LAIKA, the studio behind the hit films Coraline and ParaNorman, introduces audiences to a new breed of family: the Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs in the amazing cavernous home they've built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town's villain, Archibald Snatcher, comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnie to devise a daring plan to save Eggs' family. The Art of The Boxtrolls features the amazingly detailed artwork that went into this film's creation, including character sketches, puppets, textiles, set dressing, and 3-D printed facial models, alongside the story of the film's development.
The Art of Missing Link is a lushly illustrated volume that goes behind the scenes of LAIKA’s new stop-motion adventure. The charismatic Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman) considers himself to be the world’s foremost investigator of myths and monsters. The trouble is none of his small-minded high-society peers seems to recognize this. Sir Lionel’s last chance for acceptance by the adventuring elite rests on traveling to America’s Pacific Northwest to prove the existence of a legendary creature. A living remnant of Man’s primitive ancestry. The Missing Link. Zach Galifianakis voices Mr. Link: the surprisingly smart, funny and soulful beast upon whom Sir Lionel’s dreams depend. As species go, he’s as endangered as they get; he’s the last of his kind, and he’s lonely. Proposing a daring quest to seek out his rumored distant relatives, he enlists Sir Lionel’s help in an odyssey around the world to find the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Together with Adelina Fortnight (voiced by Zoe Saldana), an independent and resourceful adventurer who possesses the only known map to the group’s secret destination, the unlikely trio embarks on a riotous rollercoaster of a ride. Along the way, our fearless explorers encounter more than their fair share of peril, stalked at every turn by dastardly villains seeking to thwart their mission. Through it all, Mr. Link’s disarming charm and good-humored conviction provide the emotional and comedic foundation of this fun-filled family film. From LAIKA, the animation studio behind the Academy Award–nominated Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link is a stunning stop-motion epic and raucous comedy. Featuring concept art from the film’s creation—including sketches, storyboards, character designs, and much more—and illuminated by in-depth interviews with the film’s creative team, The Art of Missing Link is a must-have companion to the film.
For fans of the Chronicles of Narnia comes the first book in the Wildwood Chronicles, the New York Times bestselling fantasy adventure series by Colin Meloy, lead singer of the Decemberists, and Carson Ellis, acclaimed illustrator of The Mysterious Benedict Society. Wildwood captivates readers with the wonder and thrill of a secret world within the landscape of a modern city. It feels at once firmly steeped in the classics of children's literature and completely fresh. The story is told from multiple points of view, and the book features more than eighty illustrations, including six full-color plates, making this an absolutely gorgeous object. In Wildwood, Prue and her friend Curtis uncover a secret world in the midst of violent upheaval—a world full of warring creatures, peaceable mystics, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. And what begins as a rescue mission becomes something much greater as the two friends find themselves entwined in a struggle for the very freedom of this wilderness. A wilderness the locals call Wildwood. The bestselling trilogy from Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis consists of Wildwood, Under Wildwood, and Wildwood Imperium.
The Japanese artist Yoshio Markino enjoyed a successful career in early twentieth century London as an artist and author. This book examines his uniquely Asian perspective on British society and culture at a time when Japan eagerly sought engagement with the West.
A vibrant, oversized hardcover showcasing the concept and production art from the beautiful Netflix series by visionary animator and filmmaker, Jorge R. Gutierrez. Meet Maya, the eagle-warrior princess and all the dazzling characters that breathe life into lush and detailed landscapes magically inspired by Mesoamerican, Incan, and Caribbean cultures. Behold the original vision for the series taken from early sketches to final animated wonders, with detailed storyboards, color scripts, and in-depth, bilingual (English and Spanish) commentary. Welcome to the vivid world of Maya and the Three! Bilingual Captions in English and Spanish.
Walk among the mysterious streets of Denska and collect the real pages of artwork behind PixelOpus' endearing video game Concrete Genie! This art book studies the power of self-expression, creativity and the game's core fantasy of making anyone believe they can be an artist - just like the talented protagonist of the game, Ash. Return to the characters, monsters, and lore of Denska to uncover the secrets behind PixelOpus' 'living paint' mechanics that allow the walls of Denska to come to life with player creations. Witness a special, behind-the-scenes look at the development of Concrete Genie from the small and passionate team that brought it to life. From the developers of a truly empowering journey about oppression and creativity, Dark Horse Books and PixelOpus are delighted to present The Art of Concrete Genie! This art book collects heart-warming, magnificent illustrations for fans of Ash and his wildly varied 'living paint' creations within Concrete Genie.
The history of animated cartoons has for decades been dominated by the accomplishments of Walt Disney, giving the impression that he invented the medium. In reality, it was the work of several pioneers. Max Fleischer--inventor of the Rotoscope technique of tracing animation frame by frame over live-action footage--was one of the most prominent. By the 1930s, Fleischer and Disney were the leading producers of animated films but took opposite approaches. Where Disney reflected a Midwestern sentimentality, Fleischer presented a sophisticated urban attitude with elements of German Expressionism and organic progression. In contrast to Disney's naturalistic animation, Fleischer's violated physical laws, supporting his maxim: "If it can be done in real life, it isn't animation." As a result, Fleischer's cartoons were rough rather than refined, commercial rather than consciously artistic--yet attained a distinctive artistry through Fleischer's innovations. This book covers his life and work and the history of the studio that bore his name, with previously unpublished artwork and photographs.