A comic just wouldn’t be a comic without art. Pencils are as crucial to a comic book as good writing, but an astute reader knows how important inking is to the overall presentation, as well. The best talent can blend them not only to fit his own work, but also to bolster the comic’s mood and style.
Guy Davis, BPRD (Dark Horse)
No one draws Hellboy like creator Mike Mignola, but BPRD artist Guy Davis makes the paranormal creep, slither, and lurk like the best of them.
Honoring the heavily inked, strong style Hellboy and BPRD comics are known for, Guy Davis keeps fans happy by not only retaining the spirit of the paranormal comics, but by keeping their flame burning brighter than ever. Not many artists can wield the pen and colors like Davis can, and his intensive work on BPRD makes his name just as important to the mythic cannon as Mignola. Paired with the series’ creator, the end creations are comics that pack fun and intriguing tales of frogs, ghosts, monsters—and of course, the memorable characters who guide the story. –WITA
Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy (Dark Horse) and Mark Buckingham/Steve Leialoha, Fables (Vertigo/DC)
A story the magnitude of Umbrella Academy wouldn’t be the same without the art and inking to back it up. Good thing Gabriel Ba’s style perfectly complements the eccentric tale Gerard Way has woven. His art, with exaggerated features, odd angles and thick black planes of ink, is hard not to enjoy. Ba’s grip on how to execute each panel is even better—knowing when to play up or down his work to get across the point. Some panels are lavishly detailed, focusing on emotion and expression. Others are simple gesture sketches with a lesser degree of detail, sometimes with simple stubs for feet. As the members of the Umbrella Academy take on a rampaging Eiffel Tower, or simply try to untangle their bizarre family issues, Rumor, The Boy, Séance, Krakken and Spaceboy look as eclectic and entertaining as their names suggest.
While employing a more realistic and precise approach, Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha’s work on Fables is also impressive. Buckingham’s pencils are simple and clean, focusing on unique facial features and distinguishing characteristics to make each player in the war against (or for) The Adversary unique. Even better, his talent in illustrating both the magical and the mundane makes the story even more engaging. Leialoha’s inks, extremely clean and defined, give the art a pop feel reminiscent to the work of Roy Lichtenstein. The thick lines and stark shadows bring drama to even the smallest panels. And if you live in the world of Fables, there is a ton of drama to be had. –VirtualGirl
Amy Reeder Hadley/Richard Friend, Madame Xanadu (Vertigo/DC)
Madame Xanadu may have powers of sight, but it’s artist Amy Reeder Hadley and inker Richard Friend who really visualize her every portent with perfect clarity. In Madame Xanadu, we follow the timeless fortuneteller from her humble beginnings in Camelot through the ages. Her initial dealings with Merlin and King Arthur are nothing compared to what awaits her as time moves slowly on. Kublai Khan, Etrigan and the Phantom Stranger are just a few of her famous associates. The costume changes alone are to be praised—specifically when MX finds herself working for Marie Antoinette! The artist even got a crack at everyone’s favorite Vertigo character, Death. And let’s not forget about Jack the Ripper.
Hadley navigates historical periods like she’s taking a leisurely trip across country. The detail in the backgrounds and magical aspects of the series are spectacular, but it’s the characters themselves who come to life by Hadley’s hand. My favorite aspect of Hadley’s art has to be her characters’ eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, right? –Jill aka TheNerdyBird
Jillian Tamaki, Skim (Groundwood Books)
Skim is an exquisite work of art: a modern day tale of teenage angst, cousins Jillian and Mariko Tamaki created a graphic novel of delectable proportions. Jillian’s scintillating linework lends itself to the story’s sense of narrative grace. It manages to be both bold and meticulous at the same time, while moving the story along at an enjoyable pace.
The story itself would not accurately convey such a sweet and delicate atmosphere if it were not for Jillian’s swooping lines and graceful curves. Her characters are suggestively rendered and all depict a realistic and comforting ambience about them. Mariko’s enjoyable dialogue is fully brought to life with Jillian’s poetic illustrations. Her linework compliments Mariko’s writing perfectly while still remaining a gem unto itself.
Like how some movies would not stand as majestic without their accompanying soundtrack, Skim would lose its quirky relatability without Jillian’s brilliant use of line and ink. –Melissa Kay
Olivier Coipel/Mark Morales, Thor (Marvel)
Tackling such an epic title as Thor is no easy task, but the team of Coipel and Morales prevails. For Coipel, who was able to get his hands on one of his favorite characters, it had to be a dream come true. And if fans of Coipel get their wish, he’ll be a headlining Marvel artist on the 2010 Con circuit. “Delicate” wouldn’t seem like the kind of word to describe Thor’s artwork because of how bold it appears at first; however, when you examine it closely and see the fine details of the armor, the furrowed brows of battling gods, and the luminous cracks of lightning, you know that the artistic team on this book handles it like a precious baby.
There shouldn’t be any doubts that a portion of Thor’s success is because of this artistic team. These talented illustrators are fortunate to also have some of the best coloring and lettering done in today’s comics. The images are bold and clean which sets them apart from the artists who can’t seem to leave the 1990s. –Amber Love
July 9th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I actually don’t like Guy Davis’ work on hellboy at all. I think back before he began doing the Mignola style, he did some stuff in a personal style that I really liked. But my vote has to go to Coipel, he can turn a Diner scene into something interesting to behold.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Goodness, Thor got a lot of nominations didn’t it?
I have to say, art is the toughest thing for me to judge. There aren’t many artists that I would ever call “bad,” some are just not my cup of tea. But everyone has such different styles and tastes it’s hard to call a winner on this one.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Gotta agree with ya, Jill.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Coipel and Morales would be my picks. That art team combined with JMS’s writing made that book one I looked forward to every month. (Even when it didn’t ship for a couple of months!)
July 10th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Of those options, I’d have to go with Gabriel Ba. His work on Umbrella Academy is pretty sick. But for my money, give me Sean Phillips over anyone on this list. No one in comics sets a mood the way he does.