Art of Alice Madness Returns

by Dave Marshall

Pub 2011. 184 in Dark Horse Comics Legendary game designer American McGee created one of the most visually of the arresting games of all time in Alice Eleven years later. McGee returns A with a sequel just as groundeaking as his critically acclaimed classic - Madness Returns! Just in time for Madness Returns. Dark Horse and Spicy Horse Games invite Alice fans to take a journey through the wonderland of American McGee's imagination for a look at this magnificent and disturbing world. With text by Madness Returns lead writer and executive producer RJ Berg. and featuring an introduction by McGee. The Art of Alice offers an intimate look into the artwork behind this blockbuster interpretation of Lewis Carroll's enduring masterpiece.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Horror, Video Games, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fairy Tales

Paperback

First published April 27, 2011

Reviews

[Parka · Rating 5 out of 5]

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

The Art of Alice: Madness Returns is a video game art book. A very good one.

The book's a 184 page hardcover published by Dark Horse. It's in a large vertical format. The paper is thick low glossy. Binding is superb. Production value is top notch.

The concept art and ideas are awesome. There are out-of-the-world background paintings, character designs, props, weapons and gruesome creations. Also included are discarded ideas that didn't make it - usually the too abstract.

When you mix a classic like Alice in Wonderland with pop culture, video game designers, concept artists and throw in a Victorian-gothic theme, you get very strange new world. A world so dangerous Alice has to be equipped with a kitchen knife at all times or sometimes a Bazooka firing hammer (yes, hammer) or a teapot cannon.

Every page brings a little element of surprise and twist. You can see crows with baby faces, Jack the Ripper with tentacles, Alice helping a mother giving birth to a load of kids (gruesome concept), an angler fish with human legs, cow birds, steampunk-like contraptions, a Chinese Humpty Dumpty, flying pig noses, embellished pieces of weaponry, etc. There are lots of mix and matches for things that shouldn't go together.

The environment and set designs are amazing. It looks like some gothic Victorian hell that Alice is treading through. The landscape is ever changing along the game. The are is beautiful and detailed. They totally nailed the mood.

There's also plenty to read with the little captions that describe the designs, characters and stories. It gives a nice idea of how such a strange game came about. It's all very interesting to read.

Some of the artists involved in the book are Ken Wong, Sun Guoliang, Luis Melo, Hong Lei, Wu Yuehan, Ben Kerslake, Nako, Tyler Lockett, Fellipe Martins, Pu Jinsong, Wang Shenghua, Yuan Shaofeng, Jin Lei.

This is an excellent art book. It should be one of the best for 2011.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5



I'm not familiar with the game (go away, shoot me ... I'm a book person), but I loved this art-book. Nice, dark and a little creepy.

[ліда лісова · Rating 5 out of 5]

я хотіла просто подивитися артики (і вони неймовірні!), але як читання це виявилося не менш цікавим — процес роботи, придумки, інтерпретації творців гри… вкотре стверджуюся у думці, що твори за мотивами книг мені подобаються набагато сильніше, ніж прямі екранізації.

[Samuel Ch. · Rating 5 out of 5]

No conforme con la maravilla tridimensional que conforma al juego, me hice de este tesoro gráfico con el fin de agradecerle a McGee y a su equipo, y de paso sacarle el máximo provecho a la mejor adaptación artística jamás creada de Alicia en el país de las maravillas.

Art of Alice compila las ideas, bocetos, escenarios y conceptos que conformaron el "alma final" de este brillante juego en plataforma que solidifica la visión oscura de American McGee sobre la eterna obra de Lewis Carroll. El libro incluye comentarios del director Ken Wong y del genio creador American McGee sobre opiniones del trabajo de su equipo, causas y discusiones sobre las ideas que se concretaron para el juego final. McGee confiesa haber creado un juego de artistas para artistas, y al ver las imágenes que plantearon al juego, se le cree plenamente.

Este libro es la evidencia de que existe el arte en los videojuegos. Establece a la locura como un lugar, no como un estado, y comparte con los jugadores los orígenes, estudios y significados de lo que finalmente vieron en la pantalla. Art of Alice hace justicia al talento y al tiempo invertido para demostrarle al jugador el profesionalismo y el trabajo que el arte representa, al tiempo que le replantea al mundo conservador la idea del triunfo del arte sobre la simplicidad del ocio cualquiera.

