Mondo's "Planet of the Apes" Movie Poster Series

The five prints included in this post have already gone on sale as a set, and IMMEDIATELY sold out, but since there'll be a few more copies of each poster sold separately later today (minus Edmiston's "Go Ape"), I wanted to write a brief review for each print available. It's what I do. Let me start this entry off by saying I honestly think every single piece of artwork here is insanely impressive - there's not a dud in the set. And there's no denying that Mondo, and all of the artists involved, really brought their A-game to this anthropoid abundant series. Now on with the show!

Planet of the Apes Movie Poster
Martin Ansin
24" x 36" - Numbered
$230 (Entire Set) - Limited to 415

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, but I really, really like Martin Ansin's Planets of the Apes poster. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's my favorite in the collection. I saw this design printed on wood at SDCC last year and was very close to pulling the trigger, but thankfully my fiscally responsible doppelgänger got the better of me. As usual, Ansin's eye for composition and his ability to create some truly jaw-dropping photorealistic primates is on full display here. I'm not sure if this is at all intentional, but it looks like all the characters included in this poster come together to form a vague skull-like shape. Color me intrigued. Bottom line: it's another stunner from Martin Ansin and almost assuredly going to make it into my top 10 of 2012. To learn more about the artist, be sure to visit martinansin.com and follow him on Twitter @martinansin.

Beneath the Planet of the Apes Movie Poster
Ken Taylor
24" x 36" - Numbered
$230 (Entire Set) - Limited to 395

I feel like Ken Taylor's posters always have a somewhat reverential quality to them. I don't mean that in a bad way, that's actually one of the things I really like about his work. Ken's monolithic arrangements remind me of a shrine or altar in their construction, which is absolutely perfect given the Planet of the Apes film he's covering (please note the nuclear bomb being worshipped in the poster's center). Also, I love the color scheme! It just exudes dark, dingy, dankness! If you'd like to find out more about artist Ken Taylor, head over to kentaylor.com.au.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes Movie Poster
Rich Kelly
24" x 36" - Numbered
$230 (Entire Set) - Limited to 320

I'm a huge fan of Rich Kelly's work, and I think this may be his strongest piece yet. Rich's pencil-sketch style only emboldens his slightly askew interpretation of the characters and their proportions, lending the artwork a smile-inducing and slyly surreal appearance. Out of all of the posters in the series, I think this is easily the most pleasant surprise in the pack. And if what I've been reading is true, I'm not the only one who feels this way. To learn more about artist Rich Kelly, be sure to visit rfkelly.com, his storefront and follow him @TheRichKelly.

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Movie Poster
Phantom City Creative
24" x 36" - Numbered
$230 (Entire Set) - Limited to 370

The Planet of the Apes poster series from Mondo, is pretty much a who's who of incredibly talented artists that I'm completely obsessed about. As proof of that, I'd kindly like to direct your attention to Phantom City Creative's Conquest poster above. Phantom City has put together a wonderful looking design that evokes the propaganda of yesteryear. Seriously, if you put a Che beret on Caeser, I could picture this being plastered on city walls and used as a rallying cry for the enslaved apes. Here's one for the little guy ape! For more info on Phantom City Creative, be sure to visit phantomcitycreative.com, their store, and follow them on Twitter @PhantomCityCrtv.

Battle for the Planet of the Apes Movie Poster
Florian Bertmer
24" x 36" - Numbered
$230 (Entire Set) - Limited to 345

I think out of all of the prints mentioned here, Florian's poster is the one that most needs to be seen in person to be appreciated. Returning to my ecclesiastical comparisons, if Ken Taylor's artwork is similar to a shrine or altar, than Bertmer's work brings to mind a medieval stained-glass window belonging to a creepy church that may or may not have dabbled in ritual human sacrifice during the early 1350s. It's just pure evil. The man is also known for his crazily ornate borders, so I can't even imagine what this will look like in-hand. Spoiler: it's going to look great! To learn more about Florian Bertmer, checkout his website at florianbertmer.blogspot.com and the Moon Editions store.

