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Titan To Re-Publish Older Alien Books

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We recently learnt that Titan would be publishing Prometheus: The Art of the Film. It turns out Titan is also going to re-publishing a number of older Alien books as well:

Titan To Re-Publish Older Alien Books

“With Prometheus on the way, they are replicating the format for themselves, with Alien: The Illustrated Story: The Artists’ Edition, now renamed from “The Original Edition” to closer mirror the IDW editions. The volume will reprint the original art of the Heavy Metal Archie Goodwin/Walt Simonson adaptation of Ridley Scott’s Alien at the 14″ x 17″ size.

The volume will also include colour tryout pages, the Goodwin script, an interviews with Simonson as well as his signature on every copy. Titan are also making the original story available in colour paperback at a… slightly more affordable price as Alien – The Illustrated Story.”

This comes from Bleeding Cool and is the first official announcement regarding the re-release. According to Amazon The Book of Alien and the Colonial Marine’s Technical Manual are also going to be re-published. If you’re interested in The Illustrated Story, be sure to Like their Facebook page.

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  2. Cvalda
    Posted
    Just so everyone knows, Amazon US has now listed the Artist's Edition for preorder, currently priced at $40.62. I took the plunge and preordered--not a bad price for a limited edition, autographed import. Wonder how many of these Amazon is gonna get. :-\
    Reply
  5. Xenomrph
    Posted
    Quote from: SM on Mar 19, 2012, 10:53:06 PM
    The Nostromo isnt in Aliens.  Technically or otherwise.
    I believe the name might be up on the screen in the ICC inquest which was the loophole they used.

    I recall reading some sort of interview with Lee Brimmicombe-Wood where he mentioned it was a licensing thing which was why 'Alien3' isn't referenced directly.

    Edit-- yeah, he mentions it in this interview but I also recall him mentioning it in some other interview as well.

    Quote
    Q: How did Fox get involved, and at what point did this occur?

    A: I presume Fox got involved when my publisher negotiated the license. Much to my chagrin I soon discovered that Boxtree had only bought a license for the second movie. That was frustrating, as I’d hoped to fill out the book with material from the first and third movies. However, when Fox’s licensing division in Beverley Hills began to read drafts of the manual they had kittens. A whole section of the final chapter referenced the events of the third movie, and went into all sorts of detail about Alien morphology. That had to be scrapped because it wasn’t covered by the license. In the end I had to cut the final chapter down by half and restrict mention of the third flick to an oblique reference.

    Fortunately, Fox were prepared to stretch things a little with regards to the first movie. As various events and items from Alien, such as the Nostromo, were mentioned in the sequel, I was allowed to drop those into the book. But a big article on the escape pod from the third movie, done originally for the magazine, was left out.
    Reply
  6. SM
    Posted
    I dunno if there was a licensing thing.  He talks about events in Alien and makes more vague references to events in Alien3 (including the EEV).  Licensing was an issue early on with artwork, hence the proliferation of Harry Harris stuff over licensed stills.
    Reply
  9. Hudson
    Posted
    Was the Nostromo even in the book? I haven't read that thing in a few years so I don't remember much. I just remember I was too young to read it when I did; I'd probably enjoy it more now.
    Reply
  11. Xenomrph
    Posted
    I seem to recall that he wasn't allowed to use Alien3 stuff in the book for some reason because of some licensing thing, that they'd only licensed 'Aliens' specifically but not any of the other movies. The only reason the Nostromo or Narcissus are in the book is technically because they're in 'Aliens' as well, and while the events of 'Alien3' are hinted at in the final chapter they're not directly referenced by name.
    Reply
  12. Hudson
    Posted
    I did an email interview with Lee Brimmicombe-Wood a few years back and he said he did some designs and specs for things like the EEV from Alien 3, but then said the files were lost on a computer somewhere.

