DETAILS ON PANTHEON'S ALEX ROSS HARDCOVER

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://classic.newsarama.com/DC/ROSSMYTHOLOGY.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://classic.newsarama.com/DC/ROSSMYTHOLOGY_t.jpg" width="250" height="167" border="0" alt="cover to Mythology" align="right"></a>While it was announced during last weekend’s RRP meeting in Los Angeles, DC has provided further details on the upcoming Mythology: The DC Art of Alex Ross hardcover published by Pantheon. A coffee-table-sized book, the volume will feature Ross’ work on Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and other DC characters.

The volume is written, designed and art-directed by Chip Kidd, and, according to DC is the first time, outside the comic book market that a hardcover will feature the entire DC Comics Universe as imagined by a single artist.

DC’s press release reads:

<blockquote>In addition to collecting the highlights of Ross' considerable career at DC Comics, this 256-page hardcover book will include hundreds of never-before-seen sketches and new material, including an original Superman and Batman story written by Kidd, and a re-telling of Robin's origin written by Emmy Award-winning writer/producer Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series). Geoff Spear, the award-winning photographer (Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schultz, The Little Friend, Seek My Face) shot all of the material from Ross' original artwork. M. Night Shymalan, the acclaimed director of Signs and The Sixth Sense, is writing the introduction. "Alex portrays his characters as human beings," Shymalan has said. "They are affected by the events in their lives in real ways. You can see both the strengths and the weaknesses in his heroes, making them more universal."

"Alex has the uncanny ability to draw and paint Superman so he actually appears to be standing two feet away from you. Or flying, or bending steel in his bare hands, as the case may be," says Kidd. "He gets it better than the movies ever have, or probably ever will. Anyone new to his work will be amazed, and his many established fans will be delighted by the wealth of drawings they've never seen before. This book is as much Alex's story as it is DC Comics' - an American saga of success gained through a talent honed by a keen eye, hard work, and a life-long love of these classic characters."

"Alex's unique style combines the best of the fantastic and the real, creating a world where myths walk...and leave tangible footprints in the sand," states Paul Levitz, DC Comics' Executive Vice President and Publisher. "We look forward to this special celebration of his art."

Ross is also thrilled by the prospect: "Batman Collected, Batman Animated, and Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schultz, all by Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear, are some of the most beautiful graphic works I've ever seen," he said. "I'm hugely overjoyed to work with my good friend Chip. The opportunity to be treated to the care of Pantheon, Chip, and Geoff is an honor unequaled in my career. This book will be my pride and joy."

[KACH]

Y'know, Ross really is brilliant.

--J.

[cncoyle]

First thing I wanna know is: where can I get it? Will comic book stores be offering this (discount!!!) or is it retail-only (Barnes & Noble, Borders, Joseph-Beth, etc.)?

I love Ross's work, so I'll shell out the bucks for this.

[manosx]

Will Alex ever do anither mini-series??? PLEASE????

[rtvu2]

Anyone look closely at the cover art in the upper right hand? Is that a Ross head shot of Superman or is that Ross himself as Superman. The picture looks way to realistic for even Ross himself.

Also, I have alwaysed loved the Ross Legion Poster so I'm glad that it gets such upfront attention.

[PopCultureKid]

I have never bought an art book...until now!

[Aaron Weisbrod]

You know, what I'm REALLY jonesing for is a poster/print of the "Alan Moore" collage he did for Wizard a few months back.

Now THAT would be sweet! :D

Daydreamin',
Aaron Weisbrod

[MattBrady]

[quote]Originally posted by rtvu2:
<strong>Anyone look closely at the cover art in the upper right hand? Is that a Ross head shot of Superman or is that Ross himself as Superman.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It's a photo, probably of one of Ross' Superman models...perhaps Frank Kasy, whom he used in Kingdom Come. Alex is a little more...um...follicularly challenged.

MattB

[GoodGolly]

I actually think that's Alex with a little help from a wig.

[Evan Brown]

Yeah thats gotta be Alex Ross on the cover. The wig looks pretty cheesy and thats what clued me in.

[choisez]

[quote]Originally posted by rtvu2:
<strong>Is that a Ross head shot of Superman or is that Ross himself as Superman.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

That's a life-size Superman model Ross had on display in Chicago a couple years back.

