Marvelocity: The Marvel Comics Art of Alex Ross by Alex Ross

Marvelocity: The Marvel Comics Art of Alex Ross Reviews

• 
  Chad

  An absolutely gorgeous coffee table sized book. It's packed full of not only Alex Ross's Marvel covers but sketches, childhood drawings, busts, posters, even custom figures Ross made out of construction paper as a kid. This thing is packed with jaw dropping art along with commentary from Ross. It ends with a ten page original story featuring Spider-Man against the Sinister Six.
• 
  L. McCoy

  SUPER FAST REVIEW:
  Okay so it’s Alex Ross. You know this artwork is gonna be pretty great! I didn’t expect him to talk so much about his childhood (even seeing some Marvel stuff he drew as a kid before becoming an official Marvel artist), love for superheroes, to go in depth about the art, etc. but it’s certainly welcome here. I also think it’s cool that it’s not just drawings featured in this book. There’s also a very exciting Spider-Man short story here!
  Yeah I love it and highly recommend it!
  
  5/5
• 
  Timothy Boyd

  I can't get enough of Alex Ross's art and this is a fantastic collection of his Marvel work. the paintings are just so perfect and lifelike. if you want to experience comic art like you have never seen grab this book. My highest recommendation
• 
  Dan

  review -
  https://youtu.be/CPKJwZT_SUg
• 
  Ernesto Alvarado

  Great Illustrations. Alex Ross is an icon in the comic books industry.
  The quality of this book is very good, it's very big and full of color. It's a visual feast.
  It would be good to include more stories about the origin and process of the drawings but it's ok.
  
  If you like the art of the comic books this book is for you.
• 
  Trike

  After Ross’ collections of DC and Dynamite art, we finally get his Marvel work. Totally worth the wait. I like and read all types of comics, superhero and non, but my first love is Marvel. The first comic book I ever picked out for myself was an Amazing Spider-man where he goes to the Savage Land. So of course I was happy to see this massive collection of gorgeous art kick off with Spidey. A little less happy to see that the drawings he did at age 11 are better than anything I’ve ever done, but that’s why he’s an artist and I’m the guy reading about him.
  
  Speaking of the Savage Land, I was surprised that Ka-Zar didn’t make it in the book, nor his sabretoothed tiger Zabu. Despite Ross painting a couple hundred characters, including some truly fringe one-and-done joke characters, there are actually quite a few major characters he apparently hasn’t painted. (Or they decided against including them.) Two of Spider-man’s major players from his rogues gallery, The Vulture and Kraven the Hunter, are nowhere to be seen. Not even in the numerous covers included. Also missing is the entirety of Alpha Flight.
  
  Given that Marvel has thousands of characters I guess that’s not too surprising. The stuff that is included is, naturally, amazing. All the biggies are here: Avengers, X-Men, FF, etc. There’s a deep dive into Ross’ Universe X story, a book I didn’t particularly like, but there’s no denying the art is cool and the alternate/aged/evolved versions of classic characters are interesting.
  
  His X-Men redesigns are really cool, some of his best. One complaint I had about the Dynamite collection wS the lack of process art, showing how he got from A to Z. This book corrects that, showing process all over the place. I was particularly interested in how he worked out the method to paint a realistic-seeming Human Torch for the time-traveling story of the original Marvel characters from WWII, The Invaders. (Turns out it’s a combination of dramatic lighting and negative images of his photo reference model, which was very effective.)
  
  At the end he even does his own story featuring Spidey, bringing the book full circle. I’m kind of guessing that’s Chip Kidd’s doing. And nicely done it is.
  
  So yeah, another stellar collection of beautiful Alex Ross art, with one of the coolest fold-out covers I’ve seen in a long time.
• 
  Morelia (Strandedinbooks)

  I'm in awe of such art. Marvel is so much bigger than what we see at the theater today and *wipes tear* I just love this fandom so much!
• 
  Jacob Smithson

  Awesome book! Alex Ross is an icon in the comic book art world! Great illustrations!
• 
  John

  This hulking book is incredible! Getting to see my favorite artist’s uncanny renderings of my favorite superheroes is a treat. With his mighty brush, Alex Ross transforms paint into gods. If I had to stick with one word to describe this book, it would be “Spectacular!” Or “Amazing!” Or “Marvelous!”
• 
  Ivy Digest

  Wow! I haven’t seen comics leap out of the pages like this.
  
