Imagine, then, the excitement that Howard Carson, an amateur archeologist at best, experienced when in crossing the perimeter of an abandoned excavation site he felt the ground give way beneath him and found himself at the bottom of a shaft, which, judging from the DO NOT DISTURB sign hanging from an archaic doorknob, was clearly the entrance to a still-sealed burial chamber. Carson's incredible discoveries, including the remains of two bodies, one of then on a ceremonial bed facing an altar that appeared to be a means of communicating with the Gods and the other lying in a porcelain sarcophagus in the Inner Chamber, permitted him to piece together the whole fabric of that extraordinary civilization.

    An intimate journey into the mind's eyes of the two brothers who wrote and directed one of 1999's most unusual and successful movies of the year (over $170 million in the US and Canada; $350 million worldwide)--The Matrix grew out of the Wachowskis' fascination with ideas that challenge perceptions of reality, and the way that mythology and the Internet informed culture. It tells the story of a computer hacker Keanu Reeves) in the 22nd century who joins a band of freedom fighters (led by Laurence Fishburne) struggling against evil computers that control the earth. To sell their amazing script to Warner executives, the talented Wachowski brothers employed tom comic book professionals to visualize their script in the form of storyboards. This unique book will include the complete storyboards created for 219 scenes by Steve Skroce and others, the Wachowskis' complete shooting script, many of their original sketches, several gatefolds of Geof Darrow's intricate conceptual designs, annotations by Skroce and Phil Oosterhouse, and a section on scenes cut before filming, annotated, wioth script pages and storyboards. A must for all science fiction, cyberspace, comic book, and Matrix fans!This unique volume includes:• The shooting script by writers/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski• Black & white storyboards (600+) by Steve Skroce• Color storyboards by Tani Kunitake and Collin Grant• Conceptual drawings by Geof Darrow, presented in four double-sided gatefolds• Color renderings of Geof Darrow• Conceptuals by Warren Manser• Three storyboard sequences cut before filming• 32-page color album of memorable stills and poster• Commentary by the artists about their work on the film, interviewed especially for this book• Thumbnail sketches by the Wachowski Brothers• Introduction by Zach Staenberg, Oscar "RM" -winning Film Editor• Scene notes by Phil Oosterhouse• Deleted script excerpts• Film credits

    In another part of the countryside, a young orphan is maturing into a beautiful woman in the enchanted village that is her home. Somewhere nearby, a young man is seeking adventure after running away from his family's small farm. Suddenly a strange and terrible prophecy sets off a chain of events that will bring these three together in the heroic, romantic, and thrilling tale of an age-old battle.

    Features over 1,000 classic characters created by comic giant Marvel which include the Spider-Man, the Avengers, Hulk, Wolverine, the X-Men and more.

    We live in an angry world, and we are well acquainted with death." — The Invokers' TalesDanger and adventure await in these pages, lavishly illustrated with the award-winning art of Magic: The Gathering! Explore a tumultuous world fraught with perils and join the fight for survival as the fragments of civilization confront the unnatural Eldrazi. Follow in the footsteps of heroic Planeswalkers as they combine their unique talents, forming the Gatewatch to overcome the greatest threats the Multiverse has ever known. The secrets of Zendikar — its peoples, continents and creatures — are ready for you to discover!

    A leading figure in the early twentieth century's Golden Age of Illustration, Rackham interpreted scenes from such diverse material as fairy tales, Wagnerian opera, and Shakespearean comedy. His memorable images, which combine whimsy, romance, and sophistication, continue to enchant children and adults alike.Magnificently reprinted from more than 25 rare early editions, these 86 illustrations were selected from hundreds of possibilities and include many plates that have not been reproduced in decades. They span Rackham's career — from his landmark 1905 edition of Rip Van Winkle to masterworks such as Undine and A Midsummer Night's Dream and his final publication, Wind in the Willows, in 1939. Art lovers, book collectors, and anyone with an appreciation for imaginative visual storytelling will prize this marvelous treasury.

    At the same time, these new editions of THE ART OF STAR WARS books will arrive in stores, packed with all-new material, including new "Special Edition" text in The Empire Strikes Back by Mark Cotta Vaz, author of the Industrial Light & Magic: Into the Digital Realm and The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire.