Upcoming Art Books for 2011

Here's the lineup of exciting art books for 2011. These are the books I've come across online so it's not comprehensive. There will be more to come. For updates, just check the list of upcoming art books.

The publication dates and the cover art are still subject to changes. And all the links provided are, of course, pre-order links.

If I miss out any books you think I should feature, throw me a comment. And let me know which art book you're most looking forward to.

The text in the blockquote are descriptions from the publishers.

January

The Art of Vampirella
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

For over 40 years Vampirella has been the muse for many artists in the comic industry and beyond. Dynamite Entertainment brings forth a veritable museum of fine art masterpieces collected in this hardcover volume! Featuring a spectacular cover by the legendary Milo Manara, this tome contains a retrospective of artists who have contributed the most memorable imagery of Vampirella with such names as Jose Gonzalez, Adam Hughes, Dave Stevens, Jim Silke, Jae Lee, Joe Jusko, Amanda Conner, Mark Texeira, Mike Mignola, Mike Mayhew, Joe Quesada, Bruce Timm, Arthur Suydam, Dan Brereton, Michael Golden, J. Scott Campbell, and many more.

Mega Man Star Force: Official Complete Works
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Mega Man Star Force is the follow-up to the popular Mega Man Battle Network video game franchise, which launched a whole new series of adventures for the Blue Bomber. Mega Man Star Force: Official Complete Works collects the stunning artwork of every Star Force game, and features character designs, promotional art, rarely seen pieces, and plenty of creator commentary.

Mega Man Star Force: Official Complete Works is going to be one of the many art books Udon Entertainment will be publishing in 2011. This is the translated edition for the Japanese art book 流星のロックマン オフィシャルコンプリートワークス (Amazon.co.jp).

The Mega Man franchise is huge. Last year they published Mega Man: Official Complete Works and Mega Man X: Official Complete Works.

There's also going to be Mega Man Tribute, a fan art book, but there's no publication date yet. My guess is near the end of the 2011.

John Buscema: The Michaelangelo of Comics
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Now for the first time a comprehensive art book about one of the greatest comic artists, commonly referred to by his peers as The Michelangelo of Comics, John Buscema. This exhaustive look at Buscema's career and art covers every aspect of this legend's work and is generously illustrated with over 200 examples of the master's original art. Over five years in preparation, comics historian Brian Peck interviewed everyone of note who ever worked with Buscema and paints a complete picture of one of the comics most outstanding artists. Foreword by Roy Thomas.

February

Valkyria Chronicles: Design Archive
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

In Valkyria Chronicles, SEGA's critically acclaimed tactical RPG, Welkin and the members of the 7th Platoon struggle for freedom as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Valkyria Chronicles: Design Archive takes you behind the scenes, showcasing the gorgeous artwork of this truly epic world. The book features 400 pages of character designs, vehicle and weapon designs, maps and promotional art, all accompanied by detailed background information and creator commentary.

This is the English translated edition of the Japanese art book 戦場のヴァルキュリア (Valkyria Chronicles) Development Artworks. It's a 400-page book filled with wonderful art.

I hope the book binding is going to be durable. Mind you, The Art of Darksiders is only 288 pages and is already breaking apart.

Mega Man Battle Network: Official Complete Works
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Mega Man Battle Network reinvented the classic Capcom franchise as an exciting, action-packed RPG, and reintroduced Mega Man to a whole new generation of gamers. Mega Man Battle Network: Official Complete Works collects the stunning artwork of all six Battle Network games,as well as Network Transmission and Operate Shooting Star. Inside you'll find character designs, promotional art, rarely seen pieces, and plenty of creator commentary.

Also from Udon, another translated edition for the Japanese art book ロックマンエグゼオフィシャルコンプリートワークス (Amazon.co.jp).

The Art of Red Sonja
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Red Sonja has been untamed for 35 years, and along the way there have been some great artists who have helped make her one of the most successful heroines. Dynamite has created this very special book featuring Red Sonja and a selection of the exceptional artists who have depicted the She-Devil! Features the "sexy" art of Alex Ross, Michael Turner, Frank Cho, Jim Lee, Steve McNiven, George Perez, John Cassaday, Michael Turner, JG Jones, Mel Rubi, Neal Adams, and so many others, including unseen sketches and illustrations.

