Write Up: Ghoulish Gary Pullin's "Martyrs" Movie Poster

[Note: There's one sentence in the first paragraph that is a little spoiler-ish, meaning if you haven't already watched the film but plan to, skip to the second paragraph. Thanks!]

Much like the movie Martyrs, Ghoulish Gary Pullin's poster may be a bit divisive given its graphic nature. But for anyone who's ever seen the film, love it or hate it, a huge part of what made the story so memorable was its indelible ideas and visuals, like, oh you know, flaying someone's body as a way to trigger transcendence. In summation: Martyrs is nucking futs, and in all honesty, I'm still not sure how I feel about the movie, but I can say, without any reservations, that I'm a big fan of Gary's take on the controversial French horror flick.

Martyrs Movie Poster
Ghoulish Gary Pullin
26.5" x 38.5" (Screen Print) - Numbered
£40 (UK) / £50 (International) - Limited to 75

My advice to fans of the film: I'm guessing there won't be too many more opportunities to pick up another illustrated Martyrs print (at least of this quality) in the near future, so act fast if you want to snag one. Now that I've finished doling out sage advice, let's take a closer look at Gary's artwork. Yes, this poster holds nothing back, and yes, it probably wouldn't make a great gift for grandma (although, you'll never know until you try), but what makes Pullin's composition so interesting is that it doesn't just grab your attention, it demands it. And while the poster's gory appearance may put some off (on second thought, let's just give grandma a framed photo of the grandchildren this year), there's a beautiful symmetry to the grisly visuals that really floats my boat. Here's what the artist had to say about his relationship with the movie and his approach to the poster's design (taken from the FrightFest Originals website):

"Martyrs is the kind of horror film that I would call a 'game changer'. It is a modern day masterpiece, pulls no punches and was the first horror film in a long time that truly disturbed me and left me gasping for air a few times. It takes you places, gets under your skin and stays there. I wanted to create a poster that played up the surgical aspect of the film and Martyr theme - a woman reborn in the Jesus Christ pose on a surgical cross is mysteriously fully enlightened. The creature in the basement, which is what you see in the background, is pure b-movie, scary fun, in an otherwise sobering, straight laced horror film. I felt the poster design should feel very European, a bit inspired by the ghastly artwork from the films of Lucio Fulci or Dario Argento. A disturbing movie should have a disturbing poster. I hope fans of the film like it."

Ghoulish Gary Pullin's Martyrs movie poster is currently available through the FrightFest Originals store for £40 to UK buyers and £50 (around $79) for international customers. Note: both prices include shipping. The screen print measures 26.5" x 38.5" and is limited to an edition of 75. For more info on FFO, head over to frightfestoriginals.com, sign up for their mailing list and follow @frightfestorigi on Twitter. And to see more of Gary's work, visit ghoulishgary.com and follow @ghoulishgary.

Heads Up: Tyler Stout's "4up - Z Series" Art Prints

Last call, folks! Tyler Stout's pop-culture inspired "4up - Z Series" prints are only available for about an hour more (ends at 5 PM PST today), so act fast!

"Berserkz" Art Print Tyler Stout 8" x 8" (Screen Print) - Numbered $40 (Set of 4) - Edition Size TBD Inspired By: Gremlins (1984)

"Gwoemulz" Art Print Tyler Stout 8" x 8" (Screen Print) - Numbered $40 (Set of 4) - Edition Size TBD Inspired By: The Host (2006)

"Navigatorz" Art Print Tyler Stout 8" x 8" (Screen Print) - Numbered $40 (Set of 4) - Edition Size TBD Inspired By: Alien (1979)

"Neo Jakeo" Art Print Tyler Stout 8" x 8" (Screen Print) - Numbered $40 (Set of 4) - Edition Size TBD Inspired By: Adventure Time and Akira

The "4up - Z Series" posters are available as a set for $40 through Tyler Stout's storefront. Each of the screen prints measure 8" x 8" and does not yet have a finalized edition size. For more info on the artist, be sure to visit tstout.com and sign up for his newsletter. Neo Jakeo is about to E.X.P.L.O.D.E.

Heads Up: Joe Wilson's "Princess Mononoke" Variant Art Print

UPDATE (1/30): Heads up, folks! Joe's Princess Mononoke variant goes on sale Thursday (1/31) at 8 AM CST. 20 of the prints will be available through the artist's Big Cartel store, while the other 20 will be sold by Print Club London. Be sure to follow @joe_wilson on Twitter.

[Note: I've already written a small essay about how impressed I was with Joe Wilson's Princess Mononoke poster, so instead of rewriting why I think this soon-to-be-released variant version is so gorgeous, I figured I might just republish the original write-up instead. I did, however, include new sales information. Enjoy.]

