‘Art of John Alvin’ Review: Beautiful tribute to his legacy, from ‘Blazing Saddles’ to ‘Star Wars’

John Alvin’s wife Andrea details the impact of John Alvin which is amazing captured in the new book: The Art of John Alvin.

Described as “Hollywood’s best kept secret,” Andrea reveals the shocking truth about her husband’s career and work: “His art is iconic and at the same time tells a story.”

Spanning his early work on Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, all the way to his poster for the very first Star Wars Celebration, the posters created by John Alvin are as etched in pop culture as the movies they promoted.

“He could come up with an idea for a poster, design the logo, and write the copy line,” Andrea writes of John’s talent. The iconic Belle and Beast dancing on the Beauty and the Beast one sheet, the blazing lightsaber on the Return of the Jedi poster or the impact of Harrison Ford’s Blade Runner image all bring forth very specific images in our mind’s eye.

We can thank John Alvin for that.

Movie after movie, The Art of John Alvin truly amazes as the resume of work is almost shocking: The Goonies, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Batman, Aladdin, Jurassic Park, The Lion King and many, many more.

The commentary explores John’s process: the use of “heavy light” for Beauty and the Beast, working the billing and placement for the Batman franchise’s poster or the incredible Jurassic Park process, which is almost mesmerizing.

Fans of art, graphic design, filmmaking or just movies in general, will all love this book and come away with a new and exciting appreciation for John Alvin’s resume of work.

Alvin is described as “the entertainment industry’s preeminent designer and illustrator of film posters” but it hardly does him justice, so check out his resume on IMDB and expect to be in awe – click here

Overall The Art of John Alvin receives 5 out of 5 stars!

Get a copy via Amazon HERE

Jurassic Park concept art poster

ET concept poster

Empire of the Sun by John Alvin