Hi, everyone. I'm a new member of this Board, though a long-time RJ and F. Paul Wilson reader and fan. Amidst all of the various books, CD’s and DVD’s available to the Repairman Jack aficionado this holiday season, I recently came across something just a bit different that I thought might be of interest to some of you.

Gauntlet Press has published limited/lettered first editions of nine Repairman Jack novels since 1999, with more on the way. The cover art for all of these limited editions (as well as for numerous other Gauntlet Press books), was created by famed artist, Harry O. Morris, with input and approval from F. Paul Wilson. Gauntlet Press has now compiled a special Art Portfolio of all the cover art to the ten Repairman Jack novels they have, or will publish.

For those who might be unfamiliar with the man and/or his work, Harry O. Morris has been a published artist since the early 1970’s, his first published piece comprising the cover art for an album for the rock group OMEGA in Germany. During the 1980’s Mr. Morris provided numerous cover and interior art for books by Scream/Press, and for authors including Clive Barker, Richard C. Matheson, and Michael McDowell. Then, in the early 1990’s Mr. Morris created cover art for numerous titles in Dell Abyss’ paperback line. Mr. Morris also published nineteen issues of the noted H. P. Lovecraft and weird fiction fanzine NYCTALOPS. Since the late 1990’s Mr. Morris has worked with various Specialty Publishers.

The current Portfolio takes the cover artwork Harry O. Morris created for the nine already published Gauntlet Press Repairman Jack novels, plus the author and publisher approved cover art for the first of Mr. Wilson’s forthcoming Repairman Jack Young Adult trilogy of novels, SECRET HISTORIES. Thus, there are ten (10) cover art plates in the Portfolio Set. Each plate is 9.5” x 13,” is printed in full color upon archival quality semi-gloss paper. Each plate reproduces the full wraparound images by Harry O. Morris, without any overlying text, and with a simple identification of the name of the book and year of original publication in the lower right corner of each plate of the original cover art for the ten Gauntlet Press Repairman Jack novels, as follows:



1. CONSPIRACIES 1999
2. ALL THE RAGE 2000
3. HOSTS 2001
4. THE HAUNTED AIR 2002
5. GATEWAYS 2003
6. CRISSCROSS 2004
7. INFERNAL 2005
8. HARBINGERS 2006
9. BLOODLINE 2007
10. SECRET HISTORIES 2007


I purchased a copy of the Repairman Jack Art Portfolio as soon as it was announced. The paper utilized is indeed of exceptional quality, and it is immediately obvious that great pains were taken to ensure that the clarity and vibrancy of the original artwork, the color correction and the registration and accuracy of reproduction of the art, have all been exact and thorough. Each plate is certainly of a quality to be matted and hung, if that would be of interest.

The artwork itself is stunning. Artist Morris incorporates themes and images relating to each respective novel, and has composed covers that one cannot literally tear their eyes away from. Morris’ use of light and shadow is often brilliant, and he seemingly easily and deftly is able to combine exacting realistic detail work with surreal vision. Each and every plate in the collection is not only a striking visual message, but also, especially in combination with reading the novels themselves, becomes a springboard for thought and reflection.

This gift Portfolio has been strictly restricted to a Limited Edition of only Fifty-Two (52) sets, all of which are enclosed in a color-printed special envelope each of which has been individually numbered and signed by both author F. Paul Wilson and artist Harry O. Morris. What makes the Portfolio even more interesting and “special,” is that only those purchasing the current Portfolio will be allowed the right to purchase future plates of cover art for forthcoming Repairman Jack titles, such as the remaining two titles in the Young Adult trilogy, and the just announced new Repairman Jack novel coming early next year, BY THE SWORD. This means that the portfolio will be regularly augmented and kept current and complete with all new relevant covers. The estimated cost for all new forthcoming plates is only going to be in the $20-25 range. The Portfolio itself, available through the Gauntlet Press website (http://www.gauntletpress.com), costs $129 plus postage and insurance.

LOL -- Just for the record, I am not an employee of, nor have any ownership interest in Gauntlet Press (or any other Publishing concern) nor have I ever met Barry Hoffman, Harry O. Morris, or F. Paul Wilson. Indeed, I did purchase my Portfolio. I just thought it might be something of potential interest to some of you.

Thanks and Happy Holidays to all,

Norm

Are you a professional speech writer Norm?

[SIZE="3"]Harry doesn't go out and press the flesh and do convention showings, so he's been bypassed by the major awards, but he is a freakin genius. At my behest he placed the gorgeous "Shurio Coppe" endpaper from the Gauntlet edition of The Haunted Air on the cover of the portfolio. (He was going to leave it unreprinted!)[/SIZE]

Are you a professional speech writer Norm?

LOL -- No, just a retired attorney and judge who writes the "odd" review in his spare time. I was really blown away by the Portfolio when I received it and thought it might be worth "sharing."

Thanks,

Norm

LOL -- No, just a retired attorney and judge who writes the "odd" review in his spare time. I was really blown away by the Portfolio when I received it and thought it might be worth "sharing."

Thanks,

Norm

We have something in common! I bought it as well, before you wrote this sparkling review.