Superman Returns How about Alex Ross?

[Retroman]

The hell? SR was an INSANE ~$200M dollar production that had to employ hundreds if not thousands of people on at least two separate continents. Ross says he was never contacted by the SR folks but Dyas says Singer spoke to Ross on a few occasions. In the words of Henry Lee, something not right here. Quite obviously, we're not hearing the whole story -- and given the budget, I doubt it was a money issue.

I think you need to read the qoute again from Ross. The crew did get in touch with him.

 

[AgentPat]

I think you need to read the qoute again from Ross. The crew did get in touch with him.

The *crew*. Not Singer. That's what I was referring to. I should have been more clear. My bad.

Regardless, he was never (apparently) invited to offer any input. That's just... I dunno... odd. Even the Smallville folks contracted Ross to do various art projects (TV Guide covers) and invited him for commentary on the DVDs.

But whatever. It's done. There will be more Supes' films to come. Hopefully, Ross will be involved in some way or another with those. I love his work, but that's just me.

 

[Morgoth]

Even if he gives a good opinion, I cant take him seriously.

Hes such a flake. He should simply stick to drawing and leave it at that.

I agree. He's a weirdo, he sounds like a child molester when he speaks.

All his characters look too fat and old.

 

[Lobster Charlie]

The *crew*. Not Singer. That's what I was referring to. I should have been more clear. My bad.

Regardless, he was never (apparently) invited to offer any input. That's just... I dunno... odd. Even the Smallville folks contracted Ross to do various art projects (TV Guide covers) and invited him for commentary on the DVDs.

But whatever. It's done. There will be more Supes' films to come. Hopefully, Ross will be involved in some way or another with those. I love his work, but that's just me.

Its not just you, I love his work too. And what's scary is how this guy is only getting better and better at what he does.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Well, Morgoth....he's an artist.....most artists are kinda odd. lol.

 

[Steelsheen]

I don't like how hulking, and overly muscular his characters look...or how old Batman and Superman look, but besides that, his imagery is top notch. I heard he lives out here in the suburbs of Chicago?

same here, i dont like how Ross' superheroes "look", but his photorealistic style is what i love about his work.

 

[Compi716]

Anybody know other artists' views? Tim Sale? Jim Lee? Some of the classic Supe artists.

Yeah, I'm also curious. I would especially like to know what John Byrne and Curt Swan thought of the movie.

 

[DavidTyler]

Yeah, I'm also curious. I would especially like to know what John Byrne and Curt Swan thought of the movie.

Uh... just in case you weren't aware, we lost Curt a few years ago.

Naming Chris Reeve's character 'Swan' on 'Smallville' was a tribute to the man who had become Supes premiere artist for most of the late 60's to late 70's.

Just so you know.

 

[Compi716]

Oh, I did not know that. Thank you for telling me.

 

[JBElliott]

And sometimes Superman even had man boobs and a gut. : /

No, he doesn't. He looks like a large, farm boy type, not a body builder. Ross doesn't draw Superman and Batman fat. That's a popular misconception.

 

[Lobster Charlie]

My main problem with his Batman is the ears are a little too high and pointed, and the utility belt is so big, how could he comfortably bend over without pinching into his stomach?

 

[Vandal Savage]

Batman looks lame in art when his eyes arent whited out.

 

[DieselsDen]

Everything this man has said is true.

I have that issue of WIZARD where Alex Ross gave his thoughts about a variety of topics...

He loved BATMAN BEGINS (would see it twice in theatres) and that they (the filmmakers) got it right [corrected to read "BEGINS" and not "RETURNS"].

He thought SPIDER-MAN 2 was dumb, and that it would not hold up the test of time. It was pretty clear he disliked the movie and didn't care to be a part of it. (Despite the fact his drawings were used in the opening credits.)

He expressed doubts about the Superman costume, but did not outright say he hated it.

 

[DieselsDen]

After the way Ross bashed Spider-man, after Rami personally asked him to do the artwork for the opening sequence (and got paid alot for it), I don't value his opinion on anything.

I don't care if he didn't like Spider-man 2, but there's this little thing called "class", and he doesn't have it.

Well, if he gave an honest opinion about the movie, what's the big deal? It's not like slandered Raimi. Would it be better to lie? Besides, I thought SPIDER-MAN 2 was below average, too, and was glad to hear at least one comics professional agree with me after seeing all the breathlessly rave reviews.

 

[mickmike]

I agree. He's a weirdo, he sounds like a child molester when he speaks.

All his characters look too fat and old.

So says you. Why is he a weirdo? Do you know him? And what kind of ridiculous statement is "he sounds like a child molester"? How many have you talked to?

I havent seen one single hero drawn as fat by him. Old?Depends how old you are. I personally like Superman to look mature.

This is the problem with the internet and sometimes these boards,"nobodies" can talk crap about anyone.Even when they themselves have no talent and no reason to attack a person. Alex Ross is a world renowned comic artist.What are you?

 

[Lighthouse]

I agree with you....he's like the Charles Barkely of the comic book realm.

