NEWS: SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2009

Hey, it's that time of the year again when fanboys, be them Trekkies/ers, LOTR fans, Star Wars aficionados, Movie buffs, Magic the Gathering or Halo players or just regular comic book geeks, all over the world unite for a pilgrimage to the ancient city of San Diego, which means Saint er, Diego, for the biggest and coolest convention known to man. So this July 23 - 26, the San Diego Convention Center is the place to be.

On AlexRossArt.com booth (#2419) you'll find these exclusive items ONLY available here (and later on eBay):
























On the left is the now-classic sketchbook featuring that awesome Kirby-esque looking Hulk. This fine book measures 9'' x 11'' (28 x 23 cm) and will be sold for $40 and is limited to 500 issues. On the right is something new, a collection of 4 politically-charged lithographs, 3 of them were originally published as covers of the Village Voice newspaper (I blogged about them here) and the last one is the Super Obama litho from last year's Comic-Con. This book will measure 10'' x 16'' (25 x 41 cm) and will also be sold for $40.
There's also a lithograph with the same image of the Hulk from the sketchbook (left) which measures 19'' x 24'' (48 x 61 cm) and as all the other items it will be signed by Alex Ross and it'll be very limited.

NEWS: ABSOLUTE JUSTICE COVER [UPDATED]

Here it is, the real wraparound cover of the Absolute Justice hardcover featuring all the good and evil characters seen on this series in a wonderful new art by Alex Ross; and here I thought they were going to recycle some old art from the series. Thanks Alex!

UPDATE: Here's some character sketches that will be included as bonus material in this Absolute edition. Enjoy!

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NEWS: GREEN HORNET #1 COVER

Here it is, the cover to the first issue of the Green Hornet series, written by Kevin Smith and released by Dynamite Entertainment. This is one of those classic, in-your-face covers, Alex does so well. I love it!

Dynamite hasn't released any description or price details on this issue yet, so I'll keep you posted.

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COLLECTOR'S PLATES part 4 [FINAL]

Another set of the earlier plates featured some more classic heroes. On the left, the Shazam plate features that powerful image of Billy Batson transforming into Captain Marvel in a flash of lightning. On the right, Plasticman stretches himself all over the plate giving the plate that depth and tridimensionality only Alex can achieve.


Later plates featured character combos such as the Green Arrow/Green Lantern plate (left) which reminds us of the now-classic Denny O'Neil-Neal Adams run from the 70's and 80's, a favorite of Alex. The Superman/Flash plate evokes the classic "Who would win?" scenario with Flash slightly winning over Supes. This image was reprinted as a cover of a book called Superman vs. Flash which reprints their classic team-ups.

I was hesitant to put this plate here because it's not new art. The original art (seen on the right) is from a Holiday card given to DC employees in 1997. It's very hard to find so they took this limited edition art and made it available to everybody in the form of the plate you see on the left, only they flipped it. I love this image so I liked that they made it available in another form but anyway I'm getting the card first.
IN MY COLLECTION: None of these plates are in my collection but I'm in the process of getting the Christmas card.

JULY CALENDAR

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BACK WITH NEW COVERS! [UPDATED]

Hello again! Your friendly neighborhood Alex Ross Collector is back with 4 new covers by Mr. Ross. The first one on the left is the cover to the landmark issue 500 of Daredevil, sent to us by our friend Clem Clambake. The second one is the missing-from-the-previews-catalog cover to Captain America: Reborn #1. Next to it is an alternate cover for the first issue of the upcoming Human Torch miniseries by Alex. And finally, on the right, Alex paints the cover for the premier issue of a new series called Vengeance of the Moon Knight. They're all good covers although the Cap cover looks like he's exploding, the Torch is very similar to a page from Marvels and the Daredevil one is a bit too crowded. But the Moon Knight one is a good rendition of the obscure Marvel character, it kinda looks like the Universe X version and contrary to the other covers, this one has a cool background. Enjoy!

MOVING HOUSE!

I'm moving to a new apartment, therefore I'll be a bit busy and there won't be any new posts this week. Next week, this blog will come back in full swing!

Thanks,

Andres Avila
The Alex Ross Collector

ATENCIÓN AMIGOS ESPAÑOLES!

