Alex Ross ascended to comic book royalty in the 1990s through seminal works like Marvels and Kingdom Come, projects that showcased his breathtaking ability to handle both interior storytelling and iconic cover art. In the years following, however, fans have primarily witnessed his hyper-realistic, painterly aesthetic on the covers of series such as Captain America and The Immortal Hulk, rather than within the pages themselves. That changed in 2022 when Ross returned to full-length illustration for Fantastic Four: Full Circle. This autumn, he continues that momentum with the release of the highly anticipated Marvel Dimensions.
Announced earlier this month, Marvel Dimensions serves as the latest fruit of the collaboration between Ross and Abrams ComicArts. The narrative is structured as a chronological odyssey through the genesis of Marvel’s most legendary figures before spiraling into a surreal exploration of diverse artistic techniques and experimental formats. Ross described the project to The Hollywood Reporter as a “wild ride” designed to overwhelm the senses, unifying disparate elements into a cohesive, high-energy experience.
The artist further teased that readers can expect to see “roughly 200 new characters, or at least 200 new variations,” populating the book’s pages. Below, we are excited to offer an exclusive glimpse at a splash page debuting several of these unique reimaginations.
Image: Alex Ross, Josh Johnson/Marvel Comics, Abrams ComicArts
A closer inspection of this illustration makes Ross’s claim of 200 variations seem entirely plausible. The bottom-left section highlights alternate takes on the X-Men, featuring a caped Colossus and a distinct version of Cyclops. High in the upper-left, a Black Bolt variant soars near figures that appear to be playful nods to DC’s Batman and Green Lantern. The composition is teeming with mechanical detail, from a revised Doctor Octopus in the foreground to a towering Stilt-Man navigating toward a portal. This gateway, crackling with classic “Kirby Krackle” energy, welcomes a bizarre Sentinel whose head has been replaced by a medieval castle.
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Examine the details of the splash page for yourself and share your favorite character variants in the comments. Marvel Dimensions is scheduled for a September 1 release and is currently available for pre-order.
Source: Polygon