This book has been delayed so many times I won't be surprised if there's another delay.

March

Tony's Artworks from Shining World
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Featuring the stunning designs of renowned Japanese pinup artist Tony Taka, Tony's Artwork From Shining World collects the beautiful artwork behind SEGA's Shining Tears and Shining Wind games. The book features over 200 pages of gorgeous, full-page pin-ups and character designs from the Shining series, plus multiple interviews with the master himself, Tony Taka.

Another from Udon. This is translated from the Japanese art book トニーズアートワークス フロムシャイニングワールド (Amazon.co.jp).

Monster Hunter Illustrations
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Beloved by fans the world over, the Monster Hunter series takes players on an epic quest to hunt or capture the most dangerous and fantastic monsters imaginable. Monster Hunter Illustrations collects the unparalleled artwork behind this landmark series. Inside you'll find hundreds of designs for characters, monsters, armor, weapons, and more, plus tons of rough drawings and sketch work.

Another translated title from Udon, this time for モンスターハンターイラストレーションズ which I reviewed last year. The original Japanese edition has 304 pages split into two wide-format art books. This is going to be great, depending on the binding condition.

The Ballad of Rango: The Art and Making of an Outlaw Film
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Unlike any animated feature you’ve seen before, Rango is an utterly unique story from acclaimed director Gore Verbinski, and features the voice of Johnny Depp and other regulars from Verbinski’s Pirates of the Caribbean films. Blending off-beat humor with a Gonzo visual style and the enduring heroic archetypes of the Western, this highly entertaining adventure marks the debut for Verbinski’s production studio, BlindWink, and is the first animated feature from Industrial Light & Magic.

An actor by nature, Rango has developed a habit of trying on different guises while in his lonely cage—his head filled with dreams of being a swashbuckler, a musician, a knight, and many other leading man types. When this hapless reptile wanders into the town of Dirt, he can’t help but play to his audience, assuming the role of the Western hero. Boasting of his gun-slinging prowess to the locals, he inevitably stirs up a hornet’s nest. Soon he finds himself at the center of action, wearing the sheriff’s star and forced to take on the fearsome gunman Rattlesnake Jake.

Rango, like its lead character, is a film that set out one day to find itself and did, to great effect. Illustrated with some of the most vivid and visually creative concept art produced for any animation to date, The Ballad of Rango tells its story like it is.

This is published by Insights Editions. I hope there are goodies like most of their books.

Trailers for Rango (apple.com)

D'artiste Character Design: Digital Artists Master Class
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

The newest edition in the d'artiste range features talented character artists Anne Pagoda, Katarina Sokolov-Latans'ka, Lois van Baarle, and more.

April

The Art of Kung Fu Panda 2
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

DreamWorks Animation and Insight Editions presents The Art of Kung Fu Panda 2; the book that takes readers behind-the-scenes of the animated martial arts mega-sequel.

As the recently anointed Dragon Warrior, Po the Panda (Jack Black) is living his dream as the champion of the Valley of Peace. But Po’s serenity is disrupted when the malevolent Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), an epically evil warlord, threatens to destroy all of China by creating an unstoppable weapon that promises to supplant kung fu. With every conquest, Shen’s ambition, cruelty, and lust for power grow, forcing Po and The Furious Five to confront their most powerful enemy ever, or else witness the destruction of their homeland and the tradition of kung fu.

Included in this tome of production artwork are designs for Baby Po, Po’s parents, the sharp-taloned peacock Shen, the warlord’s fearsome wolf mercenaries, as well as Po’s new allies—Master Croc (Jean-Claude Van Dam), Master Skunkman (James Woods), and Master Thundering Rhino (Victor Garber). Also included are the epic environments Po, Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey, must venture through on their epic quest to confront the evil Lord Shen and save kung fu.

With new friends, Po’s strength has never been greater. But how can he stop a weapon that can stop kung fu? Po must look deep into his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.

The Art of Kung Fu Panda ran out of stock a few times, and is still out of stock. It's selling at crazy prices right now. I've numerous readers asking me if there's going to be any reprints for the first art book. I don't know. I hope so.

