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Post by Trevor on May 9, 2022 7:11:22 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Nine Choices
Only a couple more slates after today, I promise you we’re almost done here.
Our final Manga Monday cheats in two ways. First, it includes all non-US creators, and two, it’s another wildcard option day. So if any non-US creators are still to be revealed in your top ten, please tell us all about them now.
Hopefully you’re not boring like me and have only US/English creators on your list. Hopefully my list in ten years has nobody from the big-two and at least half non-US creators.
Kazou Koike wrote some of the biggest names in manga (and adapted into anime) history; Lone Wolf and Cub, Lady Snowblood, and Crying Freeman.
Hayao Miyazaki didn’t go a ton of manga, but Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is a landmark.
Takehiko Inoue is most known for the huge sellers Slam Dunk and Vagabond.
Moto Hagio is a founding mother of shōjo manga (girls comics), so perhaps not many of her main target audience here.
Go Nagai pioneered many genres of manga, and is know for Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z.
Albert Uderzo drew, and wrote for a time, Asterix. He is best know for that of course, but did a couple other notable works with René Goscinny. René died way too soon, and worked on other titles, notably decades of Lucky Luke.
Lucky Luke creator Morris didn’t do much else, but almost 50 years on that beloved title might be enough for one of you to have him on your list.
Hugo Pratt, one of the Group of Venice, is best known for Corto Maltese.
Are the myriad works of Alejandro Jodorowsky great enough to make your list?
Can you ignore the controversies and put Dave Sim on your list?
And again, so many more deserve to be discussed I’m sure, as I’m about the last person you want writing about international comics. So please use your wildcards and tell us about them.
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Post by Trevor on May 9, 2022 7:06:16 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Eight Response and Wrap—Up
I wish I had met Len Wein (and Bernie Wrightson). Their 1970s Swamp Thing is one of the main reasons I’m here today. Still one of the best ten issue runs in comic history.
Definitely wouldn’t be here if we had no Swamp Thing or Micronauts. Plop got me started, but Swamp Thing and then Micronauts cemented me as a collector. As great of Golden’s art was, Bill Mantlo deserves most of the credit for making Micronauts (and Rom) so good.
But as close as they are, my list remains at 9. Frank Miller Jack Kirby Carl Barks Alan Moore Mike Mignola Jeff Lemire Bernie Wrightson Matt Wagner Will Eisner
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Post by Trevor on May 8, 2022 7:46:56 GMT -5
Pretty much every Bronze Age choice today was an important part of my childhood, but I actually need to play the wildcard: Dave CockrumCostume designer without peer, my favorite Legion of Super-Heroes artist during also my favorite era, and of course his classic X-Men run. I also just happen to really like him as an artist overall. And with that, I have crossed the finish line with my top ten and really love how the list finally came together. Thanks Trevor , a lot of fun here and definitely a lot of new names for me to explore in the process. Ross Andru John Buscema Sal Buscema Dave Cockrum Steve Ditko José Luis García-López Gil Kane Jack Kirby George Pérez Curt Swan Cockrum was actually 11th in my queue to list when I decided to cut it off at ten. Love his work too. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and I hope the exercise gets all of us to explore something outside our comfort zone. Still three more slates after today though!
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Post by Trevor on May 8, 2022 6:34:42 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Eight Choices
Standard disclaimers on this Bronze Age slate: many of these spanned multiple Ages, many others were nominated earlier, and many great creators won’t be mentioned here due to space. So please use wildcards if needed and tell us all about your Bronze Age favorites.
