In Review: The Art of Phil Bevan

Review by John Freeman

The Art of Phil Bevan (Telos Publishing)

The Book: Compiled by noted researcher Stephen James Walker with the full co-operation of the artist’s estate, published by Telos Publishing, The Art of Phil Bevan is the definitive biography of and tribute to this incredible talent. Presented within are hundreds of high-quality reproductions of his full colour and black-and-white artwork – including for the first time a comprehensive collection of his celebrated Doctor Who output and a generous sampling of his other work, much of it previously unpublished.

The Review: What a glorious book this is, not only encompassing the Doctor Who work of accomplished artist Phil Bevan, sadly taken far too young, aged just 45, but much of his other work too, including esoteric but enjoyable comic strips and more, all in a beautifully-presented collection.

Bevan is best known for his superb, highly distinctive illustrations for Doctor Who fanzines, magazines and books, including Jeremy Bentham’s marvellous In-Vision project, and Doctor Who Magazine. Throughout his entire, all-too-short, life, Bevan created an incredible wealth of extraordinary artwork, including fantasy, science fiction and horror art in which he specialised, and many cartoons for advertising and other purposes – testament to a keen sense of humour.

Presenting much of his work in chronological order, it’s immensely gratifying that, while there must have been a temptation to focus entirely on Phil’s distinctive, memorable, and much appreciated Doctor Who creations, editor Stephen James Walker has delivered a welcome retrospective presenting so much of his other work.

The illustrations suggest an artist constantly evolving in style, always experimenting, pushing his limits to improve and impress, which his distinctive art, most certainly does. Learning from influences such as Frank Bellamy, Bevan became very much his own artist during his lifetime, and you cannot help but wonder what other delights he may have created, had he not passed so young.

Telos Publishing have a deserved good reputation for their output, and The Art of Phil Bevan is a welcome addition to a portfolio that includes two superb volumes of The Art of Reginald Heade, and The Who Adventures: The Art and History of Virgin Publishing’s Doctor Who Fiction.

In my view, this is an essential addition to the bookshelves of all Doctor Who fans and anyone with a taste for brilliant genre artwork.

John Freeman

The Art of Phil Bevan
Compiled by Stephen James Walker
£39.99 hardback | 240pp. Large format 22cm x 28cm limited hardback. Fully illustrated in full colour throughout
ISBN: 978-1-84583-206-3
Publication Date: 7th October 2022

Available to order direct from Telos Publishing here | Copies of this book will be available to US-based customers through the following WHO North America: whona.com



Categories: Art and Illustration, Books, British Comics, Comic Creator Spotlight, Comics, Doctor Who, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Reviews, Television

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