When it comes to comics, many praise them for the characters or the writing. However, from time to time, there comes a time when the artist receives more praise. Comics don’t write or illustrate themselves, and there is often a lack of gratitude when it comes to who the artist behind the pages really is in the fandom.
Though not exactly mentioned all the time, the legendary reach of these artists has influenced generations of comic book readers. Today’s comic book illustrator always has some form of technique that emulates previous creators. The best in their industry have been compiled in a list by Atlas Comics.
Updated June 22, 2021 by Rich Keller: Without the artist, a comic is simply a $ 4 short story on glossy paper. These individuals use their pencils and inks to design panels and pages in accordance with the writers’ visions. The results can change the dynamics of a character or renew the appearance of a team.
fifteen Barry Windsor-Smith is often overlooked
British artist Barry Windsor-Smith is often overlooked despite his immense talent. The main reason is that he never stayed long enough on a title to get attention. However, there are many fans who recognized his abilities.
Windsor-Smith is primarily known for his early 1970s career at Marvel Conan the barbarian qualification. He is also the writer and artist for the 12-part story of “Weapon X” in the 1990s. Marvel Comics Gifts, which redefined the origins of Wolverine. In 2021, he released a 366-page graphic novel for Fantagraphics titled Monsters
14 Joe Kubert provided elegant designs for generations
Artists of the early Golden Age were not known for their interpretation of the human form in real life. It took the talents of people like Joe Kubert to make them work harder. That’s because it made his characters seem more realistic.
It began in the 1940s with stories revolving around the Vigilante of that time and the Justice Society of America. The character he worked with the most was the Golden Age Hawkman. He would continue to work on the version of the hero from the Silver Age. This is also the time when he began to illustrate the adventures of Sgt. Rock and Easy Company on the pages of Our army at war.
13 Gil Kane enlarged in character form
Gil Kane could draw anything. He did westerns, war stories, science fiction, and romance. He even drew pets, as seen in DC Comics’ Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog.
However, it was his work in the Silver Age that really made readers sit up and take notice. His work with human shape and anatomy gave characters like Green Lantern, Atom, and Teen Titans a three-dimensional feel. With Marvel’s Spider-Man, he restored the flexibility and power that artist Steve Ditko displayed in his early career.
12 Al Williamson is the man behind the Star Wars comic strips
Al Williamson is relatively new to this list. He began his comic career in 1951, at the height of the Silver Age. He was attached to westerns and war stories at first, then received recognition for his art in EC horror anthologies. Mysterious Y Creepy
However, what fans really know about Williamson is his interpretation of the first comic strip. Star Wars trilogy. Particularly the count of A new hope Y The Empire Strikes Back. He would enter the world of superheroes from the 1980s working on Superman, Recklessand Marvel’s New Universe titles.
eleven Alex Toth is more than comics
Hungarian-born Alex Toth was more than a comic book artist. Yes, he drew Green Lantern and the Justice Society of America in DC’s Golden Age. He was also the co-creator of Rex the Wonder Dog. However, it is his work in animation that people might remember him.
Toth was the designer of the iconic Space Ghost, a mainstay of Saturday morning cartoons in the late 1960s. He also helped produce Birdman, Herculoids, and Dino Boy. In 1973, Toth was tasked with designing the first season of Super Friends.
10 Lou Fine designed the future characters of DC Doll Man & Uncle Sam
One of the most influential comic book artists of all time is Lou Fine. Incredibly prominent during the Golden Age of comics, he is considered one of the greatest cartoonists. This comes from contemporaries like Joe Shuster and Will Eisner. In fact, Fine drew the spirit of Eisner for several years in the 1940s.
Although he died at the age of 56 in 1971, his work on characters such as Doll Man and Uncle Sam, heroes that DC Comics would eventually buy, Fine has influenced many comic book artists who followed his tenure. All thanks to his magnificent artwork and exciting designs that helped get readers excited.
