Who Is the Earth's Mightiest Artist?

[Jessica Drew]

The Avengers...who draws 'em better 'n anybody?

[Dermie]

I'd have to go with George Perez. To me, he is the ultimate Avengers artist. Granted, I'm not in love with his interpretations of every Avenger, but overall I think he is the best Avengers artist.

[Ant-Man]

Coipel, but he and John's run was so darn short :( .

[Gingold]

When it comes to the Avengers, there's John Buscema and George Perez, and then there's everybody else. I don't think I could choose one over the other.

[Jessica Drew]

Coipel, but he and John's run was so darn short :( .

I only included artists who'd drawn the book for at least ten issues.

[Atom_basher]

alot of you guys really seems to dislike him, but i think finch is the bee's knees

[Jessica Drew]

When it comes to the Avengers, there's John Buscema and George Perez, and then there's everybody else. I don't think I could choose one over the other.

Not counting Annuals/Specials, John Buscema drew 85 issues and George Perez drew 47.

Wow.

[Uncensored]

Perez. I'm quite glad nobody has voted for John Byrne though, I can't stand that guy.

[Dermie]

I only included artists who'd drawn the book for at least ten issues.

Coipel DID. #65-70, 77-78, 80-81...that's ten issues. Plus he did part of #503.

Although they probably won't get voted as the all-time best, the artists from WCA were left out.

[BobC]

Gingold--Right ON. I have grown to love George Perez, but for me JB is/was THE MAN. I have a friend who was good friends with JB and he told me that JB hated drawing comics--that made me so sad. My friend, whom I will call "Sal," discovered that JB was the artist who created Ultron so he called JB and gushed on and on--and guess what? JB didn't even remember who Ultron was! Sal had to remind him of the Avengers' number one villain!

[Flat]

I dunno why Perez is so Omg awesomez, is it just because the stories he drew for that make him so "iconic"? Personally Perez seems great for drawing a lot of stuff on a page.

However.

I do think he draws an awesome Iron Man, everyone else looks hokey.

[Tragix]

John Buscema. Nuff'said!

[The Shadow]

Neal Adams

[Cayman]

John Buscema has a nice classic look.

Cay

[jackalope]

Perez. I'm quite glad nobody has voted for John Byrne though, I can't stand that guy.
When he was doing West Coast Avengers, I thought he was the best artist in comics. I think his art still holds up really well years later. But yeah, the comics world caught up to him and surpassed him.

[Cayman]

Byrne's a great artist, his Avengers were gorgeous. His rotten personality adds a lot of baggage to his work these days though.

Ca

[Dial Tone]

Perez and Byrne were both awesome, but nobody did Avengers better than John Buscema, and I'll bet they'd be the first to tell you that.

[Mister Mets]

No contest.

George Perez.

[Nightcrawler]

George Perez's art was great. Not even 50 issues, though.

[Uncensored]

Sorry, I just remember him (John Byrne) doing the last issue of Peter Parker Spider-man (vol 1), and then the god-awful Spider-Man: Chapter One maxi and just... No, I haven't liked the guy ever since.

[Ant-Man]

I also forgot about Carlos Pacheco. he did the 12 issue Avengers Forever mini with Busiek. So now I can't decide between he and Coipel for best Avengers artist :confused: .

[berk]

I voted for Jack Kirby before I saw that the question was who was the best Avengers artist. But I probably would voted for Perez , who is so far ahead that doubt I skewed the results.

[1HELLBOY]

I voted for David Finch. Just my taste in art.

[Kirk G]

Perez. I'm quite glad nobody has voted for John Byrne though, I can't stand that guy.
Wrongo.
I would have voted for Jack Kirby, except the question was worded, who IS... and not "who has ever BEEN".... Since Jack has passed on, the title goes to Byrne by default.

Sorry!

[The Shadow]

OK... I still maintain Neal Adams, but was looking at this thread again to see the results (I voted for Kirby)... and who the hell is Paul Ryan?

