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| One of 2011’s Best New Creator Showcases |
2011 was an incredible year for comics that saw a lot of new(er) creators make indelible impressions on the medium. People like Luther Strode’s Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore, Reed Gunther’s the Brothers Houghton, The Red Wing’s Nick Pitarra, and a range of others provided work amongst the best of the year, and they look to carry forward in 2012 with efforts that could surpass what they’ve already done.
The question to me is this: who is set to make the leap in 2012? Who will have the industry buzzing with their work by the end of 2012? I take a stab at figuring that out after the jump.
What he’s working on: While you could make the argument that Milonogiannis has already taken a leap of sorts, as Archaia published his webcomic Old City Blues in 2011 to much critical acclaim. His writing and art in that book blew many away, particularly his art with its J.M. Ken Niimura by way of Akira look. His contributions on art blog Brand New Nostalgia were actually what made me first take notice, but in 2012, one project in particular is set to help him gain more recognition: Image Comics/Extreme Studios relaunch title Prophet.
That book from writer Brandon Graham is set to heavily highlight Milonogiannis’ art, with issues #27 through #32 featuring his work. With Graham writing and Milonogiannis on art, particularly after Simon Roy, Farel Dalrymple and Graham himself illustrate the first set of issues, you’re looking at what could be one of the most attractive books in 2012. Don’t miss out on it, folks.
What she’s working on: Nourigat has a lot going on in 2012, with her diary comic Between Gears coming out in February from Image Comics as well as a slew of other secret (as of now) projects that we’ll hopefully see from her this year. For those that don’t know her, Nourigat is one of the more talented lesser known creators in the industry, with energetic art that is very effective at storytelling as well. Plus, she is an absolute killer at commissions. I highly recommend checking out her work if you haven’t yet. Even if you don’t, I think it’s highly likely you’ll be seeing a lot more from her in 2012.
What he’s working on: Cheggour is someone I had never heard of until a few months back. Actually, he’s one guy on this list that I truly think very few people are aware. The Moroccan artist has yet to put together much work that has seen the light of day, but in July he and writer Tim Daniel will be releasing their original graphic novel Enormous from Shadowline/Image Comics and I can say this: his work is absolutely spectacular. Combining near photo realism with an eye for dynamic imagery, Cheggour’s talents are off the charts, and one of quite a few reasons you should keep an eye on Enormous as its July release date approaches.
Joe Keatinge/Andre Szymanowicz
What he’s working on: Both of these creators have been around for a good while – Keatinge was the editor of Image’s Popgun anthology series (amongst other things) and Szymanowicz has done a decent amount of DC work previously – but 2012 is looking to be a big coming-out party for both.
A big reason why is Hell Yeah, their Image Comics series that will be rolling out in March. That series is one of our five Image titles to watch in 2012, and with good reason: everything the two of them have revealed so far looks spectacular. Both are super talented, and this definitely seems to be an occasion in which the sum of their work will be greater than the parts.
Continued belowKeatinge also will be working on Brutal with Frank Cho and Glory with Ross Campbell, and expectations are high for those series as well. 2012 looks to be a great year for both, and I know I for one can’t wait to see what they come up with.
What he’s working on: Sure, the dude has been nominated for an Eisner. Yeah, he’s already pretty known, providing covers for books like Morning Glories, Generation Hope and Avengers Academy. However, 2012 provides him a first time opportunity that we should all be really stoked for: his first significant work (at least that I know of) on interiors.
Those efforts will be in Jim McCann’s Image Comics title Mind the Gap, and from the early looks we’ve gotten and from McCann’s comments on Twitter, if you like his work on covers, you’re going to love his work on the interiors of this book. I can say for a fact that this is one of the under-the-radar books I am most looking forward to, and you should be too.
What he’s working on: This guy is a member of art blog The Sindiecate and somehow weekly outshines people like Ryan Ottley and David LaFuente. That is saying something in itself. In 2011, he also managed to join the world of Mignola, as he illustrated the two-issue mini-series Abe Sapien: The Devil Does Not Jest and performed spectacularly.
Apparently Mignola agreed, as Harren will be February’s three-issue mini B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: The Long Death. While this is the main thing that I know Harren will be working on in 2012, I expect his work on that book to catch many readers eyes and for it to be a big stepping off point for his career. And if it isn’t, it won’t be because the guy isn’t talented, because he is truly one to watch out for.
