[Batman]

If you're not sure what a mini-Showdown is here is the thread where we discussed it. Essentially they are smaller showdowns with a reduced scope. And the first one is going to be Batman artists.

And here is the thread where we discussed the Batman artists. Give it a read if you have a spare moment.

I'm submitting a full ballot, and Stu will be, too. But since it's a mini-showdown, a mini-ballot is just fine. If you can only think of one (or two or three) Batman artists that you really think are that great, feel free to nominate just that one (or those few.)


Here's my ballot:

1) Jim Aparo






2) Mike Parobeck




3) Dave Mazzucchelli




4) Neal Adams




5) Bob Kane




6) Frank Miller




7) Dick Sprang




Norm Breyfogle




9) Tom Mandrake




10) Marshall Rogers




11) Darwyn Cooke

[Stu]

1.Jim Lee


2.Tim Sale

3.Darwyn Cooke

4.Andy Kubert

5.Brian Bolland

6.Neal Adams

7.Bruce Timm

8.Frank Miller

9.Mazzucchelli

10. Don Kramer

11.Mandrake

[Moosehead Jack]

there's going to be like three people who actually know the merits of the artists, and the rest will be voting on visuals, which will most likely piss some of you off.

[Batman]

Eh, in my opinion the visuals are the merits of the artist. That's the nice thing about this, you don't have to know anything about comic book art to participate, just look and decide for yourself which you like better.

If anybody, even if they've never read a comic book in their life, looks through this thread and says to themself "Wow, that particular artist is really impressive," please feel completely free to submit a ballot with one artist on it, or just a few.

Believe me, it will be every bit as welcome as a ballot from an uber-geek like me or Stu who wants to rank 11 Batman artists.

You're right that I will probably be calling you all Philistines at one point or another. But this is different from any other Showdown how?

[Stu]

sergeial said:

Eh, in my opinion the visuals are the merits of the artist. That's the nice thing about this, you don't have to know anything about comic book art to participate, just look and decide for yourself which you like better.

Yeah, stuff like Lee and Kubert's lateness doesn't matter that much in cases like this.

[National Champion Chris Cole]

I won't submit a ballot but as long as you guys include some samples of the work I can vote during the showdown.

[Batman]

That's the idea. I mean, I hope somebody besides me and Stu submits a nominating ballot.

But I understand that it's a lot easier to choose which of two artists you like better than a whole passel of 'em.

[Batman]

sergeial said:

I hope somebody besides me and Stu submits a nominating ballot.

Anybody?

[The Canadian Content]

Sorry, man. I know little about artists anyway, and I've never read Batman regularly, so I don't have a clue. I don't even recognize some of the names you nominated.

[National Champion Chris Cole]

This is the first day it is up. Perhaps you'll get a few more roll in tonight.

[Batman]

Psycho: You don't really need to know them in advance. Those are the artists Stu and I think are best along with what we think are good examples of what they do. If any of them really knock you out, go right ahead and nominate them. But maybe you don't like any of them, I can see that--not a lot of long, flowing golden hair, like in the comic books you like.

MKid: Oh, I know it's too soon to give up on it. I'm just bored.

[The Canadian Content]

Don't get me wrong, I'll vote. I just wanted to leave the nominating to people who know what they're talking about.

[National Champion Chris Cole]

I'll help you out a bit. Based solely on pictures posted in this thread and subject to change if others post more work.

1. Bruce Timm
2. Frank Miller
3. Mike Parobeck
4. Norm Breyfogle
5. Darwyn Cooke

[Batman]

Now, that's what I'm talking about! Use your own judgment and taste and make a call based on what you see! Way to go, M-Kid!

EXALT!

[Batman]

M-Kid: Based on your picks, other Batman artists you might like . . .

Rick Burchett:












Ty Templeton:

[Lucky]

Ok, based on what you and Stu have provided.

1) Mandrake
2) Neal Adams
3) Jim Lee
4) Jim Aparo
5) Brian Bolland
6) Andy Kubert
7) Don Kramer

I'll give another look through tomorrow and maybe skim through some comics. See what changes/additions I can make. For now, those are the guys who stand out to me. The top half are basically the guys I legitimately recognize as the guys that I liked growing up (Adams and Mandrake) or the guys I like now (Lee). The rest are basically just the ones I look at that you guys have shown and think look good.

[Batman]

EXALT for Lucky.

Post a ballot if you want an EXALT, too.

[Batman]

And an artist for your consideration, Lucky--Don Newton:

[The Canadian Content]

Okay, I had a look through what you guys posted. My ranking is based on two things: 1. It impressed me; 2. It didn't depict Batman with an enormous chin. I really don't get the giant-chin fascination.

1. Miller
2. Kane
3. Lee
4. Adams
5. Aparo
6. Kramer
7. Kubert

[Batman]

EXALT!

psychofish said:

I really don't get the giant-chin fascination.

I was tempted to get all defensive of the Bruce Timm, Batman: TAS style. But then I realized that that just means that your ballot and M-Kid's balance each-other out. So that's cool.

Also:

2. Bob Kane

Holy fuck, Batman! Someone besides me voted for a golden-age artist!

Awesome.

[The Canadian Content]

I loved BTAS and JLU, but I still don't get why the chins are so big. You get used to it, but it does look really silly if you think about it.

[Stu]

psychofish said:

You get used to it, but it does look really silly if you think about it.

So do feathered wings coming out of headgear.

[The Canadian Content]

You, sir, have a point.

[Stu]

.......I wasn't expecting that response...

[Batman]

Damnit, thorfag! You broke Stu's brain!