Artists who get better with age?

[Ferran Delgado]

Some place such high standards on themselves that they refuse to compromise and take shortcuts until their health goes out or something of that nature.

 

Jack Kirby cocreated the Marvel Universe more than two decades after his first professional work. Around mid 60s (25 years later) imho he reached the peak in his art. He also created the Fourth World after three decades.

 

I suppose that he fits in the last case...

[Speedy-D]

Kirby had a pretty long and steady decline, from the 70s through to the end.

[Ferran Delgado]

After three decades of work. And health issues were key in his decline, specially in the 80s. How many artists reach their peak after 25 years of career?

[dgarthwaite-migration]

Some place such high standards on themselves that they refuse to compromise and take shortcuts until their health goes out or something of that nature.

 

Jack Kirby cocreated the Marvel Universe more than two decades after his first professional work. Around mid 60s (25 years later) imho he reached the peak in his art. He also created the Fourth World after three decades.

 

I suppose that he fits in the last case...

 

I see Kirby as an exceptional layout artists and story plotter, but not so much on the finesse aspect. I think Kirby was past his prime as an artist long before Marvel. His layouts and plotting were exceptional until the end. Kirby had skilled inkers embellishing his work up until the early 70's at Marvel. People who like his 60's work, but don't like his 70's work are seeing an art more true to his actual pencils in the 70's.

 

DG

[kdoginohio]

But Gulacy tried to emulate Steranko throughout his entire comic book career.

I never followed Steranko, so I will take you at your word.

[Speedy-D]

After three decades of work. And health issues were key in his decline, specially in the 80s. How many artists reach their peak after 25 years of career?

I'm not knocking him, the guy rocks! I just wouldn't classify him as an artist who only got better as the years went by.

[davekarlen]

Hampson would be one of the greats too, fantastic images, thanks for posting, and I'm glad to join the group!

Dave

[MisterX]

Alex Toth.

[jjonahjameson1]

After three decades of work. And health issues were key in his decline, specially in the 80s. How many artists reach their peak after 25 years of career?

 

Kubert?

Kaluta?

Stevens?

Heath?

Keown?

Romita Sr.?

 

[jick]

I'd have to say George Perez.

[Gal Schwartz]

I'd have to say George Perez.

 

Would you consider his current work better or on par with CRISIS

or TEEN TITANS ?

 

Don't get me wrong - GP is still miles better than most of the younger artists,

but he set a pretty high bar - even for himself.

 

My favorite recent GP piece is the BATMAN commission he did for Aric Shapiro -

that one in particular was probably his best Batman piece ever.

[Weird Paper]

Bill Everett.

[Alex B]

Ron Garney.

His runs on ASM and then Wolverine were much better than his previous works like Captain America, imho.

[bronzejunkie]

Traves Charest doesn't stop getting more amazing. Thats my pick, also J Severin was another guy who kept it awesome till his dying day. Stunning career.

[Claudio]

Art Adams.

[AKA Rick]

...but his bronze age stuff from the 70's wasn't as strong to many fans... but maybe it was the Royer and Colletta Inks as opposed to Sinnott and Ayers...

 

Jack Kirby, of course. The GA stuff is good enough to make him an immortal, but his wheelhouse silver age art is why he's The King.

[AKA Rick]

I'd disagree on George Perez's convention sketches and commissions. He used to take a long time to turn out masterpieces, but it seems now the stuff he does is a bit lackluster in comparison...

 

As for his published work, I don't think it's better with age, his 80's and 90's stuff was better than his 70's work, but his Y2K to present isn't better than his prime stuff, in my opinion at least... So, I see a bell curve where his pinnacle has already peaked and right now there's a bit of a decline from his top form.

 

I'd have to say George Perez.

 

Would you consider his current work better or on par with CRISIS

or TEEN TITANS ?

 

Don't get me wrong - GP is still miles better than most of the younger artists,

but he set a pretty high bar - even for himself.

 

My favorite recent GP piece is the BATMAN commission he did for Aric Shapiro -

that one in particular was probably his best Batman piece ever.

[AKA Rick]

If we're discussing artists who are improving and producing better work currently from their past style that's not yet declined, and seems to turn out better work than before, I'd say:

 

Philip Tan

Ale Garza

Ed Benes

Mike DeBalfo

Josh Howard

Sean Chen

David Finch

Aaron Lopresti

 

 

[.Troy]

Silvestri

 

Im in love with the guys work.

 

Jim Lee.

Better with Age.

[Meeley Man]

Mike Deodato.