"Legacy: Selected Drawings & Paintings by Frank Frazetta" brings together many examples from the career of this distinctive artist. The book has been edited by Arnie Fenner and Cathy Fenner, and includes a foreword by Danton Burroughs.

"Legacy" gives examples of Frazetta's covers for books, magazines, and comic books, as well as movie posters and even comedy album covers. Many memorable characters from pop culture are depicted: King Kong, Dracula, Tarzan, etc. I especially liked the illustrations from Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars books, with their six-limbed Martian apes and tusked, green-skinned warriors.

Some of Frazetta's illustrations are haunting, even melancholy, and others are exciting and action-packed. A sorcerer summoning a demon, a scuba diver facing a sea monster, and of course, voluptuous maidens will be found in this book. In some cases, alternate versions of the same commission are given (making this book especially useful for art students and cultural historians). I recommend this book to those interested in the visual art of the sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure genres.

This is book 2 of a trilogy. This one seems to have more emphasis on his comic book and comic strip work, than what appears in the other two books of the trilogy, "Icon" and "Testament." This one includes an 8-page romance comic book story by Frank, from 1952.

There are also plenty more Tarzan/Burroughs/John Carter of Mars works, and terrific paintings of Savage Pellucidar.

Frank's work for Warren magazines, like Eerie, Creepy, and Vampirella get shown and discussed in this book (and also in the other two books of this series).

All of the different eras and decades of Frank's life and career are discussed and shown, in all three books, but always with different paintings, drawings, personal photos, and different commentary by different friends and business associates.

I would recommend starting with "Icon" if you're new to Frazetta's work, but "Legacy" is a close second, containing the works that he is best known for. "Testament" has a focus on unpublished, never before seen work.

One thing that is surprising in all three of these books is seeing how Frazetta would often paint over his paintings, to improve them and change major elements, after they were originally published. So, many of his paintings look different than the way they were printed on paperback covers in the 1960's and '70's.

I am very pleased with all three of these books, but "Legacy" is my favorite of the three, if I really had to choose.

Frank Frazetta is a once in an era painter. He was as much an inspiration to my own large scale figure art as was Michaelangelo. This book is brimming with lush and lavish color reproductions. Frazetta, a true natural and the father of powerful and darkly and richly, colorful, anatomically creative, fantasy art. He has been imitated by dozenz, surpassed by none of them. One would have to go back to the Renaissance to find anyone more free, comfortable and creative in use of anatomy and composition. He would hold his own with the great painters of the past 700 years. This is a great book for artists and art lovers. I bought several for my grandchildren, it will be a valuable collectible in 5-10 years.

What you get here is basically a continuation of the beautiful works from his first volume. In short, if you loved the first volume, you'll love this one too.

When I was younger I found this collection,hidden in the back of a small store. I saw the Art and immediately fell in love.Unfortunately I lent the collection and never saw it again. Im very happy to have found it again.It will never leave my site again!

This book is cover to cover magic. These tastefully idealized, and superbly rendered fantasy scenes will astound and thrill you. Frank Frazetta masterfully portrays warriors, maidens and monsters in "larger than life" scenes depicting the peak moment of action. For the artist, art enthusiast, or even book collector, The Fantastic Art of Frank Frazetta book volumes 1-5 are definitely worth adding to your collection."5 stars" is an understatement.

A must for any Frazetta or fantasy art fan. This book is a prime example of Franks amazing abilitiy to take the viewer into a world of raw fantasy. The themes and compositions are second to none and illustrated in a dynamic creative conciousness only Frazetta could deliver.

There are no flaming dragons, muscled warriors or death-dealing creatures in this book. Only pleasant watercolour paintings of people and gnomes and elves enjoying themselves unselfconsciously.

Frank Frazetta is hands down the greatest and most influential painter in the realm of fantast art. This collection contains a fresher softer side of Franks work in a friendlier setting than we are used to seeing. It is a beautiful book and another great acomplishment by the Grand Master!

