2008-01-14 A Fascinating Look at the Year 2007 for one of the best artists in comics...

'Uno Tarino' is a genuine rarity, in that you don't see many art books put together by those working in the field of comics. But then, Ashley Wood has always been an exception to the rule, and you could tell, right back when he was doing the covers for Uncanny X-Men during Joe Casey's period as a writer.

Wood is unique in the field, bringing a strong, impressionist style of painting to the table, and lacing it with harsh, graphic linework, and slight elements of digital painting, to create work that is unlike anything else on the market.

I first discovered his work on Metal Gear Solid, the comic adaptation of the hit videogame from Konami, and in fact, Wood is breaking the mold here, too - In 2006, Metal Gear Solid was adapted as a first-of-it's-kind digital graphic novel. The concept was such a hit that the sequel work, Sons of Liberty, is being released soon.

This book covers almost all of 2007 for Wood, encompassing various pieces of art and sketches for Popbot, Zombies VS Robots, and perhaps best of all, the Tank Girl revival. Having bought the book in the same order as Wood's 48 Nudes, I was confused to find some of the 48 Nudes sketches reproduced in Uno Tarino, but, as with the Tank Girl and Popbot sketches, I suppose these are meant to be a taster.

A brilliant book, lovingly presented, and it'd be ideal on any art lover's coffee table, even if you aren't familiar with Wood's work in comics. The only reason this gets four stars is the lack of commentary from Wood himself, which is something I find essential with modern artists.

Still, a great book, and I can't help but recommend it.