Kong: King of Skull Island

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Summary: We've been waiting DECADES for this book!
Review: I bought this book the moment it came out. I've been an ardent King Kong fan for over thirty years. I've seen the 1933 masterpiece countless times. Still, I've always had the same questions so many of us have had: Where did Kong come from? Who built the wall on Skull Island and why did they make a gate big enough for giant creatures to walk in AND out of? What happened to Kong's body after it fell from the Empire State Building? What happened to Carl Denham after Kong's rampage and death in New York City? How could Skull Island, with its monstrous creatures, still exist? WHO IS KING KONG? Without giving anything away, I can say that these questions and many, many more are skillfully (and satisfyingly) answered in Kong: King of Skull Island. This is no flight of fancy "what if" sort of book. Authorized by the Merian C. Cooper (Kong's creator) estate, Kong: King of Skull Island is both prequel and sequel to the original novel that lead to the 1933 film classic. Aside from answering many questions that generations of moviegoers have had, Kong: King of Skull Island is, in and of itself, a fantastic and very lavishly produced book. Every bit of hand drawn and painted art in this book is fit to be framed. Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland (with John Michlig) expand upon the world of Kong and the natives of Skull Island. If this were a book just of Joe DeVito's incredible pictures, or just of Brad Strickland's masterful words, it would be worth every penny of the cover price. What a treat it is to have both! If you're a fan of King Kong (and who isn't), gorgeous artwork and great storytelling, buy this book. Highest recommendation! Thank you Joe, Brad and John!

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Summary: BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO KING KONG IN 70 YEARS!
Review: The last 70 years have not been kind to King Kong. "Son of Kong" was a hastily produced sequel that came out the same year as the original. While not bad, it lacked the impact of the original. Still, "Son of Kong" is vastly superior to what we've been subject to since then. The 1960's brought us the Japanese-made "King Kong vs. Godzilla" and "King Kong Escapes." Kong suddenly is grown to Godzilla's height to do battle and played by a guy in a horrible looking monkey suit.

The 1970's were not any better. In 1976, producer Dino De Laurentiis gave us a big budget remake that was universally panned by critics. Incredibly, despite the re-make flopping, a sequel, "King Kong Lives" hit theatres ten years later in 1986 with Kong somehow surviving his fall from the World Trade Center and now in a coma and need of a heart transplant. Uggh!

But finally, King Kong fans have something to cheer about. Kong: King of Skull Island is a new and original novel from Dark Horse Press, created and beautifully illustrated by artist Joe DeVito. The book has been officially authorized by the estate of Merian C. Cooper, King Kong's creator. The book performs as both a sequel to the 1933 classic and a prequel.

Carl Denham, the man who brought King Kong to New York, and was held responsible for his destructive rampage, disappeared soon after Kong's death and has not been seen for 25 years. His son Vincent Denham, who had always doubted the stories about Kong decides to set out on a quest to discover the truth about both King Kong and his missing father. He enlists the aid of Jack Driscoll, the character played in the original film by Bruce Cabot, to take him to the legendary Skull Island.

While going ashore Vincent and several crew members are attacked by the great beasts that live under the depths and he is nearly killed. He's taken in and cared for by the island's natives and meets an ancient looking woman known only as "The Storyteller." The Storytellers are the keepers of knowledge and lore and while nursing Vincent back to health, she begins telling him the stories of how her people first came to the island ages ago.

She tells them how her people, through the use of rare plants and herbs were actually able to control the great beasts who lived on the island including the great apes known as "kongs." Through her stories we learn of the division in her ancestors, the origin of the great wall, and of the early life of King Kong. Vincent also learns how his father's actions of 25 years earlier affected the natives and why a native named Kara holds such hatred for Vincent and his long lost father.

Joe DeVito and Brad Strickland have crafted a powerful and well-thought out story that gives a richness to the background of Kong and Skull Island that we never had before. We see that the natives are not mere savages as we, and even Jack Driscoll, always thought that they were. Weaving their story in the framework of the 1933 classic they've managed to create a magnificent and logical history for King Kong. DeVito's gorgeous artwork which include drawings as well as full color and full page paintings, brings Skull Island to life vividly and he captures the true essence of King Kong as no one else has been able to do since the original film.

This book is an absolute must-have for fans of King Kong!


Rating:
Summary: As good as it was the children forgot Skull Island ........
Review: wasn't Jurassic Park. The last thing Kong's world needed was Velociraptors in the co-staring role.