Although Mike Deodato has a career in comics spanning more than 2 decades, the majority of work featured here are from 2002 to 2010.
The first chapter is dedicated to a selection of covers from that time. There are works from, just to name a few, Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Avengers, She-Hulk, Tigra, Punisher, Wolverine, X-Men, etc.
The later chapters are each dedicated to bigger titles, namely Thor, Elektra, Hulk, Spider-man, Thunderbolts, Avengers, X-Men, and a chapter collecting some other titles.
The art is fantastic of course, characterised by what the editors would say, "Tight pencils". The covers are nicely printed large, with the white space occasionally filled by the inked versions or pencils. You'll see quite a lot of pieces beautifully coloured by Rain Beredo. This is a best-of-the-best collection after all, so some covers have to be left out. There are a couple of pages on interior panel art.
I like the play on title logos when he's given the freedom to do so, especially those from the She-Hulk series. A nice one is of a villain holding a big slate of concrete HULK logo aiming at She-hulk. I also like the Spider-man and X-men art.
The text comes in the form of first person commentary and also quotes from other artists. There's quite a bit on his background. If you're wondering what's deal with him and Deodato studios, it's all in the interview as well. It's interesting to find out that he's into martial arts as a sport.
Splendid art book.
(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my profile for the link.)
I like Mike Deodato's artworks. His style has evolved signficantly over the course of 20-something years of his career. Walking the fine line between realism and exagerrated proportions, many of his works feature prominently on the covers of many Marvel titles in recent years, notably the Dark Avengers and New Avengers. This book features quite a highlight of his best works. But since many of Deodato's works are on display in his deviantart pages, the number and varieties included in this book fall pale to the online gallery, and it's free for viewing. I went looking for that cover where Hulk stands victory over an unconscious Wolverine but it is not in the book. You might want to skim first before buying.
The book is a good article on the artistic life of Mike Deodato Jr.
Viewed from the standpoint of the manufacture is fine. It is solid and well presented. The book is good quality made, hardback, cover, good paper and good print. In summary, the quality is very high.
Speaking of the quality of its content, Mike Deodato is an artist with many fans but also many detractors. His style is complex and this book shows how it has evolved.
Works almost entirely with shadows, fleeing the clean line, and his evolution has made to increase the realism of his drawings and black style. He creates a good atmosphere in the comic panels or illustrations, and is seen as constructed through the sketches showing the book.
The book has some articles in which is displayed as he works from the first sketch, the first idea, to the development of pen and ink to finish the work. Mike Deodato Jr. has an extensive work, so if you want to enjoy the book will need a good day or a couple of days alone to consider all the illustrations.
I wish you to enjoy it.
Deodato is incredible. I would of liked to see more Sketch art in the book, as I am struggling to get better at Drawing. But the book is, what it is... An Incredible collection from one of the top five comic book artists of all time ( IMO).
fantastic art all the way around.
Love Mike's artwork. Great visuals in this book.
Very talented artist with good presentation but personally I wish the was more sketches and unpublished artwork. basically its covers and pages of an actual comic book, and it's uncolored version.
Must buy for comic art fans or even regular art fans. The detail and especially the shading of each picture by Deodato is one of a kind. Truly one of the best artist of my generation.
