From the alien oceans of Subnautica: Below Zero, to the denizens of the hollow-earth in Godzilla X Kong: The New Kingdom, and the grandeur of alien beings and civilizations in films like Warriors of the Future and the worldbuilding of The Birrin Saga, the artwork of acclaimed concept artist Alex Ries inspires and astonishes with designs of aliens and worlds that look like they could actually exist, because they come from a place of informed speculative biology. And now Spike Trotman’s Iron Circus Comics has returned to Kickstarter to publish Other Worlds: The Art of Alex Ries, the first ever collection of personal and professional artworks by the prolific Alex Ries, featuring iconic art from Subnautica: Below Zero as well as many never-before published pieces. Other Worlds: The Art of Alex Ries is a 300+ page hardcover that will include forewords by Jamie Beswarick and Greg Broadmore and extensive commentary from the artist himself. 

Ever since his youth spent in the vast, rural expanse of South Eastern Australia, Ries has explored his sense of connection to the natural world and fascination with science. Explorations of the diversity of life on Earth, the possibilities of life beyond it, and the pressing themes of conflict and reconciliation between civilization and the natural world have come to define his work as an artist. Ries’ sublime work on Subnautica: Below Zero allowed him to use his knowledge of real-world marine life to create biologically plausible extraterrestrial creatures, while The Birrin Saga, his major personal work, explores the alien planet of Chriirah and tells the story of this world and its inhabitants. 

We have an exclusive art process video as well and final art from Ries of Maddie from the cartoon Amphibia. Other Worlds: The Art of Alex Ries is available to support via Kickstarter.

An exploration of Maddie from the wonderful cartoon ‘Amphibia’, done as part of my exploration with Procreate. I moved between Procreate, Photoshop and even ZBrush to play off the strengths of each program.
– Alex Ries