All of these posters, except for Jason Edmiston's "Go Ape" print which, due to time constraints, I didn't have time to write about, will be individually available for purchase through Mondo later this morning (1/27) at a random time. Be sure to follow @MondoNews for all the drop details. Good luck! Now get off my lawn, you damned dirty apes!

Best Twenty Posters of 2011

Wow. This was a really, really, REALLY difficult post for me to compile, and there's a pretty good chance that if you asked me what my favorite posters from 2011 were a week from now, you might get something slightly different. With that said, I think I've created a pretty kickass list and, believe it or not, they're not all Mondo releases! When putting this together, the only restriction I imposed on myself was that all eligible artwork had to actually be purchasable at some point last year. Now onto the good stuff!

1. AKIRA Movie Posters by Tyler Stout

Akira Movie Poster (Regular)
Tyler Stout
24" x 36" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 180

Akira Movie Poster (Variant)
Tyler Stout
24" x 36" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 80

I can't get over how stunning these prints are! Tyler Stout has somehow created something that is 100% Tyler Stout, and yet completely different than anything he's ever attempted before. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of his much sought after The Thing and Robocop prints, but this, THIS, is the Stout artwork I long to own. The amount of stuff he was able to pack into these works of art is mind blowing and totally reminds me of the insanity that is Tetsuo's telekinetically rebuilt trash arm. Love it!

2. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO Movie Posters by Olly Moss (Review)

My Neighbor Totoro Movie Poster (Regular)
Olly Moss
20" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 420

My Neighbor Totoro Movie Poster (Japanese Variant)
Olly Moss
20" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 170

Mondo? Olly Moss? Studio Ghibli? Hallelujah! Olly absolutely nailed the look and feel of this Miyazaki classic, taking care to balance beauty, adorableness, and the almighty forest spirit Totoro. Take note folks: this is how you do a variant. By the way, I recently rewatched My Neighbor Totoro. So good!

3. THE MUMMY Movie Posters by Martin Ansin (Review)

The Mummy Movie Poster (Regular)
Martin Ansin
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 385

The Mummy Movie Poster (Hieroglyphic Variant)
Martin Ansin
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 150

My love affair with Martin Ansin's work continues and this was by far my favorite piece from him in 2011. Not surprisingly, Martin packs so much realism and detail into the mummy's bandaged and shriveled face, that the idea of touching the poster's surface gives me the willies. And remember what I said about the Totoro variant? Well, it holds true for this print as well. Yes, those are actual hieroglyphics people!

4. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Movie Posters by Grzegorz Domaradzki (Review)

Night of the Living Dead Movie Poster (Regular)
Grzegorz Domaradzki
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 250

Night of the Living Dead Movie Poster (Glow in the Dark - Silver Variant)
Grzegorz Domaradzki
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 100

Grzegorz Domaradzki is an artist to watch out for. He's already done some BRILLIANT vector movie concept posters, but this was his first film poster design to actually become a screen print, and it's a pretty amazing one at that. I guess I've got a thing for skulls, because there's not one, but two posters on this list that come together to form the outline of a skull. Very creepy. By the way, a few of the regular versions are still available for sale through Kryptonite Prints & Apparel.

5. DUNE Movie Poster by Kevin Tong (Review)

Dune Movie Poster
Kevin Tong
18" x 24" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 100

I had to pick this print up on eBay after it sold out in the blink of an eye, but the inflated price was well worth it. Seriously, this poster is loaded to the brim with desert, sandworms, and backstabbing nobles (oh my). And no matter what you think about the film Dune (I'll admit it's kind of crazy and not a total success), you've got to applaud Kevin Tong for perfectly capturing the insanity of David Lynch's adaptation.

