The Spectrum series continues to deliver the very finest in fantasy art, in the widest possible range of styles, media, and venues. Categories include advertising, book art, comics, and more - including my favorites, the 'dimensional,' sculptural works. The styles range from classic realism (or surrealism), to inked line-drawings, to works that evoke medieval tapestries, to ... well, you name it, there are sure to be works here that have elements of it. Loose or literal, colored, B&W, or barely tinted,The collection, the printing, and the sheer variety earn this highest marks - even if digital media increasingly dominate hard media of the traditional kinds. So, why not that fifth star? Earlier volumes in this series lightened the mood with a rich mix of more whimsical, humorous works. Humor seems in short supply this time. Light works can be just as serious as darker ones, but the general feel of this assembly has a grim edge to it.Still, it's a worthy successor, whether you look for inspiration in your own work or just want to wallow in imagation made real.-- wiredweird