He gets on the "Greatest Avengers Artists" list and Adams is not? LOL

[Jessica Drew]

OK... I still maintain Neal Adams, but was looking at this thread again to see the results (I voted for Kirby)... and who the hell is Paul Ryan?

He gets on the "Greatest Avengers Artists" list and Adams is not? LOL

Neal Adams pencilled five issues; Paul Ryan pencilled twenty six.

[The Shadow]

Neal Adams pencilled five issues; Paul Ryan pencilled twenty six.
... your point? Would you rather look at Adams's 5 vs Paul who?

And what 26 issues did he do?

[Frank]

70s-Era Perez, when Pablo Marco was inking his stuff. That run when George was there MADE The Avengers. I liked them before but Perez made The Avengers almost as cool as The All-New, All-Different X-Men.

[Kirk G]

OK... I still maintain Neal Adams, but was looking at this thread again to see the results (I voted for Kirby)... and who the hell is Paul Ryan?

He gets on the "Greatest Avengers Artists" list and Adams is not? LOL
Oooops, I missed that Neal Adams was an option on the list. Durn....So now I got to vote one of three ways...Kirby, Byrne, Adams,... or Perez... decisions, decisions... :rolleyes:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZkirbyfan65

[Ant-Man]

... your point? Would you rather look at Adams's 5 vs Paul who?

And what 26 issues did he do?

I would rather look at Adams 5. and you don't know who Paul "F4" Ryan is? You must not have read the F4 in the mid 90's.

[Dial Tone]

OK... I still maintain Neal Adams, but was looking at this thread again to see the results (I voted for Kirby)... and who the hell is Paul Ryan?

He gets on the "Greatest Avengers Artists" list and Adams is not? LOL

Paul Ryan is a very good artist that I wish would get more work. He not only drew Avengers after John Buscema left, but he also drew Avengers West Coast after Byrne left. He was the artist on Fantastic Four, Iron Man, DP7 (From Marvel's New Universe line), and he drew the last few issues of Mark Gruenwald's classic Squadron Supreme limited series. It doesn't mean Paul Ryan is a "nobody" just because you obviously aren't the most knowledgeable comic fan around.

[Gingold]

Paul Ryan is a very good artist that I wish would get more work. He not only drew Avengers after John Buscema left, but he also drew Avengers West Coast after Byrne left. He was the artist on Fantastic Four, Iron Man, DP7 (From Marvel's New Universe line), and he drew the last few issues of Mark Gruenwald's classic Squadron Supreme limited series. It doesn't mean Paul Ryan is a "nobody" just because you obviously aren't the most knowledgeable comic fan around.

I wish Paul Ryan got more respect (and work) than he gets. He's not the best or flashiest artist out there, but he's got a nice clear style and he's very dependable. His work has a nice, simple Curt Swan quality that you don't see to often anymore. He had the misfortune of drawing Avengers and FF at points when the stories just weren't that good.

[Babylon23]

For me, John Buscema is the best Avengers artist. His work in the 80's made me a lifelong Avengers fan. Perez, Byrne, Don Heck and the King are all a close second.

It's nice to see Paul Ryan getting some respect here. I've always been a fan of his artwork. He's currently working on the Phantom comic strip for those who are interested.

[Kirk G]

It's nice to see Paul Ryan getting some respect here. I've always been a fan of his artwork. He's currently working on the Phantom comic strip for those who are interested.

Paul Ryan was the man who followed up Dave Stevens SECOND run on the Uncanny Xmen. When his work appeared at first, many fans went "Ugh!"
But the further we got into the Dark Phoenix Resurrection Storyline "From the Ashes" the more he was appreciated. By the time that arc came to an end, he was the man.
My only regret is that he was so overworked or behind that he couldn't finish the last 8 pages of Xmen #175 when the story was concluded. Sadly, who ever they got to rush the last pages together couldn't hold a candle to him. It was a BIG letdown as the villan was revealed to the Xmen Mastermind returned from insanity!

