Prehistoric Times Magazine Issue 136 (Winter 2021) Reviewed

Time to be cheered up by the arrival of the latest edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine, the quarterly journal for fans of dinosaur models, prehistoric themed art and collectibles.

Adorning the front cover of issue 136 is a spectacular illustration of Deinonychus (D. antirrhopus) by the talented wildlife illustrator and palaeoartist Esther van Hulsen.   The close-up view of the snout of this theropod on the front cover gives the viewer the opportunity to appreciate the details that the artist adds to her illustrations.  Inside the magazine further evidence is provided with a series or artworks created by Esther van Hulsen imagining the life story of Ida the Darwinius (D. maxillae) from the Messel bituminous shales.

Can you spot the scratches on the muzzle of this theropod?

The Front Cover of “Prehistoric Times” Issue 136 – Deinonychus antirrhopus

The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” magazine issue 136.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

The Forgotten Dinosaur Art of Robert T. Bakker

Some of the dynamic dinosaur illustrations of Dr Robert “Bob” Bakker, who was a student of Dr John Ostrom, who named and described Deinonychus, are also featured in this magazine.  Canadian palaeontologists Darren Tanke and Jordan Mallon provide an insightful guide to these influential artworks that challenged the long held assumption that the Dinosauria were slow and sluggish animals.  Randy Knol also demonstrates how our views about dinosaurs have changed by looking at some the latest models of Spinosaurus, a theropod that has been completely revised and is now regarded as a semi-aquatic predator.

The Limited Edition Papo Spinosaurus Model from 2019 Features in the Spinosaurus Model Review

Everything Dinosaur stocks the limited edition Papo Spinosaurus dinosaur model.  This 2019 Papo dinosaur model is featured in an article that looks how Spinosaurus models have changed over time.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Sauropods

John Lavas continues an exploration of the work of Zdeněk Burian and focuses on his illustrations of sauropods.  The author frames the illustrations produced by the ground-breaking Czech artist by summarising the early research into these ground-shaking leviathans.  Burian painted a total of five sauropod genera and although the accepted view at the time was that these huge animals were semi-aquatic, Burian chose to depict the main subject of the artwork on terra firma.  The enabled him to reveal the shape of the dinosaur’s body more clearly.

Diplodocus carnegii by Zdeněk Burian (Depicting the Fauna and Flora of the Morrison Formation of the United States of America)

An illustration of Diplodocus (D. carnegii) by Burian.

Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian

Phil Hore provides the lowdown on the bizarre Longisquama complete with superb reader submitted drawings by Cody Zaiser, Mike Laudry  and Jeff Slack.  He also discusses the armoured dinosaur Sauropelta and this article features lots of amazing armoured dinosaur artwork too.

We were particularly impressed with the sleeping Sauropelta image submitted by Marcus Burkhardt.  Tracey Lee Ford chimes in, continuing the Thyreophora theme by looking at how to draw Ankylosaurus and if you wanted to know what Scottish scientist and writer Dougal Dixon did in lockdown to keep himself busy, then read the double page spread that starts on page 28.

Recent news stories featuring fossil discoveries are covered in the “Paleonews” section, look out for an update on the hunting strategy of Deinonychus and a stark revision of Dilophosaurus.  As always “Prehistoric Times” is crammed full of fascinating stories, artwork and features.

To subscribe to this quarterly magazine: Subscribe to Prehistoric Times.

Prehistoric Times Issue 136 Sneak Peek

The next cover of “Prehistoric Times”, the quarterly magazine for dinosaur fans and prehistoric animal model collectors, will feature a stunning illustration of the fearsome Deinonychus (D. antirrhopus).  This magnificent illustration of a deadly dromaeosaurid was created by the very talented Dutch artist Esther van Hulsen.

The Front Cover of the Forthcoming “Prehistoric Times” – Issue 136

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

Esther van Hulsen

Esther does not focus solely on illustrating dinosaurs, although she has collaborated on a number of palaeontology projects.  She also illustrates living animals capturing their beauty in a variety of traditional media such as acrylics and water colours.

Inside issue 136, Esther discusses her work on a primitive primate.  The article will feature many more examples of her art.

John Lavas’s long-running biography of Zdenek Burian provides a segue linking one of the founding fathers of palaeoart to Esther, one of a new generation of exciting illustrators.  John Lavas focuses on Burian’s sauropods.

Phil Hore provides the low down on the low slung thyreophoran Sauropelta and tells the tale of the bizarre Longisquama (L. insignis) that was named and scientifically described fifty years ago.

Dinosaur Models

Scottish scientist and science writer Dougal Dixon explains all about the dinosaur models he has created during lockdown and Canada is represented by palaeontologists Darren Tanke and Jordan Mallon who discuss the early illustrations of the eminent and highly influential Robert Bakker.

Randy Knol highlights spinosaurs and the various models that have been produced to represent this unusual family of theropods, whilst fellow American Tracy Ford digs into the dermal armour of Ankylosaurus, with lots of beautiful, armoured dinosaur illustrations too.

