Graphic Novel Artist Alex Ross Designs Poster for 2002 Oscars

Beverly Hills, CA - Oscar(R) returns home to Hollywood this year in dramatic fashion, a fact underlined by the 2002 Academy
Awards(R) commemorative poster unveiled today.

Critically-acclaimed graphic novel illustrator Alex Ross has drawn the Oscar statuette as a superhero on the most unusual Academy
Award(R) poster created to date.

"I've painted a lot of well-known superheroes in my career, and since Oscar is a hero to so many in Hollywood, I wanted to work in
that direction.  When they told me that Oscar was designed to represent a knight crusading on behalf of the movies, I had my hook:
The Gold Knight returning to reclaim his title as Hollywood's resident superhero," said Ross.

Perched high atop Hollywood's First National building, overlooking his new home at Hollywood and Highland(R), Oscar stands proud as
he celebrates a triumphant return to his roots.  Klieg lights streak the night sky and illuminate the Hollywood sign in the
background.  A pair of the stone eagles that surround the historic spire crouch at his feet, poised for flight.

"The Academy was looking for something different this year to honor Oscar's return to Hollywood, and Alex did a terrific job
creating a look befitting a legend," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Executive Director Bruce Davis.

Award-winning graphic artist Alex Swart, who designed last year's commemorative Oscar poster, added the lettering and other graphic
elements to Ross' original painting to finish this year's poster design.

Ross has garnered critical acclaim for fully painting his graphic novels, bypassing the pen-and-ink drawings associated with most
comic books to give his work a striking, photorealistic quality.

Recently honored by Chicago magazine as one of its "Chicagoans of the Year," Ross spent three years studying painting at the
American Academy of Art in Chicago.  In 1993, he enjoyed his first major breakthrough in the comic book industry with the
publication of "Marvels."  His most recent published work, "Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth," is a tabloid-sized, fully-painted
graphic novel celebrating the heroine's 60th anniversary.  Artwork from "Spirit of Truth" will be auctioned off in March with the
proceeds going to charities benefiting victims of September 11, 2001.

In a nationwide promotional campaign, 50,000 Oscar posters will be distributed beginning today.  For the third year, the
commemorative poster will be available for purchase until April 9, on the Academy's website at www.oscars.org or via phone at
1-800-554-1814.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2001 will be presented on March 24, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood &
Highland(R) and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST, with a half-hour arrivals segment
preceding the presentation ceremony.

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