Anyway, I miss his clean line and simple forms. John Romita Jr reminds me alot of him, and vice versa!

[Babylon23]

Paul Ryan was the man who followed up Dave Stevens SECOND run on the Uncanny Xmen. When his work appeared at first, many fans went "Ugh!"
But the further we got into the Dark Phoenix Resurrection Storyline "From the Ashes" the more he was appreciated. By the time that arc came to an end, he was the man.
My only regret is that he was so overworked or behind that he couldn't finish the last 8 pages of Xmen #175 when the story was concluded. Sadly, who ever they got to rush the last pages together couldn't hold a candle to him. It was a BIG letdown as the villan was revealed to the Xmen Mastermind returned from insanity!

Anyway, I miss his clean line and simple forms. John Romita Jr reminds me alot of him, and vice versa!

Actually, I think you're thinking of Paul Smith, who followed Dave Cockrum on X-Men. Paul Ryan pencilled Avengers in the early 300 issues.

[The Shadow]

It doesn't mean Paul Ryan is a "nobody" just because you obviously aren't the most knowledgeable comic fan around.
LOL

I'd heard of him... I just didn't know what issues of the Avengers he'd done. And FYI, I have all his issues... but the bulk of my comics (19,000 of em) and 3,000 miles away so it's not exactly easy for me to check them when I want or need to. So cut me some slack. And I bet I've been A) collecting longer than you and B) have more books than you C) your comics are closer to you than mine are and D) you're a nitwit :p

Kidding about D! LOL

As far as being a nobody... most fans will have heard of Neal Adams over Paul Ryan. Not saying he's no good... but he's no Neal Adams.

[The Shadow]

Paul Ryan was the man who followed up Dave Stevens SECOND run on the Uncanny Xmen.
As in "The Rocketeer" Dave Stevens??

[Hombre]

I wish Paul Ryan got more respect (and work) than he gets. He's not the best or flashiest artist out there, but he's got a nice clear style and he's very dependable. His work has a nice, simple Curt Swan quality that you don't see to often anymore. He had the misfortune of drawing Avengers and FF at points when the stories just weren't that good.

Absolutely. I think he was a good artist for Iron Man... and I think his run with Tom De Falco on the Fantastic Four was actually very good - if fairly outrageous, for the most part - but I'd really look forward to each issue and generally felt good about the whole concept.

[lboinyamouf4sho]

I also forgot about Carlos Pacheco. he did the 12 issue Avengers Forever mini with Busiek. So now I can't decide between he and Coipel for best Avengers artist :confused: .


copiel for me, i really love the way he draws cap like a big jock, i hope he one day gets to do a solo cap title. also loved his wrecking crew.

[Dial Tone]

And I bet I've been A) collecting longer than you and B) have more books than you C) your comics are closer to you than mine are and D) you're a nitwit :p

A) If you've been collecting since before 1976, you have.

B) Since I sold thousands of them, you just may.

C) I'll bet they are, too.

D) At least I have a good enough memory to know that Paul Ryan started drawing Avengers with issue 305, and I don't have to look at my books to know that. :p

[icctrombone]

Paul Ryan is a terrific artist who did great work on Flash ,as well as , on Fantastic Four. He knows how to tell a story with great drama and draws some nice looking women as well.

[The Shadow]

A) If you've been collecting since before 1976, you have.
Then... maybe not as I was born in 1975... :(

B) Since I sold thousands of them, you just may.
I'm at 19,000

C) I'll bet they are, too.
if they are anywhere within a 2,999 mile radius you win.

D) At least I have a good enough memory to know that Paul Ryan started drawing Avengers with issue 305, and I don't have to look at my books to know that. :p
LOL

Maybe I DO mean D after all! LOL :D

I'm HORRIBLE with names of people I meet let alone an artists who drew the Avengers 10 years ago and that obviously didn't leave an impression.

