Al Rio, born Alvaro Araújo Lourenço do Rio on May 19, 1962, was a Brazilian comic book artist and illustrator, known for his work in the American comic book industry. He started his artistic career drawing for advertisements and illustrations in Brazil. Rio gained prominence in comics for his ability to draw a wide range of styles, from superhero action to fantasy and horror. Al Rio's most recognizable work includes contributions to titles like "Gen¹³" and "DV8" for Wildstorm Productions, where his talent for depicting dynamic and attractive characters was particularly well-suited. He has also worked for other major publishers like Marvel and DC Comics, illustrating characters such as Spider-Man, the X-Men, and Wonder Woman. His art was appreciated for its detailed backgrounds, fluid character movements, and a generally sexy and vibrant aesthetic. Sadly, Al Rio passed away on January 31, 2012. However, his artistic legacy continues to be celebrated by comic book fans and fellow artists.