6. HELLRAISER Movie Posters by Florian Bertmer

Hellraiser Movie Poster (Regular)
Florian Bertmer
22.5" x 31.5" - Numbered
Limited to 245

Hellraiser Movie Poster (Variant)
Florian Bertmer
22.5" x 31.5" - Numbered
Limited to 70

Nobody depicts satanic stuff better than Florian Bertmer. That's just a fact. His artwork makes my skin crawl (in a good way), which is why I'm fairly certain Florian has at some point either made a pact with the Prince of Darkness or solved the Lament Configuration, thereby gaining access to the forbidden arts. This was my favorite poster from the Mondo Mystery Movie LA film series by leaps and bounds, and that's saying a lot given all the talent involved.

7. FRANKENSTEIN Movie Poster by Drew Struzan (Review)

Frankenstein Movie Poster
Drew Struzan
15" x 36" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 325

It's freaking Drew Struzan! Of course he was going to make the top ten. His gorgeous Frankenstein poster reminds us why he's still the undisputed king of the illustrated one sheet and pays tribute to a monster movie classic. Following Stout's Akira print, Struzan's Frankenstein is probably the most sought after poster in my top twenty.

8. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Movie Posters by Oliver Barrett (Review)

Once Upon a Time in the West Movie Poster (Dawn Edition - Regular)
Oliver Barrett
16" x 26" - Numbered
Limited to 170

Once Upon a Time in the West Movie Poster (Dusk Edition - Variant)
Oliver Barrett
16" x 26" - Numbered
Limited to 60

I love these posters! Oliver Barrett is an artist I've been following since his amazing American Splendor print, but I think I may have found my new favorite when it comes to his body of work. And remember what I was saying about my subconscious and altogether creepy fascination with skulls being masterfully inserted into movie artwork (please refer to number four on this list)? Well, here's the second (and final) creative cranium mentioned in this post. These are completely sold out through Tommy Good, but a few are still available for purchase through Oliver's store and Dark City Gallery.

9. THE BURNING Movie Poster by Phantom City Creative (Review)

The Burning Movie Poster
Phantom City Creative
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 250

Phantom City Creative has been one of those consistently amazing design studios since day one. If I'm being completely honest with myself, I'm sure I could have included several Phantom City designs in this list, but this was by far my favorite poster of theirs in 2011. The Burning is a ridiculous 80s slasher that features a not-yet-bald Jason Alexander, but I'll be damned if this poster doesn't somehow make the movie a more respectable work of art just by association. Beautiful design. Perfect execution. Blood rendered in biblical proportions. Flawless.

10. “FIGURE 1: VULPES VULPES” Art Print by Rich Kelly (Review)

"Figure 1: Vulpes Vulpes" Art Print
Rich Kelly
16.5" x 23.5" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 100
Inspired By: The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox isn't my all-time favorite Wes Anderson flick, that honor goes to The Life Aquatic, but it's definitely up there. This amazing Rich Kelly art print inspired by Anderson's lone animated creation is just a joy to look at. Kelly masterfully depicts the titular Mr. Fox, but also manages to comment on the stop motion production method with gorgeous results.

11. "THE OPEN ROAD" Art Print by Scott Campbell (Review)

"The Open Road" Art Print
Scott Campbell
12" x 12" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 50
Inspired By: Easy Rider

I wasn't sure if this was ever going to be an actual print, since the above artwork was originally part of a larger movie poster for the All Tomorrow's Parties / Criterion Collection screening of Easy Rider, but here we are. Scott Campbell's amazing "The Open Road" poster is one of the jewels in my collection and is still available for purchase through Gallery 1988.

12. THE LIFE AQUATIC Movie Poster by Joshua Budich (Review)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Movie Poster
Joshua Budich
24" x 36" - Signed & Numbered
Limited to 150

Joshua Budich has been an artist that has consistently amazed me and continues to one-up himself with every new poster release. Created for Spoke Art's awesome "Bad Dads" show, Budich's Life Aquatic poster conveys the quirky, colorful, strangely hilarious brilliance of Steve Zissou and company. Highlights include: Seu Jorge playing guitar in the lower right corner, the candy-striped seahorse mucking around under the title, and an angry gun-toting Steve Zissou front and center.

13. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE Movie Poster by Jeff Proctor (Review)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Jeff Proctor
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 345

Jeff Proctor really made a name for himself this year with a number of amazing Mondo posters including, but not limited to: Hobo with a Shotgun, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dawn of the Dead, and of course The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This print is utterly horrifying and practically exudes unyielding Texan summer heat...and chainsaw wielding psychopaths. That too.

14. FAIL-SAFE Movie Poster by Lloyd Stas (Review)

Fail-Safe Movie Poster
Lloyd Stas
18" x 24" - Numbered
Limited to 35

Lloyd Stas' brilliant Fail-Safe print combines the obvious and the subtle with amazing results. I think it's safe to say that even if you haven't seen Sidney Lumet's Cold War what if film, you can still enjoy the obvious care and attention paid to this artwork during its conception and creation. Lloyd Stas is another young artist to be on the look out for.

15. DEATHRAP Movie Poster by Jacob Van Loon (Review)

Deathtrap Movie Poster
Jacob Van Loon
18" x 24" - Numbered
Limited to 35

Much like Lloyd Stas' Fail-Safe print, Jacob Van Loon's Deathtrap poster was part of the Kingdom of Nonsense curated "The Machines Are Winning" art show. When I first saw Jacob's design I was immediately drawn in by the confusingly convoluted intertwining of machine and Cronenbergian sentient life form. Is anybody else getting a vague Naked Lunch vibe from this print? If this is any indication of what we can expect form Jacob Van Loon, I hope he starts doing a lot more film-related stuff in the near future.

16. FANTASTIC MR. FOX Movie Poster by Randy Ortiz (Review)

“We Got the Tail, but We Missed the Fox” Fantastic Mr. Fox Movie Poster
Randy Ortiz
18" x 24" - Includes a certificate of authenticity
Limited to 75

Randy Ortiz is somebody I didn't have the slightest familiarity with prior to 2011, but am now avidly following. It's even been intimated that he might do some work with Mondo in the near future - so that's cool. With his Fantastic Mr. Fox print, Randy has crafted something that's minimalist, but by no means simple. I can't wait to see what else this guy has up his sleeves.

17. THEY LIVE Movie Posters by Shepard Fairey (Review)

They Live Movie Poster (Mondo Edition - Regular)
Shepard Fairey
18" x 24" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 500

They Live Movie Poster (OBEY Edition - Variant)
Shepard Fairey
18" x 24" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 500

How could I not include Fairey's only Mondo movie poster on my list? I don't think there's a single artist better equipped to handle John Carpenter's alien invasion meets 1984 by way of Fahrenheit 451 film than street artist Shepard Fairey. This goes without saying, but the print is very pretty up close.

18. PAN'S LABYRINTH Movie Posters by Aaron Horkey

Pan's Labyrinth Movie Poster (Regular)
Aaron Horkey
15" x 37.5" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 420

Pan's Labyrinth Movie Poster (Variant)
Aaron Horkey
15" x 37.5" - Signed and Numbered
Limited to 125

If I had to choose (please don't make me), I'd have to say that Pan's Labyrinth is my favorite Guillermo del Toro film. It's a wonderful story that blends the real and the fantastical, and is as horrifying as it is beautiful on both counts. Aaron Horkey seems to understand that and has created a print that's gorgeous to look at, but also a bit disturbing.

19. SWAMP THING Movie Posters by Florian Bertmer (Review)

Swamp Thing Movie Poster (Regular)
Florian Bertmer
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 230

Swamp Thing Movie Poster (Variant)
Florian Bertmer
24" x 36" - Numbered
Limited to 90

If you couldn't tell, I'm a huge Bertmer fan. In fact, he's the only artist on this list mentioned twice. Florian created two insanely exceptional posters this year, and while I slightly preferred his Hellraiser posters over his Swamp Thing prints, they're both pretty much perfect.

20. THE FLY Art Print by Dan Mumford (Review)

Dan Mumford's horror movie art print series has been an absolute blast to follow. His organic and stringy line work is the perfect match to Cronenberg's terrifyingly disgusting remake (I use the word "remake" in the loosest sense here). Brundlefly has never looked more gooey, and yes, that was most definitely a compliment.