  Stupendously talented Alex collaborates with award-winning writer, art director, and designer Chip to give us a visually stunning first release of hundreds of drawings, sketches, and paintings of Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, the Hulk, the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and more. All drawn by hand.
  
  For the first time, Alex reveals costumes, sculptures, designs, storyboards, letters, logos, scripts, and comic book covers. We’ll see how his sketches and ideas were translated into movie scenes or finished art.
  
  Veteran photographer Geoff vividly captures every image, as only a superhero fan can.
  
  Comic lovers will salivate over Alex’s original ten-page story of Spider-Man versus the Sinister Six, his redesign proposals for the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, his re-creation of a fight scene between Iron Man and the Sub-Mariner (Tales to Astonish No. 82, 1966), and his sketchbook.
  
  Alex doesn’t use computers. “Absolutely not. For me, it has to be an act of engagement with your hands. I believe the stuff that works well is the stuff that has more life in it, as much of the human hand visible within it.”
  
  How does he make his images so lifelike? “It’s all about training your perception to pick up more details.”
  
  Alex gained fame with Marvels (1993), when he drew the characters as if they were captured in photographs. It set the precedent for the Marvels movies decades later.
  
  Alex shares how he created his artwork: his redesign of the Amazing Spider-Man; the opening credits of spider-Man 2; the Invaders; the Earth X trilogy; Universe X; Paradise X; and his updates on the Torch, Spider-Woman, Daredevil, the Wasp, Thor, Dr. Strange, and many others.
  
  Throughout this astounding collection, Alex shares his childhood work, influences, evolution, and creative process.
  
  His dedication to superheroes is apparent at five when he made his own costumes, comics, and figurines of his beloved superheroes. He was continuously in art school from first grade.
  
  “Art classes confirmed to me, again and again, what I wanted to do with my life.”
  
  Alex copied comics extensively and kept drawing. His mom was an illustrator so he went to her alma mater, the American Academy of Art in Chicago.
  
  “I learned at the Academy everything I use today….For me, the biggest revelation was working from a live model. I could feel my level of accuracy increasing with every session. I realized that I needed to be looking at the world, not just collecting it in my head over time.”
  
  “So he set to training his hand, and his mind, and his heart. And once the intensity of his work gained momentum, skill , confidence, revelation—there was no stopping it. It achieved….MARVELOCITY.”
  
  @IvyDigest
  
  
• 
  Michael Emond

  No surprise - as a comic book fan I love Alex Ross. I take his genius for granted a bit because he has been around for a while but I'll never forget how game changing Marvels was when it first came out.
  
  I had bought his collection of DC work so buying this was a no brainer. It is another lovely collection of his work and like the DC collection you get a never before published short story with his art (I think it has never been published before) involving Spider-man and the Sinister Six.
  
  I don't think I have to sell this to any Alex Ross fan - it is a gorgeous collection of an artistic genius. He does photo-realistic art of fantastical comic book heroes. It is a sight to behold. If I had one critique is that I never really liked Earth X so if that hadn't been in the collection I would have been fine with that. Okay! one other critique - Ross has done SO many covers for Marvel they shrunk many of them down to unviewable size so they could be "included". that was frustrating because you see them but can't appreciate them.
  
  I still prefer the DC collection just because DC characters seem to be even more interesting when they get the Alex Ross treatment - but I am VERY happy with this collection.
• 
  Tim Lapetino

  This is another absolutely phenomenal collection of the artwork of illustrator and painter Alex Ross. This volume is focused on his art for Marvel Comics, a seeming companion to the earlier Mythology book focused on his work for DC Comics.
  
  This incredible collection is designed and curated by the wonderful Chip Kidd, and his passion for these characters and the stories behind them shows through. Chip’s layouts and interest in the visceral and physical materials of creation always inspire me. This book is no exception. His ability to tell breathtaking stories in imagery always impresses.
  
  And what can you say about the work of Alex Ross? He is a modern master, combining the best of the classic American painters with a love of 60s-80s comic book pop culture. He renders light, shadows and the fantastic with a realism that brings it all home for the reader. It’s also amazing that he was setting these amazing comic characters into a real life long before they were reborn onscreen with the renaissance of superhero films.
  
  This book is highly recommended for anyone with a pulse. :)
• 
  Michael J.

