The recent Jim Lee and Joe Mad threads I started got me wondering... which comic book artist do you think has the most universally well-liked art style?

I used to think Jim Lee was probably the guy until I started posting around here... even a creator as beloved as Jack Kirby still has detractors who admire his contributions to the medium and genre but still can't stomach his art. Hell, I personally didn't start liking John Buscema's or Jim Aparo's art until my mid-twenties; before that, their work felt technically sound but a bit dull to me -- I felt they were examples of the "generic comic book artist" -- and those guys are some of the best pure illustrators the medium's ever seen.

We see people go back and forth on guys like John Romita JR, Art Adams and Mike Mignola all the time.

But it's not about technical skill, is it? Joe Satriani can play the guitar better than John Lennon, but whose work speaks to more people, y'know?

Who's the guy?

Alan Davis.

Not to knock them because they are two of my all-time favorites, but they were a bit dull by the '80s. The talent was still there, but the really exciting stuff was from earlier days.

Oops. I didn't look at the choices and was think contemporaries.

I think Wally Wood would be the all-time universally liked.

(Doesn't mean most popular, just the one that highest percentage of people would say "I like his work a good bit.")

Hanzo nailed most of the obvious choices, for a change.

Yeah, I've never heard anyone knock Davis.

Garcia-Lopez.

I'm sure one of you crybabies will find something to bitch about soon enough.

Garcia-Lopez is supposed to be hyphenated.

Going by the lines at cons, George Perez.

Jazzy John Romita.

Alan Davis for the win.

Loved by comic fans, feared by the other NFL owners.

I figured it would likely be Davis.

For me, he blends the sensibilities of the illustrator and cartoonist in a very satisfying way.

Hmm, I think a lot of guys on the list qualify. Wood, Davis, Buscema, Garcia-Lopez and Romita are examples. I have to think about this.

I felt that way about Curt Swan until Al Williamson started inking him. Buscema had that great Avengers run with Roger Stern in the 80s.

That run was fantastic. I think the earlier run with Roy Thomas showed had more passion, though. (Did Palmer ink both runs? I think so...)

I know this is funnybook heresy -- but I don't really get too excited over Garcia-Lopez.

I think he's as talented as an artist can be -- but I just don't get a "buzz" when I'm looking at the work.

Uhh... sorry.

Well that's not fair -- anyone would look good with Al Williamson inking them!

(I had considered putting him on the list but he's not really a "superhero" artist. But he is the man, no doubt.)

Since it's not technically the best artist we're going or but really the guy who's style is most universally liked, and since Perez isn't on the list, I'll say Alan Davis. Excellent style, never heard a bad word about him, and has done a ton of stuff over many decades. More than a cover artist as well.

The only criticism I've heard about Bolland is that he only does covers.

I would go with George Perez. He is super nice, has had a great career, and is still working. I have never heard anyone complain about Perez.

From the list, I picked Garcia-Lopez. His work on Atari Force is a favorite of mine, so I had to pick him from that list.

Back when I was reading comics every week (re: the 80s), I would say it was an even match between Byrne and Perez. But time and personality have really diminished my appreciation of JB.