Dressing Marilyn: How a Hollywood Icon Was Styled by William Travilla Book Review

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Dressing Marilyn: How a Hollywood Icon Was Styled by William Travilla Book Review

About the Book: William Travilla is one of the best costume designers of all time and Marilyn Monroe his most famous client. Dressing Marilyn: How a Hollywood Icon Was Styled by William Travilla focuses on the striking dresses that Travilla designed for Marilyn, from his early work on the thriller Don't Bother to Knock and the gorgeous pink dress in which Marilyn sang "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" to the legendary white dress from The Seven Year Itch, which arguably contributed to the collapse of Marilyn's marriage to Joe DiMaggio. Featuring Travilla's original sketches, rare costume test shots, dress patterns, photographs of Marilyn wearing the dresses, plus exclusive and never-before-seen extracts from interviews with Travilla, this book offers a fresh insight into the golden age of Hollywood.
Our Take: Marilyn Monroe was one of the most glamorous and iconic actresses of the 20th century...no, in fact she was THE most.  Her still mysterious death still enthralls fans today and her legendary icon status can be seen all around through her film work and the tons of merchandise that still invades our culture.  This book is a look into her primary costume designer, William Travilla, and his work on most of her most famous films.  The hardcover coffee table book showcases tons of original artwork and drawings by Travilla, test shots of Marilyn in the various costumes and more.  This one is a great buy for any Marilyn fan!
How to Buy: Amazon.com

Prometheus: The Art of the Film Book Review

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Prometheus: The Art of the Film Book Review

 

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Our Take: Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The movie takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life's ultimate mystery.

With an introduction by Scott himself, this lavish book will be the only publication to accompany Prometheus. Stunning production art and behind the scenes photos will grant the reader a window on the process of creating this astounding new epic.

Our Take: We love the Alien franchise here at the Legion.   Hell, we even love Alien: Resurrection, lol.  Ridley Scott has re-visited the franchise that he began with a prequel of sorts to Alien that explores who the infamous "space jockey" was.  This hardcover art book is a fantastic collectible from the film that provides insights (and spoilers!) into the film's sets, gadgets and various creatures.  You get everything from early artwork to storyboards.   This one is a must for any serious Alien fan.  Prometheus was a phenominal film and this book is a great companion piece.
How to Buy: Amazon.com

Product Spotlight: Dark Knight Rises "I Am Bane" Book

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The Dark Knight Rises: I Am Bane

About the Book: Bane is a super-villain with a bad attitude. When he decides to take over the Gotham City Stock Exchange, the city's in big trouble! Can Batman get there in time to save the day?

Our Take: This new Dark Knight Rises book is done in the softback storybook format.  The interior provides us with a great Bane story from the film and very clean and action-packed digital art.  This is a great addition to any fan collection or great to include any kid in the last film in the Nolan trilogy!

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You can buy this book online at Amazon.com

Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman Book Review

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Product Spotlight: Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman Book

About the Book: Every Batman story is marked with the words “Batman created by Bob Kane.” But that isn’t the whole truth. A struggling writer named Bill Finger was involved from the beginning. Bill helped invent Batman, from concept to costume to character. He dreamed up Batman’s haunting origins and his colorful nemeses. He named Gotham. Despite his brilliance, Bill worked in obscurity, his name never appearing on a Batman comic. It was only after his death that fans went to bat for Bill, calling for DC to acknowledge him as co-creator of Batman. Their fight for justice continues to this day.

Our Take: Author and superhero blogger Marc Tyler Nobleman has undertaken a cause that we at Legions of Gotham, and hardcore fans all over the world, feel is just and true...the fact that Bob Kane did not create Batman alone.  In fact, most of what we know and love about Batman is thanks to a fantastic writer named Bill Finger.  This hardcover storybook style book is a fun illustrated way to learn all about Bill and his contributions to the character.  I imagine that they chose this format for a few reasons.  Firstly, there isn't enough content in this story to justify a large book to begin with and honestly this makes the book a lot more fun to read, almost like a comic book itself, which given the subject matter just  makes a whole lotta sense.  Don't be fooled, this one isn't just for kids, adults will get tons out of it too.  This one is a must have for any Batman fan.

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You can purchase this book online at Amazon.com

Product Spotlight: Batmobile: The Complete History Book

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Product Spotlight: Batmobile: The Complete History Book

About the Book: Here for the first time is the complete history of the sleek, sophisticated, incomparable Batmobile. From its humble beginnings in the pages of Detective Comics, to its reimaginings every decade in the pages of DC Comics, to its unforgettable appearances on the big screen, this book explores each incarnation of the Batmobile in incredible detail and scope.

In addition to comic books, the Batmobile has been immortalized in nearly every imaginable medium, including film, television, toys, and video games. Most recently, it was given breathtaking new life—and incredible capabilities—in Christopher Nolan’s extraordinary film trilogy, which concludes with 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. While each of the Batmobile’s incarnations will be explored, special attention will be paid to the "Tumbler" Batmobile from Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises.

With stunning gatefolds and detailed specs, blueprints, and historical comparisons, BATMOBILE: The Complete History is an informational and visual delight for auto and Batman fans alike. It’s an unparalleled and high-speed journey that will leave you breathless.

Our Take: We love new Batman books here at the Legion.   This new hardcover book on the history of the batmobile, by Insight Editions, is an absolute masterpiece.  The book begins with a look at the early batman comic book batmobiles and continues through the 1966 Barris TV Batmobile, the 89 Burton era...all the way to the present day Tumbler!  A few highlights of this book are the fantastic full color fold outs (see below) and the extensive amount of information and development artwork that are included.  If I had one criticism it would be that they completely skip over the various animated incarnations of the Batmobile, which are just as iconic and important to many fans as the the movie versions.  Overall, this is a great read and a must for any Batman fan.

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You can purchase this book online at Amazon.com 

Links:

http://facebook.com/BatmobileCompleteHistory

http://twitter.com/BatmobileCH

Product Spotlight: Dark Knight Rises "Batman vs. Catwoman" Book

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The Dark Knight Rises: Batman versus Catwoman

About the Book: There's a ferocious feline in town, and she's out to steal from Gotham's wealthy citizens. Unfortunately, Catwoman makes a mistake when she visits venerable citizen Bruce Wayne and takes Bruce's prized family heirloom. She thinks she made a clean escape . . . but she doesn't know who she toyed with!

Our Take: Batman vs. Catwoman is a storybook style softcover book that tells the movie-tied tale of Catwoman and Selina Kyle and her interaction with Batman/ Bruce Wayne.  This one has limited spoilers and is a fantastic tie-in with the new film.   Andy Smith provides great interior art and the digital coloring really makes it pop!  This one is a fun gift for any young batman fan or a fun addition to any adult collection.

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You can buy this online at Amazon.com

Star Wars: Beware The Sith Book Review

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Star Wars: Beware The Sith Book Review

About the Book:  Who is threatening the Galaxy? What is the power of the Force? Could YOU defeat the dark side?

Discover the secrets of the dark side and meet the most fearsome and powerful Sith Lords of the Star Wars universe! Part of the exciting new series for young readers, Star Wars: Beware the Sith takes a new look at the missions, plots, duels, and adventures of your favorite Star Wars villains like Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Count Dooku, and Emperor Palpatine. Learn how the Sith appear after 1,000 years of exile to fight the Jedi in order to gain power at any cost!

Dynamic images and interactive content present information thematically, bringing the galaxy alive and keeping young readers engaged for hours!

Our Take: Beware the Sith is a fantastic new book selection from DK Kids.  This hardcover book is full of dynamic color photos and great layouts that will definately keep kids interested.  My nine year old went CRAZY for it!  He also learned a ton about his favorite Star Wars characters.   This one delves into the various characters on the dark side.  The book provides stats, the changes in characters, the lightsabers, the battles...the storylines...this one is a must-have for any young fan!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Aliens - Colonial Marines Technical Manual Book Review

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Aliens - Colonial Marines Technical Manual Book Review

About the Book: The United States Colonial Marines. Ultimate troubleshooters equipped with state-of-the-art firepower, capable of power projection across the vast expanse of deep space. They can sharpshoot a man at a thousand meters or obliterate an entire world from the safety of orbit. They reckon they are unbeatable.

But on a dirtball colony planet known only as LV-426 the unthinkable happens.

The Marines lose.

The Aliens - Colonial Marines Technical Manual is your official guide to the equipment and organisation of the United States Colonial Marine Corps. Packed with diagrams, technical schematics and plans, the manual takes a detailed look at the guns, vehicles and ships of the USCMC, and the men and women who use them.

A must-have book for any Aliens fan, the Aliens - Colonial Marines Technical Manual examines the technology of the movie's futuristic nightmare in every detail.

Our Take: The Aliens franchise is one of the best sci-fi tales of all time!  Geiger's wicked alien is an iconic symbol of terror worldwide.   Ever since the original Ridley Scott epic and the James Cameron action follow-up this franchise has had a cult following including comic books, toys, books and more!  This new manual is a fantastic softcover fantasy book that delves deeply into the manuals, uniforms, procedures and weapons used by the space marines!  The book is very detailed with blueprints and even color photos of uniforms.  Any Aliens fanatic will be thrilled with this one!

How to Buy: Amazon.com