Is Alex Ross Overrated now?

[Adam West]

I don't think he's overrated at all.

Granted, I have not seen any of his recent artwork or attempt at writing.

I think at the end of the day when people look back at his work; they will see that he did something that had never really been done before which was to have the special ability to make our beloved superheroes so realistically human...I have seen nothing else even close to his work.

[ctc]

>they will see that he did something that had never really been done before which was to have the special ability to make our beloved superheroes so realistically human

Advancements are made in small steps; and this is what Ross added to the mix. But the realism thing brings it's own limits, which is why I think a lot of folks consider him overrated. Like I said, after seeing a few of his books you've pretty much seen what he's gonna do. Realism is okay but it limits the poses, layouts, expression and action you can do.

It's POSSIBLE he could add more animation and stylization to his work; but I haven't seen any indication that he will.

>I have seen nothing else even close to his work.

....well.... Since the 70's there've been a lot of Japanese and European cartoonists using a photorealist style; AND mixes of realistic rendering and detailing with cartoony designs. A lot of fans have been doing it with computers since the 90's too.

Don C.

[johnmiic]

I don't think Alex Ross is over-rated. He needs to choose his projects more carefully and not over-extend himself.

[Airdave817]

Over-rated VS. Over-exposed

I'm not sure that I would use the word over-rated. Maybe you would depending on what you think of his work.

I probably would use the word over-exposed. He's EVERYwhere! He's on Superman, Batman, Justice Society, Avengers/Invaders, Project Superpowers and who knows how many other covers.

I have the Battle of the Planets series he did. But that's just me. I have the Chip Kidd appreciation book on his work with the very cool World's Finest story with Superman and Batman & Robin against Brainiac.

Me, I would like to see him work with Wolfman & Perez on a classic Titans or New Teen Titans story. That would be kinda cool.

But, yeah, he is definitely way, way, way over-exposed.

[kingdom warrior]

^^^^ Agree I think he is overexposed but again he has to make his money.The thing is that Ross mostly does covers and then that's it. The inside work is sometimes not top notch stuff so it ends being a disappointment.

He kinda reminds me of Jack Kirby and Gil Kane how they use to do all the covers for Marvel and DC. Except they both would do interior artwork also and were way better storytellers than Ross. Plus they didn't rely heavily on photo reference something I think Ross relies on way too much......

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I thought of this discussion the other day, while taking a look at some upcoming books on another site. And I think the overexposed thing is dead on, and not just Ross; but there are SO MANY people using his style nowadays.... Kinda like how every second book looked like Bisley did it back in the 90's. (And those other books looked like Jim Lee did 'em.)

Don C.

[thunderbolt]

You guys oughta take a look at the Kingdom Superman special to see Ross in a whole newe light. His pencil and ink art looks great.

[BlackKnight]

You guys oughta take a look at the Kingdom Superman special to see Ross in a whole newe light. His pencil and ink art looks great.

I have this... I have not read it yet however,.. but to me His Pencil & Ink's are always great.

[thunderbolt]

I've never seen him do any P/I work, only the full blown painted stuff. The whole Kingdom storyline is really turning out to be a good one.

[BlackKnight]

I've never seen him do any P/I work, only the full blown painted stuff. The whole Kingdom storyline is really turning out to be a good one.

You Know,.. Me either,.. I guess What I meant to say is His art ingeneral,.. the Only problem I ever have with the guy as of late is his story telling .