boisterous beasts and deadly dragons

Author: Tracey Miller-Zarneke and Kristof Serrand
Format: Hardcover
Publication date: 18 June 2026
224 pages

This beautiful monograph explores the creative spark behind some of animation’s most well-known and beloved characters, as well as never-before-seen personal illustrative and sculptural pieces from world-renowned character designer Nico Marlet

The work of Annie Award–winning character designer Nico Marlet spans more than three decades and multiple studios and has left a trail of the most iconic animated characters in the DreamWorks, Disney, Amblimation, and Pixar libraries. Marlet has contributed to such notable films and television projects as Ducktales, Balto, Monsters Inc., Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon (for which he designed the iconic Toothless), among many others. In Boisterous Beasts & Deadly Dragons: The Art of Nico Marlet, his illustrations are entwined with reflections and quotes from well-known directors and studio heads, including Pete Docter, Dean DeBlois, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Bonnie Arnold, and others that showcase the lasting impact Marlet has left on the animation industry. His never-before-told life story will complement the exclusive look at his personal works in both 2D and 3D mediums, giving readers a deeper appreciation of the well from which Marlet’s creativity springs.