My recommendation is to grab the second art book as soon as it becomes available.

It's published by Insight Editions as well.

Trailers for Kung Fu Panda 2 (apple.com)

Arthur Rackham: A Life with Illustration
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Examining the work of the illustrator Arthur Rackham, this monograph traces his achievements throughout his illustrious career. Rackham's illustrations for such works as Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, and Rip Van Winkle have attained the classic status of the writings themselves—and indeed, in some cases, they have become synonymous with them. His works were also included in numerous exhibitions in his lifetime, including one at the Louvre in Paris in 1914. Rackham himself, however, has previously remained a shadowy figure. As well as featuring exquisite illustrations and sketches, extracts from Rackham's correspondence and insightful commentary shed new light on this much-collected illustrator.

Atelier Series: Official Chronicle
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

The Atelier series has become a favorite of many RPG gamers, with its unique mix of alchemy and action set in a vibrant and magical fantasy world. Now the gorgeous artwork behind this long-running series is collected for all to enjoy. This volume collects character designs, promotional artwork, profile data, creator interviews, and more.

A translated edition for the Japanese art book アトリエシリーズ オフィシャルクロニクル (Amazon.co.jp). From Udon.

May

Figure Drawing for All It's Worth
- Amazon US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

"Andrew Loomis’ books were a formative influence on my life and art. My mother is an illustrator herself who worked in the era of Loomis’ heyday, and she passed his art instruction books on to me. Andrew Loomis’ instruction of how to draw the human figure was one of the first teachings that I would study, inspiring me to try and make my own artwork more realistic. My entire approach to drawing and painting superheroes owes its genesis to Loomis’ work." - Alex Ross

One of the favourite figure drawing books from artists all around. I hope Titan Books really acquired the rights to reprint. This is going to be a seller.

Thor: The Art of Thor the Movie
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

This is quite pricey, relatively speaking but it has 224 pages. The image above is just a temporary cover art.

Trailers for Thor (apple.com)

The Art of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

The Art of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides showcases all of the incredible visual development that went into the creation of the film. Concept art, digital renderings, costume sketches, prop schematics, and storyboards are the prized cargo aboard this ship of dreams, and they are accompanied by informative text written by the film’s unit publicist, Michael Singer. For any sailor who wishes to preserve a bit of Pirates lore forevermore, this book is tantamount to a sip from the cup of life.

I thought I would never see Jack Sparrow again. By the way, first art book The Art of Pirates of the Caribbean is pretty good and is still selling.

MY Daily Zoo
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Inspired by The Daily Zoo, Keeping the Doctor at Bay with a Drawing a Day and The Daily Zoo, Year 2, Chris Ayers has created MY Daily Zoo to get the creativity of the young and old alike brewing! This activity book will provide page upon page of exercises that will provide YOU with ample opportunities to create your own personal zoo of characters. Some examples of what you will find within the cover - an octopus with the ends of his tentacles missing, you get to add what you would like to see held in the eight spaces, scribbles that get turned into characters with scribbles drawn to inspire your own characters, design a tortoise shell, a hippo tattoo, a bowling team's missing members, the dog show's competition line up, animal splicing (parts of different animals are provided for you to create your own). Have no fear, this book of artistic challenges will be started off with a step-by-step drawing follow-a-long: showing a line by line (shape by shape) progression of drawing a Daily Zoo character - provided with blank spaces next to each step for one to follow along.

I love the cover art. The duck is so handsome.

Oh, there's still going to be The Daily Zoo Year 3. Date is unconfirmed.

The Art of Alice: Madness Returns
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Legendary game designer American McGee created one of the most visually arresting games of all time in Alice. Eleven years later, McGee returns with a sequel just as groundbreaking as his critically acclaimed classic - Alice: Madness Returns! Just in time for Madness Returns, Dark Horse and Spicy Horse Games invite Alice fans to take a journey through the wonderland of American McGee's imagination for a look at this magnificent and disturbing world. With text by Madness Returns lead writer and executive producer R. J. Berg, and featuring an introduction by McGee, The Art of Alice offers an intimate look into the artwork behind this blockbuster interpretation of Lewis Carroll's enduring masterpiece.

