Alex Maleev is a highly acclaimed, Bulgarian comic book illustrator known for his gritty, cinematic, and noir-influenced style. He is perhaps most famous for his extensive and definitive collaboration with writer Brian Michael Bendis on the Marvel Comics series Daredevil (2001–2006), a run that earned him an Eisner Award and served as a major visual template for the character's television adaptation.

Maleev's distinctive approach often utilizes heavy shadows, photo-referencing, and digital manipulation to create a dark, textured, and highly realistic atmosphere. His collaborations with Bendis extend to other major titles, including Spider-Woman, Moon Knight, and Infamous Iron Man, cementing his status as a key artistic voice in modern crime and superhero comics.