If you walked into a comic shop in 2015, you couldn't miss it. Every shelf was screaming with the same hyper-realistic, operatic energy that only one man can really deliver. I'm talking about the Alex Ross Secret Wars covers.
Ross didn't draw the interiors of Jonathan Hickman’s multiverse-shattering epic—that monumental task fell to Esad Ribić—but he was essentially the "face" of the event. He provided the main covers for all nine issues of the core miniseries, plus a bunch of variants and promotional pieces that basically functioned as the hype machine for the end of the Marvel Universe.
It’s easy to forget just how high the stakes were back then. Marvel was literally smashing the 616 and Ultimate universes together. Most artists would have gone for gritty, chaotic debris. Ross? He went for classical majesty. He treated the death of the multiverse like a ceiling painting in the Sistine Chapel.
Why the Alex Ross Secret Wars Covers Felt Different
Most people think of Alex Ross as the "retro" guy. He's the one who does the 1940s-style Captain America with the wrinkly cloth mask and the classic, barrel-chested Superman. But with Secret Wars, he had to balance that nostalgia with some seriously weird, modern concepts.
Take the cover of Secret Wars #1. It’s a direct homage to Mike Zeck’s iconic cover for the original 1984 series. You know the one—heroes charging toward the viewer, ready to scrap. But Ross updated it for the 2015 era. Instead of just the core Avengers, you’ve got alternate-reality versions of everyone. It was a visual signal: "Yeah, you remember 1984, but this is way bigger and much more dangerous."
💡 You might also like: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
Ross has been pretty vocal about his process for these covers. In interviews around the time, he mentioned that he actually preferred drawing the classic versions of these characters. He famously joked that Captain America without wings on the side of his head "has no merit." So, even when he was drawing a story about the destruction of everything, he was smuggling in those classic, timeless designs that he loves so much.
The Breakdown of the Key Issues
Every cover in the run had a specific vibe, but a few really stand out if you're a collector or just a fan of the art:
- Issue #1 (The Homage): As mentioned, the tribute to Mike Zeck. It’s dense, colorful, and chaotic in a way Ross rarely is.
- Issue #4 (The God Doom): This one is striking. It’s a tight, painted profile of Doctor Doom in his "God Emperor" white robes. It’s terrifying because it’s so still. It captures the ego of Victor Von Doom better than almost any other piece of art out there.
- Issue #7 (The Battle): This cover features a massive clash of characters from across the multiverse. If you look closely, you can spot deep-cut cameos like the 1602 version of Steve Rogers or the Lou Ferrigno-inspired Hulk. Ross loves those little "Easter eggs" for the hardcore fans.
- Issue #9 (The Finale): This is the "Secret Wars: Battle" piece. It shows Reed Richards and Doctor Doom locked in their final struggle while the world literally tears apart around them. It’s the culmination of decades of rivalry, and Ross gives it the weight of a mythic tragedy.
The Secret Wars #0 Variant and "The End"
One of the most sought-after pieces from this era isn't even part of the main nine-issue run. It’s the Secret Wars #0 wraparound cover. Originally released for Free Comic Book Day, this piece is a literal tapestry of the Marvel Multiverse.
Ross included everything. You’ve got the Earth X characters (which he helped create), the Marvel 2099 heroes, and even weird stuff like Obnoxio the Clown from Crazy Magazine. Honestly, it’s a bit of a "Where's Waldo" for Marvel geeks. He reportedly spent a massive amount of time making sure each universe was represented, even if they were only going to be destroyed a few pages later.
📖 Related: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
Was there a "Reset" after Alex Ross Secret Wars?
There was a lot of talk back in 2015 about whether Secret Wars was a "New 52" style reboot for Marvel. Fans were panicking. They thought decades of history were being flushed.
Ross actually touched on this in an interview with The Daily Beast. He noted that from his perspective—working on the covers and seeing the post-event designs—it didn't feel like a reboot at all. He pointed out that Peter Parker was still Peter Parker, and the history with Doctor Octopus (the Superior Spider-Man era) was still canon.
Basically, the Alex Ross Secret Wars era served more as a "soft relaunch." It brought Miles Morales into the main universe and gave some characters a fresh start, but it didn't kill the soul of the 616. Ross’s art played a huge role in making that transition feel official. When a guy like Alex Ross paints your "new" universe, it feels like it’s always been there.
How to Collect These Pieces Today
If you’re looking to get your hands on this art, you have a few options, ranging from "affordable" to "I need a second mortgage."
👉 See also: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
- Raw Issues: You can usually find the standard Ross covers for Secret Wars #1–9 in back-issue bins for around $5–$15 each, depending on the condition. They aren't super rare, but they are iconic.
- Variant Covers: There are specific "Ross Art Exclusive" variants, like the color-tinted or sketch versions of Issue #1. These can go for anywhere from $50 to $200.
- Fine Art Lithographs: This is the high-end stuff. Through Alex Ross Art or Sideshow Collectibles, you can find signed lithographs of the Secret Wars covers. These are often limited to runs of 200 or 250 and typically start around $200–$400.
- The Original Paintings: For the true whales, the original gouache paintings for these covers occasionally pop up on the market. We’re talking $20,000+ per piece. Issue #4 (the Doom cover) is arguably one of the most valuable modern Ross paintings in existence.
Putting the Event in Context
It's kind of wild to look back on this event now, especially with the MCU gearing up for its own Secret Wars. Ross’s work didn’t just sell comics; it defined the aesthetic of what a "Multiverse" story should look like. It wasn't just about different costumes; it was about different weights and histories colliding.
He didn't just paint superheroes. He painted the end of a world and the birth of a new one. Even if you aren't a fan of the massive crossover events that Marvel does every year, you have to respect the craftsmanship. Most of the tie-in books from Secret Wars are long forgotten, but those Ross covers are still being used for posters, trades, and statues today.
Your Secret Wars Action Plan
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific era of art, here’s how to do it without getting overwhelmed:
- Track down the "Secret Wars" Hardcover: The oversized "Battleworld" collections usually feature the Ross covers in full-page glory without the trade dress (the logos and barcodes). It’s the best way to see the detail.
- Check out "Marvelocity": This is a massive art book by Alex Ross that includes a lot of his design work and commentary on his Marvel projects, including the 2015 event.
- Visit a Gallery: If you’re ever near a major comic con (like SDCC or NYCC), the Alex Ross Art booth usually has the original paintings or high-end proofs on display. Seeing them in person is a completely different experience than looking at a digital scan.
The legacy of the Alex Ross Secret Wars contribution isn't just about the variant covers. It's about how he took a complicated, modern editorial event and made it feel like a timeless piece of history. Whether you like the story or not, the art is undeniably some of the best the medium has ever seen.