9 Bernard Krigstein’s experimentation created cinematic sequences
Bernard Krigstein is an incredibly unique artist who is not only a creator of comics, but also a top-notch illustrator. Known for his incredible work on Superior race, his artistic style was impressive in numerous genres.
His more schematic artistic style allowed him to differentiate himself from other creators. He often played with panel layouts to create movie sequences. It eventually led to him being one of the most cinematic illustrators of the golden and silver ages.
8 Steve Ditko shaped the faces of many Marvel characters
Steve Ditko is one of the most incredible surreal comic book artists. Although his artwork appears to be fairly straightforward, a critical eye reveals that his style had clear emotional rhythms.
This is most notable in his work on Spider-Man, where he co-created with Stan Lee. Giving him a slimmer appearance than other superheroes at the time, he adjusted the panels and character expressions for true emotion.
7 The short life of Frank Frazetta’s comic is staggering
Although Frank Frazetta is best known for his painted works, he is also a master when it comes to black and white illustrations. Although it was only for a brief moment, Frank Frazetta’s comic work has a legacy of its own.
In the 1940s and 1950s, he worked in numerous genres, from westerns to sci-fi epics. He even helped Harvey Kurtzman and Will Elder in their Little Annie Fannie comics for Playboy. His legacy lives on through his paintings.
6 Wally Wood is a master of science fiction
Comic book artist Wally Wood became one of the most versatile creators in the industry. His works within the world of science fiction were nothing less than masterful. He brought this ability to the world of superheroes during the Silver Age.
Always meticulous with any form of detail, Wood is known for his use of black and white tones. These brought truly atmospheric and powerful images to life. Tragically, the world lost him in a 1981 suicide.
5 Harvey Kurtzman was mad about combat and MAD
Harvey Kurtzman is best known for being the creator of Mad Magazine. However, outside of his work on satire and parody, he is an absolutely fantastic comic book artist.
When it came to his artistic style, he often leaned towards a deceptive simplicity where everything boiled down to the absolute essentials. As a result, he maintained a comprehensive storytelling style. Kurtzman’s works influenced comics greats like Robert Crumb.
4 Carl Barks is the artistic father of Scrooge McDuck
Best known for his work on Disney comics, Carl Barks is the quintessential artist when it comes to the Donald Duck family. His most important contribution is Scrooge McDuck.
Although his style seems indisputably Disney, Barks’ contributions to the stories and storytelling in general are somewhat astonishing. It influenced the comics, movies, and the name of an asteroid from the future.
3 Neal Adams ushered in the Bronze Age of comics
Neal Adams’ art style can be defined with one word: realistic. Comic art is often described as cartoons or as a caricature. However, when Neal Adams entered the industry, his style way ended up changing the industry. In turn, Adams comics and covers from the late Silver Age and Early Bronze Age have influenced contemporary art styles.
His facial features and expressions of emotion were something that comic book readers hadn’t seen. Its shading helped develop nearly three-dimensional images. In addition to this, Adams is also a first-rate storyteller.
two Will Eisner mixed marvelous art with storytelling
Will Eisner is one of the greatest pioneers in comics, and for good reason. Creator of amazing works like The spirit Y Contract with godEisner is often cited not only as a great artist but as an absolutely incredible storyteller.
He did things that changed the design of the sequential way. He played with the panels to make them look like windows in an apartment building. Or used the title as a narrative device. All of this barely touches the volume of his work. It’s the reason the Eisner Awards exist.
1 Jack Kirby is the king of comic book art
Jack Kirby is often cited as the King of Comics, a well-deserved honor. As a self-taught creator, his imagination is often unprecedented. He created or co-created many classic characters, especially in Marvel and DC.
Throughout his decades-long career, Jack Kirby influenced future generations of artists and readers through his impressive use of power. His energy and movement, combined with his incredible storytelling, remain legendary even in the 21st century.
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