Writer Highlights

[McMurphy]

It was my conversation with Leto in the Art section of the boards that made me think of this subject.

Since comic book titles typically don't have a preconceived ending to the series in mind, a writer's run in the title gives readers the closes to what they will get to complete stories.

What is among your favorite writer runs in a comic book title?

One of mine, would have to be Peter David's run on the Incredible Hulk title, particularily between issues #377 to #400 and then skip to his final issue #467, which is an absolute masterpiece.

Within this selection of his over-a-decade run, David, with artist Dale Keown's aid, transforms the "Hulk Smash" idea into an intelligent, funny, and dangerous powerhouse of a character. The run is dark, humorous, sad, and romantic (sometimes all at the same time).

A noteable point is when, during the original Gulf War, David pushes political buttons by having the Hulk (then a member of the quasi-immortal team Pantheon) aid Iraqi resistence forces against SHIELD and United States military. Other noteable points are Betty Banner's death, the first re-occuring comic character in mainstream comics who gets Aids (and the award winnning follow-up), and the death of Leader, who was his oldest re-occuring rival.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Character death can be well done, and it sounds like this Hulk run was great.

I can't say I was ever attracted to the character, but it sure sounds like there was an interesting series of writing for that period.

 

[Leto]

In terms of american comics, my all time favorite are the :
- Claremont/Byrne era of X-Men (the Dark phoenix saga was one of the best character death ever handled, even if after marketing killed the interest reviving the character).
- Jamie Delano's then Garth Ennis' takes on Hellblazer.

And currently any comics written by Gail Simone, Josh Whedon, Bendis (although I don't like Ultimate universe), Si Spencer, Fabian Nicieza and Greg Pak are sure to get my attention (not sure to get me regular in the serie, but at least to have a try at it).

Don't get me wrong I'm fond of Alan Moore work, but he's at his best in TPB and mini-series

 

[$andokan]

Dave Sim on Cerebus, if you can drag yourself through the anti-feminism and religious pretentiousness.

Everything by Grant Morrison except Marvel Boy.

From Hell (Alan Moore) Lone Wolf and Cup (can't be bothered to look up Japanese names) 100 Bullets (Azzerello) Transmetropolitan (Ellis), and lots I'm forgetting.

Neil Gaiman is great, and so is Frank Miller when he's not w*nking off on his masculinity.

Superheroes: a lot of recent Marvel-stuff has been cool: amazing Spiderman, New X-men, X-Statix, 4, Garth Ennis on Punisher,Brian Michael Bendis' Powers and Alias...

I'm very fond of Peter David's run on the Hulk, too, but I wouldn't go as far as to call it a masterpiece.

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