published by Top Cow Productions, Inc
(2008)
ISBN: 978-1-58240-904-7
reviewed by
Cellblock (aka GySgt SJG)
07.01.09
Upon receipt of this
wonderfully designed compendium of Marc Silvestri’s
artistic ventures, I was instantly nothing short of impressed.
I remember reading comic
books in 1978 at the age of four: Captain America, Avengers, Godzilla, and Shogun Warriors. Artistic renderings back when they were cool;
printing practices created odd phenomena, and made the colors in my comic books
not-quite match up, but still the publications transfixed me.
A life-time fan, the age
of comics and graphic novels evolved in the 80s and 90s, culminated in Walt
Simon’s Thor stint as my perceived pinnacle of comic achievement. I wanted to draw, ink, anything to be in the light of such transcendent talent. My buddies were flipping out over Liefield, McFlaven, and
Larsen… Their over-the-top dynamic art
styles captured the imagination and began to bring forth life to things
unimaginable. I was impressed, but not
floored.
Enter Marc Silvestri… A newcomer, whose cover art for X-Men #251 illustrated Wolverine: set, and
crucified; drew me in immediately.
Emotion, physical torment- a seemingly impossible situation offset by
the sheer determination depicted in Silvestri’s
rendering of Wolverine’s eyes, jaw; spirit.
It was surreal, yet somehow tangible. I connected with a character in a
way I had not ever experienced before.
My reaction was immediate and powerful.
I wanted more.
I remembered a fleeting
thought, Man, I would hate to ink for
this guy. His complex figures
demanded a well versed hand to be worthy of their outlines.
Cyber-Force was to me what Thor was to
Simonson. Mouth agape, I flipped through
each comic illustrated by Silvestri in constant awe
and wonder. He was single-handedly
transforming the landscape of the genre before my eyes.
Top Cow’s Compendium of Silvestri’s work barely touches on the true genius of the
man- I do not think it is possible to compile his works without the usage of
voluminous pages, the end result comparable to the size of an unabridged,
complete dictionary that I have only seen gracing public and high school
libraries, neatly affixed to an imposing, immovable podium. In short, Top Cow does a fantastic job at
showing a sampling of Silvestri’s work, but, in
truth, it is the proverbial tip of the iceberg.
This book will most definitively develop a new fan base, all the while awing
loyal followers.
From his brilliant work
with Marvel, DC, Dynamite and Image, Top Cow takes top honors for producing a
brilliant publication that pays homage to a true artist.
A must read, a must have,
a must keep.