CLASSIC MONSTERS BY MODERN ARTISTS

Newly published by Insight Editions, Anthony Taylor's book, CLASSIC MONSTERS, MODERN ART is a look at 20th century horror by 21st century illustrators.

Available for purchase HERE.

Preface by David Dastmalchian. By Anthony Taylor. Art by Doug P’Gosh, Bob Eggleton, Mitch O’Connell, Gregory Manchess, Mike Hoffman et al. From Frankenstein’s monster to Count Dracula, Elvira to Godzilla, King Kong to Freddy Kruger, this is the definitive visual compendium of the greatest movie monsters, featuring exclusive artwork from more than 65 artists accompanied by a richly detailed chronicle from genre expert Anthony Taylor, who brings together the canonical and the contemporary, creating a riveting journey through the history of film’s most iconic monsters by way of modern art.

From the publisher:

What we now know as horror was born on a rainy night in 1816, when a candle-lit writing contest between famous friends spawned Frankenstein... and eventually grew into an international genre and film sensation! Classic Monsters, Modern Art documents and reimagines the trajectory of Gothic horror––from film’s silent era all the way to the turn of the millennium.

Featuring exclusive artwork from more than 45 artists and a richly detailed chronicle from genre expert Anthony Taylor, this incredible volume brings together the canonical and the contemporary to create a truly original, timeless experience: a riveting journey through the history of film’s most iconic monsters by way of modern art.

ICONIC MONSTERS: From Frankenstein’s monster to Count Dracula, Elvira to Godzilla, King Kong to Freddy Kruger, this is the definitive visual compendium of the greatest movie monsters.

45+ ARTISTS: This book breathes new life into beloved classics, featuring exclusive artwork from more than 45 contemporary illustrators, cartoonists, and painters.

TIMELESS QUALITY: This hardcover volume provides a deluxe experience, with full-color artwork of the highest caliber and a design firmly entrenched in the genre that inspired it. A gorgeous coffee-table book that will stand the test of time.

Format: Hardcover

Publication Date: 2/10/2026

ISBN: 9798886637366

Pages: 184

Trim Size: 9.25 x 11

Retail price: $39.99

About the author:

Anthony Taylor, Author: Anthony Taylor is a writer and the organizer of Monsterama, an Atlanta retro horror and science fiction convention. His articles have appeared in Famous Monsters of Filmland, Fangoria, Screem, Horror Hound, Retro Fan, SFX, Video WatcH*Dog, FilmFax and many other magazines. His books include The Future Was FAB: The Art of Mike Trim, Arctic Adventure! An Official Thunderbirds™ novel, and The Art of George Wilson. In June 2024, he was inducted into the Rondo Hattan Classic Horror Awards Monster Kid Hall of Fame.

BRUCE TIMM MONSTER GALLERY

Last week, I received my copy of FIENDISH MONSTERS: THE HORROR ART OF BRUCE TIMM from Flesk Publications. I bought the regular hardcover edition because the signed, deluxe edition was sold out (no surprise there). These types of art books have a tendency go fairly quickly, especially when they're by popular artists, so I suggest not to sit on the fence for too long. I've kicked myself for not jumping on a book I wanted and didn't decide to buy it later, and got burned. I still have bruises from the last time . . .

This edition includes an 8 x 10 B&W bonus print (I showed the color version from the book in yesterday's post) and they kindly tipped in a sticker of the Frankenstein monster by Mark Chiarello to boot.

Here's a sample of Timm's monster art (some are not in the book):

THE FIENDISH MONSTERS OF BRUCE TIMM

Those of you who visit my site, FEAR IN FOUR COLORS will know that I announced this brand new title from Flesk Publications about a week ago. Now shipping from the Santa Cruz, CA publisher is FIENDISH MONSTERS: THE HORROR ART OF BRUCE TIMM.

I don't think Mr. Timm needs any introduction; he's well known as the architect behind re-invigorating the DC animation shows of the 1990s, including what I think is one of the best animated super-hero series of the era, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES. Timm has published numerous art books and has dipped his brush in the inkpot for comics such as BATMAN: MAD LOVE, THE AVENGERS and VAMPIRELLA.

Sometimes sexy, sometimes sinister, but always spooky, Timm has elevated the art of cartoon horror to a new level. I highly recommend this beautifully done book.

From the publisher:

Fiendish Monsters: The Horror Art of Bruce Timm

Enter the dark, gleefully twisted world of B.T. in Fiendish Monsters: The Horror Art of Bruce Timm! 

This frightful collection showcases nearly forty years of the legendary artist’s favorite horror-themed artworks. Featuring more than 130 pieces, this volume opens the vault on Timm’s personal drawings and private experiments created purely for his own amusement. It also showcases rarely seen illustrations and contributions to fanzines, Little Shoppe of Horrors magazine, books, and more.

Guided by Timm’s candid commentary, readers are taken on a tour through his creative process. From rough sketches and preliminaries to fully finished ink and painted works. He reveals alternate designs never before shown, dives into his love of classic horror films and actors from his youth, and discusses how he refined certain pieces to their final, haunting arrangement.

Inside you’ll find rare spot illustrations, unpublished alternate versions, and experimental pieces, some of which pay homage to the artists who shaped his distinctive voice. Timm’s work sits in that irresistible sweet spot between realism and his iconic animated style, capturing everything from monsters to beautiful women with equal passion.

A celebration of one of his favorite genres and the sheer joy of drawing, this book invites you to step inside Bruce Timm’s shadowy playground of macabre moods, and ghastly delight.