El equipo artístico reconoce sus bases en Belsinski y Helnwein (quien produciría el arte conceptual de Marylin Manson y Rammstein), por lo que ya podemos tener una idea de dónde surge la gran visión de Alice: Madness Returns. Este libro revela cómo fue evolucionando la producción del juego, cómo se aprovechó la fuerza del arte para crear los ambientes más impactantes y los monstruos más retorcidos, y cuáles ideas se quedaron en el horno por complicaciones técnicas o temporales. Le estaré eternamente agradecido a Spicy Horse por esta obra maestra que defiende a la visión artística dentro del mundo de los videojuegos. The Art of Alice es una evidencia innegable de que la belleza, el horror, la literatura y la tecnología pueden crear algo majestuoso e increíble.

[Rachel Lam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I wish I could gaze upon this everyday

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

تا قبل این کتابه ، ایده ای راجع به بازیش نداشتم ، حقیقتشو بخوام بگم حتا اسمش هم نشنیده بودم ؛ ولی به نظر بازی جالبی میاد.
حالا اینجا بیشتر بررسی کرده چطور به طرح های بازی رسیدن، و چقدر جالبه که نه تنها استایل و طرح های مختلف رو امتحان میکنن، که بافت های مختلف هم بررسی کرده بودن.
جالب در اومده بود.
بیشتر از کاراکترای انسانیش، بحث بک‌گراند و موجوداتش جالب بودن.
توضیحات خیلی مختصری نوشته بود ولی کافی بودن.
حالا بعدن باید برم یوتیوبی جایی ببینم خود بازیش چطوری شده.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this e-book through NetGalley for a fair review.

The Art of Alice: Madness Returns takes the reader through the making of the sequel to American McGee's hauntingly beautiful video game Alice which just came out this month (June 2011). While I have yet to play the game myself, I have always been a fan of the artwork, style, and story telling of this creepy version of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.

This book does not disappoint. The artwork is simply awesome. Full page illustrations show the depth and beauty of the game. The creators walk the reader through character development and how they made their setting rich through the most smallest details. Overall, this just makes me want to go out and buy the game immediately! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genera of video games, but also those who like Tim Burton-ish artwork. Truly, I had a wonderful time simply looking at the artwork in this book.

[cobra bubbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a warped retelling of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, American McGee’s 2011 platforming video game ‘Alice Madness Returns’ fuses the whimsical fairytale with the twisted real-life inspiration behind the character.

As one of my favourite video games, the disturbing art direction transcends the aging graphics which gives gravitas to the art book. With artwork splurged across the pages depicting pre-production illustrations to ideas left on the cutting-room floor, ‘The Art of Alice Madness Returns’ is a feast for the eyes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Teo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were prints for the art in here, it’s so beautiful! Both Alice games are visually stunning with unique marvelous levels and atmospheres. The contrast between London, Wonderland and the levels within Wonderland is endlessly dazzling. The artwork for the Infernal Train particularly stood out, is absolutely stunning. The Queen’s castle too. Also loved the lil commentaries for most of the art.

[Pedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing journey through the development process of Alice: Madness Returns.

The book itself is very sturdy and well crafted, and each single page oozes pure love and artistic expression. Its contents are very well laid out and are easy to follow.

If you're an Alice fan, I definitely recommend reading and collecting this art book!

[jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wish i had read this earlier, i've been in love with this game since i was 10/11. it's so creative and fun, and uses surrealism in such a fantastic way. the art and thought process behind everything is really fun to read about and i loved all the illustrations. n acredito q tinham tugas na equipa

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art in this book is GORGEOUS. The aesthetic, the details...completely caught me off guard.

[usagi ☆ミ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When “Alice” first came out for the PC, I picked it right up and played it through. I’ve been a fan since its inception, I guess you could say, and to hear that it’s getting a reboot for the new-generation vidya game consoles is a very happy thing (especially since graphics and movement have improved a whole hell of a lot since that initial PC-only release. This book is basically one giant cocktease of the art to come in that reboot.

I guess what my biggest issue with this artbook, however, is that it’s all art. There are some pieces of commentary in there, but I was hoping for more discussion on what was improved on within the game and why by people other than McGee. The art, however, wins it, and thus the four stars. It’s kind of like food porn – you know, cookbooks with luscious pictures of yummy food in it that you can just drool over for hours. But there’s no real sustenance there.