The Sky: The Art of Final Fantasy
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Yoshitaka Amano is one of the world's foremost fantasy artists, and this tremendous boxed set of five books gathers his ethereal illustrations for Final Fantasy games I-X. The Sky is divided into three softcover volumes, each printed on high-quality stock. Volume 1 (144-pages) contains Amano's work for Final Fantasy I-III, Volume 2 (276-pages) contains his contributions for Final Fantasy IV-VI, and Volume 3 (156-pages) features art for Final Fantasy VII-X. The fourth book in the boxed set, All About Yoshitaka Amano, is a smaller softcover. Its 128 pages include an interview with Amano, information about his work, a bibliography, and a visual index of each illustration that appears in the three Sky art books. Completing the set are an acetate print, two postcards, and a 96-page The Sky Premium Flipbook that lets you see two examples of Amano's art in motion, all fit snugly inside a hinged, decorated box.

June

Batman: Hush Unwrapped Deluxe
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

A new, unprecedented edition of the classic Batman epic from writer Jeph Loeb (BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN) presents the art of comics superstar Jim Lee in its pencil form for the very first time.

BATMAN: HUSH is a thrilling mystery in which Batman sets out to discover the identity of a mysterious mastermind using The Joker, The Riddler, Ra’s al Ghul and the Dark Knight’s other enemies – and allies – as pawns in a plan to wreak havoc. This new, deluxe edition hardcover is a delight for fans of comic book artwork as it presents Lee’s artwork in crisp, pencil form for the very first time.

This should be the original comic book Batman: Hushed (Amazon.com), except only in Jim Lee's pencils.

Making of Tron: Legacy
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

This Making Of . . . format will go into the amazing technological mastery that went into bringing to life the Tron world, including the light cycles, the gladiatorial combat, concept illustrations, set designs, character bios, film stills, and all of the elements created for Tron: Legacy. This paperback book will have a stunning ink treatment to help enhance the images and will be a must-have for original fans as well as for people who are being swept up in the world of Tron!

I don't know why they want to have this book out months after the movie though.

The Art of Cars 2
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Another in our successful line of 'Art of Pixar' books, this detailed look into the creation of the second installment of the Cars series shares the artwork and experiences of the animators behind Pixar's most commercially successful franchise.

Trailers for Cars 2 (apple.com)

Constructing Green Lantern: From Page to Screen
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

From the creative group at DC Entertainment comes The Green Lantern, certain to be the hit of Summer 2011. The Art of The Green Lantern is the ultimate companion book to the movie, showcasing production ephemera including: storyboard art, character sketches, concept art, and still photos from the movie's sets. The Green Lantern will also contain observations and insights of the film by producers, art director, and various other film crew.

In other words, The Art of Green Lantern.

Trailers for Green Lantern (apple.com)

July

The Art of Todd McFarlane
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

This collection showcases Todd McFarlane's unique art style, which burst onto the comic book scene in the late 1980s and forever changed the landscape of comic book art. Features art from original comic art boards, rare, never-before-seen sketches, as well as art from McFarlane's work on Batman, Spider-Man, and the Hulk (amongst many others), and his own top-selling creation, Spawn, complete with selected commentary by the artist himself. Large format hardcover book presents Todd McFarlane's detailed art style at a previously unpublished size! Limited edition of 5,000 initial run!

Captain America: The Art of Captain America - The First Avenger
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Another superhero movie art book from Marvel.

Legendary Art of N.C. Wyeth
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

J. David Spurlock follows his hit Painting of St. John book with this Wyeth collection packed with rare and classic color images featuring Robinson Caruso, Charlamange, patriots, patriarchs, The Mysterious Stranger, swashbucklers, Robin Hood. pirates, pilgrims, indians, dragons, Westerns, conquistadors, wizards, and maidens. A great many of these images have never appeared in any other Wyeth art book collection.

I hope they spot the typo error on the cover art.

The Art of Gran Turismo 5
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Showcases the art behind the hugely anticipated driving simulator.

