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Pantheon Books to publish “Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross”

By John Freeman on November 13, 2002

Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross (This book cover was added as an update)

Pantheon Books, a division of the Knopf Publishing group, is proud to announce plans to publish a coffee table book showcasing Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Justice League, and other DC Comics icons as envisioned by Alex Ross, who at 32 is one of the world’s preeminent and most influential comic-book painters.

Written, designed, and art-directed by Chip Kidd, Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross marks the first time outside of the comics market that a hardcover trade volume will feature the entire DC Comics universe of super-heroes as imagined by a single visual artist.

Over the past decade, Ross’ award-winning, hyper-realistic style has broken new ground and expanded the boundaries of how super heroic figures can be portrayed. 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.”

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.