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The list continues, and we’re now at the top ten comic book creators to keep your eye on for 2006 and 2007. No more pet favorites. This is the no-nonsense-I’ll-debate-it-until-I-die best of the best.

10. Harvey Pekar He’s back, and he’s grumpier than ever. Kinda. Actually, he hasn’t gotten any more grumpy. That’d be difficult. He’s about the same. Harvey Pekar practically created the autobiography in comics. He made it feel safe to be honest, and quirky, and occasionally mundane. Look for the return of American Splendor through DC’s Vertigo. Last year’s original graphic novel Quitter marked some of his best work since Our Cancer Year. He’s certainly got more where that came from.
official website: harveypekar.com It hasn’t been updated since 2003.
On MySpace? Are you kidding? This luddite hates checking e-mail. No way you’ll find him here. However, his number is in the Yellow Pages (216-321-7794). And he’s cool with the random phone call. Don’t believe me?

9. Gene Luen Yang I finished reading his graphic novel American Born Chinese last week. Gene’s work is beyond impressive. American Born Chinese is one of those must-read books for indie savy readers. Or as Derek Kirk Kim said it’s “the book I’ve been waiting for all my life.“ Gene Yang is more proof that we’re in a golden age of comics – without cape or tights, but a Monkey King is permissible.
official website: humblecomics.com/
on MySpace? This is him, myspace.com/geneyang. However, he hasn’t logged on since October 24, 2005. And he has no friends. How sad. Not even Tom?

8. Bryan Lee O’Malley (last year at #4) He had the most highly anticipated graphic novel this year with Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness. It did not disappoint. Scott Pilgrim is the book other comic book creators geek out over. Heck, it’s Brian K. Vaughan’s favorite.
official website: radiomaru.com
on MySpace? Both Mal (myspace.com/radiomaru) and Scott (myspace.com/scottpilgrim) are there. Scott Pilgrim has four times as many friends.

7. Raina Telgemeier (last year at #14) In the course of a year or two, she went from obscure creator of mini-comics to illustrating one of the most popular book series of all time, The Baby-Sitter’s Club, for Scholastic’s Graphix imprint. And honestly, no one could’ve done a better job than Raina. She’s winning over the old fans and a new audience. For people who’ve said we need more young girls reading comics, Raina is your answer. Her second Baby-Sitter’s book “The Truth about Stacey” is coming soon. Personally, I can’t wait.
official website: goraina.com
on MySpace? Yep. myspace.com/goraina

6. Scott Morse (last year at #9) Another addition to the new Graphix family, Scott Morse’s Goosebumps contribution hit stores recently. Even more exciting, the Magic Pickle is coming back, also published by… yep… Graphix. Originally published by Oni Press, the Magic Pickle is a wonderful all-ages book. On a pure artistic level, he may be the most talented comic book creator in America. I’m glad he’s doing his own stuff, instead of working on somebody else’s ideas.
official website: scottmorse.com
on MySpace? Couldn’t find him.

I’ve said this before; I’ll keeping saying it, and I can’t stress it enough: Graphix is the future of our industry. A total of four creators on the It List are published by this imprint: Chynna Clugston (#16), Raina Telgemeier (#7), Scott Morse (#6), and the person who holds the #1 spot for this year. Any predictions on who it is?

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