Greatest comic book artists ever?

[kalel21]

It's very subjective, of course, but here's why I think Russ Heath, Carl Barks and Jack Kirby are among the best comic book artists ever:

http://comicsradio.blogspot.com/2013/02/holding-tank-hostage.html

[paw broon]

"It's very subjective, of course" kalel21
Yes indeed.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to get involved in this one again 'cos I've learned quite a bit about why Kirby, for instance, was so important from a previous discussion.  I'm still not that sure that I get that but that could be my background.  So, deep breath, I'm a big fan of Heath and Barks, preferring the look of both to that of a lot of Kirby.  But, there are more comics than American comics and I would offer Frank Hampson.  Have a look here:-
http://www.dandare.org/dan/stories/venus/venus.html
Here's a bit of Ron Turner - best spaceships in comics:-
http://britishcomicart.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/space-ace.html
If we stick to American comics, I'd add Lou Fine, Eisner (who couldn't possibly be left out of this debate, imo) Jack Cole.  Oh, by the way, where does Joe Kubert figure in your opinion?

[kalel21]

Thanks for the links--especially to Turner's art. Those are indeed superb spaceships.

Joe Kubert is also very high on my list. In fact, I have to admit that my slight preference for Heath's work on DC's war comics is completely subjective, because I could not give you an objective example of why Heath edges Kubert out in my mind. For whatever reason, Heath clicks with me just a little more emotionally than does Kubert.

[narfstar]

To me Heath is represented by his wash covers like Sea Devils

[cimmerian32]

My personal favourites...

Frank Frazetta
Alex Raymond
Matt Baker
Lily Renee
Dave Stevens
Graham Ingels
Joe Kubert
Jim Steranko
Pablo Marcos
John Severin
Maurice Whitman
Jack Kamen
Earl Norem
Robert Crumb
Dave Sheridan
Tom Sutton

By no means a comprehensive list, but those are definitely my top picks (that I can think of right now )

[tilliban]

To me (1950s aficionado) it's

Harvey Kurtzman
Johnny Craig
Bob Powell
Bernard Krigstein
Reed Crandall

and of course

Will Eisner
Carl Barks

(can't leave them at the curb).

[Geo (RIP)]

Lots of great artists on those lists that I like to see art by.

One I expected to see was Al Williamson, along with Murphy Anderson, Al McWilliams, George Evans, Everett Raymond Kinstler for a few more of the popular artists out there.

Geo

[narfstar]

I have never been good at ranking my likes and they change frequently. Things fit in blocks of hate it/dislike it/so-so/like it/love it.

[Poztron]

I have a vague memory that I may have previously posted such a list somewhere in this forum, but as of this moment, my favorite GA greats would include:

Will Eisner
Harvey Kurtzman
Will Elder
Jack Davis
Russ Heath
John Severin
Matt Baker
Rudy Palais
Mo Gollub
Lily Renee
Fran Hopper
Jack Cole
Nic Cardy
Klaus Nordling
Simon & Kirby
Bob Powell
Carl Barks
Lee Elias
Bob Lubbers
and one more to make it an even twenty:
Alex Toth

[Yoc]

Very nice list Poz.
Mo Gollub is a new name to me.

[darkmark (RIP)]

Mo did a heck of a lot of those beautiful painted covers for Dell / Gold Key.

[kalel21]

Mo did a heck of a lot of those beautiful painted covers for Dell / Gold Key.

Gold Key/Dell painted covers were fantastic. I was always a little disappointed that they usually went with photo covers for their TV show adaptations. I would have loved to see painted covers by Gollub for shows like I Spy or Man from UNCLE.

[mr_goldenage (RIP)]

What? No Wally Wood? Thunder Agents alone would put him there and what about Wally's 1950's work?. My dream 1960's team would have been Steranko with Wood. Just look @ Woods inks over Ditko....and what? no Ditko? Spiderman & Dr. Strange anyone? I know they're not classics but still......JMT's

Mr Goldenage

[JVJ (RIP)]

Yes, it's a very subjective topic, but is there any OBJECTIVE criteria that can be applied to the choice? Otherwise it's just a popularity contest. I mean, Lily Renee was an okay artist, but did she really contribute as much to the medium as Wally Wood? Was Klaus Nordling as "good" as Lou Fine? Why was Rudy Palais "greater" than Al Williamson? Looks to me like Poz is running down the list of Fiction House 1940s greats - which is certainly a who's who of cb talent, but not necessarily the creme de la creme.

How are we to "judge" what makes a comic book artist "great"? Or maybe we should just relabel this topic: "Favorite Comic Book Artist". I always like to understand the underlying logic behind the decision/choices.

Peace, Jim (|:{>

[Yoc]

Good points Jim.  A small change to the topic subject but it makes it a lot clearer.
I'm sweet on H.G. Peter these days.