The Avengers And The X-Men's 60 Year Legacies Come Alive In New Variant Covers By Alex Ross

[JayC]

This year, Marvel Comics is proud to honor 60 awe-inspiring years of the Avengers and the X-Men! New comic titles, collections, and much more are in store for fans all year long, and starting in August, Alex Ross will grace the celebration with his acclaimed artwork! For this milestone of two of the comic book industry’s most groundbreaking super hero teams, the incomparable artist has turned out two stunning art pieces that will serve as connecting variant covers on various Avengers and X-Men titles throughout 2023. Retailers got a sneak peek at the artwork last month at ComicsPro, and now it’s time to see them in all their painted glory!

There’s no better artist to capture the magnificent spirit of both teams, and Ross’ new covers are destined to become classic images in the years ahead. The first part of both covers can be collected this August with UNCANNY AVENGERS #1, the upcoming title that sees Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and mutantkind protecting the Marvel Universe side by side!

"In the case of the Avengers, I wanted to capture something of the era I grew up with, but also something extensive,” Ross said. “So I captured the first 30 years of that team, from the ‘60s through the ‘80s. I end where 1989 closes. I'm trying to make sure my work is aligning with how the character looked and also the attitudes the characters had."

From A-Listers to fan favorites, Ross’ AVENGERS 60TH ANNIVERSARY CONNECTING COVER spotlights all the iconic characters that have starred in the title’s 60 year history of adventures. Paying homage to Jim Lee’s legendary 1991 X-Men #1 cover, Ross’ X-MEN 60TH ANNIVERSARY CONNECTING COVER is a mutant masterpiece where Ross puts his signature spin on an iconic 90s’ moment!

UNCANNY AVENGERS #1 AVENGERS 60TH ANNIVERSARY CONNECTING COVER BY ALEX ROSS
On Sale 8/16

UNCANNY AVENGERS #1 X-MEN 60TH ANNIVERSARY CONNECTING COVER BY ALEX ROSS
On Sale 8/16

[leokearon]

Both look great, but I prefer the Avengers one, I prefer a group shot to a homage

[Hordak Rules]

Always love me some Alex Ross art, but find it strange that Shroud and Red Wolf (who were never Avengers) made it on here but characters like Sersi, War Machine, Living Lightning and Moon Knight didn't.

[leokearon]

On 3/27/2023 at 5:46 PM, Hordak Rules said:

Always love me some Alex Ross art, but find it strange that Shroud and Red Wolf (who were never Avengers) made it on here but characters like Sersi, War Machine, Living Lightning and Moon Knight didn't.

Yeah it is strange that Shroud and Red Wolf are there when they were allies not members. Moon Knight should be there but the others joined in the 90's so didn't make the cut. Yes,  Rhodey joined the West Coast as Iron Man but apparently Alex didn't want to put two Iron Men on the cover

[Hordak Rules]

On 3/27/2023 at 1:53 PM, leokearon said:

Yeah it is strange that Shroud and Red Wolf are there when they were allies not members. Moon Knight should be there but the others joined in the 90's so didn't make the cut. Yes,  Rhodey joined the West Coast as Iron Man but apparently Alex didn't want to put two Iron Men on the cover

Nah, there's lots of 90s characters on there. Spiderman even joined after Sersi. 

[McHogan]

Both covers are beautiful. Alex's artwork has always been a step above.

I like that his ego isn't so big that he wouldn't "cover" another artists work. That homage is instantly recognizable even though he put his own spin on it.

The Avengers cover is brilliant. Just by chance the right side of the group shot has most of my favorites. This too could be an homage to Perez style team shots.

All this being said I react as one would to fingernails on a chalkboard when I hear "Marvel" and "Variant"... 

[tru48082]

Can somebody tell me who the character is that is between Hercules and She-Hulk's armpits? Having a hard time identifying.

Thanks!

[tarot]

On 3/27/2023 at 9:51 PM, tru48082 said:

Can somebody tell me who the character is that is between Hercules and She-Hulk's armpits? Having a hard time identifying.

Thanks!

Whizzer.

[monron999]

Guess I've just never been all that dazzled by Ross' artwork as everyone else seems to be. Still nice to see a different style of work compared to the usual comic style.

[tru48082]

On 3/27/2023 at 4:59 PM, tarot said:

Whizzer.

Thanks Tarot! I'll take your word for it. I alwasy thought of Whizzer's costume as more yellow, which I don't get from this image. Which is why I probably had a hard time placing the character.

[Emnems80]

I'm really liking that Jim Lee X-Men #1 homage! I hope it comes out as a poster because I would definitely buy that.