Dave McKean on illustrating The Folio edition of American Gods
American Gods is Neil Gaiman’s sweeping exploration of story, myth and the shifting nature of belief itself. Crammed with unconventional yet wholly engaging characters, this story of coin tricks, cons and misdirection is considered by many to be Gaiman’s masterpiece.
A legendary creative team, Gaiman and McKean have joined forces on several celebrated projects, including illustrated editions of The Graveyard Book and Coraline. For this special collector’s edition, the only colour illustrated hardback volume currently available, McKean has created 12 extraordinary illustrations, including three double-page spreads and a frontispiece, as well as designs for the binding and slipcase that complement and mirror each other.
The slipcase artwork features an impressionistic image of Shadow in his cell on the front, and a bison - a nod to the buffalo man who recurs as Shadow’s guide in the novel - on the back. The binding plays with these images further, interweaving them using stylised, dynamic shapes, suggesting the overlaying of the supernatural realms and the real world in the novel itself.
The Folio Society produces beautifully crafted collector’s editions of the world’s greatest books, each with unique illustrations or specially researched photographs throughout. Find books you love at foliosociety.com
View this edition: www.foliosociety.com/american-gods.html
love seeing the behind the scenes look!
Absolutely lovely!
Dave has simply been one of the graphic masters of the past 30 years. Grew up absolutely overwhelmed by the scale and texture of what the Gaiman/McKean imaginarium produced... Everything from Violent Cases to Mirrormask and, obviously, all things Endless. They are the Lennon/McCartney of fantasy storytelling and deserve all the accolades. I hope to finally order the signed copy this coming Friday or Saturday. Cannot wait.
Hi Marc, we're so pleased that you enjoyed Dave McKean's illustrations, he did a truly superb job on this edition. We do hope you'll enjoy your copy when it arrives.
I love it!! Perfect artist for the job!
Thank you for sharing his process, it's very inspiring and wonderful to see!
Incredible! Loving Dave’s work. I Am Legend is a masterpiece too!
Just got my copy today! Thank you for the incredible artwork Mr. McKean!
Wonderful, we hope you really enjoy it!
Dave is brilliant. His artwork his illustrations inspire my own since I read his Batman book that grant Morrison wrote. That book is a Masterpiece. Arkham asylum.💯👍🏻 Dave's my favourite artist. But he likes to be tilted illustrator. 😃🤘🏻
Plan on getting this for my birthday... only 8 months to go!
Beautiful! :)
Thank you! 😊
What do you think Gaiman thinks about the illustrations for both this book snd Anansi Boys?
Will made a French edition? 😱 I want this masterpiece
Hi! I'm afraid we only publish in English, apologies.
I personally would of preferred real artwork. Not a big fan of collage, mash/up, abstract “art”.
This is real art, everyone has there preferences. It’s not like he painted a canvas red and sold it for a million dollars
Reporting this pornography