From: midnight@mdnite.enet.dec.com (Dr. Midnight)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc
Subject: Re: Favorite Writers
Date: 17 Dec 92 14:54:21 GMT
Reply-To: midnight@mdnite.enet.dec.com
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation



I'm one of those whose criteria for a good comic is biased more towards the art
than the writing.  If I saw a good looking book, I'd probably buy it over
buying a book written by say, Shakesphere that was illustrated by a hack.

That said, there are some writers who I do think are better than others:

...
(in no particular order, with no particular degree of "Gotta Read 'em"):

John Byrne -- can be counted on for a good, solid story, even if they don't
teem with originality.

Frank Miller -- see above, although I do not care particularly for the emphasis
on ninjas, mysticism and so forth that I saw prevalent in Daredevil and
Elektra.  Still, an interesting tale. 

Chris Claremont -- not my favorite, but when he's on, he's on.  If he would
only not feel compelled to apply liberal doses of angst and "Strong Women Who
Imitate Wolverine's Schtick", I'd like him a lot better.  (Note: I have
nothing against strong women characters, but anything to excess becomes, well,
excessive.)

Peter David -- Not someone who curls my toes everytime I read him, but like
Byrne, can be counted on for a nice, solid story.  Like him more when he's
being flippant than perfectly straight (some X-factor).  And hell, I never read
the Hulk before issue 390something, not particularly liking the character.  But
I liked the book enough to pick up a few more, probably more due to the writing
than anything else.

Keith Giffen -- might have the name wrong.  He wrote a lot of the Lobo stuff
and is responsible for manifesting the most outrageous spoof of everything
that's supposed to be so 'hot' in comics today.  Anybody who can turn Santa
Claus into a bad-ass knife fighter has my vote.

Mark Gruenwald -- I like his treatment of Capt. America, or at least I did
while I was still reading it.  No trend-setting prose here, but Good Old Basic
Super Hero Storytelling.  

Larry Hama -- if only *he* would get off the ninja mysticism kick, I'd like him
better, too.  Paint me shallow, but hell, I liked GI Joe there for a while, and
I liked his Wolverine (another character I don't particularly care for).  Fun,
action-movie stuff.

Mark (Something) -- did the DNAgents and a couple other books which escape my
memory.  

Ty Templeton -- loved Stig's. Couldn't get enough of it.  Nuff said.

Kyle Baker -- another artist/writer with a great sense for what's funny. 
Probably the only one so far who'd I buy a book because his name was on it.

Walt Simonson -- Loved his Thor.  Love his art.  Can't stand Louise (well, her
storytelling, she's probably a nice enough person), but that's another topic.


Masmune Shirow -- (mentioned in artist's topic.  Does some nifty manga, much of
which has been translated to English) -- pontificates a bit, but haven't seen
the genre done any better.   ("If this was a realistic comic, you'd be
as dead as a can of tuna right now.")

..and many others, I'm sure.





--
Midnight
midnight@mdnite.enet.dec.com
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