IDW launches Artist’s Editions site

By John Freeman on November 7, 2017

If you’re a fan of great comic art and have already discovered US publisher IDW’s Artist’s Editions, then you’ll want to check out the dedicated web space for the range.

An Artist’s Edition is an art book that mimics the experience of viewing original comic book art as closely as possible, and in complete story form. The goal is to create a book that is the next best thing to looking over an artist’s shoulder onto their drawing board.

Pages are scanned at a high resolution in color (although the printed pages appear to be in black and white) so they capture all the nuances that make original art special and unique–blue pencil notations, tape, white-out, margin notes. All are visible in an Artist’s Edition. Additionally, each book is printed the same size as the original art.

To date, IDW Publishing has produced 60-plus books, ranging in size from 12″ x 17″ up to 15″ x 22″, a range that has netted several Eisner and Harvey Awards. It includes books that feature the work of the likes of Will Eisner, Dave Gibbons, Jack Kirby, Al Williamson, Bernie Wrightson and many other amazing talents.

The Bernie Wrightson Artifact Edition was launched at this year’s New York Comic Con and features Wrightson’s classic House of Secrets #92 cover, the issue that contained the very first appearance of Swamp Thing.

Celebrating Jack Kirby’s 100th birthday, three very limited Jack Kirby Artist’s Edition variants were also released.

These books are real collector’s items, and well worth a look at.

• Check Out the IDW Artist’s Editions web site at www.idwpublishing.com/artists-editions

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.