Bronze Age 1970-1985
Rich Buckler drew for just about every comic company ever, but is probably best known for creating Deathlok and drawing a lot of Fantastic Four. I know him best from his great DC work on All-Star Squadron and World’s Finest. We all owe him thanks for not only decades of great art, but for giving George Perez his first job in the industry. Mike Grell has so many career highlights. He’d be on this list just for his creation Warlord, but also had memorable runs on Legion and Green Lantern, rebooted Green Arrow in 1987, and created Jon Sable. Len Wein would be here just for co-creating Swamp Thing. But he also co-created a minor character over at Marvel called Wolverine, and most of the new X-Men. I can’t do his career justice, but just his editing or just his writing would be enough to consider him among the greats. Dick Giordano started drawing comics in the Golden Age, and continued into the Modern Age, but I think best belongs here. An amazing career editing and managing lines, and still drawing up until his death in 2010. I had forgotten that he inked some issues of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. Mark Evanier has written books for several companies, but is probably best known for working with Sergio on what must be close to 200 issues of Groo. He’s also a great comic historian and has had numerous must-read columns and blogs over the decades. Bill Mantlo co-created Rocket Racoon and Cloak & Dagger, and is perhaps best known for long writing runs on the licensed properties Rom and Micronauts. Both were so much better than most such comics, and I’m continually saddened that he was the victim of a hit-and-run accident and has been in institutional care for 30 years now. Al Milgrom co-created Firestorm, but is probably best known for his Marvel work that included helming Marvel Fanfare, inking a lot of Starlin, and runs writing, penciling, or inking many characters. Davis Michelinie co-created Venom, Carnage, Scott Lang, Claw, and War Machine. Has written a lot for Marvel and DC, and several other companies, from 1974 to today. Jim Shooter has made an impact. I’ll let somebody else flesh out some thoughts on him if they choose. Frank Brunner did beautiful work at Marvel in the 70s on mostly Doctor Strange and Howard the Duck. Has a few bits of other notable work at various companies but has apparently been mostly working in the film industry since the 90s. Had a couple Marvel stories pop up in 2010. Not a ton of info easy to find on his life and career decisions, will have to seek out interviews or stories about him. Anyone know more?
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Post by Trevor on May 8, 2022 6:31:55 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Seven Response and Wrap—Up
I’m sure I’m not the only one who as a kid didn’t appreciate the classic art of people like Don Heck and Carmine Infantino, and gravitated to the “flashy” and “new” artists. I’ve grown to appreciate these masters, but I’m now more into stylized and off-beat art and don’t care much for the classic superhero styles.
That said, I was big into Superman as a kid so Curt Swan will always be fairly high up my list, not top ten anymore though. Those years of buying 20 cent DC comics off the racks at 7-11 will always be my fondest comic memories.
The more I learn of and read Archie Goodwin, the more I realize we owe a lot to him. Marie Severin too. Workhorses who deserved more spotlight.
My list stays at 9. Frank Miller Jack Kirby Carl Barks Alan Moore Mike Mignola Jeff Lemire Bernie Wrightson Matt Wagner Will Eisner
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Post by Trevor on May 8, 2022 5:21:08 GMT -5
My local shop (Super Fly Comics and Games) has no limit on how many you can get, so I only made one stop at a comic shop today, picked up my pull, got what I wanted of the freebies, and picked up a handful of D&D minis taking advantage of their storewide sale 925% off everything). The only other stop we made was at a local game store that was having a grand reopening under new ownership (the employees pooled their resources and bought the store whenthe previous owner of nearly 30 years decided to close up shop), where Mrs MRP spent a ton on gaming stuff, but no comics. -M How does a discount over 100% work? You get everything for free, and 8.25 times the value given on future purchases when they restock the store.
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Post by Trevor on May 7, 2022 14:49:27 GMT -5
Anyone hitting FCBD? I’m having fun doing my usual and trying to track them all down. My wonderful wife accompanied me to two stores that allowed ten each with food bank donation, so that knocked off 40 of them. Have a few coming thru DCBS, and my main store allowed 6. I mostly skipped the huge stacks of Marvel and DC ones, figuring I can find those after today.
My main store is also having a 30% off back issues sale, and has put out a lot of new stock recently. They have 100s of long boxes of back issues.
I found the complete run of the old CrossGen series Ruse for $1 an issue, so 70 cents times 26. Why not?
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Post by Trevor on May 7, 2022 14:29:49 GMT -5
Some of you had never heard of one of the earlier modern choices, Tillie Walden. She has a book part of Free Comic Book Day today, a Walking Dead story of all things. Probably not as good as her own stuff, but will give you a taste.
