Mignola and the Top 100 Artists List

[Neil Hill]

I apologize if this site has been mentioned before, but http://www.acomics.com/index.html has a top 100 comic book artists list which lists Mike Mignola as #34, with the following caption:

"A unique modern stylist, Mignola has cobbled together a wonderful visual lexicon from sources as diverse as classic comics, Italian Rennaissance masters, and vintage industrial design. His flagship character, Hellboy, is a crackling blend of horror, humor, superheroics, and freewheeling adventure that crystalizes everything he's learned about lighting, design, layout and cartooning. His considerable tools are on display regularly not only in Hellboy, but as one of comicdom's most sought-after cover artists."

I completely agree with the comments made, however, I would naturally think that Mike should be much closer to the Top 10 than he is. Of course, I'm not sure who compiled this list in the first place, so I'd take anything said regarding each artist with a huge grain of salt (except the very generous comments regarding Mike, of course). :D

[KWAK!]

the first 30 or so are really old-school, classic artists. The guys that were the inspiration and foundation for artists like Mignola. Looks as though Mignola is one of the first 'Modern' artists on the list. It's a big compliment.

-K.

[Petersen]

I like the list! I think it's pretty thoughtful. Glad to see Mignola, Art Adams, Frank Miller, BWS, John Bolton, Dave Gibbons, Charles Vess..... While I know they belong there, I'm glad to see them not hedged out by the older golden age artists and the modern Image style guys. yay ilustrators!

Also glad to see Jim Lee and Alex ross making the list without the other slew of the new flashy era folks

[ADamUnRama]

I like the list! I think it's pretty thoughtful. Glad to see Mignola, Art Adams, Frank Miller, BWS, John Bolton, Dave Gibbons, Charles Vess..... While I know they belong there, I'm glad to see them not hedged out by the older golden age artists and the modern Image style guys. yay ilustrators!

Also glad to see Jim Lee and Alex ross making the list without the other slew of the new flashy era folks


Jim Lee. He's consistant, I'll give him that, he's a good artist, but his bat logo on Batmans chest, for some reason doesnt do it for me. But him and FM, great combo. Mmmmmmm #03 combo minus pickles, tomato and onion biggie sized

[Petersen]

yes, I think Jim deserves to be there. I loved his X stuff and Wildcats stuff. He's not a fave anymore, but when he is mentioned most people also start bringing up McFarlane, J.Scott Cambell, Capullo, Silvestri, etc...who don't need to be on this list

[ADamUnRama]

yes, I think Jim deserves to be there. I loved his X stuff and Wildcats stuff. He's not a fave anymore, but when he is mentioned most people also start bringing up McFarlane, J.Scott Cambell, Capullo, Silvestri, etc...who don't need to be on this list


Silvestri is good. But, I think what it is is they are all kind of the same style, you know what Im saying. Not to say that I am saying that McFarlane and Silvestri are the same, because their not. You get what Im saying? Was Quesada on that list? I dont remember seeing him.

[hellboyone]

These lists are always completely subjective. Whoever put this one together...it's obvious he/she/they don't read alternative comics (no Jamie Hernandez? No Chris Ware?) It's a pure list of mainstream comics artists.

R.

[Neil Hill]

These lists are always completely subjective. Whoever put this one together...it's obvious he/she/they don't read alternative comics (no Jamie Hernandez? No Chris Ware?) It's a pure list of mainstream comics artists.

R.

Yeah, definitely a list of artists that many would consider more "mainstream". That particular moniker may be woefully inadequate though, since many of the artists listed have bounced back and forth from mainstream to not mainstream and back many times, however, it's the closest I can come for now.

[Petersen]

Looks like they are heavy handed on artists that have been around for a long time....lots of Golden age guys from EC and old marvel & DC. It's impossible to put a list everyone is happy with, but this list seems more fair than most (like any wizard list)

[hellboyone]

but this list seems more fair than most (like any wizard list)


What? No Michael Turner??? (puke) :)

R.

[Jape]

Interesting list.
It's nice to see Alan Davis in there, even if it is only at #99 :cool:

[Neil Hill]

What? No Michael Turner??? (puke) :)

R.

I was suprised to see that Bryan Hitch wasn't on there, although he's kind of "young" by industry standards. And Alan Davis at such a low totem pole spot on the list, per shame. Just because Alan hasn't had any high-profile self-published projects (other than Clandestine, which never took off), doesn't mean that he shouldn't be higher on the list than say John Byrne. I mean, if were talking about pure talent factor and not "legend in the industry" status, I'd say Alan rates higher than quite a few of the guys on that list.

