NEWS: DYNAMITE ART OF ALEX ROSS GOES DIGITAL

AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW AT

May 24, 2012, Runnemede, NJ - The Dynamite Art of Alex Ross is now available digitally on ComiXology! Already printed as a hit hardcover collection, this marks the first time that this book is available digitally, featuring art by master painter Alex Ross! Collecting all of Alex's Dynamite Entertainment covers and interior art in one complete volume, along with commentary throughout the book by Alex Ross himself, AND special bonus material, this is a package not to be missed! This incredible art book is 328 pages!

Alex Ross' ultra-realistic, painted renditions of iconic superheroes have made him a superstar. In the vein of acclaimed and fan-favorite Alex Ross books such as Mythologies and Rough Justice, we are proud to present the ultimate collection of Alex Ross art from his extensive collaboration with Dynamite, The Dynamite Art of Alex Ross along with ComiXology. Containing sketches, designs, layouts and pencils, interior work, covers, and a wealth of unpublished art, The Dynamite Art of Alex Ross is a must-buy for Alex Ross' legion of fans!

Here's the link to comiXology's The Dynamite Art of Alex Ross! 

https://comics.comixology.com/issue/24577/The-Dynamite-Art-of-Alex-Ross 

And please let more people know about this digital release by re-tweeting the TINY URL below!

http://tinyurl.com/bqgz4cv

"The Dynamite Art of Alex Ross is a Tour de Force of comics as high art," said comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger. "We are excited to offer this fantastic overview of Alex Ross' work from Dynamite on our digital comics platform."

"There's still untapped growth with digital comics, where readers can find our comics readily available in addition to our printed comics," states Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci. "It is our expectation that having more of our printed material made available digitally, such as The Dynamite Art of Alex Ross, via ComiXology will introduce many new readers to comics just as print and digital periodicals currently compliment each other."

ODDITIES: ALEX ROSS' BATMAN TATTOO

Tattoo artist and deviant art denizen adammdesigns did this amazing job of recreating Alex Ross' Batman pinup from Batman Black & White #3. Compare both pieces of art above. Isn't the resemblance striking? I just have to say kudos to Adam M. Great job!
Would any of you fellow collectors have a tattoo of an Alex Ross piece? Would you get one? If so, what particular image by Alex would you get? Personally, as much as I love Alex's art, I'm not a big fan of tattoos but if I got one, it might be something from Kingdom Come perhaps... or maybe Space Ghost!

Check out the Batman tattoo in much higher resolution HERE.

ALEX ROSS TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Source: American Academy of Art / PRNewswire

CHICAGO, May 9, 2012 - The American Academy of Art has named Chicagoan and 1989 graduate Alex Ross – one of today's most accomplished and famous comic-book artists – the 2012 recipient of its Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Ross, highly praised for the photorealism of his work and often referred to as "the Norman Rockwell of the comics world," will accept his award and speak to this year's graduating class at the Academy's commencement ceremony on Monday, May 14, 2012.

One of the most in-demand illustrators working today, Ross is credited with taking comic book and graphic novel illustration to new heights.

In 2011, Ross had his first museum exhibition, Heroes and Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross, which was held at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. It ran through January 8, 2012. http://www.warhol.org/connect/blogs/exhibitions/Heroes-and-Villains--The-Comic-Book-Art-of-Alex-Ross/. The first museum exhibition celebrating Ross's artwork, Heroes and Villains featured more than 130 paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures from Ross's personal collection.

"We are proud of Alex and of all of his impressive achievements," said Richard Otto, the Academy's president. "Alex is an inspiration to our students and thousands of artists, worldwide. He's very deserving of the highest honor our school bestows."

"It's a great honor to have any kind of recognition like this and one I certainly did not expect," Ross explained. "I'm thrilled that the school still offers the same education that I received, and by many of the same people who gave it to me 25 years ago." Ross is a 1989 graduate of the Academy.

Before gaining fame for his portrayals of Superman, Batman and other iconic heroes, Ross began his career as a storyboard artist at the Leo Burnett advertising agency. Freelance work in comics led to contact with writer Kurt Busiek, to whom Ross pitched a story collaboration.   Those plans came to fruition in 1993 with "Marvels," a graphic novel series that took a realistic look at Marvel superheroes by presenting them from the point of view of an ordinary man.

Ross is a multiple winner of some of the industry's most highly prized honors, including the Harvey Awards and the Eisners – both named after key craftsmen in the field. He's won those several times for categories related to best-limited series, best artist and/or best cover artist.

Commenting on his selection of the American Academy of Art for his formal training, Ross shares: "I followed the path my mom had taken before me, when she attended the school back in the late '40s. Knowing that I wanted nothing else but to pursue a career in art since I was a kid made it easier for my parents to guide me in this direction, where we knew confidently my ambitions would be nurtured the best way possible."

When asked what three pieces of advice he'd offer young and aspiring artists, Ross explains: "Figure drawing, figure drawing, figure drawing. Don't ever think that you can have this one licked. It will always be the thing you need to work harder on. That applies to myself and to everyone active in the field."

In its review of Ross's "Mythology" book in 2003, Entertainment Weekly said, "Painter Alex Ross brings to his work an unparalleled sense of the real. His heroes – both super and mortal – have weight; they exist in space, and that space is affected by them in ways never before seen on the page."

