general

Those who like the fantasy art of Olivia de Berardinis may have a taste for Dorian Cleavenger, who goes into areas of bondage and demonic vampiric horror. However, his work touches on themes (fantasy, mechanization, vampires) that remind one of Sorayama and Giger as well as de Berardinis. The first few pages dwell on the mecha theme (Geiger and Sorayama), though the mecha stuff isn't as glossy as that of Sorayama. That's because Cleavenger's preferred medium is acrylic paint.

Models include Alley bagget, Melissa Wolfe, Glorianne Gilbert, Kate Moss (yes, that Kate Moss) and one of Olivia's favourites, Julie Strain, who is the winged cover girl astride a giant robot in a piece titled "The Bonecrusher."

Some of the artwork might be of appeal to black metal fans, especially fans of groups with dark artwork like Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir. On one entitled "Bloodbath," a nude woman arches back in ecstasy while blood pours from a stone gargoyle's mouth atop her throat. Purgatori III has a winged horned babe with her arms and legs astride a skulled cross. "The Reaper" is a platinum blonde woman with flowing locks, glowing blank whites for eyes, wielding a scythe and with a snake wrapped around her body. However, for something really gruesome, there's one of Heather Tennant, portraying a woman with quite a piercing fetish, with some of her pins on fire.

There are some pictures of Vampirella, yes, she of the long black hair, white collar and red ribbons placed strategically over her breasts. An interpretation of Arthurian legend is "The Lady of the Lake," where model Claudia Christian is holding Excalibur but with a skimpy outfit that one usually doesn't get in mentally envisioning that personage.

Warrior women also feature, some of which resemble Vallejo/Bell material of exotic armour and beasts. Innocent-looking girls also come out, particularly in the mermaid drawings. However, one erotic one entitled "Sea Food" might as well be subtitled "Octopi Just Want To Have Fun."

Given this newcomer who published his first book of material in 2001, we may see the heir to Olivia in this talented man. So, anyone who likes Olivia but wants something a bit on the spicy and gothic side, check this out!

An astoundingly refreshing and entirely new approach to fantasy art,with sensual illustrations bordering on the erotic, yet each with imaginative and creative situations and costuming portrayed in a manner never before seen in any book by any artist. A vertible feast for the senses. Technically Dorian's art is superb, with excellent lighting, perspective and creatively imaginative scenarios. His representations of the female form and features lack the exaggerated depictions of most fantasy artists, bringing such a degree of realism into his realms of fantasy that women can project their own personas into his images and his worlds.....women of strength, weakness, determination and helplessness, of melancholy and joy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves worlds of challenge combined with fine art.