Dan, Who Were Your Favorite Comic Writers and Artists?

[Dusty]

You're the "old school" guru at Marvel, and Marvel NEEDS that kind of influence. I like old school stuff better as a whole than the new stuff, too, because I liked when books were out on time, and the creative teams were much more stable and stuck around for more than 6 months.

The only book that I consider in league with the great stuff that I used to read is Captain America by Brubaker and Epting (no offense...:razz:), even though there is plenty of good stuff on the stands today. Most of it just lacks that same magic, and I feel that's for the same reasons that you have mentioned. I like that you're trying to infuse some of that old school style back into comics.

Thought balloons rule, and I'll never understand why today's writer's don't use them. People DO think sometimes. How many people "narrate"?

Walt Simonson was (and is) my favorite ever, and it's obvious that you are a fan of guys like him and Byrne. Who are your favorites and biggest influences?

Thank you.

[Dan Slott]

You're the "old school" guru at Marvel, and Marvel NEEDS that kind of influence. I like old school stuff better as a whole than the new stuff, too, because I liked when books were out on time, and the creative teams were much more stable and stuck around for more than 6 months.

The only book that I consider in league with the great stuff that I used to read is Captain America by Brubaker and Epting (no offense...:razz:), even though there is plenty of good stuff on the stands today. Most of it just lacks that same magic, and I feel that's for the same reasons that you have mentioned. I like that you're trying to infuse some of that old school style back into comics.

Thought balloons rule, and I'll never understand why today's writer's don't use them. People DO think sometimes. How many people "narrate"?

Walt Simonson was (and is) my favorite ever, and it's obvious that you are a fan of guys like him and Byrne. Who are your favorites and biggest influences?

Thank you.

It all changed over time. At different points in my life I had different favorite creators-- but once you've made it onto my "list" you never really fall out of favor.

In grade school:
Read Gil Kane, John Romita Sr., Ross Andru, and Jim Aparo off the racks. And caught up on all of my Lee/Kirby and Lee/Ditko in collections and reprint books.

In high school:
It was all about Claremont, Byrne, Simonson, and Miller. And-- oh boy-- the Moench/Sienkiewicz run of MOON KNIGHT!

In college:
The Brits were taking over: Alan Moore, Alan Davis, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, and Grant Morrison. Of course there was a Yank who got on my "list" at that time: Peter David.

Out of college:
Neil Gaiman, Kurt Busiek, Dale Keown, John Romita Sr., Evan Dorkin, Kyle Baker, Mark Waid, Art Adams, Adam Hughes, Bruce Timm, David Mazzucchelli and many, many others.

Then there are the creators that I really can't be fair about-- because I've worked with them, for them, or met with them. Ty Templeton, Mike Wieringo, Ryan Sook, Andrea DiVito, Paul Smith, Fabian Nicieza, Mark Bagley, Mike Kazaleh, Paul Grist, Paul Pelletier, and on and on....

And then there are classic creators that-- well-- how can they NOT be on your list? It'd be criminal! Legends like Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams, Arnold Drake, Bruno Premiani, Wally Wood, Joe Kubert, Bernie Wrightson, Klaus Janson, and on and on...

What can I tell you? There are just so many favorites it's really hard to choose-- and not just a handful-- for me even a Top 100 would be too hard!