Every year, we send out a survey to a wide variety of creators and ask them questions about the year in comics. We had an incredible response this year, and got creators from all corners of the comics world to weigh in one what they loved about comics in 2022. Every day this week, we will be sharing a different question from our questionnaire.
Hopefully these inspire you to check out some new bfooks, and to give some other books a second look.
Thank you to all the folks who took the time during this busy holiday season to reply.
Our second question: what creators really impressed you in 2022?
Kyle Starks (“Rick and Morty,” “I Hate This Place”): I think your creator of the year is Chip Zdarsky. I haven’t read any of his cape comics, but “Stillwater,” “Newburn,” and “Public Domain” make one hell of an output.
Tyler Crook (“The Lonesome Hunters,” “Harrow County”): I’ve been really enjoying Matt Lesniewski’s work. He breaks every rule in the book about rendering and over-rendering and it results in wonderful comics that are a delight to read.
Maddie Gonzalez has also been a source of delight. She has been working on really cool self-published horror stories recently. But following her on Instagram, she makes some of the funniest drawings I’ve ever seen.
Christa Faust (“Hit Me,” “Redemption”): Jules Rivera. The blistering humor and raw authenticity of her webcomic “LOVE, JOOLZ” gives me life!
Alex Segura (“Blood Oath,” “Marvel Voices”: Cliff Chiang blew me away with “Catwoman: Lonely City” I can’t stop thinking about that book.
As a writer, I continue to admire and marvel at folks like Tini Howard, Kieron Gillen, Chip Zdarsky, Kellysue DeConnick, David F. Walker, and Ed Brubaker.
Holly G (“Archie Digests,” “School Bites”): Any creators putting positivity out there!
Tyler Chin-Tanner (Publisher, A Wave Blue World): Zoe Thorogood has really established herself as a powerful, new voice. And after being a huge fan of both “These Savage Shores” and “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr,” Ram V has gotten me to read mainstream superheroes again with his run on “Catwoman” and “Detective Comics.”
Viviana Medeiros (“The Ocean Soul”): Eli Spencer (@goyagoat on Twitter), Harriet (@hattersarts on Twitter), their dynamic storytelling really left an impression on me, even though their styles contrast wildly.
Rodrigo Vargas (“Walking to Do,” “Everything Will Be Okay”): Dave Baker and Nicole Goux’s “Forest Hills Bootleg Society” has EVERYTHING I look for in a comic. It’s funny, charming, witty and beautifully drawn. Another favorite guy around the instagram would be Pablo Vigo, from Argentina, I believe. His inking just keeps getting better and better.
Mark Russell (“Superman: Space Age,” “Not All Robots”): One creator who really impressed me in 2022 was Kelly Sue DeConnick who not only had time to write more “Wonder Woman: Historia,” but also to create a new Vegas stage show which, to be frank, looks amazing. That’s called living life to the fullest. I was also really impressed by Tom Peyer, who not only continues to do amazing work on his “Wrong Earth” series but also works by day as Editor in Chief at AHOY. I guess I admire people who bury themselves in work.
Dan McDaid (“Judge Dredd,” “Dega”): Tradd Moore continues to tear up the world of comics. There’s very few artists to touch him for innovation right now, I think. Gleb Melnikov is doing beautiful work in the Batman/Damian Wayne world, a terrific artist who reminds me of Chris Bachalo and Humberto Ramos at their peak. I’ve seen early pages from Ramon Villalobos’ new book, and it looks absolutely incredible. Tamra Bonvillain is on colours, and they’re a great team.
Phillip Sevy (“Kepler,” “X-Men Unlimited”): That’s got to be James Tynion IV. I’m not even able to keep up with his output, but what I’ve been able to read is firing on all cylinders. I do not know how he stays so busy and produces so much good work. Across all sorts of different genres, he’s writing stories that are tightly plotted, with strong characters, incredible tension and dread, and such humanity that it’s unfair to the rest of us, creators.
Continued belowZack Kaplan (“Metal Society,” “Break Out”):I mean, Zoe Thorogood, and “It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth” – WOW! Next level, award-worthy stuff. I think everyone is aware how incredible of a year Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV had, I’m definitely in awe of the consistent quality they put out. Kyle Higgins has become a superhero this year and what he’s doing with an incredible roster of creators in the “Radiant Black” Massive-verse is inspiring and tremendous. Ram V is definitely making some amazing stories, from “Laila Starr” and his DC runs on “The Swamp Thing” and now “Detective Comics.” Breakout writers of the year, I mean David Booher has been killing it with “Specs” and “Rain” and more “Canto,” Deniz Camp has been on fire with both “20th Century Men” and “Bloodshot Unleashed” and David Pepose really nailed his Marvel debut “Savage Avengers.” For artists, I absolutely love Hayden Sherman, Andre Lima Araujo, Jacob Phillips, Chris Shehan, Liana Kangas, and of course, John Pearson deserves another Eisner for “Mindset.” Just saying.
