Vous voulez voir cette page en français ? Cliquez ici.

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross [Hardcover]

Alex Ross
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Library Binding CDN $35.19  
Hardcover, Oct 21 2003 --  
Paperback CDN $23.20  
Calendar CDN $14.11  

Book Description

Oct 21 2003
Here is the incomparable cast of the DC Comics universe: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, the Green Lantern, and the rest of the Justice League as you’ve never seen them before. Mythology brings together the best-loved comic characters in the world, brought to life by one of the most astonishing young artists working in the medium today, Alex Ross. The award-winning designer/writer Chip Kidd and photographer Geoff Spear have teamed up to create a book like no other, with an introduction by M. Night Shyamalan, the acclaimed director of Signs and The Sixth Sense.

Ross has often been called “the Norman Rockwell of comics,” and this book reveals not only his lifelong love of these classic super heroes but also his vision: Mythology takes you into the studio for a behind-the-scenes look at his fascinating creative process. The combination of Ross’s dynamic art and Kidd’s kinetic design make images from his most memorable stories–including Kingdom Come, Superman: Peace on Earth, Batman: War on Crime, and Uncle Sam–soar off the more than 280 pages. There are also hundreds of never-before-seen sketches, limited edition prints, and prototype sculptures. Vintage DC comic panels are interspersed throughout, as reference points from which Ross launches his extraordinary interpretations.

And most exciting for Ross fans, inside is a DC Comics first: an exclusive, original Superman-Batman story, written by Kidd and painted by Ross. Also included is an all-new origin of Robin, written by Paul Dini. Mythology is a book in which every page explodes with the power of the icons it celebrates.

Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed


Product Details


Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

With art that looks like a hybrid of Norman Rockwell and Jack Kirby, artist Ross has become the preeminent painter of superheroes of his generation. This lavish coffee- table tribute puts him into a pantheon as exalted as the superbeings he depicts. The son of a preacher and an illustrator, Ross was always captivated by superheroes, but it wasn't until he discovered the use of live models in art school that he was able to realize his visions of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest. Like Rockwell, Ross uses photographs to set up lighting and staging-a process documented in a section at the end of the book-and like Rockwell, he favors otherworldly lighting effects that somehow serve to make his figures more realistic. Like Kirby, he has an innate belief in the iconic power of superheroes that gives them a dimension far beyond the usual four-colored adventures. Whether in Kingdom Come, a renowned tale of the twilight of the superheroes; his own oversized stories written with Paul Dini; or countless posters, covers and commissions, Ross's vision of beings so powerful they verge on arrogant will make viewers glad they don't exist in the real world. Kidd's text is laudatory but never cloying, and the book includes numerous studies, sketches and photos to show Ross's method. While collectors and fans gush over Ross's output, the sheer weight of pictures of every superteam in DC's universe does become somewhat numbing by the end. Still, the immense power of Ross's best images cuts through any clutter, and this volume deftly showcases just that.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-This is a coffee-table tribute to the work of the cartoonist. Kind of an odd blend of Norman Rockwell meets Saturday morning cartoons, Ross's gouache painted art glows on the pages. Interspersed with quotations by the artist and those who know him, Kidd's sparse text takes readers on a brief tour of Ross's childhood to his early days in advertising and comic books, finally ending with the limited series "Kingdom Come" (Warner, 1998), which combined hyper-realistic artwork with unusually complex storytelling. The book not only displays samples of finished works but also includes sketches, photographs of live models, and comic art dating back to the 1930s. For a humorous touch, Kidd includes samples of Ross's childhood art, with pieces ranging from rough copies of comic covers to endearing sculptures of Batman and others made out of construction paper. Ultimately, Ross is an artist who quests to reuse and redevelop classic characters like Superman and Wonder Woman and elevate their stories to a level more sophisticated readers can enjoy. High goals, but this man makes it work.
Matthew L. Moffett, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Excerpt
Search inside this book:

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Parka HALL OF FAME TOP 10 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Length: 0:32 Mins
This book on Alex Ross comic art is stunning. There are comics where the characters are brought to life by the art and story, but you know that they are still created from imagination. With Alex Ross, it seems like he's drawing a character that really exists. His sense of realism is unparalleled. He blurs the line between fantasy and reality.

