King Kong

King Kong of Skull Island (Books) #1

by Joe DeVito, Brad Strickland

Since its release in 1933, Merian C. Cooper's film King Kong has shocked and delighted generations of movie fans, setting the standard against which all such movies have been judged ever since. In December, 2005, Peter Jackson - whose films of the Lord of the Rings won critical acclaim and set box office records around the world - will release his version of this classic film, bringing King Kong back to the forefront of the popular imagination.
Fully authorized by the estate of Merian C. Cooper, Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland's novel is a full rewrite of the original 1932 novel, bringing Cooper's original vision of King Kong back to readers and fans alike. Set in the early 1930's, it is a classic story of exploration and adventure, at the center of which is the "eighth wonder of the world" himself - Kong.

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Dinosaurs, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Fiction

203 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2005

About the author

Joe DeVito is an award-winning artist, sculptor, and author whose work spans pop culture, imaginative world-building, and the fine arts. His acclaimed illustrated novels - KONG: King of Skull Island, Merian C. Cooper’s King Kong, and King Kong of Skull Island: Exodus and The Wall - form the definitive expansion of the Kong mythology and have inspired comics, games, and upcoming screen adaptations with partners such as Disney+, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Raw Thrills and The Sandbox.

To learn more about Joe's work visit:

Instagram: @kingkongofskullisland; @joedevitoart

X: @KingKongofSI

Reviews

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ουσιαστικά έχουμε να κάνουμε με το novelization τόσο της ομότιτλης ταινίας του 1933 σε σκηνοθεσία Merian C. Cooper και Ernest B. Schoedsack, όσο και αυτής του 2005 σε σκηνοθεσία Peter Jackson. Με λίγα λόγια ήξερα τι να περιμένω πάνω-κάτω από άποψη πλοκής, αφού έχω δει την δεύτερη ταινία. ΟΚ, μπορεί να ήμουν κάπως μικρός όταν την είδα για πρώτη και μοναδική φορά μέχρι στιγμής, θυμόμουν όμως αρκετές λεπτομέρειες. Τώρα που το σκέφτομαι, λέω να την ξαναδώ. Λοιπόν, το βιβλίο είναι αρκετά ικανοποιητικό για όσους θέλουν να δουν και σε γραπτή μορφή την συγκεκριμένη ιστορία. Μην περιμένετε βάθος σε χαρακτήρες και άλλα τέτοια πράγματα, όμως η ατμόσφαιρα είναι σούπερ, η δράση μπόλικη και οι περιγραφές ωραίες, οπότε σίγουρα η ώρα θα περάσει ευχάριστα. Τέτοιου είδους ιστορίες -περιπέτειες σε εξωτικά μέρη, κάμποσες δεκαετίες πίσω- πάντα μου άρεσαν και θα συνεχίσουν να μου αρέσουν, έτσι δεν υπήρχε περίπτωση να μην περάσω καλά διαβάζοντας το βιβλίο αυτό. Τώρα θα (ξανά) δω την ταινία του 2005 και λέω να ψάξω και αυτήν του 1933.

[Karlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the adaptations of a novelization of an original screenplay that I've read, this is the best.

[Michael Fierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great adaptation of the original King Kong story! This one was re-written by Brad Strickland with a few illustrations by Joe Devito, to gear up the King Kong fans before they released their sequel / prequel, "Kong: King Of Skull Island" and awaken interest in our favorite giant ape right before the release of Peter Jackson's King Kong would hit the theaters. It's a good version and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There wasn't much new here or added, but the few expanded ideas and extended creature incidents helped make it more interesting as a whole. The illustrations by Joe Devito are incredible and it would've been great if the movie had've been more of a succes, because, who knows what might've happened? Like this one and thier more illustrative follow-up, they were both commissioned by the Cooper Estate, and they may very well have been asked to continue the Legend further. I hope we'll see more Kong by this duo someday, somehow!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting look into a cool piece of history if a bit overdramatic at times.

[Bevan Boychuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audio book was fantastic! Lots of action sequences and good characters

[Gülay Akbal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Efsane olmuş bir kitap ve beraberinde efsane olmuş filmler. Kong aslında kötü değil. İnsan gözünden bakılınca olaylar bu şekilde anlaşılıyor. Peki Kong tarafından baksak olaya. Sanırım olayları çok farklı göreceğiz. Ama ne olursa olsun asla eskimeyecek bir kitap.

[CJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vivid adventure of love and awe

[Justin Hosten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The voice acting cast did a great job of bringing the story to life. The story was enjoyable throughout and contained many exciting scenes with a good pace.

[Mark Stratton · Rating 2 out of 5]

An already overwrought bit of prose did not need the melodrama added by scene and chapter endings. Also, the voice actors were all guilty of over-acting their parts.