4. Jack Kirby

I'll readily admit that, while I respect the importance of what Kirby did for comic book art in the 1960s, I'm not really a fan. Rather, it's the work he turned out in the 1970s, after both having been given more creative control and presumably having been influenced by the work of Philipe Druillet, that he created amazing sci-fi odysseys such as New Gods, Eternals, and (my personal favorite), Kamandi.

Here he created entire new space mythologies, used his words and art to create ideas and even shapes that were totally alien and new to the reader, and somehow made it all completely accessible to an adolescent.



But, unlike Druillet, these stories were also dense and often meticulously explained so that, even though flaws in the premises were exposed, there was still so much meat for one's imagination to sink its teeth into.



And then, the unique challenge Kirby set himself up with for Kamandi was that, as that lone protagonist wandered the post-apocalyptic landscape, encountering new societies literally ever issue, it gave Kirby a completely new world and mythology, as well as new visual look, to introduce each time, and he rarely disappointed in that regard.





Kirby's works in the 1970s were the ultimate marriage of high minded concept, art, and writing that would have been extremely difficult for two or more people to coordinate well. And yet, he's only my #4

Kirby is due in one of the last 4 days for my list.

On the ninth day of Christmas, Lightning Press gave to me...

#4 Carla Speed McNeil



McNeil is best known for her "aboriginal science-fiction" series Finder, which in definitely a keeper (if you'll forgive the awful pun). Finder is a series of tales set in what is likely a future version of our world, one in which societies have changed in ways that are both strange and familiar, and that looks absolutely authentic. Large domed and multi-levelled cities are separated by vast tracts of land that seem to have reverted to a welcome state of wilderness; city dwellers are apparently quite content never to set foot outside of their urban universes. They're not trapped there, mind you, but like our modern day big city people, they don't see the need to venture outside of the city limits. It's dusty! There are animals! The weather isn't controlled!

Technology is both omnipresent and almost invisible in that world : most people have communication hardware installed right inside their skull, for example, and there is a type of electronic kudzu that grows everywhere, sprouting TV screens. (Rich people dislike the way it attaches to their manor's doors; poor people enjoy the free light that comes from the screens).

Past biotech experiments that are never detailed in the series have turned many people into half-human, half-animal creatures; sometimes the transformation goes all the way. There are non-human societies here and there; the Laeske, for example, are a type of intelligent and feathered theropod dinosaurs who enjoy running and the act of vomiting, as it reminds them of taking care of one's young. There are bipedal lions with intricate tribal rituals. This world is a very, very rich one, and a joy to visit.

In cities, and in particular the city of Anvard where many stories are set, society is ruled by clans. These clans each have their preferred spheres of activity, and usually a very uniform look. The Llaverac clan, for example, consists of handsome and blond people who mostly look and dress like women; it is not uncommon for males to have breasts. The Medawar clan, meanwhile, is generally dark-haired and stolid, and often works in the medical field or the military. Complex rules dictate the way a proper clan member should behave, and it is not frequent for people from different clans to marry. It just isn't done, my dear.

The main character in the series (one who is not always present) is named Jaeger, definitely one of the sexiest characters in comics (and I say that as a complete heterosexual). He's got the "nice bad guy" vibe down pat, the charming scoundrel look and attitude that people are attracted to. I wish I looked like that! (My wife too, in all likelihood!)



Jaeger is an outdoorsy king of guy, one who is at home in the wilderness. It's just that from time to time he likes the taste of a real cake and that of alcohol. He's also quite a womanizer with more past girlfriends than I could count.

A bit like Wolverine, Jaeger can heal pretty fast. Not instantly, but the way Wolvie used to in the early days of his comic-book career. An interesting aspect of this trait is that if Jaeger isn't hurt, his system rapidly turns on itself; he becomes more and more ill, sleeps for days on end and looks as if he's constantly got a bad hangover. Maybe that's the reason he enjoys picking fights in bars : it keeps him bruised, and therefore healthy.

Jaeger comes from a society, the Ascians, that resembles that of modern American Natives... complete with a long history, a rich culture, impressive tracking skills, and racism problems on the part of city dwellers. But Jaeger is not at home among his own people. He's only half-Ascian, for one, and he also holds a position that is both essential to his culture and difficult to bear for an individual : that of a sin-eater. A sin-eater is a scapegoat, one who takes away the sins of a person, and is therefore burdened with it. Sin eaters are respected for this difficult role, but also shunned; it's a bit like someone who would collect your shit after each dump and carry it around with him.

Jaeger is fiercely loyal to his friends, and he plays an important role in the life of the Grovesnor family (another half-breed family started by a Medawar man -who eventually went insane- and a Llaverac woman, and their three kids who we see grow up to adulthood in the course of the series). Father figure at times, big brother, visiting uncle, lover, Jaeger is certainly a lynchpin to them... just not a very constant one.

McNeil uses her universe to make comments about ours, as good SF stories often do. Finder is quite unique in that these commentaries and the exploration of human relations is the focus of the story, instead of a long plot in need of an eventual resolution.



I discovered Finder while living in Maryland (McNeil hails from Annapolis); her comics (signed!) were avaiulable at my LCS, run by a fellow who encouraged independent creators. I met her at the SPX in Bethesda in the late '90s; seeing me all star struck and silent next to her table she shoved a comic sample in my hands, saying "here, take it! it's free!" in a generous gesture that reflects her nature. In a world of prima donnas, it's great to see how generous McNeil is; when I ordered a few books from her a few years ago, they came with original sketches.

After many years of independent publishing, McNeil reached an accord with Dark Horse and her latest Finder books were published by that company. I wish her continued success, and hope that more people will start discovering her brilliant series. For all those who love Saga, another brilliant and unconventional SF series, Finder is for you.

# 4 is a second generation underground cartoonist, illustrator and film-maker.  2 of his works have been adapted to film.  His work has appeared on the covers of the New Yorker, Vogue, Newsweek and The Village Voice.  His earliest published work included pieces in Cracked magazine, and Love and Rockets, previous to his own title, Lloyd Llewellyn being released.  His next title would be his most well-known work, Eightball, which ran for 23 issues.

Today's cartoonist is Dan Clowes.

His work often focuses on the feeling of being alienated, or being alone, or different, and has a universal to us all at some level.  Best known works include "Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron", "Ghost World", Pussey !, and David Boring.

Numerous multiple awards include the Eisner, the Harvey, the Pen award, and a variety of awards for his movie work.

Her latest series at Image also is a must!

I only knew him in EIGHTBALL and that's my only exposure of him and I have mixed feeling that's very difficult to put in words here and I love the way he scripts his work and one of the best storytellers around - I have the first 12 issues and hoping to get copies of the reminding issues and if I known him earlier he would made #12 or #11 on my list. I started reading his stuff this year and hondobrode it's a grave injustice for me to not include him in my 12 days of CCC.

Fortunately, I know the Comic Book Store Personally and he promised me that he will track down the remaining issues of EIGHTBALL for me and I'm going to have to look for more of his work and he will make my list next year for sure. I'm a fan of his work and I like the way he puts it altogether.

4. Wendy Pini

Though she's best known for her art, Wendy Pini is a real double threat, handling most of the writing duties on her work as well. No slight intended to her husband Richard, but from what I can tell, he mostly edits and co-plots, with Wendy handling the rest. Her art is a unique fusion of American and Japanese influences, and for my money, the original Elfquest series stands as one of the best fantasy sagas in comic history.