Comic Book Resources

Why Keith Giffen – as a writer – can´t be here? Is he too big or too outsider?

oeming?
i digged his red sonja and im loving mice templar.
i know oeming is probably more popular as an artist, but i really like his written stuff too.

Hmm…lots of potential of unsung writers, even from the big companies currently writing for them.
I look forward to more…*cough*JimmyPalmiotti*cough*

I had the same immediate reaction to Jeff Parker, for what it’s worth.

As for Giffen, he’s one of the biggest names around these days, isn’t he?

I’m really curious to see where Matt Fraction’s career ends up. What do you guys think – you think he’ll stay mostly at the same level or get to a Brubaker, or even Bendis level of popularity?

Always nice to see some Fred Van Lente and Jeff Parker love.

Did you not actually write about Alex Robinson the other day, though?

Did you not actually write about Alex Robinson the other day, though?

Not in this feature!

And Giffen is a freakin’ legend!

I think you’ll have to better define for me what makes a writer ‘well-known’. In terms of Paul Cornell’s comic book work, he’s doing a single monthly book , two mini series and a one off book. and that’s in a two year period. All of these are well acclaimed in the blogosphere I admit, but is he ‘well known’ as a comics writer?

(I mean Paul’s well known to me but I’ve known him for almost 15 years almost and have been reading his Doctor Who books even further back!)

You seemed to pick up on exactly how I meant it, Graeme, so I don’t see the need for elaboration.

I think Fraction could potentially be a new Morrison-type figure. By that, I mean I could easily imagine him fuelling one of the larger companies with big ideas for events and providing the spark that old properties need to stay fresh, while still letting off steam with Casanova-esque creator-owned comics.

Really, that’s what he’s already doing, albeit restricted to a few titles that seem to sell well and are fantastically well-received but aren’t necessarily pushed as the core Marvel books (or at least not in the same way that New Avengers, Secret Invasion etc. were).

Whether Fraction would want the level of commitment that comes with being given unbridled access to the Marvel toybox, I’m not sure. I’d be delighted to see it happen though.

Also, Brian, this is a really fun feature; I’m looking forward to seeing who DID make the cut!

I don’t think Paul Cornell is known to the general comic book audience at all. Really, if you’re not a Doctor Who fan, Cornell is either just that guy who writes the Marvel UK stuff right now or YET ANOTHER HOLLYWOOD GUY MARVEL PUT ON THEIR COMICS INSTEAD OF MY FAVORITE CREATOR, CREATOR X! or something silly (and inaccurate) like that.

And hey, look at that, you covered it somewhat above. That’s what I get for not reading the comments.

That said I still don’t think he’s all that talked about on the comics blogosphere, but then that’s why you had him and Parker on your short list and made this note in the first place.

Carry on. Don’t mind me.

Tom WB – Totally. While Bendis and Millar are writing the most-hyped stories, it seems to me like Fraction’s a natural for that “architect of the Universe” role for Marvel. And it seems like he’s stepping into it, little by little. He’s already done quite a bit with a bunch of the core characters (Iron Man, Thor, the X-Men, the Punisher), created a bevy of new characters and springboard ideas in The Order and Iron Fist and elsewhere and he seems to nail every single character he’s given.

I would’ve liked to see Paul Cornell on this list if only because I’d like to know more about what he’s done in comics (Has he done anything other than Captain Britain, Wisdom and FF: True Story?), ’cause I absolutely love his output in the last two years. And I’d agree I’m not sure he’s all that well-known as a comics writer. Also — I missed a few years here, forgive my ignorance, but who’s Kevin Huizenga?

That last “anonymous” post was me, by the way.

Anthony Johnston maybe? Until Wasteland I’d never heard of him but judging by the number of books listed in the back of the first collection it seems he’s been about for a while yet most of my comic reading friends have not heard of him or read any of his work.

Johnston’s not a bad suggestion at all, IMHO. I first noticed him with Dark Horse’s (or Image’s?) recent DEAD SPACE adapation, which I found engagingly creepy, despite my 110 percent lack of interest in computer/video/whatever games. Turns out he’s got quite the track recordm, as Giles indicates.

If I’m not overstepping your boundaries, Brian, I’d like to recommend a writer to be featured here and while he has done some mainstream work, I don’t think he is too famous (definitely not a household name) nor does he get the credit I think he deserves. And that person is Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

Who?

He was the writer of Marvel Knights 4, the ongoing Nightcrawler series, Sensational Spider-Man, Angel: Revelations, and the Dead of Night: Man-Thing mini. The man is really good at crafting a dense and chilly mood (not so much in Sensational Spider-Man), and I am honestly surprised that he hasn’t been tapped to write more series featuring the occult/horror themes.

If you feel that he is too well-know or anything, I’d understand, but I don’t think he gets enough praise.

My favorites anymore are Kirkman, Vaughan and Willingham. Too famous or not enough?

@Eric P.

Kirkman: An Image partner, meaning a McFarlane/Liefeld level of name recognition (within the industry, not from without.)

Vaughan: All but out of comics and switching to TV/Movies.

Willingham: … http://www.avclub.com/articles/willingham-calls-for-end-to-superhero-decadence-co,22227 …(not a commentary on the issue, just a reference to his fame. Will Pfeiffer could make the same comments and it wouldn’t make a ripple outside of comics boards.)

My suggestions: Duane Swiercynzski (although he really REALLY needs to fully explain Bishop’s motivation, and soon.)
Chris Yost
Marc Andreyko
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (agree with Matt. If you ignore the heavy-handed and clumsy obviousness of Angel: Revelations, it really was a fantastic mini.)
Christos Gage
Arvid Nelson
Phil Hester (the penciller, for his work on Golly)

oeming?
i digged his red sonja and im loving mice templar.
i know oeming is probably more popular as an artist, but i really like his written stuff too.

Seriously. His writing resumé is pretty impressive: Bastard Samurai, Bulletproof Monk, Thor, Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill, Ares, Cross Bronx, Six…

Lots of quality there.

Also: Brian Clevinger deserves a slot on the list, for Atomic Robo alone.

That book is a blast.

Kieron Gillem?
Si Spurrier?
Jonathan Hickman?
Peter Tomasi?
Paul Tobin?
D. Curtis Johnson?
Sterling Gates?

Oh,so many…

Byrne?

Len Kaminski

Cmon!!!

Some of these names are definitely going to pop up – but now I’ll have to delay them a bit, for more surprise factor.

Kevin Huizenga – See Lapham.

Definitely not too big considering I’ve never heard of him.

Personally I’d rule out Matt Fraction based on not really liking anything of his I’ve read (Iron Fist, Casanova, Punisher War Zone, his old column at CBR)

Definitely not too big considering I’ve never heard of him.

You could tell me you’ve never heard of Neil Gaiman, wouldn’t really impact my thinking.

In any event, you should check out Huizenga’s work – there’s a reason the fellow is so noteworthy.

Ah, but if I said it about Neil Gaiman you’d know I was either lying or a complete novice to comics.

I just googled Kevin Huizenga and I do know of him – and vaguely remember reading an online sample of his character time travelling while walking down the road. He is already on my list of people to check out. I definitely wouldn’t call him too big a name though.