Well, that's the list! What did you think? What were some of your favorite posters?

Florian Bertmer's "Cowboys & Aliens" Movie Poster

When I wrote about the previous batch of Cowboys & Aliens Mondo posters I acknowledged that, while I had heard some not-so-great things about the film, I was hoping for the best and still fairly optimistic about Favreau's latest. Well, it's four months later and I still haven't seen the film, but I think that might be a positive at this point, because I won't be influenced by my thoughts on the film, disappointed or delighted, and can appreciate Florian Bertmer's beautiful artwork for what it is. Beautiful artwork.

Cowboys & Aliens Movie Poster
Florian Bertmer
24" x 36" - Numbered
$45 - Limited to 170

Where to start? How about the seriously incredible framing of Daniel Craig's cowboy, Jake Lonergan, and the hulking mass of an alien he's facing? It's amazing how seamlessly Florian is able to to use the space creature's massive body to pierce the part bullet, part circuit board border, and I haven't even mentioned how intricate the design is yet. One thing that always blows me away when I look at a Bertmer print is how absolutely PACKED his posters are with detail. I have the distinct feeling that if Florian ever created a piece of art that was solely made up of a single black circle on a white background, that circle would be the most detail-crammed orb you'd ever seen (and he'd probably turn it into a pentagram if you let him). Bertmer's artwork is always a joy to view and while I haven't seen the film, the brilliant artwork alone justifies a purchase in my opinion.

Florian Bertmer's Cowboys & Aliens movie poster will be available tomorrow (12/6) at a random time through Mondo. The print measures 24" x 36", is limited to an edition of 170 and will cost $45. To get the exact drop time be sure to follow Mondo on Twitter @MondoNews. And if you'd like to learn more about the very talented Florian Bertmer, head over to his website at florianbertmer.blogspot.com and the Moon Editions shop.

Florian Bertmer's "Swamp Thing" Movie Posters

UPDATE 1 (8/19): All sold out! I had to go the eBay route to get mine. I'll keep this post updated if Florian announces any extra APs.

I believe this is the third poster in Mondo's Wes Craven Director's Series, with the first two being Alex Pardee's amazing Scream and Nightmare on Elm Street prints. I'll be honest, I remember watching this movie as a kid and not being terribly impressed. Sure, the boggy swamp setting looked amazing, but the story wasn't really all that terrifying, awe inspiring or interesting. Though even with my aloof disinterest for Craven's film this poster holds a very special place in my heart and you can bet I'll be going for it with the rest of my Mondo-crazed brethren.

Swamp Thing Movie Poster (Regular)
Florian Bertmer
24" x 36"
$45 - Limited to 230

Swamp Thing Movie Poster (Glow-in-the-Dark Variant)
Florian Bertmer
24" x 36"
$80 - Limited to 90

I must own this poster for two very different reasons: Florian Bertmer and Alan Moore. Let's start with Florian, shall we? Florian Bertmer is an artist who could make even a bright sunny day look ancient, worn, and mysterious. That may sound like a negative, but believe me, it's not. Bertmer imbues his subjects with an archaic sense of wonder and importance, often giving them some sort of mystical quality that's damn near impossible to explain. That's one of the many reasons his artwork for Jodorowsky's Santa Sangre and Holy Mountain, and H.P. Lovecraft's Call of Cthulhu works so well. And that's also why, brilliant line work, coloring, and design aside, Florian got everything right about the creature formerly known as Alec Holland; his work conveys a tone that could not be more perfect for our flower power protagonist. Now on to Moore.

Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing (The Saga of the Swamp Thing #20 - #64) is the stuff of legends. Moore used Len Wein and Berni Wrightson's origin story of a scientist transformed into a monster, and made it something more important, something genuinely scary and thought provoking. To this day Moore's Swamp Thing is one of my top ten comic runs and the character will forever have a place in my heart. Sure, his books may not have had anything to do with the movie, but I think it's probably clear by now that the film doesn't really play any part in why I love this poster so much.

