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Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Libertyville's Dunn Museum displaying famed comic book artist's portraits of heroes and villains
One hundred portraits of good guys and bad guys created by celebrated comic book artist Alex Ross will be on display in 'Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains,' June 29 – Feb. 16 at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. 'We wanted to bring Alex Ross to the Dunn Museum because he is one of the world's most renowned comic book artists, known for his distinctive and powerful visual style,' said Director of Education Alyssa Firkus. 'His work allows us to reach a broader audience — people who might not normally come through our doors.' Firkus noted that Alex's distinctive style is 'influenced by classic American Illustration,' which he studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. 'The exhibition will feature all of the top DC and Marvel heroes and villains,' Firkus reported. Ross, whose work was previously exhibited at the Dunn Museum in 2019 with 'Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross,' is such a fan of the museum that he said, 'I was very happy to be back there. They could have me every year if they wanted.' The artist said that he was surprised to learn that this is the largest show of his work that has ever been exhibited. 'I didn't know it was that wide of a show because it's all focused on one subject of work that I've done,' Ross admitted. The subjects included in the exhibit are the prime characters in both Marvel and DC Comics. It's a relief to know that good outweighs the bad in the exhibit and Ross' comic book world. 'The headcount of heroes will always outweigh the villains,' he promised. Ross' personal favorite hero has often been Superman 'because of the way I felt invested in the character when I worked on the comics,' he said. In terms of villains, Ross accorded that honor to Doctor Doom. For the exhibit, Ross is creating three new portraits of Joker and Harley Quinn, 'which are special insofar as I had not done any portraits of DC's villains.' The museum will be selling prints of these portraits as well as several others. Ross' career creating comic book heroes and villains began as an outgrowth of an assignment 25 years ago to create a life-size portrait of Superman that was designed to be a cardboard standup. 'That led to a whole line of life-size figures for DC, which were only released as posters,' Ross said. Twenty years later, Marvel asked the artist to create a mural for their offices. 'I borrowed from the earlier DC idea to do a series of figure shots that when composed together made a mural of life-size paintings,' although the actual mural figures were three feet high. These figures will be displayed at the Dunn Museum exhibit. It seems like a daunting task to create all these detailed portraits but Ross revealed that he can paint one in a day. 'Because there's no background, it makes it considerably easier to focus on executing a single figure a day,' he explained. Ross has worked on many comic book series—some running as long as 200 pages. The artist is currently working on a long graphic novel for Marvel Comics that he said will be his longest work to date 'that will be an original work by me that's written by me as well.' It is obvious that Ross loves what he does for a living. He declared, 'If you make your hobby your career, you're probably always doing it.' The artist will have a chance to mingle with his fans during 'A Night with Alex Ross,' a preview of the exhibit, 5-8 p.m. on June 28. Tickets for $125 are available at The ticket includes early access to the exhibit; a limited edition print by Alex Ross; tickets to three food trucks; complimentary beer, wine, and soda; and entry to the other galleries. Ross relishes the opportunity to meet fans, he indicated, noting that professional artists 'don't get a lot of feedback to our work. So, to engage with somebody and that they care is special.' For further information about the exhibit and the museum at 1899 W. Winchester Road in Libertyville, call 847-968-3400 or visit
Chicago Tribune
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Dunn Museum exhibit to showcase ‘Norman Rockwell' of comic books
In the basement of the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, exhibitions and collections manager Steve Furnett lifted a large sheet of paper, revealing a painting of a man in a billowing red cape with his arms crossed, preparing some kind of enchantment or spell as he stares with a piercing blue eye at the viewer. Furnett pointed at the highlights on the man's cape, in awe at the skill of the painter who managed to convey its silken texture with just brushstrokes. This is no Rembrandt or Vermeer, however, and the subject is no long-dead royal. It's a painting of Marvel superhero Dr. Strange by renowned comic artist Alex Ross, whose works will be exhibited at the Dunn Museum starting in late June. Ross is well known in the comic book world for his highly detailed, realistic paintings of superheroes. His work was previously on display at the Dunn Museum in 2019. The new exhibit, 'Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains,' will feature 100 portraits of superheroes and villains in a new 3,000-square-foot gallery. Three new portraits will also be unveiled during the opening. For Furnett, a lifelong comic book fan, getting to work with the 'Norman Rockwell of the comic book world' and see the original paintings has been a thrilling experience. He marveled at the level of detail in the artworks, and how Ross portrays different fabrics, materials and textures with his brush. 'He took this flat, 2D flat-outline comic style and used a classic American illustration style,' Furnett said. 'It really brings the characters to life. It's what sets him apart from everybody else.' Although Ross isn't from Lake County, he lives in the Chicago area. In a press release, he said he is 'thrilled' to have his works return to the museum. 'To see so many of my original paintings on display all in one place is very special. It gives me a new perspective on the breadth of my work and I hope visitors enjoy the experience,' Ross said. The exhibition will open on June 29 and remain open until February of next year. A ticketed kickoff event is planned for the evening of June 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. — 'A Night with Alex Ross, which will include a private preview of the exhibition. While such an exhibit might seem unusual for the Dunn Museum, which usually focuses on the natural world, Alyssa Firkus, director of education, said it is an important part of bringing in the community to show what they do. 'This is a gateway. This is an entranceway. This is going to get people through the door that maybe an oak tree might not,' Firkus said. 'They can learn a little bit more about who we are and what we do.' Access to this special exhibition requires an additional admission fee, with tickets available at the door.
Gizmodo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
The Sublime Superhero Art of Alex Ross Is Getting Its Own Exhibition
Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains will celebrate the renowned comics artist's Marvel and DC work at the Dunn Museum this summer. Alex Ross is one of the most iconic comics artists of the modern age, his influential paintings giving retro spins on the heroes of the Marvel and DC universes emblazoning comics covers, murals, merch, and more over the past few decades. Now, this summer, you'll be able to see it up close and in person. io9 can exclusively reveal your first look at Heroes & Villains, a new exhibit that will debut at the Dunn Museum in Illinois this summer that follows Ross' Marvel-focused exhibit at the museum, Marvelocity, back in 2019. Featuring over 100 pieces of original art spanning across the last 20 years of Ross' career in comics, it'll mark the first time both his DC and Marvel work has been formally displayed together, making for a veritable smorgasbord of superheroic figures. 'I am thrilled to join with the Dunn Museum again for this new exhibit. To see so many of my original paintings on display all in one place is very special,' Ross said in a press release provided to io9. 'It gives me a new perspective on the breadth of my work and I hope visitors enjoy the experience.' As well as pieces from across Ross' tenures at DC and Marvel, when Heroes & Villains opens Ross will debut 3 brand new portraits made to celebrate the occasion, which will remain exclusively on display there throughout the exhibition's run. Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains will open to the public at the Dunn Museum from June 29, 2025, through to February 16, 2026. Tickets for special preview night the evening prior to public opening on June 28, A Night With Alex Ross, are available here.
