'Lord of the Rings' Trailer

Actually the final part. The high elves, Gandalf as the White wizard, the towers of Sauron. I’ve read and re-read this book and its two companions several times over the last forty years. Fabulously realised by Peter Jackson and  brilliant cast. Courtesy of New Line Cinema 2003.

Modern Artists: Roy G Krenkel

The naturalistic illustrations of Roy Krenkel (1918–1983) graced the covers of early fantasy paperbacks of Edgar Rice Burroughs and many others. He inspired a young Frank Frazetta (1928–2010) and, later, Jeffrey Catherine Jones (born Jeffrey Durwood Jones 1944–2011). The illustrations here, of ERB’s great hero, Tarzan, show the similarity of their powerful styles. Of course they worked in commercial, graphic illustration which lends itself to …

Avengers Assemble Trailer

At the time of writing The Avengers Assemble is the top grossing superhero movie ever (although let’s see what Batman Rises will do!) and number three in the all time, all movie rankings (1.4 billion USD). The trailer is nothing like as good as the movie but it gives a decent flavour of the action to come. I love science …

Modern Artists: Barry Windsor Smith

The fine art and graphic illustrations of Barry Windsor Smith (BWS) carry an aching beauty. Every line is lovingly crafted, every colour is imbued with care and elegance. I first encountered his illustrations in the Marvel Conan stories, Tower of the Hierophant I think, to which he brought a splendour and power rarely seen in comics. Briefly he associated with …