In this section, I’ll provide links to mentions of CARTOON MODERN in blogs, newspapers, magazines and beyond. There will be an easy-to-access press link in the right sidebar if you’re curious to keep up with what people are saying about the book:
JANUARY 15, 2007
John Canemaker’s wonderful review of my book appears in the Jan/Feb 2007 issue of PRINT magazine. Click the image below to read it.
JANUARY 7, 2007
The NY Times Book Review featured a nice blurb about my book along with a still from a UPA short.
NOVEMBER 1, 2006
Animation historian Mark Mayerson awarded CARTOON MODERN solid marks in a thoughtful review published in the October 2006 issue of FPS MAGAZINE. The issue can be purchased as a PDF file HERE:
EXCERPT
CARTOON MODERN is an essential volume for anyone interested in this period of animation history or in this design approach. Amidi thoroughly knows his subject, having done an enormous amount of research, and writes about it enthusiastically. He has assembled a stunning collection of artwork, much of which has not previously seen print. When a book about animation this good is published, it’s a cause for celebration.
OCTOBER 20, 2006
CARTOON MODERN got a fine review in the Fall 2006 issue of the arts and culture quarterly BOMB MAGAZINE. Click on the image below to read the review.
OCTOBER 18, 2006
Ward Jenkins of Drawn! offers praise for the book.
EXCERPT
Amid Amidi’s recent book, Cartoon Modern, is a brilliant and compelling collection of mid-century animation design. Chock full of bold and crisp images of conceptual art, layouts, backgrounds, character designs, model sheets and painted cels, Cartoon Modern gives the reader a solid reason for taking a second look at this unique era in animation design…Highly recommended.
OCTOBER 5, 2006
Evan Dorkin (MILK AND CHEESE, WELCOME TO ELTINGVILLE) picked up my book and likes it. He comments about it on his BLOG.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2006
Leonard Maltin, one of America’s top film critics and author of the classic animation text OF MICE AND MAGIC, has made CARTOON MODERN one of his book picks on his website. You can read his review HERE.
EXCERPT
I devoured every page of this book, reveling in the illustrations and learning new things about many artists and designers whose work I’ve admired for years, from John Hubley to Ernie Pintoff.
Fifties modernism has been in vogue for some time now—what some architecture buffs call “mid-century modern”—and it’s high time someone recognized the contribution that the animation world made to that bold art movement.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2006
ANIMATION MAGAZINE did a nice write-up about CARTOON MODERN in their October issue. Click on the clipping below to read their plug:
SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
Eminent animation historian Michael Barrier has reviewed CARTOON MODERN. I wholeheartedly agree with Mike’s parting thought: “Anyone who cares about Hollywood animation’s history should buy Amidi’s book without hesitation.”
SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
Book illustrator/author Lane Smith (THE STINKY CHEESE MAN) likes my book: “If you love 50s animation and design, this is the bible. Amid has invested years of research which is apparent on every page of this classic.”
SEPTEMBER 6, 2006
A lot of people are blogging about the just-released book. It’s hard to keep track of everybody’s comments but here’s a few of the fine folks who’ve written about CARTOON MODERN:
Lili Chin
XK9 Design
Subconscious Ink
Will Kane
Donnachada Daly
SEPTEMBER 4, 2006
Splog blog
by Michael Sporn
EXCERPT
Amid Amidi’s book Cartoon Modern is the best book on animation I’ve encountered since Michael Barrier’s Hollywood Cartoons. …The story, here, isn’t about the pioneers who built a business and an artform; it’s about the artists who rebelled from that business to advance the art. Their story is every bit as thrilling and certainly as much of an inspiration. This is especially so in that I grew up while these guys developed the look they advanced. In some small way I was taught - through their cartoons - that modern art was good. Also, as a small business animator, how could I not associate with these guys? …My delight in this book couldn’t be more sincere.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2006
Toonfuse audio podcast by Lee and Tony
Listen to it HERE. (Note: The discussion about CARTOON MODERN begins about halfway through the podcast.)
EXCERPT
I’m going to say this book is going to be the #1 animation book sold and bought this year…There is a picture on every single page and the best part about these pictures is they relate directly to what you’re talking about, where in some other history books you are reading along and you see a plate and a picture and they’re from an article that was on page 5 when you’re on page 690…Everything is where it needs to be.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2006
Bud Plant, one of the largest mail order catalogs for comic art, animation and pop culture books, has given CARTOON MODERN their coveted “Highly Recommended” mark. Bud Plant calls the book, “A first class, beautifully done art book.” Also, in their weekly newsletter, it’s listed as one of “Bud’s Favorites” and he writes, “Super design work, lots of fun sketches, fascinating history — simply delightful!” This means a lot to me, not only because Bud Plant’s booth is one of my favorite places to shop every year at the San Diego Comic-Con, but also because Bud sees thousands of art books every year and I know I’m up against strong competition when I receive such a high grade from him. Here’s a screengrab of CARTOON MODERN’s appearance in their online newsletter.
AUGUST 28, 2006
Blackwing Diaries blog
by Jenny Lerew
EXCERPT
The publisher, Chronicle, has a well-earned reputation for excellent, attractive layout and design and their approach is a perfect fit with the subject matter, tailor-made for prominent placement on coffee tables of design and animation lovers everywhere.
“Cartoon Modern-style and design in fifties animation” is arranged as a encyclopedia of studios, from Academy Pictures to Warner Bros., each chapter filled with eye-popping and mostly, I’m sure, unpublished designs, character models, backgrounds, storyboards–you name it. Leafing through the 200-odd pages I’m struck with the caliber of work from studios I’ve never heard of in my life: Elektra Films, Grantray-Lawrence Animation, Academy Pictures–next to Disney, UPA, Playhouse, Warner Bros. and a dozen others…I haven’t even begun to really dig in, but it’s gorgeous, inspiring, and obviously fills a pretty fair-sized gap in animation history to date.
AUGUST 26, 2006
The first customer review of the book has appeared on Amazon. I was surprised and delighted to see that it’s by one of America’s foremost independent animators, George Griffin. Here’s what he has to say:
Forget “limited animation,” decline of the “golden age,” fairy tales and cuddley cuteness. This gorgeous sampling of abstract cartoon animation design from the dynamic postwar era examines shorts, industrials, TV spots, feature titles. Amidi’s insightful comments hint at the delirious blend of bebop rhythm, lefty politics, spatial/tonal compression, and optimistically experimental world-view that fueled the renaissance. An artbook for your Noguchi coffee table that celebrates little-known studio designers and provokes further debate on animation history.
AUGUST 23, 2006
Mad Professor blog
by Mark Frauenfelder
EXCERPT
This is a book I’ve dreamed about writing for years. Fortunately, I procrastinated long enough that someone came along who is much more knowledgeable than I am about mid twentieth century animation…If you’ve ever marveled at the flat, bold, and sophisticated art in Gerald McBoingBoing, you’ll love finding out more about this wonderful era in animation, an era that today’s animators like Craig McCracken (Powerpuff Girls) mine for inspiration.