El Club Batman está organizando una celebración por el 70mo Aniversario de Batman este 19 y 20 de junio en Valencia.
He aqui el comunicado de prensa:

- 70 ANIVERSARIO DE BATMAN - .

A finales de los años treinta, los directivos de la editorial DC Comics necesitaban con urgencia un nuevo superhéroe para contrarrestar el abrumador éxito de Superman, la reciente creación de su competidor Action Comics.

El dibujante Bob Kane creó un personaje llamado The Bat-Man y se lo mostró a su colega Bill Finger, quien le hizo algunos ajustes para que luciera más misterioso y parecido a un murciélago.

El nuevo héroe apareció por primera vez el 29 de mayo de 1939 en una historieta llamada 'El extraño caso del sindicato químico', publicada en la revista juvenil Detective Comics. El éxito fue tan contundente, que apenas un año después 'El hombre murciélago' salió al mercado con su propia revista: Batman Nº 1.

Trás el éxito, el pasado año, de la organización del 70 aniversario de "Superman, el hombre de acero", en Valencia, y por ende, de todo el género de cómic de superhéroes, prepárate para celebrar el 70 cumpleaños de Batman en España. Y de nuevo en Valencia. La ciudad del murciélago...

De nuevo Carlos Chardí, al frente de Yesterday and Today Producciones Internacionales, en colaboración con el Club Batman,
http://www.club-batman.es.tl, organizarán un acto especial de homenaje a Batman el día 20 de junio, en la librería Imágenes Comics, situada en C/ Pelayo 22, en pleno centro de Valencia. Este club, presidido por Luis Leña y Julia Castillo, afincada su dirección en Málaga, ya tiene 19 años de andadura desde su fundación, y esta formado por un gran grupo de amantes de Batman y creadores del fanzine Bats.

Desde el 30 de mayo al 20 de junio, Imágenes Comics contará con una exposición de material diverso relacionado con el hombre murciélago, desde su origen hasta la actualidad, en la que podréis observar todo tipo de cómics y colecciones de Batman de distintas épocas.

El viernes 19 de junio, será algo más especial, ya que ampliaremos la exposición con más de 30 dibujos originales de Batman, entre los que se encuentran los 3 primeros autores de Batman, incluyendo un ORIGINAL de su creador BOB KANE.

El sábado 20 de junio, se contará con la presencia de un auténtico Batman, "en persona" para el deleite de niños y mayores, que estará a disposición del público que desee fotografiarse con el hombre murciélago, al más puro estilo de una Celebration USA. Ya que se celebra también el 20 aniversario del primer film de Batman en la gran pantalla. (24/06/89)

Por la tarde, contaremos con la presencia de Rafael Fonteriz, dibujante valenciano, de la escuela de las grandes promesas del comic en nuestro pais, y amante del personaje de Batman. Su estilo academicista, hace recordar el mejor Batman en sus inicios y bebedor del mejor Neil Adams, autor que inspira sus trabajos en bocetos del personaje. Entre sus últimos trabajos, cabe destacar las portadas del heroe español con mayor proyección internacional “El Capitán Trueno”.

No dejes pasar la oportunidad de celebrar el aniversario de Batman, de una manera única en nuestro país. Recuerda, desde el día 30 de mayo al 20 de junio en Imágenes Comics, C/ Pelayo 22, en Valencia. ¡No te lo puedes perder!.

Visita la Web: http://www.imagenescomics.com

Mas información y contacto con la organización:
Dirección y Organización: Carlos D. Chardí
Yesterday & Today Producciones Internacionales

--
CLUB BATMAN
http://www.club-batman.es.tl
http://club-batman.blogspot.com
http://club-batman.deviantart.com
Club Batman, P.O.Box 473, 29080-Malaga (Spain)

(OLD) NEWS: OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD...

Alex Ross painted this piece featuring "The Wicked Witch of the West" and her evil minions in an art collection that featured prominent artists giving their re-interpretation of these characters for the 70th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz. Now this exhibition called The Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection took place on December 5th, 2008, but the art is simply so cool and nostalgic and NOT FOR SALE!
This piece is currently on display at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada. So if you're around there, take some pictures and send them this way, I'd really appreciate it.


Here's the description of Alex's work:

Alex Ross
Title: My Pretties
Medium: Gouache on Bristol board
About: Alex Ross is one of the world’s most pre-eminent and well-respected comic book artists today. Finding inspiration in historical artists in a vast spectrum, from George Perez to Salvador Dali, Ross has been called “The Norman Rockwell of Comics.” His paintings expose the subjects’ soul and allow viewers to take a look “behind the curtain.” This up-close and personal view of the Wicked Witch sends chills up your spine.

AUGUST 2009 SOLICITATIONS [UPDATED]

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: CHAPTER TWO #2
Writer: Jim Krueger
Penciller/Inker: Edgar Salazar (main story), Doug Klauba (special origin story)
Covers: Alex Ross, John Cassaday (1-in-5), STEPHEN SEGOVIA (1-in-12)
PRICE: $2.99
The SUPERPOWERS continue to battle one of their own in the continuing adventures of Dynamite's powerful superhero odyssey! Overseen by Alex Ross and written by Jim Krueger, artist Edgar Salazar continues to sizzle and issue #2 also features the painted - by Doug Klauba - origin sequence (2 BIG pages) of Boy King and his Giant!


PROJECT SUPERPOWERS: MEET THE BAD GUYS #1 (OF 4)
Writer: Alex Ross, Joe Casey
Penciller/Inker: Chasen Grieshop
Covers: Alex Ross
PRICE: $2.99
A special series plotted by Alex Ross and scripted by Joe Casey debut here as Dynamite invites you to "Meet the Bad Guys!"
As the heroes return, the villains rise and this debut issue - illustrated by the next Dynamite artistic sensation Chasen Grieshop - features the Green Lama and the debut of Blood Lust! What's this powerful new villain's connection to the Green Lama? Find out in this special!

RED SONJA PRESENTS: THULSA DOOM #1
Writer: Arvid Nelson
Penciller/Inker: Lui Antonio
Covers: Alex Ross
PRICE: $3.50
From the pages of writer Robert E. Howard comes the debut of Dynamite's Thulsa Doom!
Written by Kull writer Arvid Nelson and illustrated by Lui (Red Sonja) Antonio, the opening story arc also features cover artist Alex Ross! Featuring the origins of the ultimate anti-hero, Thulsa Doom #1 opens after the destruction of Atlantis, when the world was in chaos and Thulsa sought his own path to ultimate power!

ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE BOOK 3 #4
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art by Brent Anderson
Cover by Alex Ross
As the world faces cosmic annihilation, Charles and Royal's mission of vengeance takes them into the heart of the danger. Will they get their revenge? And what price will they pay? Featuring Honor Guard, the Silver Agent, the First Family, the Omega Rangers and more in a destructive showdown that could tear Astro City – and the Williams brothers – apart.
On sale August 5 • 4 of 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US


JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA SERIES 2 ACTION FIGURES
Four second-generation Justice Society of America heroes are grouped together to make up the second series of action figures based on the art of Alex Ross! Just as Geoff Johns’ “Thy Kingdom Come” story arc has brought the Kingdom Come Superman into current continuity, this series of action figures also features a fully articulated, original sculpt of the character.
Figures included:
Cyclone • 8.25” h
Stargirl • 6.5” h
Hourman • 7” h
Kingdom Come Superman • 7” h
Each figure features multiple points of articulation and a base.
4-color peggable window box packaging.
Advance-solicited; on sale January 6, 2009 * Action Figures * PI


DAREDEVIL #500
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by MICHAEL LARK
Additional Stories by ANN NOCENTI, DAVID AJA & OTHERS
50/50 Gatefold Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Covers by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO & GEOFF DARROW
70th Frame Variant by TBA
This is it! The 500th issue of DAREDEVIL! What is the Kingpin's true plan? What do he and Lady Bullseye have in common? What will Matt Murdock do to make things right again? And just how will Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark leave this story for the next creative team to pick it up? Don’t miss the twists and surprises that will have everybody talking! An all-star anniversary issue featuring new stories by Ann Nocenti, David Aja, and others!
104 PGS./New and Reprint/Rated T+ ...$4.99

MY TWO CENTS: Not much to comment here comics-wise, the Astro City cover looks like the previous month's one and I can't wait to see the Daredevil image. On the other hand the Dynamite covers look pretty sweet, specially that Captain Future cover to Superpowers 2.2. Now, the action figures ROCK! The young girls are a fresh addition to the group to portray more of the new faces of the JSA and the new KC Superman sculpt appears to be an improvement over the original one from a while back.