2. "Jack Kirby" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Sep-04-09 04:31 PM by buckshot defunct
If we're talking all time artists, and not just in the sense of being an illustrator, but a creator as well, you'd be hard pressed to top The King. Many of the creations he had a hand in are still alive and thriving today, and his aesthetic has become a genre unto itself. He's also one of the first guys to approach the page as a canvas, not just a collection of little boxes with pictures in them. And he was prolific like a motherfucker too.
Not to mention he has a crackle named after him.
I could see this title also going to Will Eisner though, because like Kirby his contributions to the medium cannot be understated. His work is still breathtaking and his eye for design and typography was second to none. Kirby told stories about Gods, and Eisner was more concerned with the plight of the common man.
I also really dig Harvey Kurtzman for his diversity and especially what he contributed to the funny side of funnybooks.
Unlike with the writers list I guess I tend to look to the distant past for the GOATS, but some of my more modern picks would be Jeff Smith, Brian Bolland, Jim Lee, John Romita JR, Frank Quitely and Daniel Clowes
5. "Art is so subjective, I don't know if there is a GOAT" In response to Reply # 0
Maybe Kirby, but I think a lot of that comes from the fact that he made so many different iconic characters. I don't think that fact alone makes him the greatest illustrator. With out question Kirby is the one of the greatest comic creators but GOAT artist? To me being a great comic artist involves more than just drawing pretty, you need to be a good storyteller. You need to make good layouts. You need to have a distinct style. I don't know who I'd consider the GOAT artist, but I certainly have FAVORITE artist. Like I said, unlike writers artist styles can be subjective.
20. "I respect him, but his work bores me, personally" In response to Reply # 7 Fri Sep-04-09 09:09 PM by buckshot defunct
In the sense that it feels kind of stiff to me and devoid of any personal style. His characters are so precise and on model, like how you'd expect a robot to draw them. The shit he manages to cram onto a page and it still be legible blows my mind though. I actually enjoyed what he did with Legion of 3 Worlds recently. Maybe I'm coming around on him but he certainly isn't a guy that I gravitate towards.
Plus to me he represents that era *just* before I got into comics so that 12 year old in me sees him as too stale to hang with Jim Lee but still not old enough to be retro cool like Kirby
15. "See thats what I mean" In response to Reply # 13
I know I'm in the minority, but I hate that dude's style. I wouldn't argue the he's a bad artist because obviously he's not. I respect his work ethic and output but I absolutely hate his mongoloid looking art. Again I gotta ask whats the difference between your favorite artist and the greatest artist, let alone the GOAT artist. Saying JRJR is the GOAT, to me, is utterly ridiculous, but some of you no taste having people will disagree (jokes).
19. "True, a lot of it comes down to style. I love JRJR's style" In response to Reply # 15
I've seen and heard plenty of criticism about the dude from cats such as yourself whose opinion I respect, and all I can say is... *shrug*
Personally I love how he draws things. And I think that even after 30+ years in the game (which is a feat in itself), his work still continues to improve. It's grown more stylized as well though so you might disagree. I know people who prefer his older work. Regardless, just think about the volume of output this guy's gonna have at the end of his career. Staggering.
His Spider-Man and Daredevil work is iconic to me. He draws rain better than anyone in the history of ever. And he does that shit ON TIME.
24. "The problem with JrJr is faces. " In response to Reply # 12
It was someone on here that pointed this out years ago, and I didn't notice it until then, but now that I've got way more comics under my belt it's obvious that JrJr only draws like 5 faces.
30. "I'm familiar with this complaint, but I just can't see it" In response to Reply # 24
He's got a distinctive style which makes his faces instantly recognizable, but I've never thought his characters all look alike. Steve Dillon gets criticized for that and I think he actually is somewhat guilty of that, but there are still some subtleties that people just aren't seeing.
I'm surprised, given how 'active' comic fans can get on the net, that I've never come across some fan (or in this case hater)-assembled visual aid exposing this flaw in JRJR's work. Show don't tell!
^^The book actually has more of a blue tone whereas this preview is kind of teal, which makes it feel a bit less gritty, but regardless I think you'll be able to see the graphic storytelling wizardry going on here.
22. "Jim Lee? Seriously? Try Steranko or Davis." In response to Reply # 0
Jim Lee draws pretty people, and he's good at it, but I've never seen a lick'o'depth to his work. Were the heading of this thread "Most Popular Comic Book Artist," yeah, he's up there.
This is all subjective, but the comics is about more than drawing pretty people, it's about evoking characters and creating whole worlds, be they mirrors of our own or something wildly different--not to mention storytelling.
I'd definitely rank Alan Davis higher than Jim Lee. Those panel layouts are sick, very creative and original. I also think a lot of these rankings are coming from a "he's my personal favorite" rather than legitimate reason. C'mon people give us a reason why so-and-so is a great, post some links like box and say articulate what makes your favorite so great. I'm genuinely interested in all you guys' opinions.
26. "Steranko is SO dope. Truly ahead of his time." In response to Reply # 22 Sat Sep-05-09 01:37 PM by buckshot defunct
And, since we somehow got on a fashion tangent in the writers thread, it's worth mentioning that Steranko is without question the GOAT-dressed man in comics.