Joe Glass (“The Pride,” “Young Men in Love”): I feel it would be remiss of me not to say every single collaborator who took part in Young Men in Love. Each one really brought their top game and made truly stunning, moving stories. I have to give a special shout out to Lucas Gattoni, our letterer, who did all the stories and gave each its own style that still felt cohesive. It really became a portfolio of talent and a masterclass in comic book lettering. Also, James Tynion IV’s continued domination of comics never ends to delight and amaze me.
I would also say there’s a lot of newer creators who impressed me this year, whether through comics work or work they’re sharing online. Jacoby Salcedo, Bradley Clayton, Josh Cornillon and Laura Helsby are all creators to watch if you ask me. Also, Zoe Thorogood continues to blow me away with every new release.
Ron Robbins (“Archie Digests,” “Weirder Mysteries”): Thomas Pitilli, The Fab K-Bros, Juan Bobillo, Jorge Jiménez, Daniel Kibblesmith
Butch Mapa (“Happy Horrordays,” “Star Wars Adventures”): David Pepose – enjoyed seeing him catch his well-deserved big break and kill it on projects at Marvel!
Michael Northrop (“Fear the Funhouse,” “Teen Titans Go!: Undead?!”): “Human Target” is my favorite thing in comics right now, and I’ve almost come to expect that from Tom King, but I wasn’t that familiar with Greg Smallwood and Holy Cow. Those pages are just gorgeous. Steve Lieber brought a ton of sad-sack humanity to “One-Star Squadron.” What Charles Soule and Ryan Browne are doing with “Eight Billion Genies” is mind blowing.
Jamie L. Rotante (Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial): Aubrey Sitterson, Cullen Bunn, James III, Magdalene Visaggio, Michael Northrop, Micol Ostow, Casey Gilly, Liana Kangas, Dan Schoening, Joanne Starer, Butch Mapa, Ron Robbins, Stephanie Cooke, Erin Hunting, Eliot Rahal, Vincenzo Federici, Jed Dougherty, Diana Camero, Ryan Caskey, Juan Bobillo, Federico Sabbattini, Lisette Carrera, Eva Cabrera, Evan Stanley, Thomas Pitilli, Sina Grace, Frank Tieri, Joe Corallo, Joe Eisma, Patrick Piazzalunga, Adrian Ropp, Shannon Watters, Agnes Garbowska, Jamal Igle, Tim Seeley, Dean Haspiel, Vito Delsante, Lisa Sterle, Iolanda Zanfardino, Fred Van Lente, Ruben Najara, Giorgia Sposito, Arielle Jovellanos, Gretel Lusky, Vic Malhotra, Sweeney Boo, Julius Ohta, Ryan Jampole
Jarred Luján (“Cray and Troy,” “The Twin Blades”): I mean, the usual suspects for me. Folks like Matt Summo, Mario Candelaria, Fell Hound, and Frankee White continue to blow my hair back on every outing they have. During the Milestone Initiative, I got to meet a whole bunch of creators who were all incredible as well. You could throw a dart at a billboard with all of their names on it and hit someone who’s going to change the game, I think.
Kyler Clodfelter (“Crash and Troy,” “Dungeons and Dragons Annua 2022”): Jarred Luján, Bruno Furlani, Buddy Beaudoin, Marcus Jiminez, Fellhound, Chris Shehan, Tim Brown, Matt Harding, Julio Suarez, Serg Acuna, Daniel Kalban, Zoe Thorogood and dozens more that I’m sorry for leaving out, but I’m trying to keep this one short.
Petra Norlund (“Prague Race,” “Tiger, Tiger”): I was first introduced to Matías Bergara’s work when he was nominated for an Eisner in 2019, and I’ve been very much in love with his work since then! “Step by Bloody Step” is a comic that is completely wordless, and Bergara’s art truly lifts the story on a pedestal. I am itching to see what the script looks like from an artists perspective, it must have been a rewarding challenge to work on! I enjoy everything about it, the characterization, the acting, (expressions especially) and the unique environments. It gave me a lot of inspiration and ideas about what comics can do, and how much I can better my own work with showing more with art, and telling less with text, so I definitely recommend it to not only to readers, but to other creators especially.