I do enjoy the line art pages, though. Those give a hint at the skeleton of this new reboot for the new-gen consoles, but nothing else really does. If you like pretty pictures and are a fan of the original game, or if you’re just into everything “Alice in Wonderland”-related anyway, you’ll probably really love this book for what it is: an art book. I guess this one’s on me for expecting more than what was implied and promised. I’m kind of bad at that.

Still, I encourage everyone (of age) to pick up the game and play it if you can, be it the original version or the new one. It’s fun, and it’s a very new take on the “Alice” tale, one that gave birth to lots of goth kids in the 90s obsessed with malicious Cheshire Cats. This book is definitely a feast for the eyes, but it will leave you hungry for more in the end.

(crossposted to librarything, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)

[Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of both American McGee's Alice games, I immediately bought this book upon discovering that it existed. Art book usually never interest me; I'd rather borrow it from the library than buy one with my money. But The Art of Alice caught me almost instantly, and I had to check it out.
The story at the start is fascinating, and a wonderful insight into the making of both games and the challenges they went through. The little comments with nearly each piece of art truly helped make the book for me, and gave a good picture of what it was like to make Alice: The Madness Returns.
The art itself was stunningly beautiful, and deeply disturbing at some times. Each piece speaks volumes about the game, the characters, and the artist itself. Every sketch and fully done piece shows the directions this game could have gone, sparking the imagination to come up with all new images of what Wonderland could have looked like.
All in all, I suggest this book to every Alice fan, and even those who have never played it.

[Greta is Erikasbuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

--- I got this from Net Galley ---



It doesn't seem that long ago when I played American McGee's original Alice but it's been 11 years since its release.



This book is dedicated to the vision and how a sequel came to be.



The illustrations are breathtaking and the creativity behind it all is simply genius. I love how they are making Wonderland an even darker place than before.



I recommend this book to fans of the original Alice (game).



The NEW game is slated for June and I am very excited about sharing the experience with my 13 year old son.



Here's to another trip down that crazy rabbit hole!

[Senator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and mysterious, The Art of Alice: Madness Returns gives fans a peak into what it took to create the second game due out June 14, 2011. If you or someone you know likes graphics/ games that are a obscure and have a taste for the macabre you will certainly want to pick this number up! .... Please click for the full review.

[Amy Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This colorful book is a welcome addition to any video game enthusiast's library. It includes just enough narrative background to satisfy those who need to know the gritty behind-the-scenes detail without sacrificing valuable space for the art which is impressive. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole into a world of melting clocks, revamped madhattery and the Queen of Hearts' domain filled with cards and . . . valves!?!

[Stéphanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cet artbook explique la direction artistique du jeu et les choix des artistes. Ce livre est donc non seulement beau mais également instructif. Au niveau des illustrations, elles sont glauques à souhait, foisonnantes et très fidèles à l'idée qu'on se faite d'un Alice version cauchemar. Bref l'artbook est à la hauteur du jeu : excellent !

[Tiffany Spencer]

The Art of Alice Madness Returns
There were some very beautifully done illustrations in this book! Unfortunately, I hadn’t played this game. I had American Mcgee’s Alice and I always loved the graphics. I wanna say tho that I couldn’t really play the game through because there was something about it and my PC system that didn’t wanna play together and it kept crashing. Then I kind of got away from PC games because they take up A LOT of storage space. Just like with Epic Mickey, this was one of the games I’ve been meaning to just sit and watch the play through (along with the one I had-American McGee’s Alice).

My favorite imagery from the book are these. There’s one of Alice that looks like she’s actually *wearing* a house as an outfit. Possibly taken from the part of the book where she’s inside the house and gets stuck when she starts growing. This is a very unique way to interpret that part.

