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James Bama: American Realist
The illustration art of James Bama has now been collected into this impressive 160-page full color hardbound edition. James American Realist is the first book to span his entire career. Examples explore his diverse brush from magazine illustrations, paperback book covers, and advertising. Chapters examine his work in pop culture, horror, science fiction, adventure and western genres, concluding with his most recent fine art endeavors.
This volume features a detailed biography exploring his noteworthy and singular career. Insightful quotes by Bama accompany many pieces. In addition, testimonials by leading artists, writers, and historians are contained throughout.
During his career, Bama’s art graced many memorable pop culture paperback book covers. Among his most notable works are the 62 cover paintings for Bantam’s Doc Savage adventure series, all of which are contained within.
His uncanny ability to render a multitude of genres, and under amazingly tight deadlines, made Bama highly sought after by top publishers. Combined with his exemplary work ethic, Bama’s artwork encompassed a wide spectrum of media. This, along with his unique realist approach, helped secure his place as one of the most influential artists of his time. Having achieved remarkable success in illustration, Bama changed direction, pursuing a career in fine art. His gamble led to higher acclaim. This book delves into the man, from illustrator to artist.
Written and designed by Brian M. Kane in cooperation with Mr. Bama. Introduction by Harlan Ellison®. Foreword by Len Leone. 160 pages in color. Over 260 illustrations are featured, of which more than 85 are from the original art. Over 30 personal photographs of family and modeling shoots are contained within.
This volume features a detailed biography exploring his noteworthy and singular career. Insightful quotes by Bama accompany many pieces. In addition, testimonials by leading artists, writers, and historians are contained throughout.
During his career, Bama’s art graced many memorable pop culture paperback book covers. Among his most notable works are the 62 cover paintings for Bantam’s Doc Savage adventure series, all of which are contained within.
His uncanny ability to render a multitude of genres, and under amazingly tight deadlines, made Bama highly sought after by top publishers. Combined with his exemplary work ethic, Bama’s artwork encompassed a wide spectrum of media. This, along with his unique realist approach, helped secure his place as one of the most influential artists of his time. Having achieved remarkable success in illustration, Bama changed direction, pursuing a career in fine art. His gamble led to higher acclaim. This book delves into the man, from illustrator to artist.
Written and designed by Brian M. Kane in cooperation with Mr. Bama. Introduction by Harlan Ellison®. Foreword by Len Leone. 160 pages in color. Over 260 illustrations are featured, of which more than 85 are from the original art. Over 30 personal photographs of family and modeling shoots are contained within.
- GenresArt
160 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2006
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About the author
James Bama
43 books4 followersJames Elliott Bama is an American artist known for his realistic paintings and etchings of Western subjects.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 15, 2020
Growing up in Sixties, like many other male readers, I was drawn to paperbacks with covers by Frazetta and Bama. As a reader, I never got into Doc Savage as much as Bama's covers drew me to try them. My reading preferences were with Conan, The Shadow, ERB and WWII. I was especially drawn to Bama's paperback covers for Willi Heinrich, Paul Carell and other WWII paperbacks. His covers would always catch my eye whether I was interested in the paperback or not.
I was thrilled to purchase Brian Kane's book of Bama's art work. This is a must for all fans of James Bama. Foremost, Flesk Publications did a super job of reproducing all the examples of Bama's art work. This is also a must for all fans of Bantam Paperback's Doc Savage series. The book includes all Bama's covers for that series. Brian Kane's text is informative on James Bama's career.
I was thrilled to purchase Brian Kane's book of Bama's art work. This is a must for all fans of James Bama. Foremost, Flesk Publications did a super job of reproducing all the examples of Bama's art work. This is also a must for all fans of Bantam Paperback's Doc Savage series. The book includes all Bama's covers for that series. Brian Kane's text is informative on James Bama's career.
May 15, 2011
Bama was the Norman Rockwell of genre fiction. His signature work was a series of 62 Doc Savage paperback covers for Bantam Books. My mother must have bought and read every single one of them. I remember she had a giant stack of them when I was a teenager. For some reason, I was never interested in reading the Doc Savage series, even though the covers were stunning. I must have felt that the covers were an attempt to make up for lackluster writing.
I have examined every page of this book, but have not read all the commentary. Bama's art is absolutely mesmerizing. Apart from Doc Savage, Bama resonates deeply with me because he provided art for some Aurora plastic model kits that I collected and built when I was a boy. The models were based on monsters from the well-known Universal Studios films of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Wolfman, etc.
But I must say, Bama's works cover an amazing range of subjects: sports, war, romance, westerns, crime, etc. It's amazing that art of this caliber once appeared on cheap paperback books.
Bama eventually abandoned book cover art and moved to Yellowstone, where he opened a studio devoted to Western (i.e. "cowboys & Indians") Art.
Anyway, I'm tempted to read some Doc Savage now. And oh yes . . . I found some of those Aurora model kits on eBay a few years ago. The prices were exorbitant, but I bought them anyway!
I have examined every page of this book, but have not read all the commentary. Bama's art is absolutely mesmerizing. Apart from Doc Savage, Bama resonates deeply with me because he provided art for some Aurora plastic model kits that I collected and built when I was a boy. The models were based on monsters from the well-known Universal Studios films of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, The Wolfman, etc.
But I must say, Bama's works cover an amazing range of subjects: sports, war, romance, westerns, crime, etc. It's amazing that art of this caliber once appeared on cheap paperback books.
Bama eventually abandoned book cover art and moved to Yellowstone, where he opened a studio devoted to Western (i.e. "cowboys & Indians") Art.
Anyway, I'm tempted to read some Doc Savage now. And oh yes . . . I found some of those Aurora model kits on eBay a few years ago. The prices were exorbitant, but I bought them anyway!
August 21, 2013
i thought i knew bama's art only from doc savage, turns out he's done a bunch of book covers i've seen and collected. just like wendell minor and mort kuntsler, you see his work together and are astonished by his versitilty. and a fun read, liked the comment that his wife one day posed as a hooker, nun and astronaut - at the end of the day she didn't know who she was!
everything flesk publishes is this good.
everything flesk publishes is this good.
March 22, 2013
My first exposure to James Bama's amazing artwork were his covers for the Doc Savage series of books.
This book presents a breathtaking collection of pieces - covering many genres. It's hard to imagine how someone could be so prolific, and yet, maintain such an extraordinary level of skill. Truly one of the greatest illustrators/painters of our time!
This book presents a breathtaking collection of pieces - covering many genres. It's hard to imagine how someone could be so prolific, and yet, maintain such an extraordinary level of skill. Truly one of the greatest illustrators/painters of our time!
March 28, 2015
incredible!
February 4, 2016
WOW ! An awesome art book. Bama is one of the top modern painters. A great selection of a master's works. Highly recommended
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews