Spectrum 1: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art

Spectrum #1

by Arnie Fenner, Lee Stuart (Introduction), Cathy Fenner (Editor)

This lavishly illustrated book features the work of today's best-selling creators of fantasy and science fiction art. From the popular and well-regarded Spectrum annuals, over 100 artists are represented, chosen from a jury of award-winning professionals. The introduction is written by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Lee Stuart, and some of the artists included are Michael Whelan, James Gurney, Don Maitz, Thomas Blackshear, and Frank Miller.

Genres: Art, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Reference, Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Amit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is first time for me to be introduced by this lavishly illustrated book Spectrum series. The artwork from it in a simple word beautiful. I am looking forward to read more from this book series...

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love fantasy and SiFi art of any type; paintings, drawings, sculpture, cartoons then this is the book for you. Fantastic selection of the years art. You can't help but find something you like inside. Highly recommended

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just beautiful. A slice of time-- some of the pieces look rather dated-- but even when that's happening they're amazing.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

i remember first coming across the Spectrum art books in my twenties, when i would buy books simply for their dust jackets and hope the story inside wasn't too awful... the art in these books is amazing, creative, imaginary, dreamlike, fascinating, and ultimately full of life and the love of wonder and wondrous things... i would own them all if i could... extremely highly recommended...

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the artwork. I dislike the failure to label the pieces. The name of the book or project for which the art was created would be the second most important piece of information the editor can provide, but they chose not to do so. Inexplicable.

[Leelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first and best of this SciFi and Fantast art collection series. Every year Spectrum collects the best art since the last book and puts it all together for those of us too poor to buy the art for ourselve. You will find almost anything hee, paintings, sketches, sculptures, digital and CG art, comic book illustrations and cartoons --- everything but performance art! (Though who knows? They may be working on that.)

I haven't missed buying these books every fall since I first ran into #4. Thankfully they republished #1, #2 and #3 finally. They are up to #14 now. #15 comes out at the end of November 2008.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathtakingly gorgeous book filled with angels and demons, robots and dragons.

My favorite works are Real Musgrave:



and Scott Gustafson:

[Virdilak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spectrum series are entirely amazing. If you have any interest whatsoever in fantasy or sci-fi art, you do yourself a great disservice by not owning every one of these.

[Jer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would make a great coffee table book... assuming you don't mind risking having coffee spilt on it.

[Carly Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic compilation of fantasy art. Comes out yearly (every Novemeber). Awesome series!!!!