It looks so life-like in person and is BIG. The model is about 6' 5" or taller.

Really looking forward to this book. It'll be great to see so many definitive DC characters illustrated by Alex Ross all in one volume without having to break the bank buying all the limited prints.

Chip Kidd is also a huge reason to pick up this book. He's easily the best book designer out there and the man can write too.

Anyone interested in design should pick up his recent "Cheese Monkeys" book.

Hopefully, he'll be writing some comic books soon.

-Eddy

[Michael Eidson]

I thought Chip Kidd did I really good job designing the recent DK HCs. And while I've become disenchanted with Ross' projects lately, I will still check this book out in the store. There's no denying the man is talented.

[quote]Originally posted by Aaron Weisbrod:
<strong>You know, what I'm REALLY jonesing for is a poster/print of the "Alan Moore" collage he did for Wizard a few months back.

Now THAT would be sweet! :D

Daydreamin',
Aaron Weisbrod</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yup.

[Reloaded]

[quote]Originally posted by choisez:
<strong>
Chip Kidd is also a huge reason to pick up this book. He's easily the best book designer out there and the man can write too.

Anyone interested in design should pick up his recent "Cheese Monkeys" book.

Hopefully, he'll be writing some comic books soon.

-Eddy</strong><hr></blockquote>

I came across Cheese Monkeys recently. It's a fantastic book about what art is and what it does. You're right, Kidd's really good and I've been looking for his design work since.

[MikeD]

I can't locate the original mention from last weekend's DC coverage. Anyone know when in `03 this is being released?

[MattBrady]

it was in the <a href="http://classic.newsarama.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000048" target="_blank"> Son of RRP</a> coverage, and should be coming out next fall.

MattB

[MikeD]

[quote]Originally posted by Matt Brady:
<strong>it was in the <a href="http://classic.newsarama.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000048" target="_blank"> Son of RRP</a> coverage, and should be coming out next fall.

MattB</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks, much obliged. I'm disappointed that we have to wait a year to see it, though!

[RDFozz]

[quote]Originally posted by cncoyle:
<strong>First thing I wanna know is: where can I get it? Will comic book stores be offering this (discount!!!) or is it retail-only (Barnes & Noble, Borders, Joseph-Beth, etc.)?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Locally, comic shop discounts seem to be going the way of the dinosaur.

Which means that, for hardcovers especially, I look to the likes of Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, where I can get hardcovers at 30% off, and free shipping more often than not.

[MurrayC]

Here is a link to a friend's website who's main influence is Alex Ross

<a href="http://www.chalkmaster.com/portfolio.htm" target="_blank">http://www.chalkmaster.com/portfolio.htm</a>

[OM]

...Interesting choice for the version of the Legion presented on the right side of the image.

[MattBrady]

[quote]Originally posted by OM:
<strong>...Interesting choice for the version of the Legion presented on the right side of the image.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I believe that's a reproduction of a Legion print he did for the WB stores before their demise. IIRC, it was oriented so Superboy and everyone else was pointed upward, but you know that Chip Kidd - always turning stuff over...

MattB

[Grendel Prime]

Now I need to buy a coffee table...
Thanks Alex.

[TTROY]

I know I will get the book but i also have found a new image to set as my wallpaper on the computer ...nice stuff

[comicsareliterature]

Hello.

A couple of questions for Mr. Brady or a DC representative onboard:

1--Is there any hint as to the cost?

2--Will this book be reprinting the tabloid sized Dini and Ross books?

By the way, the Legion art IS from the WB limited print line, but it is turned sideways and is missing quite a few characters that were on the print.

[Danilo Raul]

More Alex Ross.....great :o

Man, don't get me wrong i think is overrated by now, his art has turned in only covers and pin-ups, besides i fell kinda akward looking at his art after i noticed how he depict Supes, with a package and all that... :eek:

[MattBrady]

[quote]Originally posted by comicsareliterature:
<strong>
1--Is there any hint as to the cost?
</strong><hr></blockquote>

256 pages, coffee-table sized, hardcover. I'm not familiar with Pantheon's pricing structure, but it could run anywhere from $35 to $70.