Graphic novels and comics are big business. Industry Analyst Milton Griepp estimated in 2011 that combined sales of new periodical comics and graphic novels in 2010 were $635 million. Comics have also given rise to many of Hollywood's biggest blockbuster movies. It's a bet Disney was happy to make, as evidenced by its purchase of Marvel for $4 billion in 2009.

Ross's upcoming projects include painting the covers for new comic books featuring characters like The Shadow, Flash Gordon, and many more classic heroes. 

Born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Lubbock, Texas, Ross now lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago. For more information, visit http://www.alexrossart.com/.  

About the American Academy of Art:

The American Academy of Art (www.aaart.edu) has trained and educated some of the nation's most prominent and prolific fine artists and illustrators since its founding in 1923.  Alumni include movie poster illustrator and cowboy artist Howard Terpning(2010 Distinguished Alumnus winner); Haddon Sundblom, who gave us the American version of Santa Claus for Coca Cola; and numerous other artists. Children's book illustrator Loren Long, (2011 Distinguished Alumnus winner), illustrated President Obama's 2010 book, "Of Thee I Sing."

The American Academy of Art (www.aart.edu) offers four-year, accredited Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs in the following disciplines: Illustration, Photography, Graphic Design, Multimedia / Web Design, 3-D Modeling / Animation, Illustration (Digital Illustration specialization), Life Drawing, Painting (oil painting specialization), and Painting (watercolor painting specialization). It emphasizes the classical tradition, reinforced by real-world projects taught by distinguished instructors – all of whom are working artists as well as full-time teachers. The Academy not only guides and trains students to be exemplary artists, it also connects students to valuable resources to help with their transition to real-world careers upon graduation. The American Academy of Art is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. The Academy is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

Media Contact: Jason Sherman, SHERMAN communications and marketing, public relations firm,

P: 708-445-8598,  E: jason@shermancm.com,  W: http://www.shermancm.com.  

RELATED LINKS

http://www.aaart.edu

http://www.shermancm.com

NEW ARRIVALS: ECCC POSTER AND MORE [UPDATED]

Here are a couple of new things that are now IN MY COLLECTION. First is the 2012 Emerald City Comic-Con print which features their symbol, The Crusaderette, flying near Seattle's landmark the Space Needle. This is #97 of the 750 produced. The photo does NOT do justice to the real print which is gorgeous. As you recall these where only available at the convention but thanks to the magic of eBay I was able to get one. It is printed in heavy stock paper and it looks like it was actually watercolored by Alex himself.

Another cool addition to my collection which completes all of my Wizard Alex Ross Millennium Edition covers is the one you see pictured which features Hulk and She-Hulk. To this all-green, rage-filled cover we need to add the other hardcover with Spider-Man and Spider-Woman as well as the Kingdom Come Superman and Earth X Captain America and finally the Spider-Man vs. Superman cover.

In total, I now have all the 5 different editions of this book. Not too shabby, huh?


Finally, I'm a proud owner of one of the rarest, if not THE rarest item of Kingdom Come memorabilia. On the left is the 1996 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive t-shirt. It is an amazing exercise in art by Alex Ross with its stained window, church-like illustration, it's really mind-blowing.

I have tried to scan the art from the tee, no easy task by the way,  but on the right is the full illustration, it appears a bit crooked but remember, I was scanning fabric here. Anyways, enjoy!

JULY 2012 SOLICITATIONS

THE SHADOW #4
Written by GARTH ENNIS
Art by AARON CAMPBELL
Covers by ALEX ROSS (25%), HOWARD CHAYKIN (25%), JOHN CASSADAY (25%), STEPHEN SEGOVIA (25%)
Exactly who the Shadow might be- or who he once was- is the subject of some grim speculation by Taro Kondo and Buffalo Wong, but the answer may be closer than either suspects. Meanwhile, Cranston and Margo come face to face with the full horror of the Japanese occupation... and on the River Yangtze, a deadly ambush awaits the unwary.
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +

MERCILESS – THE RISE OF MING #4
Written by SCOTT BEATTY
Art by RON ADRIAN
Cover by ALEX ROSS
To cement his claim of power, Ming the Merciless launches a strategic war that shows once and for all that there is but one superpower on Mongo! But as Ming turns his attentions to new worlds to conquer, a betrayal within his own court might topple all of Ming's carefully wrought plans! And what does a strange signal from a distant planet mean to the future of Mongo?
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +

FLASH GORDON - ZEITGEIST #9
Written by ERIC TRAUTMANN
Art by DANIEL INDRO
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Ming has been defeated! Long live Flash Gordon! Following the daring assault on Mingo City, peace reigns across the kingdoms of Mongo... or does it? The dethroned Emperor's reach is long, old enmities still smolder between rival Kings, and Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, and Dr. Hans Zarkov discover just how alien a world Mongo really is.
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +

THE BIONIC MAN #12
Written by PHIL HESTER & AARON GILLESPIE
Art by ED TADEO
Covers by ALEX ROSS (main), ED TADEO (1:10)
Something has been stalking Steve Austin. Something BIG. The moment Bionic Man fans have been clamoring for finally arrives with the introduction of Bigfoot into the hit series. His origins are unknown, but whatever this mysterious creature may be, Steve Austin has something it wants... and it will kill to get it.
32 pages FC • $3.99 • Teen +