Dork Art: Mondo in 2014

I acquired only four prints from Mondo in 2013.  I magically won Tyler Stout's Shaun of the Dead at The Alamo screening of the Cornetto Trilogy.  I forked over big bucks at Comic Con for Drew Struzan's Dark Tower.  I was one of thousands who ordered the timed edition Martin Ansin's Man of Steel.  And I clicked at the right second for Francesco Francavilla's Black Beetle.  It's an old story, but eight years ago I could snag a Dirty Dozen or Bad Lieutenant poster months after release.  These days if you're not one of the lucky few to click the link at the right second then you're out of luck.  Such manufactured limited editions have caused quite a bit of backlash.  I get it.  I want the William Stout King Kong as much as you do, and I can't afford to pay the ebay prices.  It's the nature of the beast.  But I'm not gonna crap on these guys.  I love their work.  And when Hollywood chooses cheap high school photoshop over illustration 9 times outta 10 then I'll choose the hipster option every time.

If we're judging them on their first three prints of the year, then 2014 is going to prove hotter than ever for Justin Ishmael and his Mondo Team.  Released just yesterday, Rockin Jelly Bean's Kill Bill print went for $55 and now sells for $140 (average) on ebay.  Dave Rapoza's Clash of the Titans print will currently set you back $74.  But the real story is Francesco Francavilla's Clash of the Titans = $165.  Obviously, we're massive Harryhausen fans here at ITMOD, but we're not the types to bow down to Titans.  In fact, if you twisted our arms Matt & I would admit a fondness for the remake and it's God War sequel.  That being said, the Francavilla print is absolutely gorgeous, and the idea of him tackling other Harryhausen films like The 7th Voyage of Sinbad or - gulp - Mysterious Island brings butterflies to my stomach.  Francavilla is a helluva get for Mondo and together they slayed 2013.  Can't wait to see what the two cook up in the New Year.

--Brad

A Fistful of Titans! (Matt’s Picks)

    Guillermo del Toro’s Kaiju VS Giant Robots movie Pacific Rim has finally hit theaters and it was a whole heck of a lot better than I expected.  So this week, we’re looking at the coolest giants to lumber onto the big screen.

5.  Leviathan (Hellraiser II: Hellbound)  is Lord of the Labyrinth and not shy with irony.  It’s probably a good idea to avoid going to hell.  If that doesn’t work out, at least try to keep out of Leviathan’s black light beams.  Trust me.

4.  Shai-Hulud (Dune).  Bless the Maker and His water.  Bless the coming and the going of Him.  May His passage cleanse the world.  May He keep the world for His people.

3.  Kronos (Kronos) was one of the original Greek Titans and the source of Zeus’ daddy issues.  But Kronos was also a giant space robot that rampaged across the Southwest back in the 50s, and he was pretty cool…I mean, nasty.

2.  Cthulhu (The Call of Cthulhu) spends much of his time sequestered in a secret location (I’ll give you a hint, it’s not in North Carolina).  But once in a while, he likes to come out and see how the world is progressing, how those stars are turning.  Hold on to your soul!

1.  King Ghidorah (Ghidora the Three-Headed Monster) takes the Kaiju cake.  When Ghidorah dropped down from space, it took the combined might of three other giants to drive the three headed monster away.  A great, golden dragon shooting lightening out of three heads while flying around Japan.  Awesome.

-Matt

Dork Art: Around the World in an 80s Daze

I really wish I lived near one of Gallery 1988's showroom locations.  I'd love to see these prints in person.  Artists Tom Whalen & Dave Perillo have partnered up for a series of Travel posters entitled Around the World in an 80s Daze.  Genius.  Of course, my favorite is the above Halloween III tribute but you gotta love the postcard greetings from Predator's (& Commando!) Val Verde and Robocop's Delta City.

--Brad