slick publications died out.. Primarily finished art work where you see his work as he wanted it seen. A massive bibliography divided into 6 categories(one of which is his paperback covers). No index(not needed). Heavy enameled paper stock, sewn-in signatures. Art of front and rear of dust jacket are imprinted onto board boards. Professionally written accompanying text by David Saunders. A trememdous bargin at $40 list price. Thank you, David Saunders.

Great book. Very illustrative of this person's work whose work I've greatly appreciated in the past. I hope to see more books like this of other artists from this publisher. Recommend.

I just want to assure anyone considering this book that it is well worth the pricetag - unlike a lot of other "pulp" art books, it is superbly printed and bound on heavyweight stock; the original art reproductions and sketches and paintings are also excellently done. There's just a lot more than $40 worth of craft gone into the making of this book, on top of the author and his father's acheivements.

Thorough examination of Norman Saunders' career by his son, who has the ultimate access to his father's work. Ranges from pulp-magazine covers to comic books to classic trading cards like "Mars Attacks!" Every artist should be so lucky to have this kind of tribute. A real treat for fans of popular art.

I just received the new Norman Saunders book and am greatly pleased by it. Hundreds of full color photos! It must have been expensive to produce and I'm surprised it costs only forty bucks...

I can't say enough good things about this book. Lots of full page pictures, many from the original paintings (as opposed to magazine covers shots that have text overlaid.) That said, there are many magazine cover shots too, sometimes next to the original painting as a comparison. There are also some reference photos taken by the artist and the subsequent paintings that came from them. The text in the book covers the life of Norman Saunders and it is quite sparse. This is not a biography. It is a picture book full of amazing art. If you are interested in the work of Norman Saunders or American illustration in general, then this is a must have book.

I'm from Bogota Colombia. . It is a picture book with a high level style culture defined by the pulp magazines in the adventures of the 50s to hombre.Totalmente recommended.