Thomas Allen: Pulp Fiction

Minnesota photographer Thomas Allen cuts figures out of old pulp fiction novels then photographs them to create carefully staged 3-D scenes. Inspired by his childhood experiences with pop-up books and View-Masters, Allen creates entirely new situations with his figures, sometimes with just the slightest alteration of visual depth—though still connected to their source, the figures take on new stories and different lives. [via BoingBoing]

UPDATE: An anonymous commenter points out that Chip Kidd showcased Allen's work when he served as guest designer of Zoetrope All-Story magazine: "It's as if the characters have suddenly woken up, that what's happening to them is so intense and vivid it can't be contained." [thanks, Anonymous!]