Sgt. Rock and Tor

There are comic book artists that may have been more influential, like Jack Kirby and Neal Adams, and there's at least one artist that I would call my favorite when I factor in sentimental reasons (Jim Aparo), but if you were to ask my my opinion on who I feel to be the greatest comics illustrator of all time, I don't even have to think about it: Joe Kubert.  I'm always in awe at his work, which never waned through his long career.  All while he was teaching a new generation of artists at his school!

 

Wonder Woman and Tor

Michelle MacLaren has been chosen to develop and direct the Wonder Woman solo film.  She is an emmy-winning director of series such as Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, so it definitely sounds like she has the chops to take on both action and drama.  I hope she is a comic fan as well, and shows an appreciation for the character's super-heroic side.

Hawkman and Tor

I originally had another cover scheduled to go for today, but I felt that I should do something in tribute to my all-time favorite artist, Joe Kubert.  Kubert will be greatly missed, his nearly seven-decade career is filled with a body of work that amazingly got better and better with each year.  His painterly style showed a confidence that can only be gained by a constant commitment to the craft.  He was a master of the human form, as well as facial expressions and the effects of light and shadow.  Not only did he provide comic fans with tons of amazing work, his teachings at The Kubert School have passed along valuable lessons to countless other artists (not to mention his sons, Adam and Andy).  I count myself very lucky that I was able to meet Joe Kubert at a convention a few years back.  He couldn't have been more gracious in front of all of my fawning and when I shook his hand, he had a grip of iron - no doubt from clutching pens and pencils since the Golden Age.  Kubert was working right up to the present, with solicitations for Joe Kubert Presents just now appearing... and I can't wait to check out one more work from the master. RIP, Joe - you did it better than anyone else, and with style and class.

Batman and Tor

Without a doubt, my favorite comic published last year was Joe Kubert's 6-issue Tor mini-series. It is amazing that after so many decades in the business, Kubert is still showing everyone how it is done. He hasn't missed a step and in my estimation is in fact better than he has ever been, and that's saying something. I loved these primal adventures of a time long gone by so much that I immediately ordered the three hardcover collections of Kubert's earlier Tor work. Those were great as well, especially since they span many years and you can see Kubert's art style change throughout. He also provides a lot of insightful commentary and discusses an animated Tor that never came to be. What a missed opportunity, that is something that I would have loved to have seen. I highly recommend these books as well as last year's series (now collected) to any lover of action or beautiful comic art, you will not be disappointed.