Continued belowLeeanne Krecic (“Let’s Play”): Ryan Benjamin. He’s a legend — an absolute powerhouse of an artist. Cranks out amazing artwork so incredibly fast and is also very humble. Such a cool guy, and I consider myself very fortunate to have met him.
Brian Joines (“Krampus: A Yuletide Adventue,” “Backtrack”): I think James Tynion IV is one of the sharpest writers working in the industry today. Also, having not read any previous work, was really impressed with Rainbow Rowell and what she’s done restoring some actual fun to a character (She-Hulk) who’s been in a bit of a slog creatively in recent years.
Floor de Goede (“Dancing on the Volcano,” “Flo”): I guess I would have to name my fellow Dutchie Aimée de Jongh. She’s a superstar with her graphic novel “Days of Sand” popping up in every favorite lists. She’s also amazing in sharing her success with other comic artists. I’m very proud of her.
And also proud of Maaike Hartjes, who’s graphic novel “Burnout Diary” is currently being adapted to an animated short.
Hunter Gorinson (President and Publisher, ONI Press): I’m sure this list is replete with mentions for “The Human Target” up and down, but it’s worth saying again because it’s incredibly well deserved: Greg Smallwood. It’s hard to think of a better looking, more thoughtfully conceived, or artistically cohesive series anywhere in comics right now. Tom King’s scripts are fantastic, but he also has excellent taste in collaborators: Smallwood went from being a great artist almost instantaneously with his debut on “Dream Thief” to being a truly mind-blowing one on books like “Moon Knight” to being … well, it’s almost hard to describe how thoroughly planned and holistically beautiful each issue of “Human Target” has been, from both a craft and storytelling standpoint. There was a silent two-page sequence in the most recent issue where former Justice Leaguer Ice gives the Human Target CPR and, frankly, if you had told me two years ago that I would be riveted to the page by silent panels of former Justice Leaguer Ice giving the Human Target CPR, I would have sought help. I’ll read anything Smallwood ever does from here on out, hands down.
Jed McGowan (“My Life Among Humans,” “Uninhabitable”): It was fun to see creators try new things. Tillie Walden, a literary comics great, worked with zombies in the book Clementine. And Jake Wyatt, an incredible artist, switched things up and worked as a writer on the book The Well, illustrated by the artist Choo.
Gregg Hurwitz (“NewThink,” “Knighted”): I always love seeing what’s happening inside the twisted mind of Garth Ennis. He’s such a dark and delicious creator.
Dan Panosian (“Alice Ever After,” “Black Tape”): I’m a huge fan of Matteo Scalera and Sean Murphy and I’m also digging Dan Mora’s work! And Scott Snyder has been killing it as usual!
Mike Deodato Jr (“The Fourth Man,” “The Resistance”): Christa Faust, Jeff McComsey, Mark Russel, and Dan Panosian.
Chip Zdarsky (“Public Domain,” “Batman”): Greg Smallwood on “Human Target.” And Tom King for the same, I GUESS.
Joe Corallo (“The Never Ending Party,” “She Said Destroy”): Quite a few creators have impressed me this past year, and I hate the idea of leaving people out including collaborators, so I’ll stick strictly to up-and-comers that I think people need to be paying attention to.
The team behind “Gilgamesh: Eternal,” writer Cam Kerkau and artist Kostas Pantoulas. The first issue was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter and was honestly one of the best-looking crowdfunded books I’ve ever received. I’m looking forward to seeing issue 2 come together. Please keep this book and team on your radar.
I’d also like to bring people’s attention to Keith Frady. He’s a driven writer that’s put together a number of short comics that are freely available with some incredible artists. He was also one of the two writers selected this past year in Mad Cave’s Talent Hunt. I’m excited to see where things go from here for Keith.
Neil Kleid (“The Panic,” “Judas Priest: Screaming for Vengeance”): Alex Segura outright killed it this year with Secret Identity, “Blood Oath,” “The Awakened,” work for Marvel/DC and more. Also, Scott Snyder’s seven thousand Comixology Originals have all been glorious, and speaking as a writer with kids, as well, I’m not sure where folks like the two of them have found the time to pump out this level of work, both in terms of quantity and volume. I’ve also been happy to see the industry embrace both Liana Kansas and David Pepose, both from whom I’m sure we’re going to be seeing brilliant work in 2023 and beyond. But I also want to point out how thrilled I am for Katie Cook, whose fantastic comic “Nothing Special” has just been picked up for a four-volume book deal along with all the fun, brilliant work she’s been doing for Lucasfilm.
