The final chapter in an epic look at the life and work of comics legend Alex Toth, Genius, Animated focuses on his influential work on our favourite Saturday morning cartoons.
An extensive collection of sketches, character designs, storyboards and animation cels allows fans to indulge in Toth’s masterful drawings, alongside the third act in his fascinating biography. Renowned for his often hostile moods, the impression left by this series is one of an artist truly dedicated to his work, with a natural talent that may have left him unsympathetic to the failings in lesser artists. An intimidating figure he might have been, but the sheer quality and quantity of his work is a lasting testament to a genius that continues to influence today. This book focuses mainly on his animation work for the Hanna-Barbera studio in cartoons such as Scooby-Doo, Space Ghost and Super Friends, and readers are treated to familiar characters viewed through Toth’s unmistakable style.
One which brilliantly simplifies details for the limitations of animation and in turn created a look that for many, defines classic Saturday morning cartoons. We are also teased with the what could have been through his many unfinished and unrealised ideas.
Available separately or as part of a complete set with slipcase, these books offer one of the most extensive retrospectives of a comic book artist ever and come with my highest recommendation. Alex Toth gave us not only a golden-age in Saturday morning cartoons, but also an essential body of work for us to study and enjoy. Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell have delivered a fitting tribute that shouldn’t be missed.