This is the cover for the audio tape adaptation of Metropolis. It was performed by Third Ear Theatre for Ziggurat Productions in 1995. The beatiful artwork was done by Paul Youll. Unfortunately, the artwork was the best part of this rendition. I had high hopes when I made this purchase; it had won the 1995 Earphones Award. It was difficult to find because it is no longer being produced. My wife and I were really disappointed in the production. The sound effects were acceptable, but the voice characterizations and music left much to be desired. This is a story with so much potential, yet it sounded trite through this adaptation. So much more could have been done better. Someone with a little more passion for the story could have done a nicer job. The art for the cover, however, could not have been better. The transparent skin covering the mechanisms that allow Futura to function is very well done. The luminescent rings surrounding the robot pays homage to the scene where Futura takes on Maria's appearance. Overall, the painting complements the design of Futura from the motion picture. |
Michael Kaluta's beautiful artistic interpretations of the sinister Futura from the 1988 Donning Company/Publishers edition of Metropolis. The artwork of this book clearly shows Michael Kaluta's detail, and it reinforces the Art Deco apprearance of the movie. |
In 1963, Ace Books, Inc. published this reprint of Metropolis. The cover illustration does not do justice to the classic literature behind it, yet the reprint was respectfully done with a wonderful introduction by Forrest J. Ackerman. A quote by Thea Von Harbou is included just before the introduction. It reads, "This book is not of today or of the future. It tells of no place. It serves no cause, party or class. It has a moral which grows on the pillar of understanding: 'The mediator between brain and muscle must be the Heart.'" |
Rotwang's Hand |
This is a rendition of Maria found in the limited series comic book, Kingdom Come, by Alex Ross. Ross also painted the rendition of the New Tower of Babel. Ross is one the best, if not the best, artists working in comics today. You can find Maria hidden in about three panels in the of issues 3 and 4. I heartily recommend this series if you like good comic books. A trade paper back edition is also available. |
Futura and C3PO from Star Wars. Mother and son? You decide. |
This is a statue designed by Giorgio Moroder to introduce the scene where we first meet Rotwang. It gives us a brief history on the reason Rotwang and Joh Fredersen are so closely linked: the love they both had for Freder's mother, Hel. The original scene has been lost, so Moroder created this piece to make up for the loss. |
These five connecting panels are works from a never-published comic book, based on Metropolis in the year 2046, twenty years after the original story. It was illustrated by John Kissee from a story by known comic book writer Sean McKeever. This was cancelled by Caliber Comics. It is my hope, and McKeever's to see this book published. I am certain it would be a fitting tribute to the original story. |
I found this homage to Marilyn Monroe on a British website that specialized in pewter artwork. It had several pieces based on the designs of Metropolis. |
I recently purchased this poster off of e-bay. I don't know who drew it. I am not an enthusiastic Betty Boop fan, but I love this print! |
In 1982 PC Comics reprinted comic stories featuring the mechanical hero, Rog 2000. The stories were comedy in nature, about a robot trying to live a normal life among humans. On the left we see Rog fall in love with the false Maria. Apparently John Byrne, Rog 2000's creator was a fan of Metropolis. |
Parody, as she appeared in a 1979 Canadian comic book. She appeared in the story "Street Noise", by Kevin Steacy. |
Superman's Metropolis from 1996 told a story that blended the Superman story with the Metropolis story line. The story substituting Superman for Freder was cleverly written. A must have for Superman and Metropolis fans. |
Futura and Londo from Babylon 5. Sister and brother? You decide. |
New, The Robbie Tanner Gallery! |