Florian Bertmer's Swamp Thing posters will be available through Mondo tomorrow (8/19) at a random time. Both posters measure 24" x 36", with the regular version costing $45 and being limited to 230, and the glow-in-the-dark variant costing $80 and being limited to 90. For the exact release time be sure to visit @MondoNews, and to learn more about artist Florian Bertmer visit florianbertmer.blogspot.com. And if you can, I highly recommend picking up all of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run.

Mondo's "Cowboys & Aliens" Movie Posters

I've read some disappointing things about Favreau's latest film, but I'm hoping for the best and I'm still pretty excited. No matter how the film turns out, one thing's for sure: the movie will be sporting some fantastic artwork thanks to Mondo and four very talented artists.

Cowboys & Aliens Movie Poster
Daniel Danger
18" x 24"
$40 - Edition of 420

This was one of the many posters that were released at SDCC, and it's positively brilliant in person (I totally grabbed one). I don't know too much about the film's story other than its titular premise, but the poster seems to suggest that humans are being abducted from the streets via airborne cables (kind of creepy). I only bring that up because, except for the title of the film, it looks like Danger favored the western aspects of the movie over the alien elements and I'm the happier for it. And by working primarily with several variations of the color blue he's really captured that nocturnal apprehension we've all experienced before - that moment sometime between twilight and complete darkness when things go bump in the night (whether they're actually there or not). I wrote the majority of this post before I read the the LA Times piece on these prints, but I thought this quote from Danger was very informative about his approach when creating this poster (gleefully pilfered from the LA Times' article, "Cowboys & Aliens Gets Mondo Poster Treatment"):

"In this case, I’ve been playing with a reoccurring motif of ghosts and spirits floating above old houses for years, so when I saw the scenes where citizens of the town are yanked into the air by the alien cables, I knew I could use that narrative element to create an image that’s specific and iconic to the movie, but also feels like a piece I would have created myself. I didn’t want the spacecraft to be terribly prominent, so I used just glimpses of lights and beams to show their presence…but between that and the cables, it’s just enough to show that whats going on here is out of place in a traditional western."

Daniel Danger's Cowboys & Aliens poster will be available through Mondo tomorrow (7/29) at a random time for $40. The poster is limited to an edition of 420 and measures 18" x 24". Be sure to follow @MondoNews for the exact release time and visit Danger's site at tinymediaempire.com. I'd also recommend reading the LA Times article, not just for the interviews, but also for a very cool Daniel Danger process video. Oh yeah, and it sounds like there's going to be a wood variant of this as well.

Cowboys & Aliens Movie Poster
Janée Meadows
18" x 24"
$35 - Edition of 170

I've never heard of Janée Meadows before, but I'm starting to realize that that was a serious gap in my (decidedly limited) artistic education. This poster is wonderful to stare at and perfectly straddles the line between weird science fiction and badass gunslinger western. Just looking at this print makes me long for a glass of water as the arid yellow tones immediately evoke an inhospital desert heat. I'm not sure whether the previously mentioned Danger poster or this one is my favorite, but I'm thinking I might try for Janée's print come morning (tomorrow morning to be precise). Janée Meadows' Cowboys & Aliens poster is limited to 170, will cost $35 and measures 18" x 24". Like all of the prints mentioned in this post, Meadows' artwork will be available tomorrow (7/29) through Mondo. To learn more about the artist be sure to visit janeemeadows.com. I'm really hoping we see more Mondo-commissioned work from her in the future.

