About David Hopkins
Location: Arlington, TX
Occupation: comic book writer, essayist, teacher
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Posts: 35
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And the list continues.
15. Brian Wood (last year at #7) After finishing Demo, Brian started into DMZ (DC’s Vertigo imprint), Local (Oni Press), The Tourist (Image), and Supermarket (IDW). This year has been his most successful, and possibly the busiest. He’s writing some great stories, staying true to his own sensibilities and not worrying about anything else. Have you noticed that among American comic book writers there are a lot of Brians? Vaughan, Bendis, and Wood. Sorry. That has nothing to do with anything, just pondering.
official website: brianwood.com
on MySpace? 1,170 friends strong. myspace.com/brian_wood
14. Tony Fleecs The writer/artist behind the funniest book this year, In My Lifetime #1. Not only is it humorous, Tony created the kind of autobio comic that doesn’t feel like the sensitive-soul sludge that dominates alternative comics. It’s the story of a geek. Not to mention, the art is amazing. If I had the insane amounts of money to patron comic book artists, he’d be on the top of a very short list. You heard it here. Tony Fleecs is Craig Thompson meets Bluto from Animal House.
official website: fleecsdesign.com
on MySpace? Yes. myspace.com/fleecsdesign
13. Becky Cloonan Ha! I put Becky further down on the list than Brian Wood (her collaborator on Demo). And I did it on purpose! She’s the writer and artist for Tokyo Pop’s East Coast Rising and the artist for Vertigo’s American Virgin. I’m greatly anticipating the sequel to East Coast Rising. Becky has developed a style that comes across as manga-friendly, but is completely American. Or do I have that reversed? Either way. Doesn’t matter. Becky’s artwork is beautiful, functional, and I can see others being influenced by her dark grit approach.
official website: estrigious.com/becky
on MySpace? myspace.com/beckyattack
12. Frank Espinosa Rocketo. That’s all you really need to know about Frank Espinosa. Yes, he worked in animation previously. And yes, that seems to be a trend that’s reshaping the entire industry. But just remember: Rocketo, a wonderfully ambitious epic—that will hopefully keep him busy for some time.
official website: frankespinosa.com
on MySpace? I couldn’t find him.
11. Sam Kieth You probably know him as the creator of Maxx, more recently he did Ojo and My Inner Bimbo. It takes a special kind of creator to get the proverbial blank check from Oni, but he can pretty much do whatever he wants to do. He’s proven himself. Just trust what he’s doing. His crazed exaggerated style has influenced a lot of artists, but it’s his stories that dare to be dark without a hint of irony that has my attention.
official website: samkieth.com
on MySpace? Nope. Too busy drawing, I suppose.
SORRY. THERE WILL BE NO “HOPKINS - MCCLOUD CHESS” THIS WEEK. COME BACK NEXT WEEK.
We’re halfway through my countdown of the top independent/alternative/small press creators who you should be paying attention to this year. Any on this list you disagree with? Any surprises? People who should be included? Predictions about the top ten? Come back next week.
I’m surprised to see Sam Keith on the list. I’ve loved his work since the awesome Batman covers he did in the 80’s. The Maxx was a great series and his work on Four Women was great.
IMHO, I think he’s a very under appreciated artist.
Is it simply a requirement to have a MySpace page these days?
Good choice on Sam Keith!
Sam Kieth has resurfaced with his work at Oni. James Lucas Jones, the editor, told Sam he can do whatever he wants. To me, that’s very telling. Ojo and My Inner Bimbo are both very good.
Required to have MySpace? Maybe. A lot of comic book creators have them. I figured readers might be interested to check them out.
I just remembered he is one of the creators of The Sandman comic. I totally forgot he did the first story arch and developed the look of the character.
Yeah, I think you’re absolutely right about him being under appreciated.