    How cool would it be to get him to find that and put it in this new version? It's not gonna happen, but that'd be the only way I'd consider buying the book again.
    Reply
  21. Nostromo70
    Posted
    I doubt if I'll get the Artist's Edition, as £39.99 is a bit steep and I can't justify it, but I'll probably get the 'ordinary' version which is only £7.47, to replace my battered old copy which is about to fall apart. :-[
    I like the old cover design with the Nostromo caught in vines or tentacles, although I am not sure where vines or tentacles come in in the story, but the new design with the Alien creature is pretty eye-catching.
    Reply
  25. shoveke
    Posted
    Quote from: First Blood on Mar 13, 2012, 04:54:25 AM
    Just wanted to express that you and those involved did a beautiful job on the Walter Simonson Thor Omnibus. Well done. :)

    First Blood - Thanks so much, glad you liked it. It was truly a one of a kind situation, having access to all (or at least 90%) the original artwork to be able to rescan at high-res and have re-colored by the amazing team Steve Oliff put together.

    Quote from: SM on Mar 13, 2012, 05:00:16 AM
    Ta.  One more question - Can I have your job?

    SM - No.  ;)
    Reply
  26. SM
    Posted
    Quote
    SM - When the original book was printed, all of the lettering was done on a separate pieces of drafting vellum for each page, as some of the dialogue was to be printed in blue, and it was easier to have the lettering done that way for printing. Well, fast forward 30 years, printing is done somewhat differently and it's easier to have all the artwork setup and finalized going into the print process. So, I had to re-composite the lettering digitally back onto the artwork for the B&W and color editions. Also, the coloring in the original printing ended up being kinda muddy and the blacks were a little washed out in places. We have scanned in all the color artwork fresh and will adjust things so that it will be printed in the manner that was supposed to be originally released back in '79 but for some reason, did not turn out that way.


    Ta.  One more question - Can I have your job?
    Reply
  27. First Blood
    Posted
    Quote from: shoveke on Mar 13, 2012, 04:04:29 AM
    Aaron - Sadly, Archie passed away back in '99. I work in Walter's studio so that's how I got the gig to do the art scanning and restoration, as I scanned all the artwork for the recent Marvel THOR Omnibus reprint and some of the artwork for IDW's THOR Artist Edition. Walter is extremely busy drawing Avengers for Marvel currently, but be assured he will be signing off on all portions of the finished product to make sure we get the best book published that we can. We will also have the original creative director for the book and letterer, John Workman involved. He is very excited to see this back in print, as are we all.


    Just wanted to express that you and those involved did a beautiful job on the Walter Simonson Thor Omnibus. Well done. :)
    Reply
  28. shoveke
    Posted
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Mar 12, 2012, 08:46:08 PM

    Shoveke, are Archie or Walter assisting you in anyway at all with the re-release?

    Aaron - Sadly, Archie passed away back in '99. I work in Walter's studio so that's how I got the gig to do the art scanning and restoration, as I scanned all the artwork for the recent Marvel THOR Omnibus reprint and some of the artwork for IDW's THOR Artist Edition. Walter is extremely busy drawing Avengers for Marvel currently, but be assured he will be signing off on all portions of the finished product to make sure we get the best book published that we can. We will also have the original creative director for the book and letterer, John Workman involved. He is very excited to see this back in print, as are we all.

    Quote from: SM on Mar 12, 2012, 10:31:22 PM
    Shoveke - What exactly constitutes "restoring artwork"?  I have the original edition, which still stands up for mine.  Do you have any examples of the old edition compared to the new?

    Cheers.  :)

    SM - When the original book was printed, all of the lettering was done on a separate pieces of drafting vellum for each page, as some of the dialogue was to be printed in blue, and it was easier to have the lettering done that way for printing. Well, fast forward 30 years, printing is done somewhat differently and it's easier to have all the artwork setup and finalized going into the print process. So, I had to re-composite the lettering digitally back onto the artwork for the B&W and color editions. Also, the coloring in the original printing ended up being kinda muddy and the blacks were a little washed out in places. We have scanned in all the color artwork fresh and will adjust things so that it will be printed in the manner that was supposed to be originally released back in '79 but for some reason, did not turn out that way.

