Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos

[BlackLagoon]

I know I'm late to the game here but just last week it was finally delivered to my door and WOW--I don't think I've put it down yet. This is hands down one of the coolest monster related items I've gotten since....I dunno, awhile!

I've jumped around alot reading here and there and just started over again cover to cover. It's just worth every cent.

I can't think of anything that brings everything classic horror to mind than the images this genius has created. I mean the Aurora box art is up there, but this is just on a whole different level. Completely inspired to just "do something" after flipping through these pages.

Anyone else enjoy the book this much?

[michblk]

Yes, it's an amazing book!  I really enjoyed Basil's wonderful art! David Spurlock and Kerry Gammil did a great job putting it together.

BK

[Paul L]

It's a treasure. I've had it for a few years now, & a week doesn't go by where I don't look at it.

[seed_murda]

Book is totally awesome, I just wish there was a definitive book on just his works... with pics of everything he ever did of course.  The book never made it to the bookshelf, it is permanently on my coffee table for others to pick up, learn and enjoy !!! Def recommend to anyone here.

[GeekDragon]

My brother gave this book to me a few years ago for my birthday and ordered it signed by the man himself.  It's one of my treasured possessions.

[Hepcat]

Yes, it's a great book alright!

[BlackLagoon]

What's everyone's favorite illustration in it?

I love the Madhouse art work...and honestly I had no idea I'd like and appreciate so much of the war stuff he did. Some of those illustrations are just incredible!

[seed_murda]

What's everyone's favorite illustration in it?

Gonna make you look !!!! Page 118 and page 126    !!!! I own a limited print of page 118 and all that I have to say is that it looks way, way, way better in person. Simply amazing work this man created !!

[Paul L]

What's everyone's favorite illustration in it?

That's hard. I'm partial to the Chaney, Sr. characters as a rule, but favorites aside, I don't know where to begin. Basil Gogos brings them all to life.

Between this book & Forry Ackerman's World of Science Fiction, they almost render my monster mag collection obsolete. They're like super-sized issues of Famous Monsters & Spacemen.

[Wolfman]

Love his rendition of the classic monsters. NOBODY brings 'em to life like Basil. Got 3 of his prints, the 3rd of which is currently in the frame shop. It's a B&W version of the Wolfman which I recently won on ebay. Can,t wait to get it on the wall.

JP

[Gothamknight]

What's everyone's favorite illustration in it?

I still love the cover to FM#56.  I have a signed print of it and it is a cherished piece in my collection.   Also for those of you with the signed edition of the book you have some extra pages of art that are not in the mass released version!!   Either way this book is a must have!!!

GK

[Wolfman]

Just ordered this in hard cover off Amazon for $26.50 with free shipping. Can't wait to feast my eyes on it.

JP

[seed_murda]

Just ordered this in hard cover off Amazon for $26.50 with free shipping. Can't wait to feast my eyes on it.

JP

That is a damn good deal !!!! I might just have to try to get the hrdcover for that price !!!

[HARRY HAMMOCK]

Got it awhile back and took it to a Monster Bash con and he signed it.A collectors dream.Love it.

[zombiehorror]

I've seen several different pictures of the cover of this book but never noticed 'til now that there are two different covers?!  I have the Phantom cover, which I happen to prefer anyway!


,
Picking a favorite painting is difficult, his use of color is always so vibrant and full of life but then you can't discount his black and white work either, which is so layered, rich and full of depth.  Definitely dig his work on Frankenstein and The Phantom characters.  His Ardeth Bey (page 117) is just incredible with all its wrinkled detail but then his eye for detail is one of the keys to his success on characters like Dr. Phibes , Glenn Strange's Frankenstein , Prof. Jarrod or the hair on the Wolfman and scales of the Creature or hell any other subject he touched!  He was also a master at the female form as well, his Ingrid Pitt (pg 95) is another top favorite for me.  That's just detailing some of his horror work and not even getting into his pulp/war/animal stuff which is every bit as incredible as his FM/monster stuff!


If I really had to nail it down I'd go with the cover of FM 56!  Something about that Karloff/Frankenstein study with the one candle in the background illuminating the scene has always struck and stood out for me and I won't even go into my runners up list (some of which are featured above)!