For the first time since we have started this Our Favorite Artists series, we are looking at a TEAM. And it’s the team that arguably has had more great artists than any other.
Arguably!
I mean… I would argue it.
Anyway, let’s talk X-Men!
Stew’s Picks
-Marc Silvestri
Silvestri is a guy who really grew over time, and while I think he hit his best period when he was doing the solo Wolverine book, he just got better and better as his run on the X-Men went. Stellar action and facial expressions were staples of his tenure!
-Paul Smith
I doubt anyone else will pick Paul Smith, but I HAVE to give him love. I think he’s easily the most slept-on X-Men artist of all time, even though he was drawing the heroes during the height of the book. He was just such a part of some of Claremont’s best stories in the wake of Byrne leaving.
-John Cassaday
The most modern of my picks for the X-Men, Cassaday has one of those styles where everything looks realistic and amazingly detailed, but he could also do monsters like Ord. But yeah, the detail he put into stuff like backgrounds and hair and costuming? So fantastic.
AP’s Picks
-Jim Lee
People gush about Lee’s detail and design but they often overlook the personality he puts into his characters. When he drew a big shot of the team, he always added little personality traits (Beast would be reading, Jubilee would be chewing gum, Rogue and Gambit would be flirting, etc.)
-Joe Madureira
Joey Mad had a bold, manga-like style and he was never shy about tweaking costumes. For instance, in a storyline about space, the team wore “superhero-y” space suits or in a story set in Japan, they all wore custom kimonos.
-John Cassaday
Casady had a smooth style with stark shadows that was a nice departure from the typical X-Men style. He also had some of the most gorgeous covers in X-Men history.
Chris’ Picks
-John Romita Jr
Classic artist. He was really great at drawing big scenes with all the X men characters. He made them all seem distinct. The men were buff but not overly buff where they had like giant shoulder pads. The women were attractive but they weren’t 90 percent legs like other artist around that time. He just knew how to draw good scenes. Where it was them just talking, or big fight scenes he could do it all.
-Jim Lee
I get it…Jim Lee. Pretty predictable. What Can I say I am basic B. Jim Lee was GREAT on Xmen when he was on. That comic sold like crazy. Marvel’s top book with the top writer. His splash covers could all be posters. This was back when Jim Lee was in full form. Where he actually got stuff out on time. And his cheesecake photos was a little more dialed back and the men only had 6 shoulder pads instead of 20. The comic really popped when he came out. Classic 90’s artist
-Neal Adams
Another classic artist. If you want to see a manly hairy chest Canadian with claws, he is your man. His Xmen covers are some of the most memorable out there. His designs are very expressive showing strong lines and emotions with his arts. He knows how to use the medium of comics and visual story telling.
Those are our X-Men picks; who are yours? Let us know in the comments who your favorite X-artists have been.
Until next time… take care!
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