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Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross

Publisher: Pantheon Books

Reviewed by Chris Ching

One of the most telling examples of Alex Ross' greatness is a pin-up page from Batman: Black & White depicting a battle ravaged Bruce Wayne standing in front of the cape and cowl with which he combats evil. Outside the suit, his body is revealed as a map of bullet wounds, knife scars, and other painful reminders of his life's "mission". The man in illustration is both realistically mortal yet sublimely heroic - which I humbly think is as good a description of Alex Ross' work as any.

Mythology is the book all comic fanboys should have on their coffee table. It is a retrospective and analysis of Ross' watershed work for DC Comics and of the artist himself. The books documents the creative process he undertakes to render his incredibly realistic paintings of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the DC pantheon. This is accomplished through numerous character studies (many going back to his childhood), interviews, imagery by Ross' influences, and of course many reproductions from Kingdom Come, Superman: Peace on Earth, and covers like the one Ross did for the hardcover publication of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Designer and writer Chip Kidd brings all these parts together with clarity and incite. Mythology comes also with an original Superman and Batman story you cannot find anywhere else and a two page Robin bio story written by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series).

Ross' ascendance to the top of the comic creator food chain has been through his ability to paint in an ultra realistic style. Employing life models as touchstones, Ross' heroes look like they could walk among us , yet still retain an aura of godlike mystique. Dubbed "The Process" and using the creation of Mythology's Superman jacket cover as an example, the reader gets a front row seat to the initial sketch concept, the reference guide photographing of a costume garbed model, and through the various pencil, and then through gouache, and airbrush applications.

Other highlights are the segments where Ross explores the dynamics and lasting appeal of the individual DC heroes- why they resonate with him as well as millions of comic readers around the world. The dignity and respect each character receives will be quite touching to readers who have seen their heroes belittled as "big guys in pajamas".

Any disappointments in Mythology? Well... just read the title. Ross has done some equally memorable work for Marvel Comics, and the lack of iconography from the House that Stan and Jack Built is conspicuous in its absence from an artistic appreciation of Alex Ross. Hopefully, that volume is in the works. Also, Ross occasionally comes off as pompous as some of his subjects' cleft chins, but after turning through the pages of Mythology, I think he's earned the right to be a little high and mighty.

PS- An easter egg can be found if you remove the jacket cover from the book itself. Charge!

Rating: (4 out of 4 stars)