Continued belowRafael Scavone (“Red Tag,” “Hailstone”): Zoe Thorogood, Ram V, James Tynion IV, Chip Zdarsky, Leonardo Romero
Abigail J. Harding (“Ask for Mercy”): Ram V has been creating some incredible work for a while now, this year has been perhaps his strongest yet! I am always excited to see what new projects he is cooking up. Looking forward to the project he has been steadily cooking up with artist Evan Cagle.
Martin Simmonds and his work on “Department of Truth” has been incredible to witness, some real unhinged-creatively explosive, gloriously unconventional artwork, I feel inspired every time I look at his work, like it’s daring me to do something crazy. I love it!
Stuart Moore (“Highball,” “The Wrong Eart: Purple”): Mark Russell had another amazing year. I love his AHOY and other creator-owned work; but “One-Star Squadron” was also a beautiful, touching piece of work.
Bryce Ingman (“My Bad”): Mike Allred, who has been one of my favorite artists forever, is absolutely killing it with “Superman: Space Age.” Every page is a party for the eyes. If you haven’t been reading it, you are missing out on one of the best Superman comics ever.
Rachele Aragno (“Leonide the Vampyr,” “Melvina”): Daniel Warren Johnson, Mirka Andolfo, Werther Dell’Edera.
Charles Ardai (“Gun Honey”): Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips continue to knock my socks off, as they always do – they’re just such brilliant storytellers, and I’d follow them wherever they feel like taking me. Their latest series, “Reckless” had two new installments this year, but if you haven’t read the first three volumes, treat yourself to the full set! And Joe Hill is another writer whose work I love no matter what it’s about. This year saw the publication of “Rain,” based on one of the novellas in his collection Strange Weather and it is heartbreaking, weird, and terrifying. Hats off to David Booher, Zoe Thorogood, and Chris O’Halloran for the adaptation.
Emily Pearson (“Bonding”): There were so many. Nadia Shammas, Jess Taylor, Charlie Stickney, Liana Kangas, Joshua Sway, and Sweeney Boo all did amazing jobs on the comics they worked on this year.
Tim Seeley (“Money Shot,” “Revival”): Zoe Thorogood. At 23, she put out “It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth,” which is a brutally honest autobio comic with some extremely clever storytelling devices. Recommended!
Adam Gorham (“The Blue Flame,” “New Mutants”): There’s too many of my fellow creators that I have a lot of respect and admiration for. Seeing Michael Walsh’s book, “The Silver Coin,” get nominated for an Eisner was really cool to me. He’s a good friend and I’ve watched him build that series from nothing, so to see it succeed makes me very happy for him.
Christopher Cantwell (“The Blue Flame,” “Iron Man”): Alex Paknadel is an insane person who I greatly admire and envy. Zoe Thorogood is out here redefining the medium. Taurin Clarke’s covers outdo each other every week. My pal Martin Morazzo continues to upset me in the pages of “Ice Cream Man.” The work ethic of my Star Trek colleagues Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly is astounding and humbling. Those boys hustle. Bilquis Evely’s art in “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” is some of the best I’ve ever seen.
Michael Moreci (“Barbaric,” “Wasted Space”): I think “The Rush” by Spurrier and Gooden was my favorite read of 2022. I also loved the “Reckless” series.
Liana Kangas (“Trve Kvlt,” “Star Wars Adventures”): Every year, I ask myself how folks have time in the day to sleep when they are hustling and working (in a realm of what I feel like is more than I do,) and a lot of those folks include Phillip Sevy, Skylar Patridge, (both somehow drawing 8000 books at once like myself,) Scott Bryan Wilson, Jazzlyn Stone, Danny Lore, Steve Foxe, (all three writers that I know are managing a ton of other passion projects) Saly Lockhart & Laura Helsby (both now very much on my radar and some of the top new talents breaking in the industry) Matt Emmons (somehow drawing a million books, self publishing and making a publishing company himself,) and Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet (for somehow always creating fun new things.)