I thought John Byrne was more likely the Charles Barkely of the comic book realm. Maybe he's the Barry Bonds.

 

[LostSon88]

He loved BATMAN RETURNS (would see it twice in theatres) and that they (the filmmakers) got it right.

And just like that...Alex Ross loses all credibility (IMO).

 

[KaptainKrypton]

I havent seen one single hero drawn as fat by him.

Then you haven't looked. Google his art for the painting he did of the Superman #1 cover. He's usually good, but in this case, Kal-El appears to be suffering from gynomastia...or to the layperson, man-boobs.

 

[Nerial]

He thought SPIDER-MAN 2 was dumb, and that it would not hold up the test of time. It was pretty clear he disliked the movie and didn't care to be a part of it. (Despite the fact his drawings were used in the opening credits.)

Wow, I did not know that. He disliked Spider-man 2? Well, everyone has their own opinion on things, but he just lost a few brownie points in my book (because I loved Spider-man 2--his opinion clearly won't match mine).

I'm divided on Ross' artwork. He is obviously talented, but there is something...almost too detailed in his work. Maybe it's the shading, but everyone looks old.

I loved his work in Kingdom Come, mainly because everyone actually is old, and therefore it looks correct for that time period.

His Superman is the worst compared to the other superheroes he does. I will agree that Routh looks young, but Ross' Superman looks like he's in his early fifties, and is WAY too bulky. It just doesn't look like that guy could really move gracefully, in flight or otherwise.

 

[DogofKrypton]

And just like that...Alex Ross loses all credibility (IMO).

I do believe he was talking about BATMAN BEGINS, not Returns.

 

[Eteric]

No, he doesn't. He looks like a large, farm boy type, not a body builder. Ross doesn't draw Superman and Batman fat. That's a popular misconception.

Uh, I live out in the country. None of the "farm boys" I know look like that. Generally they're bigger, but they don't have what looks like man boobs.

 

[mickmike]

Then you haven't looked. Google his art for the painting he did of the Superman #1 cover. He's usually good, but in this case, Kal-El appears to be suffering from gynomastia...or to the layperson, man-boobs.

Havent looked? You know me that well?

Arguments aside,you are right,his pecs do look odd on that pic. But it seems to me you are plucking at straws. What about the hundreds more painting where his Superman work is incredible.

"hey Tiger Woods,you cant play golf,you suck because you missed that one hole!"

Seen as my post interrested you so,any comments on the wierdo,child molester thing?

 

[mickmike]

As usual this is all subjective. PERSONALLY I prefer the older Superman,probably because I'm in my mid-thirtes and want someone I could look up too.Someone like Mr Routh is way to young to be authorative in my book(notice how I didnt call him sick names or insult him in any way,I'm just using him as an example).

Superman in the forties was drawn to look more mature.As time has passed he has gotten younger looking. More so in the movies,Kirk Alyn,George Reeves,Chris Reeve and now Brandon Routh. Progresivly younger.Its a sign of the times,today people are obsesed with looking younger.Alex's Superman is a throw back to that bygone age.When stars looked like Clark Gable not Brad Pitt.Superman IS timeless. I,like thousands of other love his take.

 

[Nerial]

As usual this is all subjective. PERSONALLY I prefer the older Superman,probably because I'm in my mid-thirtes and want someone I could look up too.Someone like Mr Routh is way to young to be authorative in my book(notice how I didnt call him sick names or insult him in any way,I'm just using him as an example).

Superman in the forties was drawn to look more mature.As time has passed he has gotten younger looking. More so in the movies,Kirk Alyn,George Reeves,Chris Reeve and now Brandon Routh. Progresivly younger.Its a sign of the times,today people are obsesed with looking younger.Alex's Superman is a throw back to that bygone age.When stars looked like Clark Gable not Brad Pitt.Superman IS timeless. I,like thousands of other love his take.

I love that explanation. I think you're right--the younger look is more in style right now, and movies play off it. Being older and wiser just doesn't hold as well. Maybe it also is used as a way of making an additional excuse for the hero when he makes a mistake as well. An older Superman probably couldn't get away with something a younger version would (look at all the crap Clark in Smallville does, as example). Routh does look younger--he's not really handsome as much as cute, and I can see why some fans aren't happy with that.

However, as a girl in her mid-twenties...um, I have NO problems with Routh's appearance.

 

[mickmike]

I love that explanation. I think you're right--the younger look is more in style right now, and movies play off it. Being older and wiser just doesn't hold as well. Maybe it also is used as a way of making an additional excuse for the hero when he makes a mistake as well. An older Superman probably couldn't get away with something a younger version would (look at all the crap Clark in Smallville does, as example). Routh does look younger--he's not really handsome as much as cute, and I can see why some fans aren't happy with that.

However, as a girl in her mid-twenties...um, I have NO problems with Routh's appearance.

Nerial,
Im not so sure being older and wiser doesnt pay today.I mean look at the animated Batman , he's a more mature looking , hulking man, but hes not less popular because of it. We are so used to having young pretty people jammed down our throats,maybe it is time to revert back.That way the pretty ones will look even prettier