Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse: The Art Of The Movie by Ramin Zahed (book review)
The film of ‘Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse’ is set 2 years after the first, ‘Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse’ and so all the characters have grown up a little and had some slight costume changes. So, although its less like reinventing the wheel, all the alternatives are tried out before settling on what is used. What you learn about the designers who do the art before the animation is nothing is too precious as they look for the right combination to please their directors. Interestingly, comicbook artist Brian Stelfreeze and Rick Leonardi have also contributed here as well.
pages 94-95 art by Brian Stelfreeze
© Abrams & Marvel 2023
Seeing the various Spider characters used in this story is scaringly put into perspective when there are over 100 more as background characters not featured. I do wish all the super-villains shown were identified. Some are variations of those I’m familiar with but there were several I was clueless over.
page 96 art by Brian Stelfreeze and Kellan Jett
page 97 art by Dean Gordon
© Abrams & Marvel 2023
A lot of attention is given to selective realities that are used in the film and you do have to wonder whether there is some relief that they didn’t have to create over 100 different reality variations.
Picking out interesting art is going to be tough. I like the look of Peter Parker’s daughter, Mayday. For a scene perspective, Spider-Gwen and Miles Morales watching a sunset upside down.
page 116 art by Ami Thompson
page 117 art by Patrick O’Keefe
© Abrams & Marvel 2023
Always remember, these books are all about the ideas and designs that contribute to the film not giving plot details. Interestingly, there is some information here but the key selling point is the art.
GF Willmetts
June 2023
(pub: Abrams, 2023. 224 page illustrated oblong hardback. Price: £30.00 (UK), $40.00 (US), $50.00 (CAN). ISBN: 978-1-41976-399-1)
check out website: www.abramsbooks.com