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Post by Trevor on May 6, 2022 8:39:58 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Seven Choices
Again, many of the below “Silver” list crossed over into other ages, we’ve discussed many of this era already, and the thread isn’t big enough to mention everyone.
But as we wrap this up over the next few slates, please discuss your thoughts on any mostly Silver Age creators and include wildcards of any pure Silver creators if needed to complete your list.
Silver Age 1956-1970
Carmine Infantino helped create the Silver Age Flash, Black Canary, and so many others. Like all these, unfair to try to summarize their work and impact on the industry. Curt Swan will always be the best Superman artist imho. Archie Goodwin deserves consideration for developing Creepy and Eerie, fleshing out Vampirella, tons of great writing, and solid leadership. George Tuska worked at a lot of companies and on many strips, and is yet another to get his start with Eisner & Iger. He co-created characters including Luke Cage. Don Heck co-created Iron Man, Black Widow, Wasp, Hawkeye, and Wonder Man. Arnold Drake was a long-time writer who co-created Deadman, Doom Patrol, and Guardians of the Galaxy. John’s younger sister Marie Severin had a long and varied influential career, co-creating Spider-Woman and Dr. Bong, and having art credits from 1949 to 2005. She is yet another to have work on Mad or it’s imitators.
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Post by Trevor on May 6, 2022 8:36:58 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Six Response and Wrap—Up
I’ve read a little work from all of these creators, and appreciate it, but haven’t explored enough of it to put on my list. Guess I started collecting in the Bronze Age, dug back a lot into the Silver, but with the modern age and underground comics being so plentiful, I haven’t made the time to appreciate older stuff as much as I should.
My list remains at 9. Frank Miller Jack Kirby Carl Barks Alan Moore Mike Mignola Jeff Lemire Bernie Wrightson Matt Wagner Will Eisner
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Post by Trevor on May 4, 2022 21:35:07 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Six Choices
Ok, last five or so slates, so please help close this out with some good discussion and give your thoughts on anything Golden Age related.
Delayed post here, so this slate and wildcard will go until Friday at least. We’ve had a few Golden Age artists in previous days, but I know that trying to properly cover all the rest in one day is impossible. Any list less than dozens and dozens is going to leave important people out, and many of these worked into later Ages too. And perhaps some that you think should be here will be in the Silver Age slate. So please forgive me, and do discuss your thoughts on any mostly Golden Age creators.
Golden Age 1938 to 1956
Lou Fine was the favorite artist of many artists of his day. I loved being able to enjoy C.C. Beck’s return to Captain Marvel/Shazam and his column in the Comics Journal. Otto Binder helped create Mary Marvel, Supergirl, Kid Eternity, and Krypto to name a few. Nick Cardy did beautiful work on Aquaman and Teen Titans, and so many great covers. Jack Cole’s innovative storytelling was so ahead of it’s time, and his Plastic Man is still a joy to read. He was still going strong with great gag strips in Playboy and a daily comic strip when he mysteriously killed himself. We might not all be here without Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel. Bill Everett created or helped create Marvel icons Namor, Zombie, and Daredevil; and is yet another who died way too young. Much can be written about Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Gardner Fox wrote so many good stories, and co-created characters such as Zatanna, Hourman, Flash, Doctor Fate, Sandman, and Barbara Gordon. He also created the frigging Multiverse! I almost bought a copy of Flash #123 today. I just learned that Ramona Fradon drew Brenda Starr for 15 years, in addition to her work at mostly DC on titles like Aquaman and Super Friends. She co-created Aqualad and Metamorpho. The storytelling of Floyd Gottfredson is better than pretty much all comics of it’s day, and many even today. Jerry Iger is another of many on this list who worked with Will Eisner. Russ Heath shouldn’t need much introduction, but he also did the art on those famous Roman and Revolutionary War toy soldier set advertisements we all grew up with on the backs of comic books. ` Joe Orlando had influential work on Creepy, Mad, EC and DC comics. He is the only artist beside Dave Gibbons with art in Watchmen. He was the editor of all the titles that made me a comic book collector; Plop, Swamp Thing, and House of Mystery. Bob Powell’s many wonderful credits include the Mars Attacks card art. Jerry Robinson co-created many of the major Batman players, unless you believe Bob Kane. He worked with Neal Adams to help secure more rights for creators. Frank Robbins created and drew the Johnny Hazard strip for over 30 years, and co-created Man-Bat, and helped launch my Plop! John Severin was one of the greatest war comics artist, was a Mad founding artist, and I loved his later stuff in Cracked. Captain Joe Simon America is so important in the super-hero genre, but also helped create the Romance comics genre, created Prez, and founded Sick.
