Our Favorite Penciller/Inker Teams: A Classic Comics Christmas 2011

[Cei-U!]

Well, another Twelve Days of Classic Comics Christmas have come and gone. It's time once again to look back, count heads and see who liked what. Before we summarize everybody's lists, though, what say we wallow in some stats for 'arf a mo', eh?

28 participants cast 325 votes for 191 penciller/inker teams, from which one can infer that there were a buttload of multiple citations this year, far more than in any previous CCC event.

In at #1 are the team of Gene Colan & Tom Palmer with 10 votes, followed closely by Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin (9 votes) and John Byrne & (who, him again?) Terry Austin (8 votes).

6 votes: Neal Adams & Dick Giordano, Adams & Palmer, John Buscema & Palmer, Jack Kirby & Mike Royer, Kirby & Joe Sinnott, Kirby & Wally Wood, Marie and John Severin, Herb Trimpe & John Severin
5 votes: George Pérez & Pablo Marcos
4 votes: Steve Bissette & John Totleben, John Buscema & George Klein, Steve Ditko & Wood, Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson, Kirby & Vince Colletta, Dick Sprang & Charles Paris
3 votes: Ross Andru & Mike Esposito, John Buscema & Alfredo Alcala, John Buscema & Sinnott, Dick Dillin & Frank McLaughlin, Gil Kane & Klaus Janson, Frank Miller & Janson, Pérez & Romeo Tanghal, Curt Swan & Anderson, Swan & Klein, Mike Zeck & Gene Day
2 votes: Andru & Frank Giacoia/Dave Hunt, Dick Ayers & Gerry Talaoc, John and Sal Buscema, John Buscema & Ernie Chan, Sal Buscema & Janson, Colan & Steve Leialoha, Alan Davis & Paul Neary, Steve Epting & Palmer, Keith Giffen & Mahlstedt, PaulGulacy & Dan Adkins, Infantino & Joe Giella, Infantino & Sid Greene, Kane & Anderson, Kane & Greene, Kane & Ralph Reese, Kirby & Chic Stone, Michael Lark & Sean Phillips, Don Newton & Alcala, Newton & Kurt Schaffenberger, Pérez & Jerry Ordway, Rogers & "Ilya Hunch," John Romita, Sr. & Esposito, Romita, Sr. & Jim Mooney, Steve Rude & Karl Kesel, Jim Starlin & Leialoha, Alex Toth & Sy Barry, George Tuska & Colletta, J. H. Williams III & Mick Gray
1 vote: All the rest!

Unsurprisingly, the penciller most frequently mentioned was Jack Kirby (29 votes). The silver went to John Buscema (22 votes), with Gene Colan taking third place with 18 votes.

15 votes: Gil Kane
14 votes: George Pérez
13 votes: John Byrne
12 votes: Neal Adams
11 votes: Marshall Rogers, Curt Swan
10 votes: Carmine Infantino
8 votes: Ross Andru, Marie Severin
7 votes: Herb Trimpe
6 votes: Don Newton
5 votes: Sal Buscema, Dick Dillin, Steve Ditko, John Romita, Sr., Mike Zeck
4 votes: Steve Bissette, Frank Miller, Irv Novick, Dick Sprang, Jim Starlin
3 votes: Jim Aparo, Dick Ayers, Keith Giffen, John Romita, Jr., Mike Sekowsky, Barry Smith, Joe Staton, George Tuska
(I apologize for not listing those artists who received 2 or 1 votes apiece but there's a lot of 'em and I've still got a mess o' typing to do.)

Tom Palmer was far and away the most cited inker with a whopping 25 votes, but runners-up Terry Austin (18 votes) and the late Dick Giordano (15 votes) also made strong showings.

13 votes: John Severin
12 votes: Klaus Janson, Wally Wood
11 votes: Joe Sinnott
9 votes: Murphy Anderson
7 votes: Alfredo Alcala, Vince Colletta, George Klein, Pablo Marcos, Mike Royer
6 votes: Mike Esposito, Bill Everett, Sid Greene, Josef Rubinstein
5 votes: Dan Adkins, Charles Paris
4 votes: Sal Buscema, Gene Day, Frank Giacoia, Dave Hunt, Steve Leialoha, Frank McLaughlin, John Totleben
3 votes: Ernie Chan, Joe Giella, Russ Heath, Karl Kesel, Jim Mooney, Rudy Nebres, Romeo Tanghal

To be continued...