• We have a paperback with a bonus print, a hardcover with a bonus print, and a special signed “publisher edition” that comes with a bonus print. 

• We also have signed premium 13 x19” prints.

This is the content for the hardcover edition:

-Cover price is $24.95. Direct from publisher price is $19.95

-9 x 12”

-80 pages

-Paperback

-ISBN: 978-1-64041-100-5

-A Frightful collection of B.T.’s favorite horror-themed artworks

-Over 130 images spanning nearly 40 years of art

-Commentary by Bruce Timm guides you throughout the book

-Features personal pieces, commissions, and illustrations for fanzines and magazines

-Includes sketches, preliminaries, color comps, and finished ink and color works

-You get a special price and bonus 8.5 x 11” print when ordering the paperback direct from us

Order your copy HERE.

Sample pages:

Other titles available from Flesk Publications:

OLIVIA PAINTS A MONSTER

Known around the world for her captivating glamour and fantasy paintings, Olivia De Berardinis has now turned her brush and pallet to paint two versions of Bela Lugosi's Dracula authorized by The Bela Lugosi Estate. These beautifully-rendered giclée prints are 22" H x 17" W and are finished with hand-torn deckled edges. They're due to due ship in January 2026 from MONSTERS AND MOTION and other collectible and fine art online sellers.

NOTE: A giclée print is an archival-quality image that is created by a special ink-jet printer that sprays high-quality pigmented inks on to the surface of the art (paper, canvas, etc.). The process is known for its highly-detailed image with vibrant colors and longevity (100+ years).

DRACULA: BELA LUGOSI

Ozone Productions present the Count Dracula Fine Art Print by artist Olivia De Berardinis. This ethereal Universal Monsters art print seeks to ensnare your very soul.

Decadence, death, and desire converge in a single elegant portrayal of Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. From his strong brow to his tuxedo, he exudes an ancient charm and confidence. As refined as he is horrifying, the Count raises a hand to mesmerize his victim with dark fantasies. This petrifying portrait puts the viewer in the vampire’s path. Will you succumb to temptation?

Inspired by Dracula (1931), this giclée print features hand-torn deckled edges and is offered unframed or in a custom framed presentation with a double mat design. Each Count Dracula Fine Art Print is hand-signed by Olivia herself and includes both Olivia’s embossed Seal of Authenticity and a signed Certificate of Authenticity as a part of the limited edition of 200 pieces. Certified archival materials ensure your horror artwork will retain the strength of the vampire for centuries to come. Invite the Count Dracula Fine Art Print by Olivia De Berardinis into your home tonight!

Retail price: $174.99.

DRACULA: THE KISS

Ozone Productions present the Dracula: The Kiss Fine Art Print by world-renowned pinup artist Olivia De Berardinis. This spellbinding Universal Monsters art print channels inspiration from Gustav Klimt and Art Deco aesthetics from the silver screen era.

Based on Dracula (1931), this alluring illustration depicts the titular Count alongside the object of his obsession, Mina Seward. Count Dracula, long considered the epitome of evil, holds his luminescent lover in an inescapable embrace. Blood trails down her neck to stain her white dress — a symbol of purity, defiled. Thus, with a kiss, Mina falls captive to death and desire.

Each Dracula: The Kiss Fine Art Print is hand-signed by Olivia herself and includes both Olivia’s embossed Seal of Authenticity and a signed Certificate of Authenticity as a part of the limited edition of 250 pieces. This giclée print features hand-torn deckled edges and is offered unframed or in a custom framed presentation with a double mat design. Certified archival materials ensure your horror artwork will remain eternal and everlasting. We bid you welcome ... to bring home the Dracula: The Kiss Fine Art Print by Olivia De Berardinis today.

Retail price: $199.00.

DAVE STEVENS' MONSTERS

To say that Dave Stevens was a great comic book artist is a gross understatement. Nothing can compare to his incredibly meticulous line work and brush strokes. Practically everything he produced was as perfect a job as it could possibly be. You can't say that about any other comic artist in my opinion. When I first saw his work, I said to myself (probably out loud): "Who is this guy?"

And yet he openly admitted he was "lazy". In a 1998 interview, he stated flatly:

“My status in comics? I don’t ever do anything. I’m the lazy man of comics. I’ve never had any illusions about this business being a playground for me. I’m an illustrator; I’m not a cartoon guy. My meat and potatoes are covers and poster art. I have a lot of ideas that will never get down on paper if I’m the one who has to draw them.”

Most famous for his creation of the retro action-adventure hero, The Rocketeer (later made into a film), he dazzled us with a lot of other work, too. And to top it off, he's responsible for re-invigorating the career of 50's pinup queen, Bettie Page.

One thing that I don't see that he did a lot of were monsters. In a photo, he's seen with a bust of The Creature From the Black Lagoon, but I don't recall ever coming across any illustration of the gill man done by him. We do have his cover of King Kong and Fay Wray for MONSTER COMICS (Fantagraphics, 1991) and it's a doozy.

Here are a few other covers he did with horror-esque themes (rescue me if you can think of others):

Thankfully, we've had comic artists like Jack Kirby, Wallace Wood and Steve Ditko who had long careers and gifted us with reams of their beautiful work. Not so with Dave Stevens; his death at the age of 52 in 2008 stopped short an already-illustrious career. What he left behind, though, were many masterpieces that he'll be remembered forever more by the industry and his fans.

Further reading: COMIC BOOK CREATOR #40 (TwoMorrows Publishing). Preview and order HERE.

Further viewing: DAVE STEVENS: DRAWN TO PERFECTION (watch on Amazon Prime)