I love Miyazaki's movies. On a completely surface level, his films are beautifully illustrated and a triumph of traditional animation over a more CGI-intensive process*. Don't get me wrong, Pixar and Dreamwork's offerings can be (and often are) great, but I would gladly choose something hand drawn in place of a digitally rendered wire frame any day of the week. But it's more than just that. Miyazaki's storytelling exhibits so much affection for its characters and the world they inhabit, it's impossible not to be swept away by what's happening on-screen. And while my all-time favorite film of his would have to be Spirited Away, the number two spot belongs to Princess Mononoke (with the third going to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.) It goes without saying that Mononoke is easy on the eyes (this is Miyazake we're talking about, after all), but the movie's epic tale with its examination of man's eternal struggle to rule everything around him no matter the cost, and the Japanese folklore the director so effortlessly weaves in throughout its telling, is what really makes this film an infinitely rewatchable masterpiece. I mention all this because tonight I'll be writing about a print which, for me at least, captured that sense of awe and amazement I had when first seeing the movie. Without further ado, I humbly request you take a peek at Joe Wilson's stunning Princess Mononoke poster below.

Princess Mononoke Art Print (Variant)
Joe Wilson
500 mm x 700 mm (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
£65 (Around $103) - Limited to 40

I'm a big fan of Joe Wilson's work (you can read my review of his Blade Runner poster by clicking here), but this is without a doubt his best print yet. The detail is mesmerizing and even with its limited color palette, the poster evokes the lush and bountiful woodland depicted in the film to a tee. I'm also delighted that the artist chose not to include any of the human characters in the print's design, eschewing the conventions typically tied to a Mononoke poster (or any poster, for that matter) and instead focuses solely on the movie's more ecological elements (which, by the way, look freaking amazing.) Speaking of the ecological, Wilson's attention to every sinuous strand of gnarled tree bark is a testament to how much time must have gone into this artwork and speaks volumes about his interest in the film. Not sure if you could tell, but I'm really loving this print and I'm fairly certain this will be showing up somewhere in my top five posters of 2012. Honestly, the only negative I find myself contemplating now is that I won't have a Joe Wilson print for every Miyazaki film. Oh well, at least I'll always have Mononoke.

Close-Up of Joe Wilson's Princess Mononoke (Variant) Print

The Princess Mononoke variant will be available through Joe's online storefront and Print Club London's website either this week or next. The poster will be limited to an edition of 40 (i.e., very limited) and is going to cost £65 (approximately $103). For exact details on the drop, I'd highly recommend following @joe_wilson and @printclublondon on Twitter. For more info on the artist, head over to joe-wilson.com and check out his Tumblr blog.

*I know, I know, Princess Mononoke was the first film Miyazaki used computers to aid him in making sure he met release deadlines. Still, the majority of the work, as I understand it, was done with more traditional animation methods.

Heads Up: Laurent Durieux's "Jaws" and Mike Mitchell's "E.T." Movie Posters

It's barely 2013 and Mondo has already released the screen printed Kraken. Can you believe Thursday's Jaws and E.T. prints will mark the second and third Spielberg movies posterized by the Austin-based boutique in as many weeks into the new year? And it's making quite the impression if one's to look at, oh, practically any movie blog on the Internet.

Jaws Movie Poster
Laurent Durieux
24" x 36" (Screen Print) - Numbered
$60 - Limited to 525

Laurent's Jaws design makes for one classy poster and happens to be the perfect ambassador for the taut, restrained direction and storytelling which made Spielberg's shark story so terrifying. The bright colors and cheerful composition, like a happy snapshot before a gruesome murder, are much more unnerving than any grisly crime scene could ever be. Mondo's Jaws poster will be available through their website at a random time on Thursday (1/17) for $60. The print is limited to an edition of 525 and measures 24" x 36". For more info on the artist, check out Durieux's Flickr account.

E.T. Movie Poster
Mike Mitchell
36" x 24" (Screen Print) - Numbered
$45 - Limited to 475

On the opposite end of the creepy spectrum, we have Mike Mitchell's sunny E.T. print. You know when it's really hot (like scorchingly so) and your exhausted to the point that passing out and being pecked at by vultures is becoming alarmingly likely? You know what I'm talking about. And then suddenly your three best buds appear with four ice cream cones. "Why four," you ask? Because one of those cones is for you! Fist bumps all around. That's kind of how I feel about this print: good in a fuzzy sort of way. The E.T. poster will also be sold through Mondo on Thursday (1/17) at a random time. The screen print measures 36" x 24" and is limited to an edition of 475. Head over to sirmikeofmitchell.com and follow @sirmitchell on Twitter for more Mike Mitchell-related news.