[Cei-U!]

And now, your choices:

An Ear in the Fireplace

12. Jerry Robinson & Mort Meskin
11. Don Newton & Kurt Schaffenberger
10. Alex Toth & Sy Barry
9. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
8. Jack Kirby & Mike Royer
7. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
6. Gil Kane & Murphy Anderson
5. Irv Novick & Joe Giella
4. Mike Sekowsky & Dick Giordano
3. Curt Swan & George Klein
2. Dick Sprang & Charles Paris
1. Carmine Infantino & Sid Greene

benday-dot

12. George Perez & Gene Day
11. Dick Dillin & Frank McLaughlin
10. Gene Colan & Bill Everett
9. Marie Severin & John Severin
8. Gil Kane & Sid Greene
7. John Buscema & Alfredo Alcala
6. Herb Trimpe & John Severin
5. Dick Sprang & Charles Paris
4. Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta
3. Jack Kirby & Chic Stone
2. Jack Kirby & Syd Shores
1. Jack Kirby & Mike Royer

berk

12. Gene Colan & Steve Leialoha
11. Frank Brunner & Dick Giordano
10. John Byrne & Frank Chiaramonte
9. Mike Golden & Russ Heath
8. Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta
7. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
6. Mike Zeck & Gene Day
5. George Perez & Pablo Marcos
4. John Buscema & George Klein
3. Marie Severin & John Severin
2. Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott
1. Jack Kirby & Mike Royer

Cei-U!

12. Mike Parobeck & Mike Machlan
11. Don Newton & Joe Rubinstein
10. Curt Swan & Ray Burnley
9. Herb Trimpe & John Severin
8. Gene Colan & Ernie Chan
7. Gene Colan & Steve Leialoha
6. Jack Kirby & Wally Wood
5. George Perez & Jerry Ordway
4. Jack Kirby & Bill Everett
3. Steve Rude & Karl Kesel
2. Marie Severin & John Severin
1. Ross Andru & Bill Everett

Chris N.

12. Michael Lark & Sean Phillips
11. John Byrne & Terry Austin
10. George Perez & Pablo Marcos
9. John Buscema & Sal Buscema
8. Mark Bagley & Randy Emberlin
7. Steve Epting & Tom Palmer
6. John Buscema & George Klein
5. George Perez & Joe Rubinstein
4. Steve Bissette & John Totleben
3. J. H. Williams III and Mick Gray
2. John Romita, Jr. & John Romita, Sr.
1. John Buscema & Tom Palmer

dan bailey

12. Val Mayerik & Vince Colletta
11. Jim Starlin & Steve Leialoha
10. Gil Kane & Rudy Nebres
9. Sal Buscema & Klaus Janson
8. Jack Kirby & Wally Wood
7. George Perez & Pablo Marcos
6. John Buscema & George Klein
5. Gil Kane & Wally Wood
4. Gil Kane & Sid Greene
3. Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson
2. Billy Graham & Bob McLeod
1. Marie Severin & John Severin

foxley

12. Adam Hughes & Rick Magyar
11. George Perez & John Beatty
10. Irv Novick & Tex Blaisdell
9. Denys Cowan & Rick Magyar
8. Dick Ayers & Tony DeZuñiga
7. George Perez & Romeo Tanghal
6. Alan Davis & Paul Neary
5. Esteban Maroto & Neal Adams
4. George Perez & Dick Giordano
3. Mike Zeck and John Beatty
2. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
1. Neal Adams & Dick Giordano

hondobrode

12. Steve Ditko & John Byrne
11. John Buscema & Tom Palmer
10. John Byrne & Terry Austin
9. Jerry Ordway & Dennis Janke
8. Travis Charest & Ray McCarthy
7. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
6. Jack Kirby & Wally Wood
5. Neal Adams & Tom Palmer
4. Gil Kane & Klaus Janson
3. Paul Pope & Claude St. Audin
2. J. H. Williams III & Mick Gray
1. Jose Ladronn & Juan Velasco

icctrombone

12. George Tuska & Vince Colletta
11. John Byrne & Karl Kesel
10. Gil Kane & Klaus Janson
9. John Romita, Jr. & Bob Layton
8. John Buscema & Joe Sinnott
7. John Romita, Sr. & Joe Sinnott
6. John Buscema & Dave Cockrum
5. Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta
4. Jim Starlin & Steve Leialoha
3. Curt Swan & Murphy Anderson
2. Jack Kirby & Mike Royer
1. Neal Adams & Dick Giordano