He's compared often with Norman Rockwell and it's apt, but Alex Ross is in a class of his own too. He, too, uses photographic references to amazing results.

This book is packed with breathtaking paintings, many of which are full page. It's also filled with his sketches and accompanying commentary talking from anything about his childhood, comic characters and influences like Andrew Loomis and various comic artists. There are lots to read. There's also a section which details his drawing process, from getting a reference, to inking and then colouring.

Although there are no chapters, the content is grouped by the superheroes he drew, namely Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Shazam, The Justice Society, The Justice League, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Plastic Man, Green Arrow, Hawkman, The Atom, The Flash, Supergirl, Batgirl and a whole lot more. These superheroes must have felt honored to be drawn by Alex Ross.

This book is really value for money ' 320 pages of top quality art and awesome for only US$20. Highly recommended to all artists and comic fans.

(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
Was this review helpful to you?
5.0 out of 5 stars An illustrated guide to the comic geeks ethos Mar 4 2009
Format:Paperback
Alex Ross is an artist of the highest calibre and brings a an artisic legitmacy to the super hero rag. No one captures the human side of your favorite super humans like Ross and this collection deserves to be on the coffee table of every DC super hero fan
Was this review helpful to you?
5.0 out of 5 stars Packs in color full-page shots of his dynamic art July 14 2004
Format:Hardcover
The colorful DC comic art of Alex Ross is profiled by Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear in their striking Mythology, bringing together the best comics of the Justice League members represented by Alex Ross, one of the foremost DC comics illustrators of modern times. Ross has often been called the 'Norman Rockwell of comics' and Mythology packs in color full-page shots of his dynamic art, blending with Kidd's design talents to bring to life highlights from some of Ross' most memorable stories. Add an exclusive, original Batman-Superman story written by Kidd and painted by Ross and you have a keepsake not to be missed.
Was this review helpful to you?
Want to see more reviews on this item?
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Kind of disappointing
The first time I saw this book, I was struck by the art inside and I carried that image with me for ages, but I didn't buy the book (mainly because I was a poor student). Read more
Published on Mar 2 2009 by N. Yang
5.0 out of 5 stars Art Appreciation
I have often thought that, as popular as comic books and superheroes are with some folks, the medium still gets a raw deal from the "establishment". Read more
Published on July 3 2004 by T. Lobascio
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any Alex Ross Fan
Mythology is a complete rundown of the works of Alex Ross. Even since he hit the seen with Marvels, I have been blown away with his incredible attention to detail. Read more
Published on Jun 30 2004 by K. Lenahan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great! Great! Great!
If you are any kind of fan of the D.C. heroes this book is really a must have! The artwork is incredibly amazing, and there's a lot of it! Read more
Published on May 29 2004
2.0 out of 5 stars Oh DC is not that great.....
Well, just because Ross has painted them and all, it does not mean that these heroes are really that great. Quite the opposite in fact, they are starting to become very dated. Read more
Published on April 25 2004 by Joe Mac Guy
5.0 out of 5 stars gorgeous coffee table tribute to a magnificent artist
Alex Ross has drawn some of the most beautiul comic art of our time, and this beautiful collection of his work will make your jaw drop. Read more
Published on April 12 2004 by audrey
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb.
Thank you Alex Ross for coming along and defining the next level in superhero literature. Mr Ross takes inspriration from so-called Golden Age and Silver Age references. Read more
Published on Feb 26 2004 by A. Bautista
4.0 out of 5 stars Over the Top, for an over the top artist
What can I say! This book shows it all, Alex Ross shows everything he has ever done for DC and so much more. You can't keep this hidden for long.
Published on Feb 18 2004 by Jose Mari D. Cortes
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Alex Ross brings the characters of DC Comics to life in all their glory in this excellent collection. Read more
Published on Jan 13 2004 by J. A Magill
4.0 out of 5 stars Showcasing the world's greatest painter of superheroes...
Alex Ross rose to fame with 1994's Marvels, a mini-series that chronicled the Marvel Universe from the perspective of an ordinary person. Read more
Published on Jan 11 2004 by P. Nicholas Keppler
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category


Feedback