PREVIEW: Bottleneck Gallery's "Gizmos & Gadgets" Art Show

Well, hello there! It seems the fine folks at Bottleneck Gallery have seen fit to once again blow our minds with yet another brilliantly conceived art show. The nerve, right? Now they're just rubbing our noses in it! And if the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" holds any merit, than this may well be my wordiest post yet, because it contains not one, not two, not even three pictures, but twenty-five images! That's 25,000 words, people! That's practically a doctoral dissertation. But enough about my mastery of the English language (again, 25,000 words!), here's what this post is actually about (taken from the show's official press release):

"It is a common saying that a man’s best friend....are his Gizmos and Gadgets? Sorry animal lovers but at this show, this new adage rings true. We are constantly reminded by popular culture that in a time of great need, there is nothing better to have at your side than something conjured up by man. Whether the Gizmo or Gadget’s idea came about while on the toilet, was made in the deep recesses of a dark and rodent filled cave, or just simply provides the speed necessary to get you from point A to point B (while eluding your followers), Bottleneck’s newest show focuses on the material items made popular by your favorite movies, television shows and books. Each artist will present a piece depicting a Gizmo or Gadget that has shaped our culture in some way, shape or form. Who said being materialistic was a bad thing?"

A quick note about the show before the preview: "Gizmos & Gadgets" will be opening on Friday (1/18) in Bottleneck Gallery's Brooklyn, New York location. A portion of the show's proceeds will go to The Humane Society and the remaining inventory not sold during the opening reception will be available online Saturday (1/19) at around 12 PM Eastern. There will also be an online preview sale on Thursday (1/17) for those of us who can't make it opening night. Be sure to follow @bottlenecknyc on Twitter and visit their Facebook page early and often. Enjoy!

"Gizmos & Gadgets" Gig Poster

Artist: 100 Soft

Artist: Andres Lozano

Artist: Ben Huber

Artist: Dave Perillo

Artist: Dave Perillo

Artist: Justin Van Genderen

Artist: Lawrence Yang

Artist: Ron Guyatt

Artist: Tim Swope

Artist: Paul Shipper

Artist: Samuel Ho

Artist: Mark Lone

Artist: Cig Neutron

Artist: Alex Grobat

Artist: Jay Shaw

Artist: Cuyler Smith

Artist: Cuyler Smith

Artist: Cuyler Smith

Artist: Cuyler Smith

Artist: Cuyler Smith

Artist: Ridge

Artist: James Gilleard

Artist: Godmachine

Artist: Rob Loukotka

Poster Per Diem: Señor Salme's "Things to Come" Art Print

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

"Things to Come" Art Print
Señor Salme
Multiple Sizes / Prices (Giclée) - Open Edition
Inspired By: Things to Come (1936)

I've never written about artist Señor Salme before today and I'm the sorrier for it because, wow, this dude has some major talent. Now, on with the show. While I don't think the 1936 film Things to Come is the height of cinema, it does certainly feature some amazing special effects. And Salme's take on the character John Cabal paints a stunning picture of the alternate universe dreamed up by H.G. Wells and director William Cameron Menzies. For fans of old school sci-fi and admirers of before-its-time spectacle, one of these must-have prints can purchased at Society6 in a variety of sizes. For more info on the artist, head over to srsalme.com and follow @srsalme on Twitter. Salme also has a Tumblr, Facebook, and Flickr page.

Poster Per Diem: Mayra Fersner's "Underneath the Surface" Art Print

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

"Underneath the Surface" Art Print (with hand embellishments)
Mayra Fersner (AKA Hag Cult)
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$25 - Limited to 45
Inspired By: Blue Velvet

If you've already experienced Blue Velvet, then you know "Underneath the Surface" may be the most appropriate title one could ask for of anything inspired by Lynch's small town neo-noir. For every inch, we, the audience, have travelled down the rabbit hole during Velvet's runtime, artist Mayra Fersner has lovingly populated this print with the weird, the wonderful, and the uniquely surreal. Mayra on the poster's creation (from the Hag Cult blog):

"When I first created the illustration 'Underneath the Surface' (inspired by Blue Velvet), it was with the intention of making it a print. I thought it would be a fun idea to use some elements from the Pabst Blue Ribbon can in my design. I hadn’t had a chance to print these until recently. They turned out really well. The screenprints themselves are with dark blue and silver inks. Each “18″ x 24″ print will be unique as they will be hand embellished with red inks (screen inks).

"Underneath the Surface" is currently available through hagcult.bigcartel.com for $25. The hand embellished poster measures 18" x 24" and is limited to an edition of 45. For more info on Mayra's artwork, head over to hagcult.com and follow @hagcult on Twitter.