For dinosaur models and figures: Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Relax with the Next Edition of “Prehistoric Times”

Picture credit: © 2018 Studiocanal S.A.S. and The British Film Institute

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine

The next edition of “Prehistoric Times” examines the influence of the 1960 science-fiction film “Dinosaurus”, delves into dinosaur collectibles from Spain and Dave Bengel, a good friend of the editor Mike Fredericks, takes you through the building of a “Thunderbird” replica sculpted by Joe Laudati.

As always, the magazine will be jam-packed with news about fossil finds, new model introductions and lots and lots of reader submitted artwork.  Don’t forget to peruse the interview with Gary Gerani, who provides the inside story of the “Dinosaurs Attack!” trading card set.

Issue 136 of “Prehistoric Times” will be on its way to subscribers very soon, what a great way to kick-off the new year!

To subscribe to “Prehistoric Times”: Prehistoric Times for the Dinosaur Fan and Collector.

Prehistoric Times Issue 135 Reviewed

The latest edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine has arrived at Everything Dinosaur’s offices.  The nights might be drawing in and we may all have a long, dark winter ahead but this magazine is a bright spot in otherwise difficult times.

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine

The front cover features an amazing illustration from Mark Hallett, an American artist whose work has graced many a front cover of this quarterly magazine.   His latest contribution features a cave bear defending her cub from a marauding sabre-toothed cat.  The famous palaeoartist created a model of the animal’s skeletons from which he first produced a pencil catch before finalising his artwork, which was painted specially for “Prehistoric Times”.

The Amazing Front Cover Artwork for Prehistoric Times Issue 135

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks from artwork by Mark Hallett

Inside the magazine, readers will discover that Mark has penned two articles, a feature on Steppe lion extinction in Europe and a beautifully illustrated piece that discusses interactions between carnivores that shared caves during the Pleistocene Epoch.  The magazine also includes a special feature on the Dutch artist Esther van Hulsen, illustrated with plenty of examples of her work as a professional wildlife and palaeoartist.  Tracy Lee Ford sets out to inspire the next generation of illustrators with a well-crafted contribution that considers how to draw Ankylosaurus, readers can expect plenty of pointers when it comes to recreating scutes and dermal armour.

Zdeněk Burian – Theropods Part Two

Fans of earlier palaeoartists can sink their teeth into the second part of an exploration of theropod illustrations by John Lavas.  As well as documenting some of Burian’s famous artworks there is a helpful introduction that outlines the main components of the Theropoda.  It is thought that Burian was ambivalent towards illustrating tyrannosaurs.  Although much of his theropod illustration work undertaken is now considered outdated, Burian’s work was widely copied.

The Illustration of Tarbosaurus bataar by Burian (1970)

Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian

Gregory S. Paul contributes an article considering racism within palaeontology and regular writers Randy Knol and editor Mike Fredericks look at new models and review the latest books about prehistoric animals respectively.

Stegosaurus and Lystrosaurus

The autumn edition also includes special features on Stegosaurus and the hardy dicynodont Lystrosaurus.  Our congratulations to Marcus Burkhardt and Elvind Bovor for their Stegosaurus drawings and to John Sibbick and Chuck Egnaczak for their Lystrosaurus illustrations.  The prose for both articles was penned by the ever reliable Phil Hore.

A Tough, Hardy Survivor – Stegosaurus

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) highlights one of the Rebor Stegosaurus models (Garden – Woodland).

To view the range of Rebor figures: Rebor Models and Figures.

Issue 135 of “Prehistoric Times” Magazine

There is certainly much to be admired in this edition of “Prehistoric Times”, from the latest news related to palaeontology to a Smilodon model build inspired by the cinema (Bruce Horton) and an overview of the “Jurassic Park” inspired work of Ted Brothers.  This is an excellent magazine and a welcome addition to our autumn reading material.

To learn more about “Prehistoric Times” magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that they were looking forward to reading this excellent magazine.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

The Front Cover of Issue 134 “Prehistoric Times”

Team members at Everything Dinosaur are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next edition of the quarterly magazine “Prehistoric Times”.  We have not got too long to wait and just to whet the appetites of subscribers we have published a picture of the front cover of the next issue (issue number 134).  The front cover features an illustration of Allosaurus by the distinguished and extremely influential Zdeněk Burian.  In the summer issue of the magazine, John Lavas continues his long-running series of articles discussing the work of the famous Czech artist.  In this edition, the focus in on Burian’s theropod dinosaur artwork.

The Front Cover of Prehistoric Times (Issue 134 – Summer 2020)

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

The editor of the magazine, Mike Fredericks commented:

“John Lavas has finally reached the dinosaurs painted by Burian so we celebrate with a rare painting of his of Allosaurus on the front cover.  We include Diplodocus and Mark Hallett also writes an article about this dinosaur with much of his art.”

As always, the next issue of “Prehistoric Times” will be crammed full of informative articles, news, model reviews and updates on dinosaur fossil discoveries.  The fearsome ancient crocodyliform Kaprosuchus (K. saharicus) from the Upper Cretaceous Echkar Formation of Niger also features in the forthcoming issue.

To subscribe to “Prehistoric Times” magazine: Learn more about “Prehistoric Times” magazine.

Visit the Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.