Saturday, 30 September 2023

'toon nostalgia (5/5)
























The word '...scrapbook.' on the cover perfectly sums up this book. Visually it's a stunning and exuberant look at the cartoon output of Hanna-Barbera. I'll admit I'm not too interested in their cartoons on TV but as a publication designer, I was intrigued to see how the Insight Publications editorial folk handled all this varied material.

Brilliantly is the word. From the cover onwards the page design, typography, paper and printing couldn't be better but it's the scrapbook-like extras that will make the title come alive for any reader. Starting with the envelope inside the front cover with a sixteen-page booklet with a brief summary of HB's work and eighteen other envelopes and contents plus small booklets stuck on the pages that are the cherry on the cake. 

Some of the material is quite technical, storyboards and style sheets for the cartoon characters, for example and all nicely mixed in with the historical detail in the text. 

Cartoon fans who like the scrapbook format of this book should check out the Loony Tunes Treasury (ISBN 978-0762440443). 


No comments:

Post a Comment