March 15, Mt. Laurel, NJ: R.L. Stine’s classic Goosebumps novels have spooked multiple generations of kids, and now Dynamite Entertainment celebrates the storied history of the tales and specifically its iconic imagery by Tim Jacobus in a new official art book.
“This book is a big ‘Thanks!’ to the Goosebumps fans for their never ending support for my art,” said artist Tim Jacobus. “I’m honored to hold a spot in your collective memories that brings a smile. And of course, thank you Bob Stine, for taking me along on this epic ride. Cheers!”
Since Scholastic first published Goosebumps: Welcome to Dead House in 1992, the series has exploded in popularity among intrepid young readers. The series now includes 62 books, and has spawned television shows, feature films, and several spinoff series, including Goosebumps SlappyWorld. Altogether, the celebrated Scholastic franchise boasts over 400 million copies in print.
Just as important as the thrills and scares inside the books, the captivating covers from artist Tim Jacobus caught readers’ attention and helped them visualize the stories. The imagery provided by Jacobus established the visual brand for the series, carrying forward to influence all the numerous adaptations and merchandise. Every 90’s kid is intimately familiar with these shocking paintings.
Tim Jacobus, R.L. Stine, writer Sarah Rodriguez, and designer Mark McNabb come together for a walkthrough of all the books and covers in the Goosebumps tapestry. Fans new and old can see how initial pencil sketches evolve into the final piece, as well as countless unused versions.
“I remember picking up my first Goosebumps book in the elementary school library. It was Beast from the East and I was captivated by the beautiful cover,” shared writer Sarah Rodriguez. “In fact, every Goosebumps book I ever read was because of the cover. I don’t even like horror stories!”
Designer Mark McNabb added, “From the 1990’s to the present, R.L. Stine’s stories and Tim Jacobus’s artwork have imprinted written and visual memories that will last for generations. I’ve designed over 100 books but this was a true dream job for me, to have an opportunity to create this printed work containing some of the best children’s horror fiction and illustrations!”
At 200 full color pages, an oversized hardcover presentation, and insight from the series creators, the book is an indispensable resource for fans.
THE ART OF GOOSEBUMPS is solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ February 2021 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in April 2021. Fans are encouraged to preorder copies of the book with their local comic book retailers or preferred book vendors. It will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, Dynamite Digital, ComicsPlus, and more!
About Author
