The Top 10 comic book artists of '10

MANILA, Philippines - This year’s collection of the best comic book artists ranges from the insanely famous to the criminally underrated to the “Next Big Things.” With all the hoopla about comics taking over Hollywood, it’s best to find out where it all came from. And these artists are arguably the ones making the most noise. Some on the list are givens (and rightly so) while some here will surprise a few and hopefully get new fans along the way. Without further ado, we are proud to give you 2010’s Top 10 comic book artists!

Jeff Lemire (creator and artist of Sweet Tooth)

One of the rising creators today, Jeff Lemire has a visual style unlike any other. A sketchy yet structured aesthetic can be seen in all his works. Haunting and familiar at the same time, his art adds more depth to his already impressive stories. Be it kids playing dress-up, washed-up hockey players or anthropomorphic teens, Lemire delivers an art style that will leave an impression that will last forever.

Francis Manapul (artist of The Flash)

Filipino-Canadian Francis Manapul has been cementing his name in the DC Universe since his first gig on the Legion of Superheroes series. From working on Superboy for Adventure Comics to now relaunching The Flash with superstar writer Geoff Johns, Manapul’s art has gone from science-fiction space drama to Norman Rockwell Americana to straight-up superhero action in zero to 60! He is a fine addition to the long and remarkable list of Filipino artists who have established their legacy in the world of comics.

Frazer Irving (artist of Batman and Robin)

No one does creepy like Frazer Irving. Frazer Irving balances the fine line between cartoon aesthetics and eerie designs so wonderfully that it’s hard not to put the art in front of the story. And when the writer is Grant Morrison, it just shows how wonderful an artist Irving really is. What’s amazing is that, unlike most illustrators, Irving is among a handful of artists who also color their work, and Irving is arguably at the top of the exclusive collection.

Mico Suayan (artist of Thor: The Rage of Thor)

Getting a comic illustrated by Mico Suayan is like Christmas: it doesn’t happen often but it’s something you look forward to. The detail he puts into every panel is astonishing. For Thor, especially, Suayan gives us a god of thunder that is one part Heavy Metal and one part Lord of the Rings. The world of comics would be a better place with more Suayan art around. Amazing.

Mervin Malonzo (artist of The Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium Cover and Pakikisa-lamuha)

Mervin Malonzo is the next big thing in komiks. One look at his two covers for the Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium and you’ll see just how brilliant, fearless and talented an artist he is. It’s the sort of art Neil Gaiman and/or Grant Morrison would love to have in their comics. And if I may be so bold, Malonzo’s art is a mix of Gerry Alanguilan, Paul Pope, Charles Burns and that quintessential x-factor we all search for. Can’t wait for what he does next.

Ryan Ottley (artist of Invincible)

One of the best independent artists today and really displaying his skills as an incredible illustrator in the pages of Invincible, Ryan Ottley is a writer’s dream collaborator. Excellent facial expressions, explosive action scenes, and a style all his own, Ottley deserves equal praise for making Invincible so consistently good.

Becky Cloonan (artist of Demo Volume 2)

As terrific as the stories were in Demo Volume 2, it was Becky Cloonan’s art that really made it one of the best comics of the year. In issue after issue, Cloonan’s art shifted from romantic to horrific, to light then back to dark, and it was all consistently breathtaking. Capturing human emotion so well and so vividly without sacrificing the magic of the comic aesthetic, it’s hard not to fall in love with her art. Mixing styles and influences from the States to Japan and Europe, Cloonan combines all these wonderful to create something unmistakably hers.

Sara Pichelli (artist of Ultimate Comics Spider-Man)

Ever since her Marvel debut with NYX, Italian artist Sarah Pichelli has been piling up her résumé. After a stint on Runaways and an X-Men miniseries with Kathryn Immonen, Pichelli now lends her gorgeous art to the much-loved Ultimate Comics Spider-Man series. What I love about her art is that it reminds me of artists like Adrian Alphona with a hint of Steve McNiven. But that shouldn’t mean that Pichelli’s art style is second rate or derivative. In fact, what she most shares with these artists is a sense of freshness and wonder. A relief from the all-too-common steroid-induced muscles and cheesecake in most comics, hers is the type of art that makes you love comics all over again.

Leinil Francis Yu (artist of Ultimate Comics Avengers and Superior)

It doesn’t get any better than Leinil Yu. Seriously. He is the artist’s artist. His take on superheroes is inspiring but believable. His layouts and splash pages are breath taking and his work ethic is the envy of the world. And that’s probably the best thing about Leinil Yu. He’s consistent to a T. Aside from his ridiculously amazing art, he is also really, really fast. Rarely will you find a Leinil Yu comic delayed, and even rarer to find a Leinil Yu comic look rushed. And with one blockbuster project after the other, Yu shows no signs of stopping. Leinil is at the top of the food chain and you best get in line.

J.H. Williams III (artist of Batwoman)

No one is changing comic book art more than J.H. Williams III. If you want the most bang for your buck in the world of comics, you best get it from Williams III. He doesn’t leave anything out. From his creative and visually arresting paneling, his versatile art style that changes from scene to scene and sometimes from character to character, he doesn’t muss a beat. Following up his groundbreaking yet brief stint on Detective Comics, he returns just before the year ends with a brand new ongoing series, Batwoman for DC Comics. And this time, he doesn’t only lend his artistic skills but he will also co-write the book. Years from now, people look back at J.H. Williams III as this comic generation’s “Renaissance Man.”