[TheBlueMarvel]

I apologize, everyone, for the length of this post…I’ll be taking a break from the thread following this…

@Von
First let me start by saying that my “love” comment was not a “dig.” For that matter, nothing I wrote was intended as a shot at you (or anyone) and I hope you didn’t perceive it in that manner. I am both opinionated and expressive. Two traits that lend themselves to being easily misunderstood and function to ruffle the feathers of many (in my experience).

I have greatly enjoyed many artists over the years and my list of favorites is much larger than the three you inquired about. That said, I understand your specific inquiry about this trio, because they are the artists I mention most often when I talk about comic art. In truth, there would be many more that I would add if I took the time to relate my thoughts on the matter in their entirety. Like you, I can sit for days pouring over uncolored panels of comic art throughout the spectrum of time and marvel (pun? Yes, intended. lol) at their work…even artists for whom I don’t particularly care.

Byrne, JRJR, and Davis have shared-qualities I appreciate and strengths more individual in nature that I believe mark them as transcendent.

Shared talents: Personally, I admire that they were able to satisfy the edicts of Marvel’s “classic style,” while also maintaining unique and iconic work. They were, by no means, the only ones. As I said, I’m trying to truncate my thoughts a bit, so many “greats” are absent from this very short list. All three were obviously steeped in “How to draw Comics the Marvel Way.” *just a nod to the book I read as a kid and not a suggestion that they followed this as a guideline* In spite of that, they were able to create space for their personal expression. So much so, that they were able to influence the zeitgeist/culture of the “house of ideas.” Often imitated, never duplicated…to borrow a cliche. Although they stayed close to the tried-and-true representations of heroes, it was like you were seeing the characters for the first time when you looked at their versions of flagship personalities. They have a quality that great artists all share: any hero they illustrated could function as the “definitive version” of said character….

Additionally, all three were able to seamlessly integrate a wide variety of body proportions. Their giant characters didn’t look out of place standing next to more-“human-like” figures. The outlandish became realistic, a quality that served well to immerse fans in their wonderfully crafted fantasy-worlds. Skinny, fat, giant, miniscule, average, super, stately, or pedestrian…all of their characters looked great together.

Individual talents:
Byrne-Damn, where do I begin?...or end? I loved his take on ultra-science. I loved his backgrounds and the topography of his landscapes (Alpha Flight comes to mind)…be they Earth-bound, cosmic, or hellish. I loved his depiction of aliens. I loved his expressive faces, in spite of people dinging him for limited numbers of male and female features. I loved his handling of cataclysmic fights; how a car would look torn asunder by the Hulk or any exceedingly powerful being. I loved the ruination and scope he displayed in his earth-shaking battles. I loved his manifestation of powers. He had a flair for how these abilities would play out in the real world. I loved his representation of contemporary society within his art…clothes, cars, city-scapes…it all looked stellar and accurate to life.

JRJR-Similar to Byrne, John integrated elements of his era into his art with deft skill. I loved seeing urban fashion trends represented in his work. Character’s were almost more interesting in their civilian clothes than they were suited-up. I loved his fights most of all, man did I love his battles. They went on for pages. Combat has always been important for me with a background in judo and wrestling…and admittedly, a wee-bit of a mean streak. His fights within Spidey, X-men, DD, Punisher, Hulk, and Kick-Ass (it’s brutality under JRJR’s helm did not surprise me at all) all found that sweet spot within a dark part of my psyche. I also loved that he experimented within his own style utilizing more avant garde takes and conceptualizations, all while remaining within expected “Marvel” confines.

Davis-Many of the same things hold true for Alan, but what most stands out for me is the incredibly clean and easily read art he creates. There is a quiet grace to his art that is warm and inviting. We often describe people as salt of the earth. Can we describe art in the same way?

Just my opinions, since you asked. These are not absolutes, nor a suggestion that these three are the greatest of all-time.