He drew Promethea, a bonafide Alan Moore masterpiece, and now he's drawing Batwoman, hands down the best looking monthly comic on the stands.
He's got the illustration skills down. He's got styles upon styles upon styles. And the way he lays out a page pushes the medium so far to the limits than you almost wonder if what he's doing even qualifies as 'comics' anymore - in a good way.
I remember first reading that for the first time while I was sitting at a sushi bar. I might have looked REALLY weird sitting there, turning the trade around in my hands, trying to read that spread.
This man's talent is remarkable. Right now he'd be my favorite artist putting out work now. Dude is freaking two different styles in Detective. Name me one artist putting out a monthly book that even comes close to his layout, design, illustrative style, and story telling ability? I read the latest Detective today and was blown away. Do is so damn good and he does it monthly. JHW3 may be one of my favorite artist ever.
39. "i always loved Michael Turner's work (RIP)" In response to Reply # 0
------- "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled, and less than that no man shall have." - TR
I thought he was just well-loved by the comic industry as a whole, but, jumping to conslustions, I am assuming his glorified perfect bodies are reminiscent of Liefield?
44. "I don't think he's Liefeld bad" In response to Reply # 43
I just didn't think he was that good. He certainly cultivated a following so I'm not knocking his appeal (ok maybe I am). I'll agree with you on Cassady and Perez though.
47. "100 great artists" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Sep-11-09 12:23 PM by justin_scott
other than kirby, this list is not in any particualr order.
1. Jack Kirby 2. Berni Wrightson 3. Frank Frazetta 4. Dave Stevens 5. Neal Adams 6. Paulo Serpieri 7. Mark Schultz 8. Alex Schomburg 9. Jose Gonzales 10. Lily Renee 11. Jose Bea 12. L.B. Cole 13. Lee Elias 14. Jack Kamen 15. Graham "Ghastly" Ingels 16. Kelly Freas 17. Joe Doolin 18. Zolnerowich 19. Christian Doore 20. Norman Saunders 21. Everett Raymond Kinstler 22. John Severin 23. Nick Cardy 24. Cary Nord 25. Mike Kaluta 26. Wallace Wood 27. Will Eisner 28. Ken Kelly 29. Timothy Truman 30. Ralph Reese 31. Bill Sienkiewicz 32. Warren King 33. Matt Baker 34. Michael T. Gilbert 35. Alex Maleev 36. Frank Miller 37. Jim Lee 38. Jim Steranko 39. Kazuo Koike 40. Tony DeZuniga 41. Charles Vess 42. Scott Hampton 43. Jerry Bingham 44. Brian Bolland 45. Eduardo Risso 46. Adam Hughes 47. David Mack 48. Robert Crumb 49. Mark A. Nelson 50. Dan Brereton 51. Hal Foster 52. Alex Raymond 53. Richard Corben 54. Geof Darrow 55. Al Williamson 56. Joe Kubert 57. Billy Graham 58. Joe Orlando 59. Vaughan Bode 60. Gabrielle Dell'Otto 61. Barry Windsor-Smith 62. Frank Brunner 63. Mike Ploog 64. Alex Toth 65. Alex Nino 66. Joe Jusko 67. Mark Beachum 68. Lilian Chestney 69. Jim Aparo 70. Reed Crandall 71. Howard Chaykin 72. John Totleben 73. Glenn Fabry 74. Matt Wagner 75. Walter Simonson 76. Dean Motter 77. Dave McKean 78. Massimiliano Frezzato 79. Duncan Fegredo 80. Alan Davis 81. Sid Check 82. John Bolton 83. George Evans 84. Walt Kelly 85. Roy Krenkel 86. Louis Ravielli 87. Pete Morisi 88. Ruben Moreira 89. Jim Starlin 90. Milo Manara 91. Bill Ward 92. Mike Grell 93. Jack Davis 94. Lou Fine 95. Jack Cole 96. Jeff Jones 97. Marshall Rogers 98. Esteban Maroto 99. H.G. Ward 100. Al Feldstein
i made the list at work. there will probably be a few names i left off. ditko would be in my personal top 15 without a doubt. i'll be in and out all day. reply and so shall i.
52. "yeah well, there's lots of dudes to account for" In response to Reply # 50
The Ditko thing only jumped out at me because I'd just read that bio Fantagraphics put out recently, 'Strange and Stranger'
He's way up there for me too, but I need to make it a point to seek out more of his work. That bio had some samples of his work with Warren Comics, and they are absolutely stunning. I need to read them shits.
53. "obviously, check out his spidey stuff, and charlton work too" In response to Reply # 52 Fri Sep-11-09 01:37 PM by justin_scott
his work for warren was in "eerie" and "creepy," both great horror books. jack davis also worked on "creepy." you really need to check for "eerie" for about the first 10 issues. some reprints after that, though it returned to glory later. "creepy" is better IMHO, but both are classics. about 10-15 artists in my top 100 worked on "eerie" and "creepy" books. if you get into warren, don't forget frazetta's work in "vampirella"
also, for ditko, check out his tales to astonish work
Ditko resides in New York City as of 2008. He has refused to give interviews or make public appearances since the 1960s, explaining in 1969 that, "When I do a job, it’s not my personality that I’m offering the readers but my artwork. It’s not what I'm like that counts; it’s what I did and how well it was done.... I produce a product, a comic art story. Steve Ditko is the brand name". He has, however, contributed numerous essays to Snyder's fanzine The Comics.