[BobC]

Babylon--do you have the Essential Avengers collection--the last one--I think it's #5? The reason I ask is that if you loved JB's work on the Avengers in the 80's, you'll LOVE the work he and Palmer did in the late 60's! The Vision never looked spookier, the Scarlet Witch never looked prettier, The Black Panther never looked sleeker, more catlike or cooler. Check out the issues when the Avengers first meet Arkon--the art is just unbelievable. One thing JB understood very well was how to make battle scenes look exciting--as much as I like David Finch, I wish he'd check out how skillfully JB did battle scenes!

[thik_3rd]

don heck









.

[Babylon23]

Babylon--do you have the Essential Avengers collection--the last one--I think it's #5? The reason I ask is that if you loved JB's work on the Avengers in the 80's, you'll LOVE the work he and Palmer did in the late 60's! The Vision never looked spookier, the Scarlet Witch never looked prettier, The Black Panther never looked sleeker, more catlike or cooler. Check out the issues when the Avengers first meet Arkon--the art is just unbelievable. One thing JB understood very well was how to make battle scenes look exciting--as much as I like David Finch, I wish he'd check out how skillfully JB did battle scenes!

Hi BobC

Thanks for the recommendation. Actually, I have the original issues. My Avengers collections begins with #29. You're right about JB's 60's work. Avengers 57-60 (intro of Vision and Yellowjacket) are some of my alltime favourite comics.

THe Arkon story is amazing, and shows why JB was a perfect choice for Conan. Another personal favourite is the first Squadron Supreme story.

[BobC]

Great to "meet" another JB fan. One of my earliest memories from childhood was having this frined named FRancis who had an older brother who collected comics. One day Francis brought some of the Avengers comics in, and to this day I remember thinking a whole new world had opened up and it's mainly due to how JB drew the Black Panther and the Vision. Thirty years later I am still a fan!

[Babylon23]

Great to "meet" another JB fan. One of my earliest memories from childhood was having this frined named FRancis who had an older brother who collected comics. One day Francis brought some of the Avengers comics in, and to this day I remember thinking a whole new world had opened up and it's mainly due to how JB drew the Black Panther and the Vision. Thirty years later I am still a fan!

I know how you feel. I began collecting Avengers around the Under Seige storyline based on the Masters of Evil entry in the Marvel Universe Handbook. I loved the team so much, I tracked down their earlier appearance in Avengers 54-55, as well as the Vision/Ultron story in 57-58. I was stunned to find the same artist on both stories, even though there's 20 years between them.

For me, there is no better artist for Vision, Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, Hawkeye or Cap.

[Kirk G]

I know how you feel. I began collecting Avengers around the Under Seige storyline based on the Masters of Evil entry in the Marvel Universe Handbook. I loved the team so much, I tracked down their earlier appearance in Avengers 54-55, as well as the Vision/Ultron story in 57-58. I was stunned to find the same artist on both stories, even though there's 20 years between them.

For me, there is no better artist for Vision, Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, Hawkeye or Cap.

You've got another treat coming, Babylon23....
You owe it to yourself to pick up Avengers Vol. 1 issue #56, cause it deals DIRECTLY with what's going on over in Captain America these days. I say that because the issue of time-travel and changing the past is going to come up very shortly. ;)
As a great companion to that single issue, is the Second Avengers Annual that came out the same or next month. It features the first appearance of the Scarlet Centurian, and the story dovetails very very nicely with the ending of issue 56, and spins it's own tale nicely without interupting the story flow and allowing the Vision to appear in issue #57 the next month. :o

They must have had something going on with red covers and dramatic upheaval in personal lives, given the storylines that started about issue #52 and ran through 60.
Pick these two up, or go check out the Essential Avengers VOLUME 2 (#40-66) and enjoy! :cool:

[BobC]

Man what I wouldn't do to see JB and Tom Palmer's work on some high quality paper. JB's ability to draw the human body in any pose, any postition, effortlessly, was just beyond reproach.

[Kirk G]

Man what I wouldn't do to see JB and Tom Palmer's work on some high quality paper. JB's ability to draw the human body in any pose, any postition, effortlessly, was just beyond reproach.
Yeah, I'll agree with that.

