Its hard to pick one, so I didn't pick any. I have a bunch of favorites for a bunch of different reasons. So I will just make a few comments.
I love Jack Kirby. I am sure you all know that by now. He is like George Harrison. George may not be the greatest guitarist of all rock and roll, but he is the standard that all other rock guitarists are compared. Jack's anatomy may have been off, but he more than makes up for it with output, imagination, and energy. When Captain America punches a Nazi, its a nuclear eruption! Jack's character design is only outmatched by one other on this list. And he was, as legend has it, the nicest guy. Fans would knock on his door and he would sit them in his room and he would talk with them as he worked AND his wife would bring down lunch! She said that they both loved it!
Steve Ditko is the misunderstood misanthrope of comics. I HATED his 80's and 90's art work with a passion. And it turned out so did he. He drew bad on purpose as he still held a grudge against Marvel, but needed the money. When I finally went and saw his 60's stuff, I was blown away. His character design is the best. Look at all of Spider Man's early villains. Amazing! His artwork rivaled Jack's as far as energy and imagination. His Charlton stuff, which I have been hunting down, was fantastic. Hell, I even admire his stance with his Objectivism.
George Perez is the number one super hero artist. Even more than Jack, his style is suited to costumed avengers more than anyone else. I couldn't see him doing a dark, gritty detective noir, but have him do a story about the Avengers kicking the snot out of space invaders, and you have a perfect marriage.
John Byrne is the second best super hero artist. But, he can do different genres. He does seem to suffer or shine depending on the inker.
John Romita Jr sucks.
Neal Adams was one of the first revolutionary in comic art. He brought back realism and darkness in a kitschy world. If not for him, I Don't think the Batman movies would have been made. Too bad his is a dick.
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