Write Up: New Flesh's "Tokyo 1954" Art Print

It's been far, far, far too long since I last wrote about the going-ons of Austin-based New Flesh Prints. I lament this not only because their posters continue to grow in both complexity and beauty with every release, but because they also seem to have some sort of Vulcan mind meld with me thus ensuring their every contribution to the world of cinematically-inspired artwork speaks directly to my filmic interests and obsessions. (It's a rare but wonderful situation that has cost me more than a few shekels since they first started up shop in 2011.) Case in point: as part of Guzu Gallery's "Strange Beasts" show, the boys at New Flesh have conjured up an appropriately gorgeous piece of print that pays tribute to the awe-inspiring destruction of (a miniaturized balsa and polystyrene) Tokyo circa 1954 and the irradiated creature that represented so much more than a lumbering monster to a nation attempting to reconcile a past tragedy. Take a gander below, won't you?

"Tokyo 1954" Art Print (Regular)
N.E. (New Flesh Prints)
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
$40 - Limited to 50
Inspired By: Godzilla (1954)

There's a lot to like about this print. First and foremost, it features the daddy of all rampaging monsters (sorry Kong, no ill will meant) in his natural habitat (i.e., crushing cities like they ain't no thang). But what really stuck with me was the actual construction of the piece. Using a muted monochromatic palette (the film's in black and white, after all), artist N.E. has delivered an exhaustive vision of chaos and devastation. From the billowing smoke and raging infernos to the heavily shadowed Godzilla standing atop the ruins of civilization, every part of this poster demands your undivided attention. It's a beautiful thing and wholly deserving of a place on your wall. Oh yeah, and do yourself a favor by picking up Criterion's amazing Blu-ray set.

"Tokyo 1954" Art Print (Variant)
N.E. (New Flesh Prints)
18" x 24" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
Not for Sale
Inspired By: Godzilla (1954)

Against all odds (and human logic) there still happen to be a few copies of this spectacular print available for your consumption through their online store. "Tokyo 1945" is signed and numbered and will run you a cool $40. To learn more about the artist and studio behind this poster, visit newfleshprints.com and follow @newfleshprints and @nenewflesh on Twitter. And for those of you wishing to keep up-to-date with all future New Flesh releases, I'd also recommend signing up for their newsletter ASAP.

Poster Per Diem: Joe Wilson's "Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan" Movie Poster

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan Movie Poster
Joe Wilson
Official One-Sheet - Not for Sale (?)

As a huge fan of artist Joe Wilson and an even bigger fan of stop motion pioneer Ray Harryhausen, my enjoyment of this poster was all but assured. Recreating some of Ray's best known effects (Medusa from Clash of the Titans, the saucers from Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, the Cyclops from The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, etc.), Joe has lovingly surrounded the man with a lifetime's worth of fantastical achievements. I don't believe this poster is currently for sale, but if you're interested in learning more about the doc, I'd recommend checking out the trailer below and visiting the film's Facebook page.

For more info on the incredibly talented Joe Wilson, head over to joe-wilson.com and follow @joe_wilson on Twitter. And if you're interested in some killer movie prints take a look at his store.

Poster Per Diem: Chuck Sperry's "Lawrence of Arabia" Movie Poster

If you visit this site with any regularity, you already know I tend to write reviews for film and television inspired prints that are either currently on sale or are about to go on sale. And while I'll still be pouring the majority of my efforts into those sorts of posts, my daily "Poster Per Diem" feature will focus on awesome prints that have since sold out, never existed in the first place (AKA concept posters) or just bear mentioning. In other words: this is my chance to say, "I never got a chance, for whatever reason, to write about you on this here website, but I think you're really purty and I want to let the world know." Or something like that. Oh, and Per diem is latin for "per day" or "each day."

Lawrence of Arabia Movie Poster
Chuck Sperry
22" x 33" (Screen Print) - Signed and Numbered
Sold Out - Limited to 200

Long time no see, folks! Seriously, apologies for the lack of posts recently. I promise I'll make it up to you with contests aplenty in the near future. This year's resolution is to make Posterocalypse more than just a hobby. What does that mean? I'm still not sure, but I'm stoked nonetheless. Now to the good stuff.

I missed out when artist Chuck Sperry's incredible Lawrence of Arabia poster went on sale through Spoke Art (spoiler alert: it's long been sold out), however it would be considered a crime to not mention this stellar print. For more info on the artist, head over to chucksperry.net and follow @yosquirt. And while you're at it, be sure to check out Spoke Art's website, store, and Twitter. Oh yeah, and a very belated happy new year to everyone out there!

P.S. I'm in the process of finalizing my "Best Posters of 2012" list. It's going to be good.