Update- April 2011: I've just received an email from Amazon informing me that this book is no longer available! I'm not sure if this means that the publishers have decided not to print it, or just that it will not be available from Amazon. I will leave the post up for now until I know more. (The link to Amazon below no longer works).I was very pleased to see on the Amazon website that 'Classic Bible Stories, volume 2' is soon to be released. Amazon has the artists listed as Frank Hampson and Norman Williams, but a quick search on Google images revealed that the cover image is one of Frank Bellamy's illustrations, not one of Frank Hampson's. Initially I was disappointed as I was looking forward to seeing some new Frank Hampson Bible art - but then I remembered how a number of people on this blog have raved about how good Bellamy's 'David the Shepherd King' was, so I've pre-ordered a copy.
I know that I've complained about the print quality of Classic Bible Stories volume 1, (and I'm not sure if volume 2 will be any better), but this is one that I haven't seen before so it'll be worth having anyway! I'm not familiar with Norman Williams art but I'll leave an update on this post when I get to see it. Presumably Williams is the illustrator of 'Paul, The Great Adventurer' although the information given on Amazon is sometimes misleading-!!
Top marks to Titan books for reprinting all this great Bible art from the Eagle comic! Can we expect a volume 3?
I was just checking the comments that came in on the 'Classic Bible Stories volume 1' post, and I came across one that I had left which said "I'm hoping that a publisher might consider re-printing the other Eagle biblical strip 'David :The Shepherd King' by Frank Bellamy, in a similar format to this book".
Again, well done Titan!
7 comments:
Graham, if you've never seen any Bellamy on David you will be shocked by how colourful the pieces are. Have a look at the following link for an example:
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=32472&GSub=4291
The image isn't too clear but gives you an idea
Many thanks for that Norman - I'm really looking forward to volume 2 now! His style is not unlike Frank Hampsons with the dramatic lighting and use of solid blacks - wonderful!
I've always found Bellamy's work more dynamic than Hampson. You can imagine how exciting this open frame styling was at the time. In an era of comic strips in boxes Bellamy, along with Hampson, opened up an entirely new approach to comic book art.
Even though the images at comicartfans is a little fuzzy, the contrasts and lighting is evident. He has a powerful style. Thanks for the post and thanks Norman for the link. Graham, I hope and pray that you are fully recovered from your illness. God bless.
Paul:
Thanks for that Paul, I hadn't really noticed the dynamic frames until you mentioned them - that really was way ahead of it's time. Unfortunately I've just received an email from Amazon informing me that this book is no longer available! I'm not sure if this means that the publishers have decided not to print it, or just that it will not be available from Amazon. I'll let you know when I know more.
Jack:
Thanks for your good wishes Jack! I've just been diagnosed with a chronic chest condition (Bronchiectasis). Don't know too much about it other than I have to stay on antibiotics now!
Take care with your health Graham.
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