To commemorate the conclusion of the best-selling critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham video game series from Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Abrams Books will publish The Art of Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City & Arkham Knight (Abrams; available now; U.S. $40.00; Hardcover with jacket), the first book to look behind the scenes of this groundbreaking video game trilogy. With text by author Daniel Wallace, this lavishly illustrated collector’s item features the best preproduction art, concept sketches, background paintings, character turnarounds, and sketch-to-final-in-game comparisons from all three of Rocksteady’s core Batman: Arkham titles — Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight.
The Art of Rocksteady’s Batman is a collector’s tome that takes fans through every stage of the creative process, from story work by legendary Batman writer Paul Dini, as well as all of the concept art, development art, production art, and CG artistry in between. Key creative and development talent offer insights into the creative process through exclusive, candid interviews, making this fully authorized book the definitive look back at six years of gaming innovation that have helped re-imagine the Batman mythos in yet another iconic incarnation.
Check out an excerpt of this amazing book after the jump.
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| John Gravato’s striking concept of the Joker, exploring the balance between comic book design and realism |
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A moody Batman concept by John Gravato, including an early Batarang design
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| Two-Face flanked by thugs. In early concepts, some thugs would bear gruesome mutilations. Art by Kan Muftic. |
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A Kan Muftic character concept for Harley exploring the jester aspects of her costume
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Commissioner Gordon is seen in this design by Oliver Odmark
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Batman stands atop an outsized public monument. Art by Oliver Odmark
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is available now from ABRAMS Books