Cowboys & Aliens Movie Poster
Tom Whalen
24" x 36"
$35 - Edition of 190

I don't usually bring up the price of the poster until the very end of my review, but wow, this is a steal at $35. Think about it, Tom's poster measures 24" x 36" and only costs $35. Sorry, I just had to mention that at outset of this write-up. I really dig Whalen's layout here. The way the figures are arranged starting small in the lower right-hand corner of the canvas and as you move upward and to the left getting larger and larger - it reminds me of a classic Struzan one sheet, but with Whalen's more minimal and very distinct aesthetic. And again with the sun. Both Meadows' and Whalen's posters really nail the tangibly blistering locales from the film, and more precisely, from pretty much every western ever made. Since I normally don't have artist quotes to play around with, you'll have to forgive me if I'm being over indulgent. Tom Whalen on his motivations and methods for creating the Cowboys & Aliens poster (rudely lifted from LA Times' "Cowboys & Aliens Gets Mondo Poster Treatment"):

"The seed for this poster was planted while reading an interview with Jon Favreau during the movie’s production. I was excited when I heard that he intended it to play as a straight western… that just happened to have aliens in it. When I received the assignment to design a poster for the film, I remembered that intent and wanted to channel some of the incredible spaghetti western poster design that graced movie theaters in the 1960s. Much like the tone of the film itself, I wanted my design to read as a western poster first and let the alien references throughout slowly reveal it to be something much more."

I've already mentioned the price, so I'll just tell you that Tom Whalen's poster will be available tomorrow (7/29) at a random time on Mondo's website. The poster measures 24" x 36 and is limited to an edition of 190. To see more of Tom Whalen's impressive body of work head over to strongstuff.net.

And that's about it. Florian Bertmer will also have a Cowboys & Aliens print available, but we won't get to see it until tomorrow morning. I'm sure Bertmer's print will be fantastic. Be sure to follow @MondoNews for all the release details. Have a great night / day (whenever you're reading this)!

Florian Bertmer's "Hellboy" Movie Poster

And again we return to the artist Florian Bertmer for yet another fantastic movie poster, this time by way of Mondo's Director's Series. You may recognize Florian's name as he seems to be Mondo's go-to guy for any Jodorowsky film poster they put together; in fact I wrote about his last Mondo poster about a week ago. It's really interesting to see Florian, whom I've always thought of as possessing a more old fashioned and slightly psychedelic style, to take on something so mainstream (at least compared to Jodorowsky's The Holy Mountain and Santa Sangre). I think for the most part this is a total success, although as a viewer we really miss out by not being able to see his artwork up close as it's often the detail in Bertmer's creations that really stun you.

Hellboy

This is a dark, dark image. Hellboy is a dark, dark film. If you looked at the poster for only a few seconds you'd probably only be able to name two of the things that were in it: the bright red Hellboy and the bright white Hellboy (title). Yet another reason why we, as an audience, really miss out; the colors are so dark it can be hard to make out all of the wonderful characters and detail on a 15" or 17" computer screen. On the other hand, the movie is about Hellboy (*cough* title of the movie *cough*), so it would certainly make sense that he would be the focal point of the design. One of the things that I think works surprisingly well in this poster is Bertmer's style in combination with this type of film. You wouldn't necessarily think the two would be so compatible, but his primeval (and I don't mean simplistic, but rather from a different time altogether) interpretations of these characters would seem right at home in a holy book from the dark ages as they would on the wall of a Hellboy fan. It kind of gives me the chills, actually. My only nitpick with the design of the poster is Selma Blair's Liz. She looks a little...thick, doesn't she?  She doesn't seem to fully fit with rest of this band of macabre men, but then again, in the movies, she really doesn't fit in all that well either - so maybe she was drawn differently on purpose? Or maybe it's something that doesn't really click until you see it in person. Either way, this is a wonderful poster for a fantastic film (bring on Hellboy III!) and is an exciting stepping stone that will hopefully bring us more awesome Florian Bertmer art in the near future.

Bertmer's Hellboy movie poster for Mondo's Guillermo Del Toro Director's Series will be available for purchase through the Mondo website this Friday (1/28) at a random time. The poster measures 24" x 36", is limited to an edition of 240 and will cost $45 before shipping. Be sure to follow @MondoNews for the exact drop time, although it's probably a pretty safe bet it'll be around 9 AM Pacific (don't quote me on that!). Interested in seeing some other awesome Bertmer art? Check out his blog and online store.  You should probably also watch Del Toro's Hellboy too, immediately followed by Hellboy II.