# The best, most awe-inspiring comic artists of all time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2005, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962 "2005-04-12T13:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/21 "2005-04-12T19:48:44Z")
A sympathy vote for Brent Anderson. Alex Ross’ covers and Kurt Buseik’s name are the first things to draw people’s attention to **Astro City,** but Brent’s pencilwork keeps them reading. I still have my copy of **God Loves, Man Kills,** and would love to get his **Strikeforce: Morituri** run in a TPB someday. And yes, Neil Gaiman does some artwork. I’m reminded of this exchange that I heard about thirdhand: **Ring\*Ring** “Hello, John Byrne here.” “Hi, John. This is Peter David. Krause is putting together a collection of my _But I Digress_ columns, and we were wondering if you would be willing to do something for the back cover.” “_Back_ cover?! I’m insulted! Who are you going to get to do the _front_ cover?” “Neil Gaiman.” _(pause)_ “…okay.” ---
**Author:** ![Leviosaurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Leviosaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leviosaurus)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/22 "2005-04-12T19:49:23Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > No, Gaiman wrote Sandman, but to this day, he’s listed as a co-creator with original artists Sam Kieth (eewww) and the late Mike Dringenberg. Every storyline in the Sandman comic (75 issues, reprinted in 10 trade paperbacks) was written by Neil and drawn by a different artist. Oh! Well in that case, I’m NOT surprised no one mentioned him! 😃 Thanks for setting me straight. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/23 "2005-04-12T20:03:39Z")
> [@fojj4000](#): > > My Favorites: > Neal Adams > Frank Frazetta > Berni Wrightson > Mike Kaluta > John Romita Sr. > Jack Kirby > Al Williamson > Alex Raymond > Gil Kane > Gene Colan > Dave Stevens > Mark Schultz > Will Eisner > Jack Cole > C.C. Beck > Jack Davis > Graham Ingels > Jim Steranko > Mort Drucker > Wally Wood > > Mostly Old School guys,since modern artists suck. A good list. To your list of old-schoolers I might add [Russ Heath](http://www.lambiek.net/heath_russ.htm), [Jeff Jones](http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/jonesjf.htm), [Joe Kubert](http://www.lambiek.net/kubert.htm), [Richard Corben](http://www.lambiek.net/corben.htm). Good catch on [Graham “Ghastly” Ingels](http://www.lambiek.net/ingles.htm). Fans of Berni Wrightson would love this guy, from whom Wrightson borrowed much. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/24 "2005-04-12T20:05:34Z")
Oh, and the duckiest artist of them all, [Carl Barks](http://www.lambiek.net/barks.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/25 "2005-04-12T20:38:53Z")
**Ron Lim**. I don’t know why he’s not a fan favorite. His run on _Silver Surfer_ was spectacular - he was the definitive _SS_ artist, as far as I’m concerned. Especially when he was inked by Joe Rubinstein. Lim certainly did the best Thanos. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/26 "2005-04-12T20:59:41Z")
Very, very good choices all. Once again I’m coming late to a thread I should have been all over when it opened-- but here’s a few folks whose names weren’t mentioned: John Cassady Moebius Richard Corben Frank Quitely (I am aware he has Doper detractors. If you are one, I am afraid that this is symptomatic there is something fundamentally wrong with you. Seek help _yesterday._) David Mazzuchelli Jose Garcia-Lopez Los Hermanos Hernandez (with a big personal preference for 'Beto, for Palomar stories and _Birdland_) Scott McCloud George Herriman Paul Chadwick Jeff Smith Lynn Johnston Charles Monroe Schultz The last eight being premier examples of “natural born cartoonists.” The following Alan Moore collaborators: Chris Sprouse, Kevin O’ Neil, and especially John Totleben (with a nod to Steve Bissett) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/27 "2005-04-12T21:10:18Z")
Oh thank goodness, at least one other person appreciates Moebius. I just adore his work. Another favorite of mine, though terribly hard to find in the US, is [Lorenzo Mattotti](http://www.mattotti.com/). I was overjoyed to meet him at a San Diego Comic Con many years ago, and just gushed over his work - he didn’t call for security or anything, so I guess I wasn’t **too** obnoxious. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bclouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@bclouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclouse)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/28 "2005-04-12T21:11:30Z")
A lot of them have already been mentioned but the most awe-inspiring to me are: **Alex Toth** - the great minimalist **George Perez** - represents 80’s mainstream superhero comics to me. Everything he drew was round. So round. Especially his women. So many curves. **Alex Roth** - his _Kingdom Come_ made me interested in superhero comics again. I love that full page spread with _Captain Marvel_ sportin’ a huge grin over _Superman_. **Brian Bolland** & **Steve (the Dude) Rude** - everytime I see their artwork, I stop dead in my tracks. The Dude draws the way I wish I could draw. **Steve Ditko** & **Jack King Kirby** - The Greats. More than just artists. 'Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![bclouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@bclouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclouse)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/29 "2005-04-12T21:15:16Z")
I should have added **Robert Crumb** to my list. Everything he draws looks so simple but what he draws about is so complicated. Always loved his cross-hatching. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/30 "2005-04-12T21:22:21Z")
And for some _really_ old-school stuff, how about [Winsor McCay](http://www.lambiek.net/mccay.htm)? ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/31 "2005-04-12T21:25:43Z")