    Quote from: predxeno on Mar 13, 2012, 02:54:45 AM
    If I do get the Artist's Edition, it will be more for the fact that I'm a fan of the Alien series than anything else as I have never bought an Artist's Edition of any kind of comic book and thus have no idea what truly makes these copies so special.

    What makes them so special, is that if you've ever seen original artwork compared to the printed version, there is usually a significant size difference as artwork is generally reduced by 35% for comics as a rule. The "Artist editions" print the original artwork at it's full original size, that means the pages in this book will 14" x 17", the same size as the original artboards. Plus with all the extra and new material and interviews, that's what makes them so "special". Also, the IDW edition start at US$100 a copy, so the price for the Alien book is a considerable bargain. If you are not one to care about such artistic matters, then the regular color reprint should hold you just fine.


    Quote from: RagingDragon on Mar 13, 2012, 03:07:35 AM
    Does that just mean it's autographed?  I'd like to know what's different as well, before I decide to spend the extra money.


    RagingDragon - All copies of the Original Art Edition will come hand-signed by Walter. It will be a limited run and there are no plans for re-printing as I understand it.

    Reply
  31. predxeno
    Posted
    I hope the facebook page for Alien The Illustrated Story or AvPGalaxy will do a giveaway where people can enter for a chance to win a free copy of this book.  That will definitely be more affordable. ;)
    Reply
  32. Cvalda
    Posted
    Quote from: predxeno on Mar 13, 2012, 03:11:51 AM
    I think all the original artwork is autographed, so that's a lot of pages in the book that will bear the artist's signature.
    The book itself will be autographed. All the artwork is the original black & white ink illustrations done by the artist before coloring. It'll be quite a collector's item.

    I can't afford it, so I'll just be getting the paperback reprint with the color version. I like da purrty colors :P
    Reply
  33. predxeno
    Posted
    I think all the original artwork is autographed, so that's a lot of pages in the book that will bear the artist's signature.

    Also, I get your pain about More Than Human.  It's so sad that what was supposed to be a triumphant return was a dramatic failure for the comic series. :(  I hope you eventually did get Omnibus 4, tho.
    Reply
  34. RagingDragon
    Posted
    Does that just mean it's autographed?  I'd like to know what's different as well, before I decide to spend the extra money.

    I'm still recovering from buying Aliens: More Than Human when I' could've gotten Omnibus 4 with Berserker in it. :'(  Hoodwinked by those goddamned Swanland covers.
    Reply
  35. predxeno
    Posted
    I'm thinking about getting the Artist's Edition, but $37 is a lot of money.  Originally, the highest price I was going to go for would be $30 and I don't know whether or not I should dish out the extra cash for the Artist's Edition.  If I do get the Artist's Edition, it will be more for the fact that I'm a fan of the Alien series than anything else as I have never bought an Artist's Edition of any kind of comic book and thus have no idea what truly makes these copies so special.
    Reply
  37. SM
    Posted
    Shoveke - What exactly constitutes "restoring artwork"?  I have the original edition, which still stands up for mine.  Do you have any examples of the old edition compared to the new?

    Cheers.  :)
    Reply
  38. Corporal Hicks
    Posted
    Nice to have you here, shoveke. I'm Aaron Percival from the FB page.

    If folk want the Original Art Edition, I'd get your orders in on Amazon now before the price goes up. I've pre-ordered mine.

    Shoveke, are Archie or Walter assisting you in anyway at all with the re-release?
    Reply
  39. shoveke
    Posted
    Hi,

    I'm the admin for the "Alien-TIS" facebook page and am responsible for scanning and restoring the artwork for the Titan reprints.

    The "Original Art Edition" can be ordered right now at the Amazon.co.uk site, but you didn't have to live overseas to order it. We have plenty of american fans that have already ordered a copy through them. It is true that the only domestic outlet will be Diamond via comic shops and the like.

