Lonely Planet's Wild World Lonely Planet, 254 pages, $53.99.
There are more people crowding onto the planet every day but fortunately there are still places far from the urban centres where man has made no impression. These wild places exist all around the globe and are
inhabited by the creatures that have always called these isolated locales home.
Lonely Planet has gathered an awe-inspiring collection of photographs that let us share in the majesty of these rugged corners of the world. They are presented in a large coffee table volume that gives a full page to every image. With minimal descriptions we are undistracted in our study of these photos. The information is expanded in the index at the end of the book.
Divided into seven regions, the book explores Africa, Europe, Asia, Australasia, Antarctica, South America and North America. We are treated to views of volcanoes, oceans, forests, deserts, glaciers and the animals that call them home.
The otherworldly shapes of the Hoggar mountains in Algeria are contrasted on the opposite page by an incredible undersea moment showing a sailfish eyeing a school of sardines. Enormous waves crash into the coast of Cornwall in southwestern England in a grey storm while the brilliant colours of a Toucan show against the jungle of Cartagena, Columbia.
Movie Star Chronicles by Ian Hayden Smith, Firefly Books, 576 pages, $29.95.
From Charlie Chaplin to Clint Eastwood, the world's greatest movie stars are gathered in this detailed collection. Focusing on the highlights of their individual careers this A to Z guide to 320 actors features the best of the best. Every star's top films are discussed and the impact on their career. A chronology of their work is featured at the bottom of each page as well as numerous colour photographs. Movie genres are colour coded and box office numbers are included where the information is available. Beneath each movie listed is the name of the film's director, as well the awards they received for those films are identified. Along with the individual profiles there are interesting groupings around different themes such as actors who transitioned from television to movies, or top actors from different categories like cops or singers.
Drawn and Quarterly: Twenty-five Years of Contemporary Cartooning, Comics and Graphic Novel by Tom Devlin. Drawn Quarterly, 776 pages, $59.95.
From the leading publisher of Graphic Novels comes a collection to celebrate its 25-year history that is worthy of its outstanding reputation. The book touches on every aspect of the publisher's works and includes an incredible gathering of talent. Spread throughout the pages is works by Seth, Chester Brown, Art Spiegelman, Julie Doucet and many more.
Much more than just a reproduction of previously published work there is an extensive collection of interviews and commentary from many of the artists and writers that provide insight into not just their own work but the work of their contemporaries as well. The world of Canadian cartooning is chronicled alongside the growth and evolution of the publishing company.
Every issue of their publication is represented as well as the contributors involved. This is a book that anyone who is interested in this medium should own. With its combination of works from the DQ archives, biographies, photographs, personal reminiscences, and new works it is as complete a collection as possible and one that you will revisit repeatedly.