If these are in your top ten claim them now. And if any mostly Golden Age creator is in your top ten, use a wildcard or five.
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Post by Trevor on May 4, 2022 21:23:50 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Five Response and Wrap—Up
I’ve largely ignored manga until fairly recently, and know that I have a lot of great discoveries ahead of me in this “genre”.
Bought and loved Lone Wolf and Cub back when First started reprinting it here in the states, but other than that I’ve read almost nothing until the past year.
I’ve started an AstroBoy read-thru, trying to read at least 40+ pages a month. And I have a couple Junji Ito books in my bedside stack and expect to love his work.
My list remains at 9. Frank Miller Jack Kirby Carl Barks Alan Moore Mike Mignola Jeff Lemire Bernie Wrightson Matt Wagner Will Eisner
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Post by Trevor on May 3, 2022 15:16:45 GMT -5
Oh, this looks fun, sorry I’ve missed it this long.
Always was and still am a sucker for trying new titles, so my spending starts with:
Frankenstein #1 Walt Disney’s World of Adventure #1 then Justice League of America #18 Flash #135 Mystery in Space #82 Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #67 Unknown Worlds #22 House of Secrets #59 Rip Hunter... Time Master #13
How old am I? Has puberty started? I’ll finish my list with: The Nurses #1
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Post by Trevor on May 3, 2022 6:09:58 GMT -5
No new slate today as I figure out the last few days of this thing. Get ready for groups of Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Modern creators, each with the wildcard option so that everyone can reveal and comment on their entire ten as we wrap this thing up. Volunteers to write up a slate or make suggestions always welcome.
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Post by Trevor on May 2, 2022 6:46:39 GMT -5
Day Thirty-Five Choices
Ok, we’re in the home stretch of this experiment everyone, basically one week left. Day 42 is the end. So get any ideas to me asap. Today is the first of two Manga Mondays. Big thanks to @dizzy D for the good parts of the below write-ups, and I apologize to him if my added commentary if off base.
Osamu Tezuka: The godfather of manga. Astroboy is probably his most popular creation, but he produced many very different works in his life, like Letter to Adolf, Buddha and Black Jack. The cartoon of his creation Kimba the White Lion is a favorite of mine, and I still think that they should have sued Disney over stealing it for The Lion King.
Kentaro Miura: Where Tezuka has done many different works, Miura is mostly known for one title only, Berserk, the very dark medieval fantasy manga that has inspired many works. His artwork was heavily detailed and draws from both modern as medieval influences. Died way too young at only 54, last year.
Junji Ito: Another mangaka known for his dark and disturbing works is Junji Ito, one of the foremost horror artists in Japan. Though his most famous works are dark and disturbing, often centering on the corruption of the human body and mind, he also has short stories that are more absurdist in tone as well as an semi-autobiographical story about his housecats.
Akira Toriyama: Going for more lighter fare: Akira Toriyama is best known for the fighting manga Dragonball, though this work started out as a comedy like most of his works. He's also been the designer on many video games, Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest being the most famous of them.
Eiichiro Oda: With nearly 500 million copies sold of his tour-de-force, the pirate manga One Piece, Eiichiro Oda is one of the best-selling authors ever. Running weekly for nearly 25 years and still ongoing, One Piece is a massive undertaking (Oda has said it is going to end in 2025, but that remains to be seen).
Naoko Takeuchi: Creator of Sailor Moon, establishing a genre in itself, but she created many other works as well (though Sailor Moon is one of the few long-running works that she completed).
Rumiko Takahashi: (Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha and many others) Eisner Hall of Fame member and probably the most successful female comic artist in the world.
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