\*\*spoke- \*\* GoooooOoooooooOood choice. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/32 "2005-04-12T21:27:08Z")
Can’t believe I left off (and no one else mentioned): Gene Ha J. H. Willliams Michael Zulli ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/33 "2005-04-12T22:21:59Z")
**Mike Mignola** : He’s just the best there is. I can’t think of a single panel from _Hellboy_ that I wouldn’t be willing to hang up and frame. And there’s not a single panel in any of his stories that’s out of place or unnecessary. It works as art, it works as a comic, it works as cartoons (with gashes for mouths, big weird hands, and spindly legs). **Walt Kelly** and **Carl Barks** : Masters at being experimental and innovative in environments that are downright hostile to do anything other than the accepted. And people don’t appreciate just how difficult it is to create just one **universally** appealling character, while they came up with dozens. **Steve Purcell** : Great stuff, wildlly imaginative and just plain cool. And he’s a hell of a nice guy to boot. **Matt Wagner** : He was my hands-down favorite for a while, but his stuff overall is kind of hit-and-miss. IMO he went too far down the path of creating a style, and got sloppy with it. But some of his stuff works perfectly. **Jack Kirby** : I actually don’t _like_ his stuff, personally, but the things people have been saying about him are true – it’s awe-inspiring, massive in scale, and extremely influential. He started the whole outer-space-as-a-bunch-of-black-circles thing, right? **Chris Sprouse** : Maybe not one of the “masters of the form” or anything, but his stuff is solid and I like it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/34 "2005-04-12T22:24:27Z")
I’m going with the Brits here: Mike McMahon Glenn Fabry Kevin O’Neill Cam Kennedy Steve Dillon Dave Gibbons and of course the late, great Frank Hampson of **Dan Dare** fame. {sorry, no Bolland: technically immaculate, but too static and no real feeling} ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/35 "2005-04-12T22:36:49Z")
I forgot **Kyle Baker**. He’s always playing around with his style, but his basic strengths come through in everything – he’s a master of expressions. His static drawings have more life and perfectly convey an expression better than any animation. ---
**Author:** ![badomen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c2a13f/32.png) [@badomen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badomen)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/36 "2005-04-12T22:50:31Z")
I find Matt Wagner’s stuff looks better when he inks it himself. I’ve got a page from Batman/Grendel up on my wall in fact. I also have Sensational She-Hulk #1, page 1 up - of course by John Byrne. I used to be a really big fan of his art as well. Currently my favorite would be Mike Mignola. Hellboy is great and I really loved a Batman Elseworlds he did a while ago (The Doom That Came to Gotham) as well as the Bram Stoker’s Dracula adaptation. A friend of mine used to worship Neil Adams. We went to San Diego Comicon a few years ago and Adams was there promoting himself. Anyhow after the conversation my friend had with him, where Adams explained his theory on continental drift that the earth was growing, the hero worship toned down a lot and he just appreciated Adams for his art. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/37 "2005-04-12T22:58:19Z")
Brian Bolland – static and lacking feeling? The man who did [THE KILLING JOKE?](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?img=bollandgallery/killingjoke/killingjoke.jpg) [A1?]([oops!](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi)? url=http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/00718493448.1.GIF) TANK GIRL? POWERMAN? [THE INVISIBLES?](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?img=bollandgallery/invisibles/invisibles-v2-2.jpg) All those ANIMAL MAN, [WONDER WOMAN](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?img=bollandgallery/wonderwoman/wonderwoman-77.jpg) and VERTIGO covers? I deeply suspect that’s a minority opinion. Did no-one mention Dave Johnson, Paul Dini or Sergio Aragones? ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/38 "2005-04-12T23:03:14Z")
My, he did that cute little anime girl flipping the bird and calling people fuckface a lot. (Apparently [jansanterelli.com](http://jansanterelli.com) doesn’t like direct linking.) ---
**Author:** ![Balduran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Balduran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balduran)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/39 "2005-04-12T23:07:00Z")
[QUOTE=Askia] Brian Bolland – static and lacking feeling? The man who did [THE KILLING JOKE?](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?img=bollandgallery/killingjoke/killingjoke.jpg) [A1?]([oops!](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi)? url=http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/00718493448.1.GIF) TANK GIRL? POWERMAN? [THE INVISIBLES?](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?img=bollandgallery/invisibles/invisibles-v2-2.jpg) All those ANIMAL MAN, [WONDER WOMAN](http://www.jensantarelli.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?img=bollandgallery/wonderwoman/wonderwoman-77.jpg) and VERTIGO covers?/QUOTE] Well, I’m not impressed. He can only do one picture and a rude caption. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962/40 "2005-04-12T23:19:05Z")
Jeez, that didn’t happen when I previewed! Okay… just [Google](http://images.google.com/images?q=Brian+Bolland&svnum=20&hl=en&lr=lang_en&safe=off&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2003-47,GGLD:en&sa=N&imgsz=small%7Cmedium%7Clarge%7Cxlarge) some Brian Bolland art. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-most-awe-inspiring-comic-artists-of-all-time/298962.md?page=3)