There’s an image where Alice is standing somewhere and there’s a lady in the corner of the picture with a crown on her head and one of her hands is raised. And I might be mistaken but it looks like there’s blood around her. Then another where she’s standing on a building face to face with a (slug?). The building is leaning like it’s about to tilt over. There’s one of the map of Wonderland itself. This one is helpful because while not as bold as the others it shows all the locations laid out. It kind of reminds me of a game I had called “Legend of Mana” (Just thinking of this game makes me want to buy it for the PS. There was just something about the style of it-tho not as advanced as newer games-).
There were the looks in the section “Alice’s dresses”. I liked the dress that had blue short sleeves, a black front with a blue bow, and a plaid skirt. It looked like there was a black bow in the back, black net gloves, and stripped socks. There was one with Alice sitting with the Cheshire holding an umbrella. Another image of Alice featured with different hair styles (I liked the first two of the three). If you scroll down a l ittle further you’ll see other sketches of different dresses (my favorite is of her holding the knife). Then you’ll see different looks for Alice inspired by some of the other characters (like the White Rabbit, the Hatter, etc).

One of my favorite parts of games like this one and others like Final Fantasy is the costume changes with the special abilities you get when you level up. A little further down are some red, black, and white designs for Alice’s dress (featuring her with blond hair). The next thing that was really fun was the way they tied the weapons into objects from the story. Such as the pepper grinder that Alice uses like a machine gun. Then in the section “London” there’s a sketch that’s the interior of Dr. Fixxler’s. Then there’s a larger-than-life other picture of Alice with all the card’s coming at her (and her towering over them).

There are sketches of some very odd-skeletal looking sea creatures. And a very interesting one of the Duchess in a bathtub with what appears to be a pig (in a bonnet). There are also some cool things going on with “The Dollhouse”. There’s a very colorful picture of it and then we see illustrations of some of the furniture inside. From start to finish each of the images are stunning!

Rating: 10

[Shrivrae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artworks, mostly unused in the game—it's great to see the diverse ideas that went into their creation and the different directions the game's creators explored. There are also artist commentaries, notes and descriptions (about the art, ideas and development process), making the whole thing both beautiful and informative. After reading it, you'll have a general idea of the plot, world, and characters, which is rare for artbooks, so I appreciate it all the more for that.

It's also rather creepy - there were some wild and unhinged ideas early on in development, but I love the style and ambience, it's truly unique. "I gave Sun GuoLiang a bunch of English terms to Google in order to find reference for this task. I didn’t have the stomach to check the references myself." and "Our artists are all nice, pleasant people, so we really had to push them to explore their dark sides for this game. This image [Alice killing a princess who gives birth to monster babies, yeah] is the result of me telling Sonny to go darker, darker, darker. Maybe we went too far." - looking at some of Sun GuoLiang artworks - yeah, they might've gone too far, hahaha. But his art sure is incredible.

I especially loved the concept arts of the gray and austere Victorian London, the weapon posters (I'm quite sad the Hysteria glass weapons didn't make it into the game), the colorful Oriental Domain (the Wasp Warriors are awesome), the fleshy Queensland (it's easy to tell they were inspired by Zdzisław Beksiński), and finally, the sterile Asylum.

The Dollhouse was creepy af - "The insane kids live in the dollhouse, as they did in the first Alice. We wanted them to be crazier this time, so I took references from some cerebral-surgery books", bruh. The Meatbaby is stuck in my head now.

The farher you read, the more graphic it becomes.

I wonder what this game would look like today (or the sequel, Alice: Asylum, which unfortunately will never be made and ended in the concept phase due to EA and their clinging to the franchise license and unwillingness to collaborate on creating a new game... well, shit happens, but I'm still salty about it), without the technical limitations that once prevented them from implementing many of their ideas in the game and forced them to abandon them. It's a solid artbook, one of the best.

[Stephen West · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Art of Alice: Madness Returns" is a stunning visual feast that provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of the popular video game. Filled with concept art, sketches, and renderings, this book showcases the incredible talent of the artists who brought the twisted world of Wonderland to life.

One of the standout features of this book is the attention to detail. The artwork is incredibly intricate, with every page revealing new layers of depth and nuance. The designs of the characters and environments are hauntingly beautiful, and the illustrations are accompanied by insightful commentary from the game's developers.

One thing that struck me as I flipped through the pages of this book is how much thought and care went into creating the world of "Alice: Madness Returns." From the eerie landscapes to the grotesque monsters that populate Wonderland, every aspect of the game feels meticulously crafted and thought out.

Another highlight of this book is the variety of art styles on display. There are sketches and concept art ranging from rough, loose drawings to highly polished, finished pieces. This diversity of styles gives a great sense of the creative process behind the game's development, and it's fascinating to see how the ideas evolved over time.

