As we saw in the last post, the Humongous Book of Dinosaurs consists largely of illustrations that are... at best mediocre. This is, admittedly, something one must expect when we're discussing a book that is, in fact, over one-hundred issues of a magazine merged together. If there's one theme to be found in the book it's that all the animals in it appear to be facing one common and ubiquitous natural enemy:
Perspective.
Foreshortening wasn't one of the strong suits of the huge group of illustrators working on this project. It lends a surreal air to the "Triceratopses circle their young to fend off tyrannosaurs" meme. That poor Trike on the far left looks like his skull is pointing in two different directions! Not to mention the very derpy tyrannosaurs. (Take a shot.)
A few more animals being attacked by the illusion of depth:
Jeez, at least his forefeet are semi-correct.
This Stegoceras almost looks like he's trying to escape being sucked into a vortex.
That face...
Fish look weird from the front anyway, but this...
How can Carnotaurus run like that on a leg that's broken in three places?
And then you've got these non-Euclidean 80's Dilophosaurs, one of whom seems to be both standing behind his fellow and on top of him at the same time.
I haven't talked much about the "History in Pictures" feature since I'm only focusing on the art in HBoD. Still, there are some great little moments:
Here Eberhard Farrs (sic) is apparently ready for the Gathering of Juggalos. Freakin' Brachiosaurs, how the hell do they work?
And this might be the greatest-ever portrait of Bob Bakker.
Next week: We witness senseless gore and violence!
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Sketch of the Day!
A little pen-and-ink landscape.