These things are so subjective though, so I applaud the creators of the list for being willing to put themselves out there like that, and so thoughtfully and intelligently.

[hellboyone]

Well, since "longevity" is one of the criteria, I see why the list is dominated by the old school guys and why there is a lack of new blood on the list. 99 for Alan Davis, though....that's highway robbery.

R.

[morna]

myself, I was happy to see Sienkewicz and Kaluta on there

[Neil Hill]

myself, I was happy to see Sienkewicz and Kaluta on there

To exclude Kaluta would be an absolute inexcusable crime. Alan Davis at #99 isn't something I'm exactly happy about, but I can handle that better than if Kaluta was missing. I've never been a huge fan of his stuff, however, the talent is obvious and he's of course a legend in the industry in most circles.

[Mike Cross]

I'm just glad Mike Ploog is on the list..

[Jan Bentzen]

Making lists like this is just crazy - it´s like making a list of the best 100 movies of all time.

- Jan

[Neil Hill]

Making lists like this is just crazy - it´s like making a list of the best 100 movies of all time.

- Jan

Depending on the source compiling the Top list, they can be very authoritative and interesting to read. If for instance a site such as aintitcoolnews compiles it, however, I would consider the source circumspect. If a magazine like Time, Newsweek, or even Empire creates a Top 100 Movies list though, I'd certainly be interested to see it if nothing else.

[Jankenstein]

(digging up an old thread)

I think the biggest positive to a Top 100 list of anything is exposing you to work that you may not have come across. People will certainly view rankings with a dubious eye if their favorites aren't in certain places (myself included).

[Neil Hill]

I think the biggest positive to a Top 100 list of anything is exposing you to work that you may not have come across.

I couldn't agree more. Also, career retrospectives are fun for a number of reasons- not least of which just simple nostalgia.

[Jankenstein]

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. ;)

[chiaroscuros]

Something to keep in mind is that this particular list is at least 7 years old (that is when I first saw it) and has never been updated...

That being said, longevity is the key and the list stands up quite well despite being perhaps 10 years old.

A list like this usually has one of two biases. Either it focuses entirely on the hot new artists of the month or it focuses on the pioneers that are now somewhat dusty and forgotten. This tries to find a balance but is more weighted towards the pioneers.

One interesting thing I have noticed (because I collect original art), is that the majority of people who have Mignola's original art aren't typical fans. A suprisingly large number of them are professional comic artists or work in a highly creative field... I guess this makes Mignola a comic's comic. :)

p.s. I would put him higher on a top 100 list too.

[Gary_B]

There was a vote and discussion on CBR last year for the all-time top 100 artists (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=3882390&postcount=2959) and writers in comics last year and Mike Mignola was ranked #12. That seems more appropriate to me.

[chiaroscuros]

Out of curiousity, I decided to see how old everyone was on that list and dug up their ages. If you eliminate everyone that is deceased and everyone 60 and older you eliminate 70 of the top 100 spots. Here is what you get left...

p.s. I don't think Dave Stevens or Brian Bolland are more influencial than Mike Mignola. Miller and Perez, I don't have any problems with. And I love BWS too much to be objective about him, but I don't think I would put him at the top of the list... and John Byrne down at #20 seems like a crime.

p.p.s. wikipedia was the source of this info but they didn't have a date of birth for P. Craig Russell or Michael Golden...

1. BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH (1949-
2. FRANK MILLER (1957-
3. GEORGE PEREZ (1954-
4. DAVE STEVENS (1955-
5. BRIAN BOLLAND (1951-
6. MIKE MIGNOLA (1960-
7. BILL SIENKIEWICZ (1958-
8. P. CRAIG RUSSELL (1950’s-
9. ARTHUR ADAMS (1963-
10. PAUL SMITH (1953-
11. ALEX ROSS (1970-
12. JIM LEE (1964-
13. JOHN ROMITA JR. (1956-
14. PAUL GULACY (1950’s
15. JACKSON GUICE (1970’s
16. BERNIE WRIGHTSON (1948-
17. CHARLES VESS (1951-
18. STEVE RUDE (1956-
19. MARK SCHULTZ (1955-
20. JOHN BYRNE (1950-
21. ARTHUR SUYDAM (1953-
22. MICHAEL GOLDEN (1950’s?
23. DAVE GIBBONS (1949-
24. KEVIN NOWLAN (1958-
25. DAVID MAZZUCHELLI (1960’s-
26. JOHN BOLTON (1951-
27. SIMON BISLEY (1962-
28. HOWARD CHAYKIN (1950-
29. ALAN DAVIS (1956-
30. JERRY ORDWAY (1957-