Robotech Art 2

Rating:
Summary: A decent gap-filler, if nothing else...
Review: Although it does contain a pretty wide array of illustrations, I was somewhat disappointed by Robotech Art 2. It's only about half as thick as its other two literary brethren. It does have plenty of new, original art in it, mostly done by North American-based renderers. A lot of it is pretty good, but there's a few illustrations here & there that aren't quite up to snuff quality-wise in my opinion. The most notable contributing artist is Phil Foglio, known in the underground comics scene for his work on 'Buck Godot' and 'XXXenophiles'.

There are a few parts that help bring this volume up a bit, however, including some previously-unreleased character concept sketches and the text history of Robotech, including its origins and how it was re-made into the saga for the North American TV audience. But other than these little upsides, Art 2 isn't all that big a deal. Unless you're a completist, just stick with the other two Robotech Art Books, and don't worry too much about this outing.

'Late

Rating:
Summary: The only true "art" book in the series.
Review: Robotech Art 2 was published almost as an afterthought; the publishers were overwhelmed by the popularity of the first volume, and wanted to capture some more consumer dollars before the popularity of Robotech waned.

Oddly, of the 3 Art books, this volume is the only one to truly be an art book. Volume 1 is an episodic overview of the original series, along with an introduction to the world of anime; volume 3 is an overview of the failed Sentinels series, and a long, informative essay on the business-end of the Sentinels production. Volume 2, however, concentrates on fan art. The results are highly varied- there are some excellent artists represented (many of whom are professionals in the comic book industry), and many quite amateurish works.

The book also contains reprints of various cels, background paintings, character sketches, and paintings by character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto; however, most of this work is available elsewhere. Finally, there is a short essay on robots in Japanese culture by Frederik Schodt, which is informative, but seems out of place in this particular volume.

The book isn't worth paying a lot of money for- there is little here important to the Robotech mythos. It is worth having, however, if you want to complete your set of Robotech Arts, or if you are a die-hard Robotech fan.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT FEAST
Review: THIS IS A MUST HAVE BOOK FOR ALL THOSE "DIE HARD" ROBOTECH FANS STILL BREATHING OUT THERE!THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH STUNING PICTURES FROM THE PENS OF FANS WHO IN THEIR SPARE TIME ALSO HAPPEN TO DOUBLE AS ARTISTS.WHAT MAKES THIS A GREAT BOOK IS THE FACT THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE ART IS NEW AND NOT ONLY CELLS FROM THE ORIGINAL SERIES.IN MY NOT SO OBJECTIVE OPPINION IT RATES A FIVE.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT FEAST
Review: THIS IS A MUST HAVE BOOK FOR ALL THOSE "DIE HARD" ROBOTECH FANS STILL BREATHING OUT THERE!THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH STUNING PICTURES FROM THE PENS OF FANS WHO IN THEIR SPARE TIME ALSO HAPPEN TO DOUBLE AS ARTISTS.WHAT MAKES THIS A GREAT BOOK IS THE FACT THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE ART IS NEW AND NOT ONLY CELLS FROM THE ORIGINAL SERIES.IN MY NOT SO OBJECTIVE OPPINION IT RATES A FIVE.