The World of The Dark Crystal
Encyclopedia
The World of The Dark Crystal is a companion book written in conjunction with the film The Dark Crystal
. The book was designed and edited by Rupert Brown, with Illustrations by Brian Froud
—who was the conceptual designer for the film—and text by J. J. Llewellyn. It was originally published in 1982 by Alfred A Knopf, Inc. In 2003 the book was re-released by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. While it is rumoured that copies of the original book are valued at several hundred dollars, first printings can easily be found on the internet at auction sites such as eBay
for less than $100 US.
The book gives background information for the film and contains many sketches and art concepts drawn by Brian Froud. It is in this book that the names of the Skeksis
, the urRu, the urSkeks, and many of the creatures created in The Dark Crystal are introduced. In addition to being a prequel book, it is an art book that contains spectacular drawings.
for Best Non-Fiction Book.
The Dark Crystal
The Dark Crystal is a 1982 British-American fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Although marketed as a family film, it was notably darker than previous material created by them. The animatronics used in the film were considered groundbreaking. The primary concept artist was the...
. The book was designed and edited by Rupert Brown, with Illustrations by Brian Froud
Brian Froud
Brian Froud is an English fantasy illustrator. He lives and works in Devon with his wife, Wendy Froud, who is also a fantasy artist...
—who was the conceptual designer for the film—and text by J. J. Llewellyn. It was originally published in 1982 by Alfred A Knopf, Inc. In 2003 the book was re-released by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. While it is rumoured that copies of the original book are valued at several hundred dollars, first printings can easily be found on the internet at auction sites such as eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
for less than $100 US.
The book gives background information for the film and contains many sketches and art concepts drawn by Brian Froud. It is in this book that the names of the Skeksis
Skeksis
The Skeksis are a fictional species which act as the main antagonists in the 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal, its companion book The World of The Dark Crystal and the TokyoPop prequel Legends of the Dark Crystal. The word "Skeksis" serves as both singular and plural form for this species, with...
, the urRu, the urSkeks, and many of the creatures created in The Dark Crystal are introduced. In addition to being a prequel book, it is an art book that contains spectacular drawings.
Awards and honors
The book was a finalist for the 1983 Hugo AwardHugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
for Best Non-Fiction Book.