    The new color reprint edition will be available as a mass market edition and is currently up for order at both the US and UK Amazon sites. It will also be available via Diamond.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to fire away and I'll do my level-best to answer them in a timely manner.

    Also, more info and any new info is posted first over at the Official FB page - http://www.facebook.com/AlienTIS

    Thanks for the interest in this reprint project.
    Reply
  40. Cvalda
    Posted
    Unfortunately, it seems the hardback Artist's Edition is going to be largely an exclusively UK edition. There will only be VERY limited imports to the States through local comic shops, distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors. You can expect those to retail at a very premium price, as well. No news on whether the rest of the world will have any imports at all yet.
    Reply
  42. SM
    Posted
    Easily one of the best comic book adaptations ever produced.  They really nailed the likenesses panel after panel.

    Compare it to Earth War, Alien3, Newt's Tale or Resurrection and they pale in comparison.
    Reply
  44. First Blood
    Posted
    Here's some pics from the original for those curious about this...

    https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tebeosfera.com%2Fimagenes%2Fmuestras%2F2%2F1%2F546-510-721.jpg&hash=bc92fc9b4d9292ee7f40282ba9bf8498

    https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tebeosfera.com%2Fimagenes%2Fmuestras%2F0%2F9%2F113-160-409.jpg&hash=3828558872a990c532b4a0386030f5c4

    https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tebeosfera.com%2Fimagenes%2Fmuestras%2F9%2F9%2F332-422-599.jpg&hash=86b6f7d0e087fabb73522d4555647b83

    https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_78GoKpS5zk0%2FSiGlfJ_rkoI%2FAAAAAAAAAWg%2FF4vgATfRGkg%2Fs1600%2Falien%252Bfour.jpg&hash=a50a97fe2d749d66c9974861fac04aa6

    https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_78GoKpS5zk0%2FSiGmY_6M6HI%2FAAAAAAAAAXY%2Fl_HqzAoCi8g%2Fs1600%2Falien%252Bsix.jpg&hash=a8ca6780d22b078f13c9fcb8f427cef0

    Quote from: Cvalda on Mar 05, 2012, 10:02:18 AM
    Quick update--one of the admins for the ALIEN: The Illustrated Story Facebook page has clarified what's going on with the reissues, or at least how they're being remastered. All the artwork, both the original B&W and color, has been completely rescanned piece by piece from the original artists archives, with the text separate. Sounds like they're rebuilding the entire graphic novel from scratch.

    I guess this means the artwork is going to definitely look much better than the original 1979 printing, especially with modern scanning and printing techniques. So looks like we're getting a definite upgrade! Hopefully they don't change the formatting too much from the original.

    This is going to look gorgeous rescanned and redone. Almost like a fresh coat of paint. :)
    Reply
  45. RagingDragon
    Posted
    Just rad, take my money.

    And the tech manual finally getting the love it deserves after what... 15 years?  I always thought they did a good job with that book, and assembled/presented it in an entertaining way as well.
    Reply
  48. Cvalda
    Posted
    FINALLY! Details about the Artist's Edition have been released!
    Per the official Facebook page and this link: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/03/10/alien-the-artists-edition/
    Quote
    With Prometheus on the way, they are replicating the [Artist's Edition] format for themselves, with Alien: The Illustrated Story: The Artists’ Edition, now renamed from “The Original Edition” to closer mirror the IDW editions. The volume will reprint the original art of the Heavy Metal Archie Goodwin/Walt Simonson adaptation of Ridley Scott’s Alien at the 14″ x 17″ size.

    The volume will also include colour tryout pages, the Goodwin script, an interviews with Simonson as well as his signature on every copy. Titan are also making the original story available in colour paperback at a… slightly more affordable price as Alien – The Illustrated Story.

    That's right--these are very limited edition, and the price is so high because every copy is personally autographed. Note the original color version will only be sold separately in paperback.
    Reply
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