This particular blog is approaching one year in the making. It's been slowed by laziness, distractions, and a relentless amount of opinion changes. But after 7 continuous hours of reading and finger-aching computer time, it's finally here—the official top 15 list of my personal favorite comic book and manga (as well manwha/hua) artists of all time.
Now this list isn't ranked purely on the quality of their art: I also take into account how recognizable someone's art style is, and the impact that person's illustration has had on people noticing the medium. I also look at how well the artist can create fight scenes, their character designs, use of colors and shading, the detail of their multi-page spreads, and lastly the facial expressions for various emotional provocations in the reader (humor, fear, sadness). Being a good comic artist to me isn't just drawing; It's about bringing the characters you're depicting to life. And I feel the choices on this list really have a distinct way to imbue their comic with a unique flavor due to their art.
So as you can tell, I've tried to make this list really comprehensive in its evaluation of art, something that is inherently subjective. It was difficult, especially since I incorporated lesser known medium like manwha (Korean comics) and mahua (Chinese comics) in addition to the standard comic giants of manga and western comic books. Overall I'm proud of this list, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it for you guys.
Without further ado, let's begin with a bang and meet--
15. Zhen Jian He
How underrated a medium some of these Eastern Asia comics are. But with the rising popularity of webtoons, the tables might be turning on most of them. Zhen Jian He is the author and primary artist of Feng Shen Ji and Journey to the West, the former which is not only one of my top 10 favorite comics of all time, but both series of which are the top contenders for best artwork in a Chinese wuxia comic I've ever seen.
Zhen has an eye for captivating imagery and memorable scenes, and he maximizes the experience of reading the material through the use of a brilliant palette of watercolors.
Whenever Zhen wants to portray lots of commotion, his panels are still remarkably easy to follow and visually striking. That is a trait that is invaluable in the industry, since even some of the best technical artist can draw scenes that are confusing and hard to make out. I won't shy away from the fact that Zhen's artwork isn't perfect all the time, but he's still very consistent with his depictions and that is something I've come to respect. When he's at his best, his spreads are bold and mesmerizing. To see more, here is an imgur album that compiles some of my favorite art by him, and all of them are in-series. And here is a pinterest collage.
14. Jim Lee
A guy with as much influence and industry presence as Mr. Lee would surely be expected by some of you to be ranked higher on this list. Truth be told, Jim is in my top 10 comic artists of all time. But as this list is half Eastern comics and half Western comics, he does rank a little bit lower than I would normally like to place him. There's not much to say here that his work hasn't said for him, or that his renown doesn't make known. His artwork is clean, clear, colorful, and can be appropriately flashy when it wants to be.
13. Alex Maleev
This entry is not as colorful as the previous two, but I can almost guarantee the temperature of the room you're in dropped a couple of degrees upon looking at this picture. It's dark, it's menacing, it's definitely Maalev.
Maleev makes use of more somber tones to evoke sinister atmospheres for the comic he's working on. His imagery is also stark and desolate, and as a result, incredibly memorable. When it comes to comic book art, for me, something I adore is good painting as well. And Maleev isn't just good, he's one of the best.
12. Clay Mann
Mann's characterization is a sight to behold. The attractiveness and accuracy of is designs make him one of the most appealing artists to look at out of his contemporaries. And he flexes his artistic muscles the hardest when he makes his famous eye-catching covers.
11. Kentarou Miura (NSFW Warning)
If you actually thought Maleev was remotely dark, then you're better off just skipping these next few scans entirely. Is there really anything to say about the quintessential dark fantasy epic Beserk that hasn't been said already? Miura doesn't create art, he creates experiences. His splash pages are immersive and intoxicating; it's hard to keel under the weight of the macabre Eldritch Abominations that dominate his spreads.
The artwork is known for its tenebrosity, but sometimes Miura switches up and uses stark contrast to cuts our souls with detail.
What I love the most is his use of shading. Miura's drawing talent is simply God tier among his peers.
The grotesque, cavernous, and unspeakable designs of Beserk continue to distinguish Miura for the nearly 30 straight years of the manga's serialization. Similar to Araki of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure in that regard, he is one man who's powerful storytelling and artwork has carried him for 3 decades in such a competitive field due to it's originality and excellence. I can't think of any other mangaka who can draw a God remaking her body from the entrails of dead trolls as uniquely as Miura.
10. Jack Kirby
Ok, ok, ok, I get it. Lower your pitchforks, please. I can already hear the confusion in the faces of manga purists that are reading this blog, as their brows furrow and their noses scrunch up in surprise. "This over the art we just saw?" On the other hand, there may be some comic zealots who consider placing the King at this ranking a punishable offence. Truth be told, Jack Kirby's technical drawing ability may not be as good as Miura's or any number of maga/comic artists in the industry today. But for the unaccustomed, he has every right to be revered as one of the greatest human beings to ever put a pen to paper and bring stories to life.
