SPIES, VIXENS AND MASTERS OF KUNG FU PB [Paperback]

Michael Kronenberg (Editor), J. David Spurlock (Editor), Paul Gulacy (Illustrator), Jim Steranko (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2005

Star Wars, Batman, 007, The Terminator, Master of Kung Fu, Catwoman-illustrator and graphic novelist Paul Gulacy has built his reputation on these megaproperties. Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu examines Gulacy's work in all its glory, with a gallery of 140 of his incredible drawings and paintings-some never before published. This is the first monograph on the artist whose innovative and surreal designs made director Quentin Tarentino say, "Master of Kung Fu...hands down my favourite comic book." Let Gulacy inspire a new generation of artists with Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Kronenberg is the art director of Comic Book Marketplace and the cofounder and art director of Monsters from the Vault. J. David Spurlock is an illustrator and editor who has taught at New York's School of Visual Arts

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: VANGUARD PRODUCTIONS (September 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887591745
• ISBN-13: 978-1887591744
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,727,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BRILLIANT ARTIST GETS HIS DUE, November 30, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: SPIES, VIXENS AND MASTERS OF KUNG FU PB (Paperback)

I first started collecting comic books in the early 1970's and then sold the bulk of my collection several years later to pay for my first car when I was in high school. One of the runs I held onto, however, was Master of Kung-Fu, and the main reason I kept those books was the outstanding art of Paul Gulacy. Master of Kung Fu was unlike any other title in the 1970's. Far different than the primarily super hero and horror titles of the time, this was a gritty, action filled thriller, long before books like Sin City and others came out. In fact, Frank Miller's art on Sin City was strongly influenced by Gulacy's work on this title.

"Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu: The Art of Paul Gulacy" is the latest outstanding title from Vanguard Productions. The book covers Gulacy's mercurial career starting with his getting assigned to Master of Kung Fu at the age of twenty, along with writer Doug Moench. Gulacy's style was unlike any other artist of the time. His fight scenes were choreographed like a Hollywood film with an emphasis on realism and his depiction of the menacing villain Fu Manchu recalled the days of sinister "yellow menace" pulps. If Jim Steranko (who provides the Afterword to this book) introduced pop art to comics then Gulacy introduced a truly cinematic approach to comics. Sitting down and reading a run of MOKF was like watching a good movie. This title was often worth buying just for the Gulacy covers and splash pages alone.

The book then goes onto cover Gulacy's post MOKF life on projects such as Sabre for Eclipse comics and then onto his short, but memorable time working on projects for Jim Warren in the pages of Eerie. Gulacy was always one to experiment with new techniques and his work on those issues of Eerie showcase him using lamp black washes on the stories for an exceptionally unique look. The book provides several examples from the stories so you can see what I mean. It's gorgeous work! Gulacy would to on to do several runs on various Batman titles for DC Comics including the recently completed Batman/Ra's Alghul mini series just this year, as well as stints on Legends of the Dark Knight in 1900 - 1991. Never was there an artist more suited to draw Batman than Gulacy.

The last third of the book is sure to delight his legion of fans as it provides a dazzling gallery of Gulacy's work including paintings and numerous comic covers from books such as Catwoman, Vampirella, Sabre, Batman, and of course, The Master of Kung Fu. The cover to MOKF #64 is included and has always been one of my favorite pieces featuring Shang Chi holding a pair of Escrima sticks as he descends a set of steps in Fu Manchu's palace.

The book is filled with commentary by Gulacy's peers such as Tim Bradstreet and Steve Rude who discuss how Gulacy's art has influenced their own and no less than director Quentin Tarantino has called Master of Kung Fu his favorite comic book. Like most of the books from Vanguard Productions it is also available in a hardcover edition, as well as a limited, signed hard cover edition. A first class production!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short mini biography with personal captions, March 20, 2009

By 

Parka (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: SPIES, VIXENS AND MASTERS OF KUNG FU PB (Paperback)

Length:: 0:14 Mins

Paul Gulacy has drawn comics and covers for titles like Star Wars, Batman, James Bond 007, The Terminator, Master of Kung Fu and Catwoman, etc.

This art book is a selection of some comic pages and covers, accompanied by personal commentary, with a few guest quotes. I like the Noir style he applies to some of his panels. Additionally, there are a few personal unpublished ink sketches as well.

In the commentary, he talks about his career, inspiration, techniques, the comics and the characters he draws. Being a big fan of Bruce Lee, he once photographed the movie Enter the Dragon frame by frame because there wasn't videotape at that time. Master of Kung Fu was also inspired by Bruce Lee.

The main comics that were given more coverage in this book are Master of Kung Fu, Batman and James Bond. The other series are mentioned briefly, with illustrations included.

The art book is in a way a mini biography, recommended for fans.

(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful art, production and book, September 4, 2011

By 

Chuck Furnace "Love, LIGHT and Laughter," (Hartford, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SPIES, VIXENS AND MASTERS OF KUNG FU HC: The Art of Paul Gulacy (Hardcover)

While the text was ok, more magazine level than real insight, the breadth and depth of this collection of Gulacy's comics, paintings and sketches is amazing and added new depth to my appreciation of both the Master of Kung Fu comic in story and art and his other works. It was also fun to see some art from Six for Sirius without having to understand the plot!