Best Current Writer? Noms here, poll to follow!

[FFB]

Brian Michael Bendis. I know he's the "popular" choice, but as someone who has written a comic -script before (for fun, not for publishing purposes), I think it is superhuman how many of them he can put out at one time, and still have them all be really good. There are days when I think that he has single-handedly saved Marvel's publishing division.

[PedigreeMan]

After reading the 1st TPB of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing I didn't see what all the hype was about. Didn't hook me in. Guess he is an acquired taste that I just haven't gained.

 

Wow, I'm astonished at this. I read "Anatomy Lesson" (from Saga of the Swamp Thing #21) in 7th grade and was completely blown away. Maybe it needs to be read stand-alone, outside of the concept of a "story arc."

 

Alan

[PedigreeMan]

I'd have to add Darwyn Cooke. He singlehandedly brought back Cat Woman and New Frontier rocks. He may not get any votes, but he deserves to be on the list.

 

Brian, have you ever read Martian Manhunter: American Secrets from 1992? If you think New Frontier rocks, track down this 3 issue mini. Trust me on this one.

 

Alan

[Smokinghawk]

Bendis.

 

His Daredevil work is fantastic, and I've really liked Ultimate Six as well.

[OldGuy]

I'd have to add Darwyn Cooke. He singlehandedly brought back Cat Woman and New Frontier rocks. He may not get any votes, but he deserves to be on the list.

 

Brian, have you ever read Martian Manhunter: American Secrets from 1992? If you think New Frontier rocks, track down this 3 issue mini. Trust me on this one.

 

Alan

 

I haven't read it. Thanks for the recommendation.

[chrisco37]

Here's an unpopular position... Alan Moore is overrated. Although I thought Watchmen and Killing Joke were very good, as was the work on Miracleman and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen --- I find a lot of his efforts subpar. Top Ten, Promethea, and Tom Strong all seem rather ordinary to me.

 

Although I enjoy Alan Moore, I think his reputation exceeds his actual quality of work at this point. Is Alan Moore a very, very good writer? Yes, he's proven himself as steady... but I think people are putting his work on pedastal because of Watchmen, and from that standpoint, I find him to be overrated.

 

After reading the 1st TPB of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing I didn't see what all the hype was about. Didn't hook me in. Guess he is an acquired taste that I just haven't gained.

 

I'm stunned speechless.

[localshop]

After reading the 1st TPB of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing I didn't see what all the hype was about. Didn't hook me in. Guess he is an acquired taste that I just haven't gained.

 

Wow, I'm astonished at this. I read "Anatomy Lesson" (from Saga of the Swamp Thing #21) in 7th grade and was completely blown away. Maybe it needs to be read stand-alone, outside of the concept of a "story arc."

 

Alan

 

I'm equally astonished. "Anatomy Lesson" is a fantastic comic book, alone, or as part of that story arc. I love Moore's stuff, and he should certainly be on the poll at least.

[Clark Khaos-migration]

After reading the 1st TPB of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing I didn't see what all the hype was about. Didn't hook me in. Guess he is an acquired taste that I just haven't gained.

 

Wow, I'm astonished at this. I read "Anatomy Lesson" (from Saga of the Swamp Thing #21) in 7th grade and was completely blown away. Maybe it needs to be read stand-alone, outside of the concept of a "story arc."

 

Alan

 

I'm equally astonished. "Anatomy Lesson" is a fantastic comic book, alone, or as part of that story arc. I love Moore's stuff, and he should certainly be on the poll at least.

 

I thought Alan Moore retired from comic writing?

[OldGuy]

After reading the 1st TPB of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing I didn't see what all the hype was about. Didn't hook me in. Guess he is an acquired taste that I just haven't gained.

 

Wow, I'm astonished at this. I read "Anatomy Lesson" (from Saga of the Swamp Thing #21) in 7th grade and was completely blown away. Maybe it needs to be read stand-alone, outside of the concept of a "story arc."

 

Alan

 

I'm equally astonished. "Anatomy Lesson" is a fantastic comic book, alone, or as part of that story arc. I love Moore's stuff, and he should certainly be on the poll at least.

 

I thought Alan Moore retired from comic writing?

 

He's the Mike Tyson of comic writers.

[delekkerste]

After reading the 1st TPB of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing I didn't see what all the hype was about. Didn't hook me in. Guess he is an acquired taste that I just haven't gained.

 

Wow, I'm astonished at this. I read "Anatomy Lesson" (from Saga of the Swamp Thing #21) in 7th grade and was completely blown away. Maybe it needs to be read stand-alone, outside of the concept of a "story arc."

 

Alan

 

I loved Moore's 1980s work, particularly his stupendous Swamp Thing run. Unfortunately, I have to side with Brian - I haven't been impressed by an Alan Moore work in over a decade. I thought "From Hell" was so bad that after I finished it, I immediately listed it on eBay and sold it - I didn't want that POS in my collection. IMO, LXG 1 was a good effort, though the hype was so enormous that I felt let down. And, to me, LXG 2 just stank. I picked up an issue here and there of his other recent projects, but was less than impressed by all of them.

