First off, to avoid any confusion that might arise from the illustration accompanying this listing, this is a single volume that flips over, with two front covers  – Ace-Double / 69 style – making for two different sketchbooks – one for Jaime and one for Gilbert – that then meet in the middle of the volume.  ¿Comprende?  Most of the material presented here is drawn from the two original oversize softcover Love and Rockets Sketchbooks that were published over thirty years ago – but not all; there is previously unseen work here. 

This massive compendium (see specs below) provides a chance to experience some of the untrammeled enthusiasm at the genesis of Love and Rockets as well as some behind-the-scenes looks at the scaffolding the supported the early days.

We do feel compelled, however, to note that the quality of the reproduction of the art, what you actually see on the page, is not up to the level one would expect for a book at this price point.  It is clear that many, perhaps most, of the images are not first generation scans/reproductions of the actual artwork, but are at a remove of one or more generations; reproductions of reproductions, in other words.  While many, perhaps most, perusers of this volume won't even notice the quality issues in the reproduction of the artwork, some are sure to be marginally disappointed (we've done our part to make up for this lack by offering a healthy 25% discount to help bring the price down).

That said, there is no downplaying the vitality of the work collected in this volume.  There is a high level of raw comics energy here, flowing forth onto the page from the can-do, punk rock spirit that animated the dawn of the Love and Rockets era; an energy that anyone and everyone can tap into, and which has been, and will continue to be, an inspiration to us all. 

Pages:  408  |  Format:  Hardback  |  Black and white  |  Dimensions:  10.1" × 13.3"  |  Weight:  6.25 lbs.  |  ISBN-13:  9781683968795