Cheung's work on the FCBD special is indeed beautiful. I just wish it wasn't covered up by so many speech bubbles and narration boxes.

Posted by Rawnzilla on 2009-04-24 18:11:19
Alex Maleev. Loved LOVED his work on Daredevil with Bendis, and can't wait to see what they do together on Spider-Woman.

Posted by RMelendez on 2009-04-24 18:53:31
This is TOUGH. There's a ton of crazy-good talent out there. I think I might go with Cassaday, because every time I see his art on a book, the appeal triples. Marcos Martin has also been doing some just unbeleivable work lately, especially those couple ASM issues he did. Knocked them out of the park.

Posted by petecart on 2009-04-24 18:55:42
Definitely lots of talent going around these days. There's still no one that will make me buy a book I don't like just because they are on it...I've never understood that.

The only artist that consistently makes me look twice is Marc Silvestri (sp?) - anything he draws I will at least pick up and flip through if I see it. His return to the X-world with Grant Morrison was an awesome blast from the past for me.


Can you ask the reverse of this question next? That might be interesting, something like:

"Which artist will make you stop buying a book you liked, and why?"


Posted by onefinemess on 2009-04-24 19:23:24
Absolutely no doubt
In my mind nobody holds a candle to George Perez.

Posted by msquire on 2009-04-24 19:27:55
Ethan van Sciver
imho

Posted by gaveedra on 2009-04-24 19:38:27
As much as I love Humberto Ramos and Jason Pearson, and as much as I WANT to say John Cassiday, for me the artist that trumps every other is Travis Charest. He may not be able to finish a project (much less finish on time), but his work....c'est magnifique!

Posted by therubberbandman on 2009-04-24 19:44:18
JH Williams III

Posted by welleshadow on 2009-04-24 19:52:01
Dale Eaglesham may not be the best, but his work consistently hits the right notes for me. The man made Catman into a sensitive, fearsome character. It was a real treat to see his work in Amazing Spider-Man last week.

Posted by captainradd on 2009-04-24 21:00:13
Best
I'd say JRJr is the "best" and he's nearly my favorite. Favorite though is right now Marcos Martin, but the next time I see the work of John Cassaday or JH Williams III or Cam Stewart I may say them. Wait, no! Darwyn Cooke - he's the best.

Posted by dum dum dugan on 2009-04-24 21:52:37
Clayton Crain. No doubt about it.

Posted by peterparker43082 on 2009-04-25 01:37:52
Marcos Martin.

Watch this man, he will be considered one of the best of the very best decades from now.

Posted by Dr. Chaos on 2009-04-25 02:35:18
I don't know enough about art to critically appraise who is the "best"....but my favourite is JRjr.

Others past and present who I have enjoyed include Barry Windsor Smith, Paul Smith, Gary Frank, Geoff Senior on anything involving giant robots, Alex Maleev, David Mazzucchelli, Brian Hitch (and I still love looking back at his early giant robot output ;) ), Sean Phillips, Tim Bradstreet and, unfashionable though it is to like his work, Greg Land.

Posted by cjmcaree on 2009-04-25 04:52:45
George Perez.

Honorable mention: Gary Frank, Darick Robertson, Steve Epting, Paul Pelletier, Mark Bagley

Posted by CylverSaber on 2009-04-25 05:02:16
Oh...dang....I forgot Tommy Lee Edwards! His "1985" blew me out of the water. And David Aja's run on "Iron Fist" might even be enough to make me think twice about saying John Romita Jr is my favourite!

Posted by cjmcaree on 2009-04-25 05:06:25
In all honesty, before I even clicked through and saw your nomination the first name that popped into my mind was "Jim Cheung". And as much as I like Olivier Coipel, Marcos Martin and the rest... nobody's quite captured my imagination like that guy.

Posted by Fetsur on 2009-04-25 05:53:13
1 kenneth roccafort

2 The guy who did the ULT SM annual (and who is going to draw Ult SM) : he drew an incredible car chase

3 Charlie Adlard

Posted by baxtos on 2009-04-25 07:15:41
The man who can get me to buy anything is Chris Sprouse. Second and third after him are Frank Quietly and Frank Espinoza.

Posted by kyle-latino on 2009-04-25 07:41:44
I'm a big Fan of Adi Granov, and Mike Deodato. But i genuinely only read the mainstream comics

Posted by veemon1002 on 2009-04-25 14:26:05
John Byrne

Posted by jpfranklin on 2009-04-25 14:38:05
That's easy...
Steve Epting is the undisputed king of comic art. (and he's got lots of great artists that push him to be the best)

Posted by Dusty. on 2009-04-25 16:15:15
Its a split between JRJR and Chris Bachalo (not sure if I spelled that right).

Posted by kyle007 on 2009-04-25 21:06:37
Current Stellar Marvel Artist ?
Mike Deodato Jr. !

Posted by Mon Morn Lunatic on 2009-04-26 09:25:23
Steve McNiven
My personal fave is Steve McNiven. His work is just so beautiful and clean. Fabulous. Honourable mentions need to go to JRjr, Lenil Yu, Marcos Martin, Chris Bachalo, Simone Bianchi, Clayton Crain... I realise this could go on for a bit but they are the cream for me.

Posted by harlequin7 on 2009-04-26 14:44:11
I forgot to mention:
Although, I still like Deodato the best, Marko Djurdjevic is the best artist for drawing vikings! His 2 issue stint on Thor a while back was totally Nordic! MD's vikings look real, mean and real mean! I am looking forward to Djurdjevic's art on Thor #601 and following!

Posted by Mon Morn Lunatic on 2009-04-26 18:05:19
For me it's Carlos Pacheco - his art has such grace to it. It's sexy without being sexual and his storytelling is so fluid.

Second choice for me would be Casey Jones, who's totally under-rated. His economy of art and simple expressiveness (is that a word?) make for a really enjoyable read, no matter what he's drawing. Get him on a regular title pls!!!

Posted by NewChad on 2009-04-27 03:39:28
Leinil Yu. I think he deserves a medal for his entire run on NA for providing such complexified panels with the same level of excellence month after month.
But I miss very much Walt Simonson, who have to work only with old-school colouring.
I also agree with the fact that JRJR could draw all the Marvel titles by month and it'll be okay, as I've been impressed by the late SPIDERWOMAN' preview by Alex Maleev : he really give the character her gesture ...that's great..
But not so many comics made upon me the same impression than I had when I first saw an issue of THE CHALLENGERS OF UNKNOWN by John Paul Leon...Definetely..He would be my main reference in a world where Ted Mc Keever doesn't exist of course..

what was the question ?

Posted by notapotatoe on 2009-04-27 08:16:01
BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Bill will always be my #1. I've always loved Chris Bachalo's work though.

Posted by pmpknface on 2009-04-27 08:41:48
Embarassment of Riches
I really need to find that JPL "Challengers" - I LOVE his "Earth X" work. Right now I'm going to split my vote between Marcos Martin and Chris Bachalo since they are both the best at what they do. Stylistically, Marcos work is like the love-child of Steve Ditko and JR Sr that went off to study abroad in Europe. It's clean, but expressive, with an economy of line that is a feat in itself. His rendering evokes the funky "Pop Art" feel that, to me, lives in the NYC soul of Marvel Comics. His panel and page designs are smart, sublime, and surprising.

Bachalo's work moves and jumps in ways the page can't contain. It excites me in its controlled chaos. His panels defy gravity and create their own physics. It's a stylistic showcase that cannot exist in any other art form.

Honorable mention to Renaissance Man Paolo Rivera whose paintings are classic illustration and his pages (particularly the Spidey/Punisher team-up) are emotive and real without aping realism. Also, Travel Foreman who is on the verge of creating a new visual language in Iron Fist.

Posted by hamgravy on 2009-04-27 09:25:21
..Travel Foreman, I agree totally, perfect for getting Iron Fist in a new direction...that's so sad that Hercules will not save his own title, I would have loved to see someone like Foreman dealing with the mythological aspect ( centaurs, titans,... )

Posted by notapotatoe on 2009-04-27 09:57:08
It's impossible for me to decide who the BEST is, but my favorite, hands down, is Chris Bachalo. His use of contrast is brilliant, his characters are expressive during both slower scenes and action scenes, and speaking of action, his pages are so full of energy and excitement in a way that I think very VERY few others are.

Some people complain that it's "confusing" but I've never had a problem understanding a Chris Bachalo comic so I obviously don't agree with that.

Posted by doncorswhazie on 2009-04-27 12:43:00
The Best. . .
John Romita Junior

Posted by Suiter on 2009-04-27 14:08:17
There can only be one: JRJR

Posted by Anders on 2009-04-27 15:03:54
Steve McNiven
Steve McNiven. 'Nuff Said!

Actually, not quite 'nuff said! His Amazing Spider-Man 3 issue story was the best Spidey has looked in 45 years of comics. Civl War, Old Man Logan, the guy is stellar every time. He was a sculpture before, which is why his stuff looks unique. From every angle, the detail is incredible.

Posted by pineappleprotein on 2009-04-27 18:04:02
Steve McNiven - guy draws a gorgeous comic book.

Posted by stuckinazkaban on 2009-04-27 19:02:44
Oh man, how can I make a choice? I can't. Simple as that. Right now I'm cycling between like 5 different artists that would all call out to me.

Posted by causeitwasfunny on 2009-04-28 12:39:24
Bryan Hitch
Hitch is one of those artists who's work has a cinematic flair to it. He's also adept at getting a wide range of emotions in his characters. He and Millar have made FF a must-read for me. I still have to reread Ultimates 1 and 2 every three months.

Posted by jszilla on 2009-04-28 17:06:10
jh williams iii
jh williams iii. look at his layouts

Posted by vampirebear on 2009-04-29 17:35:58
There are 3 I like
George Perez, Ethan Van Sciver and Alex Ross.

I like Greg Land too but not so much for artistic reasons.

Posted by izzatrix on 2009-05-04 11:22:35
Whoa!!
Allan Heinberg?? WHOA!! Does this mean a new Young Avengers is in the works? Please, please, PLEASE find an excuse for Cheung to draw Iron Lad again...

Posted by YDuncan on 2009-05-04 15:07:05
Well thats a hard one,
but in my opinion everyone is the best.

Posted by FROST101 on 2009-05-06 19:32:07
JIM LEE!!!
He was and always will be the best hands down!!!!!!

Posted by G_Jax on 2009-05-10 12:36:41
BAGLEY RULES THE SM U
Being the huge Spider-Man fan that I am, I have to say that Mark Bagley is the best artist I have ever seen. JRjr would be a close second followed by Deodato and McNiven with Hitch rounding up my top 5. Hitch might have been higher, but it took too long to put out the Ultimate books.

Posted by moff65 on 2009-05-12 12:34:27
the majority of my meager marvel tpb collection is the relaunched x-factor series, because khoi pham is brilliant.

Posted by KaneKingman on 2009-05-19 23:09:29
Ooo YEA!
It has to be Ed Mcguinness and David Finch....they both do awesome art work hands down!! Eds Hulk art work and Davids Captain America and X-Men work is pure genious!!

Posted by Hulklover29 on 2009-06-02 12:40:08