Looney Tunes: The Ultimate Visual Guide

Rating:
Summary: Perfect book for Warner Bros. cartoon fans
Review: I have to admit I had reservations when I saw this at the store. I had not been impressed by the Superman volume or the other editions to come out under this series because so much of it was devoted to modern versions of the main characters. But this book is a visual treat, as well as being very informative about the history of the animated cartoon at Warner Bros. Many model sheets, cels, posters, etc. are here indepth throughout this wonderful volume.

Beck has written extensively about the WB cartoons before, so DK made a great choice in picking him for this book. Even though the targeted audience for this series is kids, the adult, like me, will love this beautifully put-together homage to the best cartoons to come out of Hollywood. I am so glad very little in this book talks about recent efforts; instead, they chose the Golden Age (the 30s, 40s, 50s) and I couldn't be happier.

Rating:
Summary: Beck comes through!!!
Review: Jerry Beck's Looney Tunes Book for DK Publishing comes through as a real winner. With more "in-jokes" than DK's previous Disney edition, this text is sure to please.

The work shows. From the (every character who appeared in a WB cartoon)painting/picture that appears on the inside cover to the comic book covers chosen, this is a fun read.

One of the best "jokes" and keeping with the personality of the characters, Daffy appears on the last page of the Bugs section, announcing that "this is where the real fun begins."

It's great. Some of the "extras" which include humerous sections on the Road Runner cartoons, and a mentioning of some of the gags used in those animated flicks.

Fun for the kids, and I'm sure Beck must have enjoyed putting this together. These books are great for the youngsters to get an overview of the history of WB, and the same for the Disney edition.

Beck also spends a bit of time on the new Looney Toons film coming up, and the recent Duck Dodgers series. It would have been nice if a few pages could have been spent on Tiny Toons, which did have some ties to the older characters. Two pages on Space Jam would have been nice.

Hmm. DK has done Disney and now Looney Tones, I wonder if DK will do Woody Woodpecker/Universal animation next. Maybe Paramount's Popeye. I'd hate for this one to be the last of these. ...