Continuing the hopefully sustained return of Multiversity 101, today MC EIC Matt Meylikhov and Associate Editor David Harper take a look at the creators they think everyone should be on the watch for in 2013. There are all kinds of creators on the cusp of breaking out, and for the following ten(ish) names, we think 2013 is the time for them.
Matt’s Picks
Curt Pires
If you ask me, LP was one of the best books to come out last year for a number of reasons. It told a great, concise story in the span of just an issue, it was a completely self-published endeavor and it was everything I love about comics from a truly fresh and unheard of creative team. The last time we were talking about a comic in that capacity was with Our Love Is Real, and look where Humphries is today. I would expect big and great things from Mr. Pires on the same level, and I can’t wait to see what he has in store with Theremin and Monkeybrain.
Wherever Ramon pops up is somewhere you’re going to want to watch as well.
Ryan Ferrier
It’s odd, but for whatever reason I think Ryan Ferrier is an unsung hero of comicdom right now. The guy does a lot: he launched his own imprint with Challenger Comics and does his best to champion other creators, leading to a website full of great comic shorts and more. He lettered LP, written by the aforementioned Curt Pires. He writes and self-publishes Tiger Lawyer, which appeared in the back of Image’s Hell Yeah and is now on Comixology as part of their self-publishing beta. He’s done all these things and more, and I have a hard time believing that 2013 won’t be huge for him. If there is anyone out there who is really poised to breakout, it’s him.
Ales Kot
Man, was there anyone who came out left field so wildly and wonderfully last year? Wild Children was insane and great and was the type of thing you could only find in comics, and with only two issues Change has been more of the same. It’s this kind of fun, inventive and innovative storytelling that we need right now, and Ales is by far one of the creators who has proven he knows how to break the mold and really build a new shape out of it all. With his first ongoing coming out in 2013 and who knows what else, Ales Kot is one of the names to keep your eye on when browsing new Image books any given month.
Ed Brisson and Michael Walsh
It might seem like cheating to pick two people for one selection on a list, but I’d argue that all you have to do is look at Comeback to see what I’m talking about. This book is blowing doors down and is such a huge breakout for the creative team that it is hard to single either one of them out. Given how great the series is and the life it will assumedly have (that trade collection is going to be an instant sellout), Brisson and Walsh are a duo to watch in the future. Whether they work together again or separate for new projects, these two are guys you really need on your 2013 watch list.
(I’d include Jordie Bellaire in this section as well, but honestly, have you seen how many books she’s coloring? Jordie Bellaire was a Breakout of 2012, no doubt in my mind.)
Ming Doyle
It’s a little bit shocking to me that Ming Doyle isn’t a bigger name in comics given the insane amount of talent she possesses, but I have a feeling 2013 will change that. As more people see Mara and perhaps check out her work from her short in Fantastic Four #600 or the Loneliest Astronauts days (with a collection of that supposedly on the horizon), Doyle definitely stands to be one of the most popular new artists of 2013 in the same way that Fiona Staples kicked the door in for 2012 with her work on Saga. Full of personality and charm, Doyle’s artwork is something we all need more of in our comic books, whether it be with more interiors after Mara or a string of beautiful variant covers. I honestly don’t care where we get the Doyle fix from, as long as it comes.
Continued belowDavid’s Picks
Natalie Nourigat
For those scoring at home, you’ll notice that Natalie is a name that made it onto my list last year. While she didn’t break out like I thought she would in 2012, I’m confident that 2013 is her year for recognition from the masses, as her Oni series “A Boy and a Girl” is coming up with writer/pal Jamie S. Rich, plus her ongoing saga to release her next GN “Over the Surface.” She has a bevy of projects just waiting to be announced, and when they are? Hold onto your horses, folks.
Frank J. Barbiere/Chris Mooneyham
I don’t know a lot about their upcoming Image mini-series Five Ghosts besides that a) we gave it a 9.0 rating, b) the above ad is brilliant and c) everything about it looks great. I don’t need to know much more though, as these two gents have been going grassroots with the best of them yet finding a home at Image for their title. Fitting, given that Mooneyham – I’m 99% certain – was the person who won the Image prize pack at our party at NYCC this year. Anyways, Five Ghosts looks brilliant, and it’s my choice for the book this year that is really going to sneak up on people.
Emma Rios
Okay, sure, you could say she’s already broken out. She has some major works under her belt already. But for me, 2013 is going to be her year like 2012 was Fiona Staples’ in many ways. Pairing with Kelly Sue DeConnick again is going to highlight her gifts, and on a project like Pretty Deadly? Holy crap, this book is going to be a knock out. I can’t wait to see what is next from the incredibly gifted Emma Rios.
Aaron Kuder
Since our first edition of Artist August, I’ve been watching with interest as Kuder’s star has risen. Now, having taken over Green Lantern: New Guardians with issue #15 and seeing other high profile work – like in Avenging Spider-Man – earning him accolades, I think we’ll see 2013 be a banner year for Mr. Kuder. With DC struggling to develop talent in their stable of creators, it’s easy to miss someone like Kuder. But with his fierce, kinetic art in the vein of Art Adams and buddy Chris Burnham, we have faith that we’ll be seeing a lot more of his work sooner rather than later.
Benjamin Dewey
Call this one my shot in the dark of 2013, but Nourigat’s fellow Periscope Studio member Dewey is just too talented not to break out sooner rather than later. Sure, I have no idea if he has anything going on besides MAYBE a Thrillbent title, his Tragedy Series Tumblr or one hell of an entry into this year’s Monsters & Dames book at Emerald City ComiCon, but when someone is as talented as Dewey, it isn’t a question as to if they’ll break out, but when. My hope is he makes me right by getting something that properly highlights his talents this year. If not, I’ll keep checking out Tragedy Series to keep enjoying his incredible art and biting humor until then.