Frazetta's work has graced album covers and book jackets. In this first volume you'll see some of his finest. His techniques for drawing your attention to primary and secondary points of interest in his works are done beautifully like a photographer uses light. His works are lush and sensual, celebrating the human anatomy like the ancient Greeks. The facial expressions of his subjects convey intensity, strength, and will. You can actually feel the energy jumping out at you. Too bad it's out of print, but I suspect these masterpieces will be popping up frequently in various compilations.

If you love Frank Frazetta's art then you must see the _Fantastic Art Of Frank Frazetta_ Volumes 1 to 5. This is the most complete collection of his work in print. The reproductions are first rate and on high quality glossy paper. Although they've been out of print for over a decade it's well worth the trouble and expense to obtain these books. They will, no doubt, appreciate in value.

This is a beautiful book, but the more famous Frazetta works are to be found in the two previous books of this trilogy. So this book is great for serious Frazetta fans, but "Icon" and "Legacy" are better books for showing the most famous of his works.

This book, "Testament," is good for showing more of his unpublished stuff. It has many Playboy-type girlie paintings and drawings, some western themes, and his paintings for TV Guide, for the "Battlestar Galactica" show, (which look nothing like the actual TV program, but stand as terrific space fantasy works). The personal photos are also a very nice insight into his life.

All three books in this trilogy cover work from his whole life, and explain his career moves, with slight variations and different guest commentary. The printing is nicely done, so you can enjoy studying the paintings on glossy, quality paper. These three books are very nice additions to your personal bookshelf library.

If you're new to Frazetta's work, I would just suggest that you start in order, with "Icon," and then "Legacy," where the more popular works are printed, to be able to appreciate and understand Frazetta's work and influence in proper perspective. "Testament" is more for the confirmed Frazetta fans.

Cathy and Arnie Fenner have done a marvelous thing. They considered the longtime followers of Frank Frazetta's art and gave them a gift of rareties. This last volume has more of Frank's obscure work than either of the previous books in this series. Obscure does not mean "bad" or "unworthy". Obscure in this case means more creative range and less commercial recognition. Page 107 is a perfect example of what I mean. I can't even describe the plate other than to say it's a fantastic horror composition without a monster in sight. From western to horror, erotic to fantastic, this volume is the best of the three. The commentaries from the various artists is also a nice touch and shows the respect that Frank and his work has established. I'm particularly fond of the words written by Michael Kaluta. All the comments and essays complete the image of Frank, his career, his art, influence and friendship. My pet pieces are on pages 40 (Warrior of Llarn), 45, 73 (it boggles the mind that he repainted this and refers to the original, as it's presented, as a piece of crap!), 105, 107 and 114. Frank Frazetta has rendered images from a rich pallet of differing themes and subjects. For his critics who are fond of lambasting Frank as a painter of fat women and barbarians, this volume should put the final nail in their coffin full of misinfomation. The burial of such rampant subjectivity should give rise to his critics' giving in and taking pleasure from the vital work of this artist.
I wonder if a fourth volume is possible?
One last thing. The selection for the cover art was not a standout choice, but the selection for the art used on the endpapers was marvelous.

Frazetta's work is always enjoyable, and even more so in this great book. His pen and ink works are just as great as his paintings. Any collector of fantasy art, or just great work will love this book.

Though some may never have developed a love of the genre in which Frazetta expressed himself he certainly made a deep mark in the world of art. His visions are both subtle and yet powerfully dynamic. In this book those are the two strongest qualities. All the drawings are done in pencil. You can still see where he erased the smudged areas where his hand rested while he exquisitely layed down every lead line. What he can do to set a mood in black in white few can accomplish with every color known. Who cares if the earth took a million years to make a diamond when it is the artist's cut that makes it a treasure.

