The Art Of Thor The Movie by Matthew K. Manning (book review).
I did actually get this book last year but fitting it into my review schedule was more problematic than I thought it would be. It goes without saying that ‘The Art Of Thor The Movie’ is both a history of the Marvel Comics character and that of the film. The emphasis here has been more with Thor and there’s an odd absence of showing the comicbook counterparts of his supporting cast.
Much of this book is devoted to showing pre-production designs and paintings that were used in preparation for the film. Even in the comics, Thor has always been somewhat bigger than life and the film had to deal not only with that but present it to the cinema public. Of all of these books that I’ve read so far, this one has probably been more intensive than usual. Considering that Asgard and Jotunheim are very much panoramic landscapes, it’s hardly surprising that so much space had to be devoted to showing the detail that they had to offer. Interestingly, the same attention had to be made to the town of Puente Antiguo by converting an already existing set and being aware that it had to look like the real thing.
Considering the interest that is made in these books, I’m surprised that there hasn’t been any softcover versions available for the general audience. Restricting them to solely expensive hardbacks limits the audience and probably deprives the younger generation from building up an interest in film design.
Looking at the preparation for the ‘Thor’ film will make you appreciate how much work goes on behind the scenes before the final designs are decided. I do wonder if the designers must despair as to how many of their good ideas are left on the shelf but at least this way, you do get to see the work. If you ever see this as a career direction, you really must enjoy drawing and painting and just continually coming up with more and more ideas, which requires a special kind of talent. Read and learn.
GF Willmetts
(pub: Marvel. 240 page large horizontal hardback and case. Price: about £30.00 (UK) if you know where to look. ISBN: 978-0-785-5130-2)
check out website: www.marvel.com
