The design for this book was a true collaboration between artist/author and designer. Marc Tauss wanted to create a classic picture book about Maleek, who is a real Superhero. Or is he? The world Marc created is truly arresting in its dramatic lighting and fantastical imagery. The font DINEngschrift was chosen for its mid-century feel, which worked well with the spare text and richly toned black-and-white nostalgia-evoking photo-illustrations. Details in the images, such as Maleek’s striped shirt, were picked up in the design details I created for the spine and flaps. This imaginative story lent itself to having fun with the type, such as setting phrases throughout in a larger point size, and shaping the text on the front flap into a giant exclamation mark. On the jacket, I set the author’s first name in black and his last name in white to echo the book’s black-and-white theme. The title was created in Photoshop to imitate classic comic book type. The vertical format of the book relates to the shape of a comic book. The result is a unique treat for young fans.

Unique choice of black-and-white photography. Hearkens to the ’50s-era superheroes. Type is well placed within compositions. A kids’ book with a unique and appealing feeling.