I had been a long time away from reading fantasy when I picked this one. It brought me back into fantasy stuff. The books strong points are it's agile storytelling and it's bizarre concepts. The author isn't excessively wordy, doesn't describe the settings and actions neither more nor less than he should. Concise writing. Good. He is also a little on the twisted side, as far as his villains are concerned. The evil on them is not comic book evil, or James Bond films evil - which are "light" villains. Silke's bad guys are "heavy"; really insane and mean. They don't need to boast to be cruel. There's a lot of sexuality in the book, which, added to the violence, would make me label it dark fantasy. And good one at that. For fans of the genre (who aren't disturbed by strong violence), I recommend it.

Great sequel, just like the others. He, in the mask of destruction, her, qwelling the beast within him. His axe, drinking the deformed enemies. Great, fun, Conan like adventure.

This book is one of the best books I've ever read. The whole series is just killer. If you like in your face and no-holds barred fantasy this is the series for you. I own the series once and lost it. I'm dying to get it again. the books have everything you could ask for in a series. Action, magic, suspense, and the good guys aren't always the nicest people nor do they always survive. For any SciFi/Fantasy buff this is the series to get. Have a nice day!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't say I am person to read fantasy books nor a ficton reader to begin with. My father has a huge collection of books. I was looking through his books one time I saw four books with really cool covers. I was looking at the books to read one for a High School Book Report. So I picked up the first one because of its awesome cover. Read the book in one day! Couldn't put it down. Then I read the 2nd one the next day and so forth till all four were done. It's a shame the books are not easy to come by any more. I was fortunate my dad had already had all four. This is by far the best series I have ever read or will read!

i am a fantasy buff to the max and have read literally thousands of books in the fantasy sci fi genre. i own quite a bit of money and spend the majority of it on books. but one day while looking in a used book store in san antonio texas i purchesed the death dealer series and have not bought another book since. i feel now that no book will ever compare in shear brillance of imagery and wording. James Silke is a true artist and genius. i would do anything to read more books from him. i have tried to purchase the mint condition set of these books but to no avail. and to this day my original set are my most prized possesions. if Mr Silke is reading this please publish more on the tale of Gath of Baal and Robin Lakehair and Brown John. i would seriously do anything to read more stories. i had thought at one time you may write an off branch of the years Gath left Robin between book 2 and 3. but i am afraid not. to anyone looking for the perfect book this whole series is it

thank you, kyle whiting

I am not an avid reader who spends time reading books. I like to do other things with my time. Then one day i was at the library and saw the cover. I said,"I'll get this one." Before you know it I had finished the book in 2 days, no other fantasy books have ever kept me readin like this except for the dragonlance books and so i looked for the 1st and 3rd books in the series to complete my readin but to no avail. All in all this book is fantastic, so if you are looking for a great fantasy novel this is the one to get. Dont take my word for it, read the other reveiws(and the book)and you'll see what i mean.

Frank Frazetta is by far the greatest fantasy illustrator of the last 50 years. His paintings are fit for the walls of any fine art museum. Icon is a wonderful book containing many of Franks finest and most famous works along with some never before seen art work from the master. This book is a must have for any fan of fantasy art. It contains interviews and information on many of Frazettas paintings with a wonderful insight to Franks life and legendary carear. Well printed and bound Icon will make a great addition to your coffee table. BUY THIS BOOK!

any lover of great fantasy art will be thrilled by this collection of paintings by the grand master, Frank Frazetta. Simply a genius with a brush or pencil, this book includes all his great works, wonderfully reproduced!!!

I am a collector of SiFi-Fantasy art. I will state categorically, Frank Frazetta is the finest Fantasy/SiFi illustrator that has ever lived, bar none! Unlike modern artists, who work with air brush, Frazetta's best work is done in oils. The quality of his oil paintings are on a par with the great masters and deserve to be hung next to the likes Rembrandt van Rijn. His compositions are always emotionally stimulating, intriguing, and beautiful. Frazetta has the unique talent to tell a fantastic story with a paint brush. This wonderful book has reproduced some of Frazetta's finest work with meticulous care. The color plates are crisp and vibrant. They will captivate your imagination with their incredible beauty. This is one of those Frazetta collections that will soar in value once it is out of print. Take my advice. Buy it now!