Collection: Alex Ross

Growing up, Alex Ross developed a deep passion for comic books and began seriously honing his artistic abilities. Inspired by the contrasting styles of renowned illustrators George Perez and Berni Wrightson, Ross emulated Perez's bold, open approach for his superhero work and Wrightson's delicate, shadowy style for more serious subject matter. This experimentation helped Ross discover that there was no single "right" way to create compelling comic art.

Following in his mother's footsteps, the 17-year-old Ross moved to Chicago to study painting at the American Academy of Art. There, he was profoundly influenced by the hyper-realistic qualities of works by Salvador Dali and J.C. Leyendecker, realizing that the connection between fine art and comic book illustration was not as distinct as it may have seemed. This fusion of realism and sequential art would come to define Ross's acclaimed style, earning him the moniker "The Norman Rockwell of Comics."

During his three years at the Academy, Ross created his own comic books, blending the fine art techniques he was mastering with his lifelong love of the medium. Upon graduating and taking a job at an advertising agency, Ross's work caught the eye of Marvel Comics editor Kurt Busiek, who approached him about collaborating on a story. This partnership resulted in the 1993 graphic novel "Marvels," which presented a strikingly realistic portrayal of superheroes through the eyes of an ordinary man. The critical and commercial success of "Marvels" propelled Ross into the spotlight and firmly established him as one of the preeminent comic book artists of his generation.