King Kirby is the man, the myth, the miracle; He is the co-founder of Marvel and the creator of the Fourth World concept of the DC universe (New Gods, The Forever People, Mister Miracle). Jack Kirby is responsible for creating a wealth of the most beloved and recognizable characters on the face of the Earth today. His artistic style molded the entire industry for decades to come, with his fight scenes having expert, over-the-top paneling, and his designs exaggerating futurism and techno-color. Oh, the color!
He popularized the action-packed double page spreads that held great detail for large chaotic scenes, but he was also one to wallow in clean simplicity and not waste any strokes or lines. Kirby was truly a genius ahead of his time, and his legacy is unmistakably present, and because of that he should have earned the respect of all fans of comics. I could go on, but this article really expands on every good point I could possibly make. If you're still unsure as to how Kirby should be here, or if you want to know more about his greatness to respect him, I suggest reading this article followed by some great comics of his era.
9. Kenneth Rocafort
"Can you bear the sight?" Eternity asks, while unsightly and chained. This was a pretty standout moment for me among all of Rocafort's work within The Ultimates (2016), particularly because I've always loved Eternity's character design and this image of him bound while on his knees was actually... moving. I feel like anyone who's read this comic or X-O Manowar (2017) or even Madame Mirage would appreciate Rocafort's work.
Rocafort's drawings can be described as incredibly sharp. He manages to make his illustrations appear sharp without looking jagged, something that is in theory, literally not possible. I also feel he is incredibly underrated. His use of color with abstract clicks and shapes make for really awesome pages.
I think his paneling (if you can call those random trapezoid and rectangular boxes "panels" anyway) is one of his his most distinct traits; check Superman's fight with H'el for an idea of what I mean. Other than that, yeah, put some respek on his name.
Some more of my favorite shots.
8. Inio Asano
Inio Asano is the genius behind the masterful Oyasumi Punpun, a grim, mournful and mirthless work that explores heavy themes of desolation. It follows the eponymous Punpun (caricature doodle bird) and explores themes of family dysfunction, love, self-awareness and friendships. Asano's artwork is dreary, bleak, ghastly, and most of all unforgettable. He is sure to leave a massive impact on the reader with certain shots.
What stands out about him, though, is his technical ability to make scenery that sets the tone.
Going through the manga again and seeing how consistently his pages are able to transport me in to a whole of 2 dozen shades of grey and black, I almost want to change my opinion again of the order. Realistically, in terms of technical drawing ability and skill, Asano is easily top 5 on the list. It's incredibly hard to evoke as many emotions as many of the top mangaka do without the use of coloration for an added dimensions. And the ability to do that alone is spectacular.
Better yet, can anything compare to full angle, 360 camera pans?
Yes, an everlasting snapshot of wanderlust and enchantment.
7. Hiroya Oku
Hiroya Oku is the author and artist of Gantz and Inu Yashiki, two manga that have him universally recognized as one of the best artists in the manga industry. They are both prolific for their graphic violence and intensity, but one outstanding trait about Oku's art is the shock-value it stokes in the reader. And I don't mean shock from the fact that images like the one above are 100% hand drawn (it is, the Earth, the space rock and everything). I'm talking about the actual plot/story of the manga and how Oku uses silent, perfectly-penciled splash pages to smack us in the face with jaw-dropping surprises.
Both series are pretty riveting and not for the prudish or faint of heart. Oku's masterful use of dimensions and shading have captured my heart.
Between the two, Inu Yashiki edges it out for me because the shock-value I mentioned, but the series is also newer which is something to take into consideration for the quality. But, just look follow these scans:
Heh, the back of forth throughout those two chapters amuse me. Oku is a grand conductor.
And an entertainer.
6. Esad Ribic
Esad Ribic's pale, hauntingly beautiful artwork provides a stimulating experience when reading his craft. His style is very attractive to me because it feels so minimalist, so controlled, so tranquil and so smooth. He not only makes kickass painted covers, but his interior work combat scenes are very epic and immersive as well.
His crowning achievements to me personally still remain Thor: God of Thunder (2012), Silver Surfer: Reqiuem (2007) and Secret Wars (2015). But like many of the artists on this list, he is here on this list because of the unwavering consistency and standard of quality he brings to everything he does. Now, look at more Ribic art and be at peace.
5. Christian Ward
Christian Ward's artwork really embodies my favorite things about good artwork entirely: He has an aesthetic that changes your whole mood, feelings and way of thinking upon looking at it. Ward can go completely dark like he did on the cover of Black Bolt vol.1, with BB's costume blending in with the opaque background and only his icy blue gaze piercing into you. It's topped off by white accentuation contrasting the headpiece of his suit. But Ward's biggest strengths are found illustrating brilliant, multi-colored kaleidoscopic explosions of psychedelic visual effects.
Take your time when you scroll, cause this will probably be the largest image dump I have on this list.
^ Scroll right for more.
ODY-C covers:
More
Lastly, I don't think his interiors are slacking either. They're true to his style and still incredible stunning.