  Alex Ross has earned his reputation as the master of painted photo-realistic art.
  A big book like this one with glossy pages and expanded-size panel reproductions is the absolute best way to view his art.
  Along with the marvelous (ha!) illustrations, there are explanations of how he achieved a certain look, some background information on writer/artist collaboration, and insights into the early art career of a master, Alex Ross, that began as early as age seven.
  Definitely worth the asking price. It's an art book that you'll return to time and time again.
• 
  Chris Robertson

  Finally, we get the Marvel version of Ross's superb DC art showcase Mythology (which you should already own). And it is stellar. I enjoyed reading about Ross's journey into the comics, and his creative process as much as the images themselves. The added story with the Sinister Six is fantastic. The book itself is laid out well, mindful of gutter space. It isn't bulky, which is nice on the wrists as you savor the art. A collector piece.
• 
  Shay

  
  This was so much fun to read. When Stan Lee died so many people were like but but you're all grown-ups now why are you still so invested in comics and make-believe? I loved seeing the art from when he was a kid to the art he's making as an adult how that thing you love as a child can stay with you your whole life. As a lifelong lover of sci-fi that hits home. All of the artwork is amazing my husband and son both loved this book too. Great library find.
• 
  Dan

  Loved this book of Alex Ross' Marvel Comics art with text by Chip Kidd! Being a similar age to Alex, I also grew up with my first exposure to Spider-Man on The Electric Company. I also used to draw superheroes when I was younger, but obviously didn't develop into the superstar artist that Alex is. I found the story behind Marvel's Earth X series (and the fact that DC planned to do a Kingdom Come sequel without him) fascinating. A must read for Marvel Comics fans!
• 
  Rob S.

  I pretty much love any comic art that's painted. Bill Sienkiewicz. Alex Maleev. David Mack. Joelle Jones (although most of her work is illustrated, she's a painter). And Alex Ross. I love Ross's work, and I'm not sure why. It's too real, like portraiture. It's too reverent and so much larger than life. Too ... perfect and ideal and bright. But it's also powerful and hopeful. And Ross loves comics and these heroes and their stories. And I can't look away.
• 
  Miles

  Fantastic collection of Alex Ross’s work for Marvel. His painted work is unique and tremendously lifelike, which brings a whole new aesthetic to superhero comics. I have no idea how he can be so prolific given his approach, but I’m definitely thankful. A great collection for any Ross or Marvel fan. The extremely talented Chip Kidd assists with words and design.
• 
  Mitchell

  Pretty amazing art book. This also showcases Alex Ross as a writer and a creator and a character designer. It was cool to see how early he was doing Marvel comic art of all sorts. As always, interesting to see an artist's process, and comparisons and in process sketches. This was actually fairly overwhelming, hard to take in. It may just work better as something you browse. But still cool.
• 
  Lisa

  This artist is amazing, some of my favorite stuff is done by him. This book was great for explaining where some of his influences came from. For me I think that he is one of the most iconic artists for Marvel. If you are a fan this is a book you need to see.
• 
  Lukas Holmes

  It's just so beautiful. A coffee table book that I actually read from start to finish and then shared with my daughter to talk about the art and the man. It's just silly how talented he is and how detailed the items are within.
• 
  Connie

  Full of beautiful art. I have always been a fan of Marvel comics and it was wonderful to see my old, and new favorites in such a gorgeous fashion. There were also a lot of summaries of story lines that caught my interest. I may just get back into reading comics after this!
• 
  Garrett Berner

  A well-designed retrospective of the comic legend's Marvel output. I thought I knew all his cover work, but there were some surprises including a pop-art aesthetic to a Fantastic Four series which ever launched.
  
  
• 
  Dominic DeBlasi

  If you have any interest into painting, drawing, or just want to look at the guys amazing work, this is a goos book to start with. The attention to detail and emphasis on making the classic appearances of these characters feel real is astounding
• 
  guanaeps

  Art museum in a book. Awe inspiring, to say the least.
• 
  Jason

  I am blown away by the art in this book. Makes me proud to love comic books. Now I just need to learn how to draw.
• 
  Neal

  For whatever reason, I enjoyed the DC Comics Alex Ross book more.
  Perhaps the marvel of it (pun intended) lessened for the second book.
  Regardless, he has an amazing skill.
• 
  Gabby

  Beautiful drawings. So interesting to see his drawings as a child and how they turned into what we all know and love today. My grandson loved to see his work as well.
• 
  Mike

  Meh. A cool art book, for sure, but I’ve always felt that Ross’s style is better suited to DC characters. Great design by Chip Kidd (as always)!