But, I must admit that I was getting a bit urked with some of the panel layouts in the later "X-Men: The Hidden Years" series. It just felt rushed in someways.... but I still bought them all, and enjoyed them all also.

And, he did bridge the gap between the end of the original Xmen series (Issue 66) and pick up the Magneto guestar as villian de jour in FF # 102-103. And the stories dovetailed nicely...the mark of good research.
ANd, it picked up the Yetti storyline from the Lost Generation retro book. :rolleyes:

[Babylon23]

Hi Kirk,

Thanks for the recommendation. I picked up 56 about 2 months ago, but hadn't even considered the connection to the current Captain America storyline. Interesting.

Unfortunately, I can't get my hands on Avengers Annual 2. It's one of the few gaps in my Avengers collection. It hadn't dawned on me that it would be in Essential vol.2. I'll check it out this week.

Hi Bob,

Buscema/Palmer is a team I rank alongside Kirby/Sinnott and Adams/Giordano as great penciller/inker combinations.Its a pity Marvel Masterworks haven't reached their Avengers issues. There is a reprint of Under Seige, but I don't know what the paper quality is like.

[BobC]

Kirk--love ya, mean it, but you are confusing John Byrne(sp)with John Buscema. I completely agree with you that John Byrne's post 90's work for Marvel is shockingly bad, Byrne is not even in the same league with John Buscema as far as human anatomy is concerned. Do a search on John Buscema...

[Kirk G]

Kirk--love ya, mean it, but you are confusing John Byrne(sp)with John Buscema. I completely agree with you that John Byrne's post 90's work for Marvel is shockingly bad, Byrne is not even in the same league with John Buscema as far as human anatomy is concerned. Do a search on John Buscema...
Oh, sorry, you were refering to the mystery artist as "JB" and Tom Palmer's inks... that suggested John Byrne and Tom Palmer's work. I guess I guessed wrong.

As for Avengers Annual #2, I'm thinking that it probably was in Essential Volume #2, provided that reprint collection included #56.
I started buying Avengers regularly with 56, and so, that stand-alone story has very special meaning to me. It tied together the story that I had heard about so many times since Avengers #4, about how Bucky bit the big one....hitched a ride on the hot rocket... took the big dirt nap... slept with the fishes... (sorry, I got carried away)...
But now, I'm wondering if the storyline Brubaker is spinning is going to claim that Bucky WASN"T KILLED, but fell off and was also frozen in the same ice flow... that Subby (or Thor in the Ultimates?) didn't free him up, (as we saw in Submariner #1 or Capt America #100) for the Avengers to find... and revive...
but Bucky was found by a Soviet sub, who spirited him away to mother russia and have kept him on ice (or in a tank) recovering ever since. And nursed his injuried ego and psyche so that he bares a grude against Steve for not saving him, or not coming back to find him, etc, etc. :rolleyes:

I'm surprised that you can't find a copy of Avengers Annual #2 on ebay for a reasonable price. There have to be some copies floating around, worn or in reading condition. That was the time period when Marvel was really getting popular and all the mags were being printed in mass and college campus was rockin' and rolling to the beat of the MMMS and Marvel fandom was on the rise. Go check Ebay and tell me what you find. :eek:

[BobC]

When did Tom Palmer ever ink Byrne? I didn't know that ever took place. Was it good?

[Kirk G]

When did Tom Palmer ever ink Byrne? I didn't know that ever took place. Was it good?
I thought it was during the Marvel: Lost Generation series and X-Men: The Hidden Years. But somebody check me, please. :D

[Kirk G]

I see Mile High Comics has a copy of Avengers Annual #2 for $14 and another for $19.50 on sale. There's another source for you. I could find none listed on ebay.

[Kirk G]

Hi Kirk,

Thanks for the recommendation. I picked up 56 about 2 months ago, but hadn't even considered the connection to the current Captain America storyline. Interesting.