 

Anyway, I would nominate for best current writer:

 

Bruce Jones (Hulk) - I know this is unpopular with some people, but forgetting the continuity baggage of the Hulk, his storytelling is deliciously subtle, intricate and downright delicious. I truly believe this guy is writing at a level that is so far above almost everyone else at this point and it is a shame that people aren't able to look past the baggage and appreciate a master at the top of his game.

 

Mark Millar (Ultimates, Wanted, UFF, etc.)

 

Steve Niles (30 Days of Night spin-offs, Cal Macdonald mini-series, etc.)

 

Gene

[localshop]

I loved Moore's 1980s work, particularly his stupendous Swamp Thing run. Unfortunately, I have to side with Brian - I haven't been impressed by an Alan Moore work in over a decade. I thought "From Hell" was so bad that after I finished it, I immediately listed it on eBay and sold it - I didn't want that POS in my collectioin. IMO, LXG 1 was a good effort, though the hype was so enormous that I felt let down. And, to me, LXG 2 just stank. I picked up an issue here and there of his other recent projects, but was less than impressed by all of them.

 

Gene, the prospect of the Arse' doing the Treble has scrambled your brain.

 

[BachelorOfComix]

Joanna. 'Nuff Said!

[s-man]

::cough::::cough::Byrne/Claremont::cough::::cough::

[drice6900]

::cough::::cough::Byrne/Claremont::cough::::cough::

 

Hey, the title says "Current" writer, not 70's writer!

[Robert]

Overall, I'd go with Brubaker, Ellis, Millar and Azzarello. I like the overwhelming majority of their work, love a good-sized chunk of it and they all currently produce excellent material.

 

The next batch is guys who I love at times, but have/had some pretty serious misses for me: JMS, Brian K. Vaughan, Morrison, Ennis, Rucka, Winick and Loeb.

 

Newish writers that I like a great deal so far: Andy Diggle, Bill Willingham and Will Pfeifer.

[rob_react]

Newish writers that I like a great deal so far: ...Bill Willingham

 

Willingham has a long history in comics. He's been around since 1984 when he was doing The Elementals, a superhero series for Comico that he both wrote and drew. He's done a bunch of stuff since then, including a porno comic he wrote and drew called Ironwood, published by Eros about 10-12 years ago.

 

There are two pages of his art in board member, Nighthawk Comics'

amazing original art collection.

[chrisco37]

Steve Niles (30 Days of Night spin-offs,

 

Good nomination, Gene. I really enjoy all of the "30 Days" stuff. Some of the "twists" are a little predictable (ie. the ending to "Dark Days", the ending to the first story in the Annual), but they are always enjoyable.

 

I hope that the movie stays true to Niles vision. It's a great premise for a vampire story.

[RTBrandy]

Gotta go with Millar on Wanted alone. Entertaining as hell.

 

I'd say Starlin for his Thanos run, but the new run is just as good, to me, so maybe it's the character I like.

 

Claremont sucks lately.

 

BMB is great but gettting over-used.

 

I like Devin Grayson, too.

 

And the gal writing Birds of Prey right now...can't remember her name. She's good.

[Foolkiller]

I like Millar as well... and Wanted is a very, very entertaining read... but my problem with Millar has been twofold: 1) shock value for the sake of shock value... see the Ultimates throughout the whole run. Some of the story telling has been good there, some of it has been a gross out of character assessment of the core of the characters in the Avengers, thus using shocking revelations as a way out of his plot problems and occassionally poor stories and 2) Millar isn't versitile. Now... maybe you're saying that Millar has a certain style and that he's set in what he does best and he is who he is. BUT, look at all of Millar's major successes... Ultimates, Wanted, Authority... and what's the common theme... amped up super "realistic" violence combined with heavy language and some sort anti traditional super hero book. I find Millar to be a one trick pony, but he does the trick really, really well.

 

don't get me wrong, I like Wanted and I liked the Authority (although I enjoyed the first 12 issues the most of the run)... and of course Superman Red Son is a great read too... but to be honest... somehow I always get deja vu reading Millar.

[cd4ever]

Gaiman - No, he hasn't done anything lately with the depth of his Sandman tales, and he probably never will. But he's still far better than most.

 

Millar - Solid and consistent. I love the UFF

 

Judd Winick - Under-rated, I loved his GL and and his current Green Arrow.

 

BMB - for Powers alone, he needs to be on this list.

 

Garth Ennis

 

Alan Moore - yes, his recent work is nowhere near the Watchmen/Swamp Thing/From Hell quality but I think that's only because it's not supposed to be. He's intending these ABC books to be simpler and fun. versus complex and dark.

 

Frank Miller - Maybe Dark Knight Strikes Again wasn't all that but when his next project comes out, I'm all over it.