Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos

Like many who have reviewed this book, I grew up with Famous Monsters of Filmland, and was really looking forward to getting this book because of the fabulous artwork of Basil Gogos that I remember so well. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed - with a title like "Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos", one would expect (at least I did) that it would concentrate on his well-known covers of monster and horror magazines, specifically Famous Monsters of Filmland, for which he is best known by many. Instead, a good portion of the book is devoted to his wildlife, western, military, adventure, and whatnot work. It would have been more accurate to call it "The Art of Basil Gogos", not the "Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos". Also, many of his Famous Monsters of Filmland cover art paintings are cropped - not a whole lot usually, but when compared with the actual magazine covers it's obvious (again, to me at least) that they have been cropped, and I just cannot understand why they would do this. And lastly, a good number of the covers are small, some very small, and are reproductions of the actual FMOF covers, not his actual paintings used to create those covers. Don't get me wrong, I'm still glad I got the book, the quality of the reproductions are great, and it's better than not having a book of his art. But they could have, and should have, done a much better job.

I was always a fan of Famous Monsters. This artist just made it awesome.

Even without text, this book would've earned 4 stars, just for the impressiveness of Gogos' work. Within this book are large, crystal-clear repros of his most famous monster cover paintings, as well as samples of his illustration work.The only setback for this book is its lack of depth in the text. It seems that whoever was sent to interview Basil didn't ask too many questions, didn't want to really know too much about him except for his general acheivements, and didn't ask him for a demonstration of how he works. Among all of the great pics, some candid ones of the artist would've been nice, most notably a pic of his studio.Still, the images are so rich in color and character. Worth it!

I guess it's a pretty cool name, because it has a good spice and a freakin' awesome dance as it's 2 parts! Sweet book. I gave it to my neighbor and she cried. She's very emotional about stuff. You probably won't cry if you get this book, but hey, you never know. Get the book, and then cry about it if you want. We're not judging.

This book, which reviews the long and complex work of one of the horror scene's greatests painters, is a true eye candy. Down to the last detail, Gogos's work allows us to take a glimps into the mind of a true genious.This book is a celebration to all of those who admire fine art and to all of those who love the fantastic world of horror movies.Truely a great book.

I grew up reading Famous Monsters and remember some of these covers. Read this book in one sitting, if you love the classic universal monsters you will love this book. Brought back great memories of sneaking. My magazines in to grade school to read with my friends. The art work in this book is great.

Super awesome pictures and very fast the shipment

Gift for a nephew who will be thrilled!

If your of a certain age, these pictures will take you back to your youth, when all those Monster mags were displayed on the backs of the bookstalls, there`s all that plus more from the underrated painter of dark dreams.

Great art can sometimes flow from the humblest of springs. Basil Gogos might have been a hack illustrator whose work frequently accompanied dreadful prose in lamentable magazines but he did what he did so well that his work is instantly familiar, even to those who don't know his name. Never mind the cowboy stories and sailors getting friendly with the natives on the high seas, it was Famous Monsters of Filmland, that wonderfully evocative magazine started by Forrest J Ackerman, that put Gogos on the map and his superb portraits of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee et al are all here.Magnificent!

Book arrived quickly, seller was really accommodating by giving me tracking info and I'm very pleased with my purchase, Thanks!

Great to see his artwork in the Book, also have A puzzle of one of his works "The Creature from the Black Lagoon"

Wonderful book filled with classic monster art from the best (Now sadly gone!) Basil Gogos! Full colour and B&W!! So much to look at! Wish I’d bought two!