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Good news, everyone! The Art of Futurama is here!
Format: Hardcover, Format: Hardcover
I always thought Futurama was simple and fun! However, after reading this book, I now understand that beneath its apparent simplicity lies an entire universe of complex experience, research, innovation, hard work, and talent.
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โ Art
Unlike many other artbooks that rely heavily on production stills, this one is 90% sketchbook and finalized line art designsโa rare and delightful find. You'll not only discover the initial designs for all the main characters but also learn how to draw them. Each curve and line in the characters' designs is intentional, contributing to their unique personalities.
The book also features three fold-out sections: New New York's buildings and junkyard, the Nimbus ship in orbit, and the Planet Express. While these offer detailed designs for enthusiasts, I didnโt find them particularly necessary, as thereโs little in them that demands close study.
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โ Text
The story of Futurama's creation is a joy to read. The book is divided into a few intros and nine chapters, each featuring two pages of text that include quotes from interviews with the showโs creators about their memories of its production. Additionally, thereโs a wealth of quotes accompanying the images.
I especially enjoyed learning how the team found inspiration for New New York by purchasing reference books in New York City bookstores. The integration of 3D and 2D animationโwhich was revolutionary at the timeโis also well-documented.
However, the advertised Futurama episode guide feels redundant. It offers nothing beyond episode titles and omits seasons 8 and 9 entirely, with no explanation given for their exclusion.
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โ Book Design
The book's design features a creative transparent front cover case, a landscape layout, well-placed text and images, and a large, easy-to-read font. The page numbers are conveniently placed at the center of the page edge, making navigation effortless.
Despite its strengths, I still feel the fold-outs are unnecessary and could have been omitted without any loss of value.
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Price
This book offers excellent quality for its price! Released in November 2024, itโs available as of January 2025 for $25. To paraphrase one of Futurama's opening chyron jokes (the texts below the show's logo at the beginning of each episode): "If you donโt buy it, someone else will."
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โ Overall Impressions
It took me two relaxed sessions to fully read this book, and I can confidently say itโs impossible to get bored with it (or is that just nostalgia talking?). The hundreds of well-crafted line art illustrations of characters, assets, and backgrounds showcase the creatorsโ immense talent.
The accompanying text is both engaging and informative, and the early sketches of the main characters provide a fascinating narrative of their development.
That said, I was left wanting more. At 176 pages, the book feels a bit short, especially since it doesnโt include a single chapter dedicated to seasons 8 and 9, which aired after a ten-year hiatus.
Nevertheless, The Art of Futurama is an excellent addition to any home library or a thoughtful gift for fans who grew up watching this iconic show in the late 1990s and 2000s.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
