Extraterrestrial Compendium Condensed (Sea Lion Books – Lee / Chao / Various)

Just in time for the approach of the reputedly transformative year 2012, a comprehensive collection of extraterrestrial life-forms as visualized and vividly-rendered by Pat Lee of Transformers, DC, and Marvel comics fame. Within the UFO and exopolitics communities, there is both debate and consensus about many of the “known” extraterrestrial races, but seldom have they been revealed in this level of detail. To the believer, the curious, or just open-minded, the Extraterrestrial Compendium provides fuel for thought.

The Extraterrestrial Compendium “Condensed” is the making of the Extraterrestrial Compendium “Full”, which will be available November 2011. The Extraterrestrial Compendium “Condensed” is filled with early stage conceptual art and notes from the creative team. It is a must have to go along with The Extraterrestrial Compendium “Full”.

I have only gotten to see about 50 pages of this book, but so far I am impressed.  This reads exactly like it’s marketed – as a brief encyclopedia of alien races (actually it reads more like Wiki).  The descriptions are general, but enough to go on if you were writing a short story and creating a role-playing adventure.  The art varies from being great to competent, but it never dips below that. The races mentioned here aren’t from any particular mythology or sci-fi series (books, movies or TV) – just general archetypes that are seen throughout the genre.

The Bottom Line: A decent purchase if you have the discretionary income and a pretty cool coffee table book.  Not just for comic fans!

Grade: B