Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time has become one of TV’s most popular animated shows and for good reason: It’s absolutely fantastic. Not only is the Pendleton Ward creation one of the smartest cartoons on television, but it’s also one of the cleverest shows of any genre. Adventure Time is not self-conscious. It trusts its audience and provides deep serial storytelling in a way that you don’t see on many of the serious dramas aimed squarely at adults. It’s also just gorgeously animated with beautiful colors and character design that starts all the way at the art-inspired title cards, many of which are getting their chance to shine in the September 23 book release Adventure Time: The Original Cartoon Title Cards. If you’re a fan of the show, this is a must buy.

Adventure Time: The Original Cartoon Title Cards arrives in stores on September 23! (Courtesy of Titan Books)

With that in mind, Parade is excited to premiere this exclusive gallery of images from the Adventure Time: The Original Cartoon Title Cards book (which arrives in stores September 23). The gallery features the creation process for three separate title cards from the show. In these photos you’ll see the beautiful finished title cards as well as early sketches and the progression of how these gorgeous works of art come to fruition. It’s a great inside look at the creation process of one of TV’s most popular (and beautifully-animated) shows.

Click on the photo at the beginning of this post to check out the exclusive gallery!

Adventure Time: The Original Cartoon Title Cards arrives in stores on September 23.