Unfortunately, I can't get my hands on Avengers Annual 2. It's one of the few gaps in my Avengers collection. It hadn't dawned on me that it would be in Essential vol.2. I'll check it out this week.

.
I found two copies of Annual #2 at Mile High Comics for $14 and $19.50 each, on sale. I couldn't find ANY on ebay. Who's hogging these copies???
JB fans? Kang fans? I didn't think it was all that rare an issue when it came out. Commonly available. Unlike the first issue of the Kree-Skrull War arc...

[Babylon23]

Thanks for the research Kirk. I've never actually ordered from Mile High or Ebay before. I've always been more of a hands-on collector. I love sifting through back issues at my LCS.

I'm thinking that maybe I should get with the times and check out this new-fangled technology.

Oh, and Tom Palmer definitely inked Byrne on X-Men: The Hidden Years. I think Byrne inked himself of Lost Generation.

[protonik]

alot of you guys really seems to dislike him, but i think finch is the bee's knees

He could be if he could get a book out on time. I remember a glorious day and age when artists that were late got fired.

Jason

[BobC]

The Hidden Years was inked by TOM PALMER?!!! Good God. I am ever so disappointed.

[nuclearman]

John Buscema for me. I loved his run from 255 - 300.

[Babylon23]

The Hidden Years was inked by TOM PALMER?!!! Good God. I am ever so disappointed.

Hey, an inker can only work with what the penciller gives him.

[comic_lover]

The Avengers...who draws 'em better 'n anybody?George Perez is what every artist should aspire to be.On time,competent,detailed,realistic,and all class.Thank you for all the years of pleasure you have given Avengers fans George.We miss you on the book.

[Kirk G]

Thanks for the research Kirk. I've never actually ordered from Mile High or Ebay before. I've always been more of a hands-on collector. I love sifting through back issues at my LCS.

I'm thinking that maybe I should get with the times and check out this new-fangled technology.

Oh, and Tom Palmer definitely inked Byrne on X-Men: The Hidden Years. I think Byrne inked himself of Lost Generation.
Yes, there is something about the "thrill of the hunt" that a hands on search from store to store, through the back issue bins --can't be beat! :)

[protonik]

I thought it was during the Marvel: Lost Generation series and X-Men: The Hidden Years. But somebody check me, please. :D

A couple of times actually but not on Lost Generation, that was Al Milgrom. JB was inked by Tom Palmer on the Silver Surfer one shot that JB did with STan Lee and inked the majority of the Hidden years in order to help maintain that visual continuity with Neal Adams style that was used on the last few issues of X-Men before it went reprint. Joe Sinnot inked a few issues as well. I thought it was a beautiful piece of work that captured the Neal Adams and Roy Thomas era better than any attempt previously and the only flaw was the over reliance on the Savage Land as a story element. Byrne not only filled in continuity wholes for a few characters but he also heped to give them some more defined personalities. There was another time that Palmer inked JB but it is escaping me at the moment, maybe an Avengers fill in?

Jason

[Kirk G]

A couple of times actually but not on Lost Generation, that was Al Milgrom. JB was inked by Tom Palmer on the Silver Surfer one shot that JB did with STan Lee and inked the majority of the Hidden years in order to help maintain that visual continuity with Neal Adams style that was used on the last few issues of X-Men before it went reprint. Joe Sinnot inked a few issues as well. I thought it was a beautiful piece of work that captured the Neal Adams and Roy Thomas era better than any attempt previously and the only flaw was the over reliance on the Savage Land as a story element. Byrne not only filled in continuity wholes for a few characters but he also heped to give them some more defined personalities. There was another time that Palmer inked JB but it is escaping me at the moment, maybe an Avengers fill in?

Jason
Totally agreed! :D

[Predator]

Despite my respect and love for Jack Kirby, I'll have to jump on the bandwagon and go with Perez. There is no book out there that that man can't make look beautiful.

[Babylon23]

I believe Palmer also inked Byrne on Star Brand during the Pitt saga.