Ralph and Friends

August 13, 2015 1:30 AM

Ralph Steadman (previously here), the illustrator best known for his collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson, has illustrated other people's books, notably some newer editions of older volumes: Alice in Wonderland (previously here, but with dead links), George Orwell's Animal Farm, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, not as well known because the edition was limited to 451 copies, all autographed by both Bradbury and Steadman. He has also written and illustrated I, Leonardo, an "imaginary autobiography" of Leonardo DaVinci, adding more centuries to his historical reach.
Trigger Warning: Large Quantities of Visual Gonzo-ness
posted by oneswellfoop (14 comments total)

I’m a Steadman fan, and hadn’t seen all these before—many thanks for the post, oneswellfoop! Following the links from his site I learned that a documentary was made about him in 2012: For No Good Reason, which completely passed me by when it came out. I shall have to track down a copy (there’s a full version of it on YouTube, but it’s been slowed down, making it rather hard to watch).
posted by misteraitch at 2:39 AM on August 13, 2015

You scared the shit out of me, Foop. I hadda do a quick scan ahead in the paragraph because I thought this was an obit!
posted by valkane at 2:44 AM on August 13, 2015 [7 favorites]

My apologies for the scare, valkane; I wanted the 'fun' title "Ralph and Friends" to prevent such misunderstandings, but if you turned off titles, I can't accept the blame. 😀

I did want to mention that the only time I ever saw Ray Bradbury in person, he was doing an on-stage conversation/interview with his old friend, animator Chuck Jones for a cartoon festival. And when I first learned of the Fahrenheit 451 collaboration (which isn't even mentioned on Steadman's site, thank you so much, Maria Popova of Brain Pickings), one of my first thoughts was of a potential Steadman-ized version of Jones' "Duck Amuck"...and my mind was so thoroughly blown... well, I'm not quite over it yet.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:02 AM on August 13, 2015 [2 favorites]

The Fahrenheit 451 illustrations are on one of the official Steadman sites, but I couldn’t find the Animal Farm ones listed there.
posted by misteraitch at 3:14 AM on August 13, 2015

One of the images for Animal Farm pays such brilliant homage to Guernica. Thanks for posting.
posted by mattoxic at 3:38 AM on August 13, 2015 [2 favorites]

Metafilter: Because, you know, it’s not a tea party until somebody flips the bird.
posted by adept256 at 5:03 AM on August 13, 2015

I still can't believe Jason Mraz wrote the closing credits song for the end of the movie. #turdinthepunchbowl
posted by pxe2000 at 5:28 AM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

I saw that edition of Animal Farm while on business in New Orleans, in Faulkner House Books, right off Jackson Square (I like that little book store and am glad I stumbled across it). Obviously I immediately bought it, because the intersection of Orwell and Steadman was too perfect to pass up.
posted by caution live frogs at 5:39 AM on August 13, 2015

He also illustrated a special edition of The Mildenhall Treasure, which was one of Roald Dahl's short stories.
posted by web-goddess at 5:50 AM on August 13, 2015

I looooove Ralph Steadman. I majored in illustration in college, and he was one of my top influences. Well, him and Mucha, which led to a very...odd...style of my own.
posted by Windigo at 6:23 AM on August 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

Also of interest to Steadman fans is his book on Sigmund Freud. In it he focuses on Freud's thoughts and theories about humour. As Freud usually came across as a gruff and dour person, this perspective gives his biography a unique spin.
posted by ovvl at 7:59 AM on August 13, 2015

Being from Maryland and a beer drinker I see his Flying Dog work every day.
posted by HumanComplex at 7:59 AM on August 13, 2015

More Visual Gonzo-ness: My artist buddy Jud just worked with Steadman to create a "limited edition Bronze Vintage Dr. Gonzo sculpture."
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:40 AM on August 13, 2015 [2 favorites]

Cool video, cool art, Lyme Drop.
posted by benito.strauss at 9:46 AM on August 13, 2015