Not seeing a lot of contemporary artist on there though but still a great list. Props for putting on Serpieri, Manara, and Frezzato. Now I want to put a list together.
61. "some great contempory artists, but it's more than just art" In response to Reply # 57
did you leave a mark? who did you inspire? did your work hold up over decades, not just years? were you influential in building the comic industry?
the post is about the GOAT. there isn't anyone who started in the last 20-25 years who can honestly hold that title. personal GOATS are one thing, but when you look at what kirby did, or steranko, or frazzeta, no one is doing that now. even with someone like jim lee, who's art i love, he isn't close to frazzeta. to me, there are greats, and then there are gods.
63. "152 great comic book artists" In response to Reply # 47 Sat Sep-12-09 07:41 PM by justin_scott
probably could make this list 175, but 152 is good enough.
1. Jack Kirby 2. Berni Wrightson 3. Frank Frazetta 4. Dave Stevens 5. Neal Adams 6. Paulo Serpieri 7. Mark Schultz 8. Alex Schomburg 9. Jose Gonzales 10. Lily Renee 11. Jose Bea 12. L.B. Cole 13. Lee Elias 14. Jack Kamen 15. Graham "Ghastly" Ingels 16. Kelly Freas 17. Joe Doolin 18. Zolnerowich 19. Christian Doore 20. Norman Saunders 21. Everett Raymond Kinstler 22. John Severin 23. Nick Cardy 24. Cary Nord 25. Michael Kaluta 26. Wallace Wood 27. Will Eisner 28. Ken Kelly 29. Timothy Truman 30. Ralph Reese 31. Bill Sienkiewicz 32. Warren King 33. Matt Baker 34. Michael T. Gilbert 35. Alex Maleev 36. Frank Miller 37. Jim Lee 38. Jim Steranko 39. Goseki Kojima 40. Tony DeZuniga 41. Charles Vess 42. Scott Hampton 43. Jerry Bingham 44. Brian Bolland 45. Eduardo Risso 46. Adam Hughes 47. David Mack 48. Robert Crumb 49. Mark A. Nelson 50. Dan Brereton 51. Hal Foster 52. Alex Raymond 53. Richard Corben 54. Geof Darrow 55. Al Williamson 56. Joe Kubert 57. Billy Graham 58. Joe Orlando 59. Vaughan Bode 60. Gabrielle Dell'Otto 61. Barry Windsor-Smith 62. Frank Brunner 63. Mike Ploog 64. Alex Toth 65. Alex Nino 66. Joe Jusko 67. Mark Beachum 68. Lilian Chestney 69. Jim Aparo 70. Reed Crandall 71. Howard Chaykin 72. John Totleben 73. Glenn Fabry 74. Matt Wagner 75. Walter Simonson 76. Dean Motter 77. Dave McKean 78. Massimiliano Frezzato 79. Duncan Fegredo 80. Alan Davis 81. Sid Check 82. John Bolton 83. George Evans 84. Walt Kelly 85. Roy Krenkel 86. Louis Ravielli 87. Pete Morisi 88. Ruben Moreira 89. Jim Starlin 90. Milo Manara 91. Bill Ward 92. Mike Grell 93. Jack Davis 94. Lou Fine 95. Jack Cole 96. Jeff Jones 97. Marshall Rogers 98. Esteban Maroto 99. H.G. Ward 100. Al Feldstein 101. Carmine Infantino 102. George Perez 103. Tony Moore 104. Dale Keown 105. John Romita sr. 106. Steve Ditko 107. Carl Barks 108. Craig Flessel 109. Dave Cockrum 110. Gil Kane 111. Johnny Craig 112. John Byrne 113. John Buscema 114. Michael Golden 115. Mike Zeck 116. Todd Mcfarlane 117. Dave Gibbons 118. Michael Linsner 119. Larry Hama 120. Sergio Aragones 121. Marc Silvestri 122. Joe Maneely 123. Russ Heath 124. Don Rosa 125. Gilbert Sheldon 126. Will Elder 127. Alex Ross 128. Ethan Van Sciver 129. Ernie Chan 130. Herb Trimpe 131. Bob Layton 132. Basil Wolverton 133. Harry Lucey 134. Stan Sakai 135. Mike Mignola 136. Kurt Swan 137. Arthur Suydam 138. Bruce Timm 139. Samm Schwartz 140. Phil Jimenez 141. Sal Buscema 142. Ron Frenz 143. Tony Harris 144. Darwyn Cooke 145. Jack Sparling 146. Art Adams 147. Bryan Hitch 148. Jose Luis Garcia Lopez 149. Mac Raboy 150. Joe Shuster 151. Eric Powell 152. John Totleben
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