As part of their New York Comic Con announcements, Dynamite Entertainment has revealed that they will publish a Gumby retrospective art book in 2017. The book, described as the essential compendium for the stop-motion character, will arrive in time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of "The Gumby Show" and will provide a retrospective on the Gumby characters as well as information on their creator, Art Clokey.

"Art Clokey and Gumby are as important to the history of American animation as the creations of Walt Disney," said Dynamite CEO and publisher, Nick Barrucci, in a statement. "To be able to tell the story of this man and his incredible cast of characters is a high watermark, both as a publisher, and for me as a fan. Looking through these incredible photos and reading such rich history is guaranteed to make each and every one of us feel like a kid again."

The book will include never-before-told stories and will chart the progress of stop motion animator Art Clokey beginning with his commercial work in the '50s through to the creation of Gumby. The expansive book will also look at how he took inspiration from a wide range of sources, including the counterculture of the '60s as well as Christianity, Zen Buddhism and Eastern Avatars.

Further information about Dynamite's Gumby retrospective art book -- as well as the publisher's other Gumby products -- will be released at a forthcoming date.

dynamite-gumbypr08

Official Press Release

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE RETROSPECTIVE ART BOOK OF A TRUE AMERICAN ICON: GUMBY!

New Deluxe Collection to Pay Tribute to the Art and History of the Creations of Art Clokey

October 4, 2016, Mt. Laurel, NJ: Gumby, the unforgettable stop motion character, has entertained generations of fans since his introduction in the early 1950's. Now, Dynamite will release the essential compendium to his 60-year history in 2017, featuring an incredible retrospective on not only the characters themselves, but a look into the life of their creator, Art Clokey.

"The most fascinating life story I've ever known just happens to be about my dad, mom, and the world famous characters they created. Art Clokey's journey intersects and influences major touchstones of our American life. The sixty-year behind-the-scenes story of Gumby and Davey & Goliath, interwoven with a rich tapestry of photos and rare anecdotes, weds perfectly with Art Clokey and his amazing life," says Joe Clokey, son of Gumby creator, Art Clokey. "This book will be a fascinating page-turner with never-before-told stories about this clay animation pioneer. You'll see Art's friendship with East-West philosopher Alan Watts; witness his love and partnership with his wife Ruth Clokey and later with Gloria Clokey; explore his fascination with the counter cultural creative winds of the late 60's and 70's (all the while being infused with his spiritual learning from Christianity, Zen Buddhism, and Eastern Avatars); discover his groundbreaking stop motion TV commercials in the early 50's (including his work with fellow stop motion legend Ray Harryhausen), along with over 40 hours of Gumby and Davey adventures and art films, which opened up new avenues for all of us, the texture of which will inspire; and see how today's stop motion superstars got their start with Clokey Productions, and then went on to work on iconic films from Star Wars, The Terminator, and Beetlejuice to A Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story and Kubo and the Two Strings. It's truly an honor to work with Dynamite Entertainment on this very special book."

"Art Clokey and Gumby are as important to the history of American animation as the creations of Walt Disney," says Dynamite CEO and publisher, Nick Barrucci. "To be able to tell the story of this man and his incredible cast of characters is a high watermark, both as a publisher, and for me as a fan. Looking through these incredible photos and reading such rich history is guaranteed to make each and every one of us feel like a kid again."

Dynamite Entertainment's beautiful Gumby retrospective will be released in 2017. Look for details on pricing, format, and release in the coming weeks, along with news of other future Dynamite Gumby products.