Jezebel Bond

12. John Byrne & Dave Hunt
11. Bruce Jones & Dave Stevens
10. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
9. Leinil Francis Yu & Dexter Vines
8. John Byrne & Terry Austin
7. Ross Andru & Frank Giacoia/Dave Hunt
6. John Romita & Mike Esposito
5. Ross Andru & Dick Giordano
4. Curt Swan & Murphy Anderson
3. Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott
2. Andy Kubert & Art Thibert
1. Neal Adams & Tom Palmer

JKCarrier

12. Ross Andru & Mike Esposito
11. Sal Buscema & Klaus Janson
10. Jim Starlin & P. Craig Russell
9. George Perez & Jerry Ordway
8. Mike Zeck & Gene Day
7. Steve Ditko & Wally Wood
6. Curt Swan & Al Williamson
5. Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson
4. Dick Sprang & Charles Paris
3. John Byrne & Terry Austin
2. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
1. Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott

Judomaster

12. Ernie Chan & Ricardo Villamonte
11. Curt Swan & Frank Chiaramonte
10. Gene Colan & Paul Reinman
9. Joe Staton & Bob Layton
8. Mike Zeck & Bob McLeod
7. Marshall Rogers & Ilya Hunch
6. Mike Ploog & Frank Springer
5. Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
4. Frank Springer & Mike Esposito

Kan-Man

12. Howard Chaykin & Bernie Wrightson
11. Curt Swan & Murphy Anderson
10. Joe Staton & Bob Smith
9. Dick Ayers & Gerry Talaoc
8. Kevin Maguire & Joe Rubinstein
7. Keith Giffen & Larry Mahlstedt
6. Don Newton & Dan Adkins
5. George Perez & Pablo Marcos
4. Gil Kane & Klaus Janson
3. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
2. John Byrne & Terry Austin
1. Neal Adams & Dick Giordano

Lone Ranger

12. Sal Buscema & Pablo Marcos
11. Dick Ayers & Gerry Talaoc
10. Steve Ditko & Wally Wood
9. Irv Novick & Frank McLaughlin
8. Ross Andru & Mike Esposito
7. Frank Miller & Joe Rubinstein
6. Dick Dillin & Frank McLaughlin
5. John Byrne & Terry Austin
4. Neal Adams & Dick Giordano
3. Jack Kirby & Wally Wood
2. Withdrawn
1. Alex Toth & Sy Barry

To be continued...

[Cei-U!]

MDG

12. Marshall Rogers & Ilya Hunch
11. Gil Kane & Murphy Anderson
10. Keith Giffen & Bob Oksner
9. Steve Bissette & John Totleben
8. Mike Sekowsky & Sid Greene
7. Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott
6. Curt Swan & George Klein
5. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
4. Carmine Infantino & Sid Greene
3. Don Newton & Kurt Schaffenberger
2. Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson
1. Carmine Infantino & Dennis Jensen

mrc1214

12. George Perez & Romeo Tanghal
11. Steve Bisette & John Totleben
10. Frank Miller & Klaus Janson
9. Brent Anderson & Carlos Garzon

MWGallaher

12. Marie Severin & Bill Everett
11. Jim Aparo & Sal Buscema
10. Gil Kane & Kevin Nowlan
9. Rick Veitch & Alfredo Alcala
8. Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson
7. Walt Simonson & Wally Wood
6. Jim Aparo & Kevin Nowlan
5. Ron Wilson & Armando Gil
4. Mike Kaluta & Russ Heath
3. Richard Howell & Don Heck
2. Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta
1. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer

Paulie

12. John Buscema & Ernie Chan
11. Mike Zeck & Gene Day
10. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
9. Paul Gulacy & Dan Adkins
8. Neal Adams & Tom Palmer
7. Keith Giffen & Larry Mahlstedt
6. Herb Trimpe & John Severin
5. George Perez & Romeo Tanghal
4. Barry Smith & Sal Buscema
3. John Buscema & Tom Palmer
2. Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott
1. John Buscema & Alfredo Alcala

Polar Bear

12. Curt Swan & Eric Shanower
11. Herb Trimpe & Barry Windsor-Smith
10. John Buscema & Sal Buscema
9. Joe Kubert & Nestor Redondo
8. Mike Mignola & Mark Badger
7. Greg Land & Drew Geraci
6. Steve Bissette & John Totleben
5. Jim Steranko & Joe Sinnott
4. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
3. John Byrne & Terry Austin
2. Sal Amendola & Dick Giordano
1. Michael Golden & Dick Giordano

Red Oak Kid

12. Gil Kane & Ralph Reese
11. Mike Nasser & Joe Rubinstein
10. Rich Buckler & Dick Giordano
9. Curt Swan & George Klein
8. Mike Kaluta & Bernie Wrightson
7. Alan Weiss & the Crusty Bunkers
6. Herb Trimpe & John Severin
5. John Buscema & Frank Giacoia
4. Carmine Infantino & Joe Giella
3. Barry Smith & Dan Adkins
2. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
1. Neal Adams & Dick Giordano

Rob Allen

12. Larry Lieber & Bill Everett
11. George Tuska & Billy Graham
10. Gil Kane & Dan Adkins
9. John Romita, Sr. & Jim Mooney
8. John Buscema & Tom Palmer
7. Herb Trimpe & John Severin
6. Marie Severin & John Severin
5. Steve Ditko & Wally Wood
4. Jack Kirby & Mike Royer
3. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
2. Jim Starlin & Al Milgrom
1. Neal Adams & Tom Palmer

Roquefort Raider

12. Herb Trimpe & John Severin
11. Dave Cockrum & Rudy Nebres
10. Mike Docherty & Ricardo Villagran
9. John Buscema & Ernie Chan
8. Gil Kane & Ralph Reese
7. George Tuska & Vince Colletta
6. Marie Severin & John Severin
5. Frank Miller & Klaus Janson
4. John Byrne & Joe Rubinstein
3. Paul Gulacy & Dan Adkins

Scott Harris

12. Ed Hannigan & Klaus Janson
11. Steve Epting & Tom Palmer
10. John Buscema & George Klein
9. Gene Colan & Sam Grainger
8. John Byrne & Pablo Marcos
7. Jack Kirby & Wally Wood
6. Gil Kane & Bill Everett
5. John Buscema & Tom Palmer
4. George Perez & Pablo Marcos
3. Barry Smith & Syd Shores
2. Neal Adams & Tom Palmer
1. John Buscema & Joe Sinnott

Scott Shaw!

12. Frank Robbins & Frank Springer
11. Ramona Fradon & Mike Royer
10. Carmine Infantino & Terry Austin
9. Steve Ditko & Wally Wood
8. Marie Severin & Johnny Craig
7. Gil Kane & Russ Heath
6. Mike Sekowsky & Bernard Sachs
5. Dick Sprang & Charles Paris
4. Sergio Aragones & George Perez
3. Ross Andru & John Severin
2. Gilbert Shelton & Paul Mavrides
1. Jack Kirby & Chic Stone

shaxper

12. Rick Hoberg & Rudy Nebres
11. Jim Aparo & Mike DeCarlo
10. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
9. Carmine Infantino & Joe Giella
8. Bob Kane & Charles Paris
7. Gene Colan & Klaus Janson
6. Norm Breyfogle & Steve Mitchell
5. Alan Davis & Paul Neary
4. Irv Novick & Dick Giordano
3. Neal Adams & Dick Giordano
2. Don Newton & Alfredo Alcala
1. Gene Colan & Alfredo Alcala

Slam Bradley

12. Dick Dillin & Frank McLaughlin
11. Joe Staton & George Freeman
10. Eduardo Barreto & Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
9. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer
8. Tim Truman & Alcatena
7. Michael Lark & Sean Phillips
6. Jack Kirby & Wally Wood
5. Ernie Colón & Tony DeZuñiga
4. Ross Andru & Mike Esposito
3. Steve Rude & Karl Kesel
2. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
1. Don Newton & Alfredo Alcala