Continued belowTim Daniel (Executive Vice President of Branding & Design, Vault): Artists: Nathan Gooden, Liana Kangas, Tula Lotay, Jason Shawn Alexander, Chris Shehan, Matt Allison, Alex Ross, Nick Robles
Writers: Rodney Barnes, Daniel Kraus, David DB Andry
Colorists: Jason Wordie & Kurt Michael Russell
Letterers: Jim Campbell & Andworld Design
David Andry (“End After End,” “Resonant”): Sina Grace always impresses me. He continues to do unique, personal, indie stuff and then work on popular properties like Superman! Liana Kangas, from personal experience working with them on covers for “End After End,” I know how much they care about the quality of work and the intention of the other creators they are working with. Plus, interiors on two series and an insane number of variant covers on other great titles. Amazing! Jarred Lujan, having to pull “Crash and Troy” from under the rubble of another publisher to put it out through A Wave Blue World plus running Kickstarters and being super supportive of other indie creators. His energy and positivity inspires me. Lastly, Dave Baker and Nicole Goux. They have forged their own path in the world of comics, alway staying true to their ideals and visions. And success has definitely followed!
Sally Cantirino (“Door to Door Night by Night,” “I Walk With Monsters”): I wasn’t familiar with Nick Cagnetti’s work before “Pink Lemonade” but damn– my friend Doug at The Geekery recommended it and it’s just so fun and stylish and sweet.
I am a huge fan of Robert Wilson IV’s art, I think his one-shot on “Barbaric: The Harvest Blades” was my favorite single-issue of the year.
Mark Bouchard really came through as my favorite writer this year, between “It Took Luke” and “Leaf Peepers.”
I am forever a huge fan of Chris Shehan and Liana Kangas’ work- anything they work on is an instant buy for me. I’m so excited for “Behold Behemoth” and new art from Nick Robles– “Euthanauts” is one of my favorite comics. John Pearson’s art on “Mindset” absolutely blows my mind every issue. Jim Terry’s old-school EC-style cartooning in “West of Sundown” is one of my favorite things in comics right now, his art style is so timeless and classic.
Chris Shehan (“The Autumnal,” “Nightfall: Double Feature”): For artists, Liana Kangas, Zoe Thorogood Sally Cantirino, Dike Ruan. For writers, every writer I got to make comics with this year, Tim Daniel, DB Andry, Tate Brombal, David Booher, and Dan Falco. And for colorists, again, every colorist I had the pleasure of working with this year, Miquel Muerto, Jason Wordie, Roman Stevens, and Katlyn Gonzalez. Every letterer I worked with as well, Jim Campbell, Andworld Design, and Taylor Esposito. I could credit more people if I was able to consume more comics this year!
Sebastian Girner (Editor in Chief, TKO Comics): Not to be coy but the two who impressed me the most this year were both via pitches that landed on my desk and I’m happy to say that both will be published by TKO in the future. Another breakout for me was Artyom Topilin on “I Hate This Place,” that guy is fantastic. And my “Scales & Scoundrels” collaborator and good friend Galaad debuted his first solo graphic novel in France with “Le Chant du Temps Inverse” (“The Inverted Song of Time”) from Dupuis and I was so impressed with his depiction of an aching, awkward, and emotionally devastating summer romance.
Coni Yovaniniz (“Walking to Do”): This year I found Niall Breen on Instagram with his “Dog & Frog” comics, and they’re one of the highlights of my social media checking. They’re really simple comics about really simple moments of daily life, but it’s so sweet! so lovely! I always look forward to seeing these little guys!
I was also really impressed by Brandon Hankins and his webcomic “Autumn Wing”–this year he crowdfunded a print run of the first chapter and I can’t wait to see it in person! I really like Brandon’s brushwork, very loose, with a Sumi-e vibe…the complete opposite of what I do with my inks, which is exactly why it intrigues me!
Harry Bogosian (“A Better Place,” “Demon’s Mirror”): I have people I follow and love that continue to impress me with the comics they make. Chan Chau @aluhnim, Neat @neat_neato, Abbadon @orbitaldropkick, and Ham @hambonous. They’ve all gone above and beyond with the effort and vision put into their comics and artwork and really help me see what to strive for in improvement.
I will always forget a ton of crucial names here, but I am so enamored with everyone’s drive in creating comics and finding new ways to make this industry innovative even after these last two-three years.
Hayden Sherman (“Blink,” “Above Snakes”): Man, who didn’t? I mean this genuinely (though I’m sure it sounds like a cop-out…) but every book I open is full of the art of people giving it their all. I’m impressed at all times.