[quote]Originally posted by comicsareliterature:
<strong>2--Will this book be reprinting the tabloid sized Dini and Ross books?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Again, not sure on it, but I would expect that the hardcover would have selected pages and images from the tabloid sized books, and not full reprints. After all - they were each 96 pages, so you'd only be able to reprint three before you'd fill 256 pages.

[quote]Originally posted by comicsareliterature:
<strong>By the way, the Legion art IS from the WB limited print line, but it is turned sideways and is missing quite a few characters that were on the print.</strong><hr></blockquote>

And that Cosmic Boy outfit always made me uneasy in an, "I'm looking at a teenage superhero who dresses like an adult entertainer" kind of way...

MattB

[Taylor Porter]

[quote]Originally posted by Danilo Raul:
<strong> i fell kinda akward looking at his art after i noticed how he depict Supes, with a package and all that... </strong><hr></blockquote>

I always found super-heroes drawn with the old-school "flat crotch" to be a lot more awkward. How come people complain about Supes' package but not about Wonder Woman's enormous knockers?

By the way, I'm not too up on my LoSH continuity, so could someone tell me who they guy at the top of the pic is? That hair almost made me think it was one of the Wonder Twins...

[rockieman]

[quote]Originally posted by TaylorPorter:
<strong>

I always found super-heroes drawn with the old-school "flat crotch" to be a lot more awkward. How come people complain about Supes' package but not about Wonder Woman's enormous knockers?

By the way, I'm not too up on my LoSH continuity, so could someone tell me who they guy at the top of the pic is? That hair almost made me think it was one of the Wonder Twins...</strong><hr></blockquote>

I would imagine that "people" complain about Supe's package and not WW's knockers is because they're guys.

As for the LoSH, if you mean the guy just to the left of Superboy, I believe it's Cosmic Boy, but the guy all the way to the left is Karate Kid (not Ralph Macchio).

[rockieman]

[quote]Originally posted by OM:
<strong>...Interesting choice for the version of the Legion presented on the right side of the image.</strong><hr></blockquote>

If by "interesting choice" you mean the particular characters selected or version of the LoSH, I think it just boils down to the fact that Ross LOVES the Silver Age.

[BoyWonder]

This looks awesome, but I would so really love Alex Ross to do more mini-series work. Marvels and Kingdom Come were amazing.

[John Osen]

quote:
AnthonyL, the word is whether. Weather is what you go outside in without an umbrella.

Dear god no! Not my spelling!!!

Spelling the word "weather" correctly when you meant to write "whether" is not a spelling error. You simply didn't know the difference between two words with completely different meanings. Now's the part where you respond "Get a life, Pointdexter" like you did with Blues Brother. Let the flaming begin.

[kneel-B4-Zod]

Other pet peeves on these damn boards: there is no such word as 'alot'. There are two words, a and lot, that are often used together. Also, there is no a in definitely. When I talk to fellow parents about the benefits of children reading comics, I point out that comic reading often helps children do better in school, especially in English and Spelling. Please stop proving me wrong!

Now, about the pic associated with this A Ross article, WHAT THE HELL IS STICKING OUT OF SUPERMAN'S CHEEK BONE??? It looks like a rolled up piece of balogna.

[AnthonyL]

One of my pet peeves are trolls that have nothing better to do but post stuff FROM OTHER CONVERSATIONS in every damn thread.

Weirdos. The whole lot of 'em.

Anthony L

[Zonker]

[quote]Originally posted by rockieman:
<strong>

If by "interesting choice" you mean the particular characters selected or version of the LoSH, I think it just boils down to the fact that Ross LOVES the Silver Age.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Actually, Ross apparently really loves the BRONZE Age. The Cosmic Boy outfit is the Mike Grell version. The Karate Kid was originally by Dave Cockrum, but Grell revived it. In this week's JLA:Secret Origins book, Alex explained his JLA line-up as being based upon his first exposure to the JLA in 1975 (clearly post-Silver Age). So I'd agree Ross has a reverence for the Silver Age, but it comes from looking backwards from a 1970's fan perspective. And the Legion shot is pure Cockrum/Grell Legion from the swingin' seventies! :cool: