The Alex Ross Marvel Comics Super Villains Poster Book by Alex Ross (book review).
From his introduction, Alex Ross says that there was great difficulty selecting the supervillains for this book, ‘The Alex Ross Marvel Comics Super Villains Poster Book’ compared to the ‘The Alex Ross Marvel Comics Super Heroes Poster Book’ so ended up with 37 compared to 35 in the earlier book. Even so, there’s a predominance of Spider-Man villains. Saying that, I do think Magneto, Black Cat, and Elektra have been known to tip either side. Although Ross regrets not being able to include Kraven the Hunter, I did have a ponder on anyone significant he might have missed. Maybe Sauron, Mr. Sinister, Madame Viper, or Umar, but I can see his problem of not making it a hero or team-centric. I did wonder where he could go after this, but I doubt supporting characters would be a decent seller. Mind you, a team book might work.
OK. You want to know who’s in the book. Emma Frost, Mysterio, Vulture (dp), Dormammu, Mephisto, the Lizard (dp), Modok (dp), Doctor Octopus, Sandman, the Mandarin, Kingpin, Elektra, Loki, Red Skull, Black Cat, Hela (dp), Doctor Doom (dp), and Galactus (dp). Venom, Green Goblin, Thanos (dp), Juggernaut, Mole Man, Magneto (dp), Mystique, Dark Phoenix, Annihilus, Ultron, Scorpion, Apocalypse, Krang, Abomination, Baron Zemo, the Leader, Electro, Super-Skrull, and the Rhino
Each character gets a history and a reminder of which of them has done the odd good deed. Alex Ross’ comments on the Kirby and Ditko designs show his love of the characters. It never registered before just how many green-clad villains Ditko had made for Spider-Man, although Kraven the Hunter, who should have been camouflaged, wasn’t. There’s also a reminder that the Scorpion is locked in his costume. Apart from making him sit down properly in a chair, I hope that his trunks are a bit more mobile, or he’ll never get to a toilet. Then again, the thought of his tail smashing the cubicle would be a decisive move to show where he’s been.
If you’ve got Ross’ Marvel Super-Hero’ book, then you’d have heard of and picked this one up by now. If you haven’t, now’s the time to buy the set.
GF Willmetts
March 2024
(pub: Abrams Comics Arts, 2023. 80 page illustrated very large poster book softcover. Price: £26.00 (UK), $29.99 (US), $37.95 (CAN). ISBN: 978-1-4197-7046-3)
check out website: www.abramsbooks.com