The Confessor

12. Curt Swan & Dave Hunt
11. Alan Kupperberg & Jim Mooney
10. Jim Steranko & Frank Giacoia
9. Frank Miller & Klaus Janson
8. Jack Kirby & Steve Ditko
7. John Romita, Jr. & Scott Hanna
6. Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Ricardo Villagran
5. Tim Truman & Sam Glanzman
4. Ross Andru & Frank Giacoia/Dave Hunt
3. John Romita, Sr. & Mike Esposito
2. John Romita, Sr. & Jim Mooney
1. Walt Simonson & Tom Palmer

zilch

12. Dick Dillin & Dick Giordano
11. Marshall Rogers & Terry Austin
10. Neal Adams & Tom Palmer
9. Bob Brown & Klaus Janson
8. Dick Dillin & Sid Greene
7. Sal Buscema & Joe Staton
6. Jack Kirby & Mike Royer
5. John Buscema & Tom Palmer
4. Jack Kirby & Joe Simon
3. John Byrne & Terry Austin
2. Bruno Premiani & Ray Burnley
1. Sal Buscema & Sam Grainger

To be concluded:

[Cei-U!]

As always, half the fun of these surveys is seeing why folks chose who they chose. You can see those whys and wherefores in the original threads by clicking on the following links:

Advance Warning
The First Day
The Second Day
The Third Day
The Fourth Day
The Fifth Day
The Sixth Day
The Seventh Day
The Eighth Day
The Ninth Day
The Tenth Day
The Eleventh Day
The Twelfth Day

Finally, I'd like to say that this year's Twelve Days will forever hold a special meaning for me, as it wouldn't have happened at all without a certain gang of Classics regulars whose collective initials are FOOK. If you had fun with this, it's thanks to them!

Cei-U!
I summon the happiest of New Years for each and every one of you!

[Polar Bear]

Thanks for compiling all these statistics, Kurt! That is indeed a lot of typing.

This whole process has been absolutely fascinating--and, as usual, rather damaging to my already-heavy want list. Happy New Year!

[Scott Harris]

Scott Harris

12. Ed Hannigan & Klaus Janson
11. Steve Epting & Tom Palmer
10. John Buscema & George Klein
9. Gene Colan & Sam Grainger
8. John Byrne & Pablo Marcos
7. Jack Kirby & Wally Wood
6. Gil Kane & Bill Everett
5. John Buscema & Tom Palmer
4. George Perez & Pablo Marcos
3. Barry Smith & Syd Shores
2. Neal Adams & Tom Palmer

Hey Curt, just one note. I did list my number one team, I just never got around to explaining it. It was John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Thanks for all the good work ^^

[Jezebel Bond]

Not a surprise that not one permutation and/or combination out of 191 mentioned...



Not to impugn any silent endorsements that he might have had, of course...

[Chris N]

I've left this Christmas with a new appreciation for:
Gene Day
Wally Wood as an inker. Best I've ever seen Kirby look.

[icctrombone]

It's funny but I had the opposite view about Wood inking Kirby. I'm a big Kirby fan and I felt Wood took the energy away from his artwork.

[MDG]

[icctrombone]

Wow! did you do that yourself?

[An Ear In The Fireplace]

Thanks for the all the hard work. It was an educational experience.

[Cei-U!]

Hey Curt, just one note. I did list my number one team, I just never got around to explaining it. It was John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Thanks for all the good work ^^

So noted. The stats have been updated to reflect this omission. Thanks for the heads up, Scott (and it's Kurt with a K, by the way).

Cei-U!
I summon the virtual Liquid Paper!

[Scott Harris]

So noted. The stats have been updated to reflect this omission. Thanks for the heads up, Scott (and it's Kurt with a K, by the way).

Cei-U!
I summon the virtual Liquid Paper!

Oh, I retconned your name back during Crisis. Editorial fiat, sorry.

[icctrombone]

Oh, I retconned your name back during Crisis. Editorial fiat, sorry.

Oh snap! Maybe we'll all be started over. call us the New Classic U...