While this book is primarily a visual showcase, I appreciated the commentary from the developers and designers. Their insights give context to the artwork and offer a glimpse into the creative decisions that went into making the game. However, I would have liked to see even more commentary and insight into the game's development process.

Overall, "The Art of Alice: Madness Returns" is a must-have for fans of the game and anyone who appreciates beautiful artwork. The level of detail and creativity on display is truly impressive, and it's a great reminder of the power of video games as a medium for storytelling and artistic expression. While I would have appreciated a bit more commentary and context, this book is still a fantastic addition to any bookshelf. 4 stars.

[m · Rating 4 out of 5]

i had an absolute pleasure playing this game for 4 days straight. i was pulled in by the world and it's all i can think of lately. what made this game so interesting was the art direction. i remember being shocked by how beautiful level 1 was, and how much i loved alice's character design, and her weapons. after playing chapter 1, i knew that i had to experience the full game.

this book is a great document on the design process of alice: madness returns. i loved the part where they showed the color script for each domain in wonderland. i love that each domain had a different outfit for alice, had different designs for enemies, and had really good motion-graphic cutscenes every ending. i love the part where they showed the different designs of each weapon upgrades. i also love the part where they discussed the different ideas that didn't make it in the final version of the game.

i can't wait to dig into the pitch bible for alice: asylum!

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never completed the game because my playstation broke but for those not familiar, the game has striking visuals and concepts - from the animation, the backgrounds and the characters. The book is great because you get to see the pre-production concepts along with notes plus notes and photos of the completed game characters, scenes and backgrounds. It is a fascinating look not only the game itself, but how the characters evolved and the notes from the various people involved. From how they settled on a look for Alice, to the evolution of their London and Wonderland, you get in depth looks at the details, from small to large. Even if you have not played the game, the artwork here is intricate and amazing.

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible experience for anyone who loves "Alice: Madness Returns" by American McGee, and I adore it. I really liked the first game but this one just blew my mind with its brilliant, creepy, dark art design, incredible gameplay and insane characters. It's definitely one of my favourite video games so this book with 6 chapters full of behind the scenes of making it made me very happy. Now I just want to stay up late and experience the game all over again!

[Laxerous Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good Art Book. Having played the game and being a fan of the art style I was immediately interested in seeing if there was an art book, which there obviously was. Very high quality images and art on high quality paper. Gives insight into the designs of various elements of the game and creative concept art makes it a feast for the eyes.
If you’re a fan of the game, of gothic horror/fantasy art styles or of the original Alice stories this Art Book will be right up your alley.

[Kitten Foxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved playing the game(s) (if you count American McGee's Alice) I loved the work put into the backgrounds, the characters and the soundtracks.

If you thought the games were great, you'll think the book is a fucking masterpiece.

I loved looking at the work they put into the backgrounds, characters and reading a bit about what it took to draw it all.

If you're an art fan, and enjoyed the game you'll enjoy this book.

[Chloe A-L · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book has all the same ethical pitfalls of the game, the whole "wow, ain't crazy people the COOLEST!" attitude that has poisoned Alice-inspired content literally since the actual victorian era, but the arts really gorgeous and i like seeing game design notes, that stuffs really interest big to me.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly gorgeous artwork and concept art, I am in awe I must have this book physically in my hands one day so I can put it under my pillow and maybe I'll absorb at least 10% of the skill and creativity. Or maybe I should just put down my art supplies and stylus and never pick them up again because hoo boy I am humbled and depressed.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading art books and it's an easy way to give my brain a rest as well as add to my already completed Goodreads goal. ;p Alice: Madness Returns is a phenomenal video game with such a particular art style that I loved reading a whole book about it. It's focuses on the Victorian Alice in Wonderland setting but incorporates dark and twisted elements. I need to rewatch a Let's Play of the series after seeing such amazing artwork of the game. There's not much to say but I want to keep finding art books on Hoopla to explore!

[Cursed_Hal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite games
the art and gameplay is AMAZING
and seeing the creative and visual process of this was just MIND BLOWING
there is so many stuff here that it is totally worth checking
its just really beautiful to see so many amazing artist work and love for this project
also its really cool to see the stuff that did't made into the game, really interesting concepts