Another book for The Art of the Game series from Ballistic Publishing. In 2010, they published The Art of God of War III and The Art of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

Genius, Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Written by the Eisner Award-winning team of Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell - who produced Scorchy Smith and the Art of Noel Sickles - Genius, Isolated includes many examples of Toth's art, from his earliest stories at DC in the 1940s, his defining work at Standard, his incomparable Zorro comics in the 1950s, examples from his thousands of drawings for animations studios, through his mature - and some say best - work, such as Bravo For Adventure, in the 1970s and 80s. A special section collects, for the first time, the complete Jon Fury pages that Toth produced while in the army, a section that alone is worth the price of admission. Alex Toth was more than a unique and influential artist. He was a keenly insightful philosopher about comics, cartooning, and animation - with opinions on how they are created as opposed to how he felt they should be created. He wasn't shy about expressing those thoughts, whether in scathing, personal letters, essays for publication, or letters to the editor. To flesh out the complete story of his life and art, Mullaney and Canwell have conducted wide-ranging interviews with dozens of Toth's peers, friends, and family members.

August

The Art of InFamous 2
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Ballistic Publishing has partnered with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Sucker Punch Productions to produce the next book in its The Art of the Game series with The Art of InFamous 2. The 272-page art book showcases the amazing work of the Sucker Punch Productions’ creative team, with hundreds of drawings, paintings, and sculpts created for the sequel of the critically-acclaimed InFamous PS3 game. Nowhere else will you get a better appreciation of the talent and skills that go into a major game production or the personalities of the artists working on these amazing projects.

Also from Ballistic Publishing. Can't wait.

d'artiste Concept Art 2: Digital Artists Master Class
- Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

The second edition in the hugely popular Concept Art series has a definite game art focus. The new book features the work of Naughty Dog's Shaddy Safadi on Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Massive Black's legendary Coro Kaufman, and Remedy Entertainment's creative director Petri Järvilehto for Microsoft Games' Alan Wake.

Check out the first book if you haven't.

Other notes

Digital + Analogue: The Art and Science of Rockstar Games
- Amazon (CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP)

Rockstar Games creates some of pop cultures most provocative icons. The Rockstar Games label, founded in 1998, is known for groundbreaking videogames with unprecedented production values, style and depth with a dizzying range of techniques and media. Rockstar Games dedication to making the most extraordinary free-form game play captured the enthusiasm of millions of fans around the world and continues to shock those too afraid to take control. This ultimate slip-cased Rockstar Games monograph checks in at 33.3 x 28.3 cm, featuring original illustrations, wireframes, production stills, product shots, ads, inspiration and candids of the companys games plus exclusive content on DVD. Hundreds of colour photographs and never before published videoscapes, all culled from the archives of the creators will acquaint readers with the vast areas within the games that allow unparalleled freedom, and a unique experience every play. This enormous compendium celebrates a decade of Rockstar Games with spectacular artwork and detail drawings of stunning environments (the hoods, grand canyons, asylums), death-defying tasks (races, executions, carjacks, drug runs), colourful subjects (bullies, smugglers, prisoners, hit men), and passersby with whom your characters interact, so that even a non-player may understand how exhilarating a Rockstar Games experience can be. Characters switch perspectives and radio stations, navigate through real time day-to-night changes and weather cycles, and participate in society with total moral freedom actions that the companys founder and executive producer described as an experiment in narrative. Published to coincide with Rockstar Games tenth anniversary, every page reflects their spectacular aesthetic. It is the ultimate testament to the companys history of singular moments reinventing the boundaries of style and mischief in entertainment, and setting a new standard for what is possible in the interactive arts.

Fingers crossed on this one. The original three-volume book was canceled. Not sure if there's going to be a replacement even though the listing is still up on Amazon.

A Sketchy Past: The Art of Peter de Seve

I gathered from a reader who heard it from Peter de Seve saying there's going to be a reprint for A Sketchy Past.

And if you missed it earlier, I'm also expecting Mega Man Tribute and The Daily Zoo Year 3 in 2011.

Animals Real and Imagined: the fantasy of what is and what might be
Hardcover edition is available at:
Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

Paperback edition is available at:
Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | JP | CN)

This book is just out in December 2010 and you can get from Design Studio Press (enter ANIMALS2010 code for 35% off). It will be in stock on Amazon only in 2011.

Terryl Whitlatch is the artist who created concept art for wildlife in Star Wars.

Okami Official Complete Works will also be coming back with a reprint.