4. Boichi
In terms of technical drawing art, I feel like almost all the mangaka on this list are superior to all the western comic artists, by virtue of being able to make photo-realistic drawings that don't suffer from still-life, and simultaneously illustrate the best combat drawn scenes. Boichi is one of the largest names in Japan; his works including Sun-Ken Rock, Wallman, Origin and Dr. Stone are all titanic examples of excellence in all fronts of comic draftsmanship (yes manga are comics). Boichi's fight scenes especially are second only to one other person on this list, but he has Oku and Asano level background/scene art, and Miura's darkness when he wants to have it.
His writing is also fantastic, his characters are great, and his character design is distinct and recognizable. But what's most impressive about him is the fact that he can literally drop Michaelangelo-tier oil canvas drawings on a weekly issue release schedule, in the middle of chapters. You'll see what I mean when we get to Origin, but for now, I'll do something I didn't do with most of the artists here and I'll separate Boichi's art by his series.
Sun-Ken Rock
Terra Formars (Asimov Gaiden)
Wallman
Dr. Stone
Hotel
Raqiya
Origin
3. Shinichi Sakamoto
I still remember the first time I saw Shinichi Sakamoto's art. I discovered him when reading his manga Kouko no Hito. I literally said "Yooo" when I got to one of the mountain climbing scenes, and he reached the peak and gazed at the night sky. It was an intimately breathtaking moment, especially considering the context of the moment in the manga.
But little did I know, there was more where that came from. So much more...
If I'm being honest, Boichi and Sakamoto are nearly interchangeable; Boichi's epic fight scenes give him a slight edge over Sakamoto, but Sakamoto is little ways ahead in technical drawing. Sakamoto's greatest strengths lie in his inking and shading. Sakamoto really hits his strides when he gets to Innocent and Innocent Rogue.
Sakamoto's lighting and contrasting abilities are also, in a word, ethereal. I've really never seen anything like it.
Innocent was the
2. Alex Ross
...It's Alex Ross.
I consider Alex Ross to be pretty much the pinnacle of human of evolution when it comes to comic book art. The criticisms against him are valid, insofar his artwork is comprised of mostly static images that don't actually portray movement well for comic book action. But in my opinion, the sheer quality of his paintings really overrule that... on every conceivable level. He is indeed the Norman Rockwell of the comic book world. And his craft and accolades are unbeatable.
Before I unveil my number 1 pick, I'd like to recognize some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions - Takehiko Inoue:
Kwangsu Lee:
Russel Dauterman:
More for Russel if anyone is interested: https://russelldauterman.com/comics-covers
Jason Fabok
Plus Gary Frank, John Cassidy, Greg Capullo, Fiona Staples, Frank Miller, Hirohiko Araki, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, and Frank Quitely, just to name a few more off the top of my head.
And now, the wait is over!
Drumroll please...
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1. Yusuke Murata
Surprised? Disappointed? Or expected? Sitting at the top of the heap, my favorite comic artist of all time: Yusuke. Damn. Murata.
The reasoning is simple: He can do everything you have seen on this list up to now, and not only can he replicate all that you have seen so far, Murata is by and far the greatest action artist of all time, meaning he draws the best combat sequences (fight scenes) out of anyone who I've ever read that's published a comic. He understands all aspects of draftsmanship: He's mastered painting, lighting, penciling, inking, shading, perspective, depth of field, anatomy, structure, and detail. He draws the hottest chicks (sorry Boichi, but let your characters step aside for Queen Fubuki) and frequently Murata includes scenes that are like, 12 double-page splash scans in a row that make one, continuous, fluid scene, like when Genos outraced his laser beam or when Sonic danced around Saitama in their first encounter. If I ever become an artist, Murata is the person I most closely want to draw like. His style has the greatest influence on me, because his fights are so awesome, so larger than life, and buffed a huge cast of unique and interesting characters.
Truth be told, I had a hard time ranking the top 5. Personally, I felt like Sakamoto is much better at technical drawing art than Murata (and I still do, as well as Boichi), same way I said earlier that Miura was superior to Kirby and Rocafort. But this is a holistic review, and based on the criteria I laid out in the opening paragraphs and my own personal tastes and flavors, the choice was almost a no-brainer. Even though Boichi, Sakamoto, and Alex Ross all have wayyy more titles under their belt and more industry experience, I remembered that that isn't a bad thing, because it just means Murata hasn't even hit the peak of his career yet and will still be pumping out God-tier material for at least the next decade and hopefully much longer. Technology is also going to better, so we have a lot to look forward too from him.
No disrespect to ONE, but Murata really made One Punch Man what it is today. ONE's art is not industry level, and Murata not only gave it the best story-boarding in manga, but the FEATZ!! Yusuke Murata is a feat blesser on top of it all. He is a gift us from the manga Gods :P
Hope you guys enjoyed it!
Didn’t expect murata to be so high but nice list
Somehow, I knew that Murata would be #1 on the list. Fantastic art. He took the art of a poorly drawn webcomic and elevated it to one of the greatest manga of all time.