Small press…Big talent!

This is the top 5 small press guys that are not only creators to watch, but are guys who have already made their mark in small press comics. These are the guys that can get their projects green lit buy companies like image Dark horse and Oni. These guys are doing their part to keep the “little guys” on the map. I left off the Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Millar types. Yes they do a lot of small press books, but they are as well known for what they do with the big boys as the small ones. These are guys that make their bones solely in the small press (for now). Here they are.


5. Matt Fraction- Like any good writer Matt attracts some of the most talented artist around. He’s worked with a lot of talented guys from the KC area that are true diamonds in the rough ( Hector Casanova, Steve Sanders). He has proven himself as a local treasure in KC and looked upon with great respect from the art community there. He has finally put himself on the national map creatively and professionally with some very well written critically and acclaimed books. Matt has been creating comics for a while and has earned every bit of recognition he’s now getting. The first thing I read from Matt was “Mantooth” but with his newest titles like “Casanova” and “the Five Fists of Science” he showing his true range as a writer. His writing style and concepts are smart, imaginative and at reminiscing of a Warren Ellis or Alan Moore. Like those writers Matt can also write larger properties and make them entertaining without “selling out” what truly makes him a unique writer.


4. Ryan Ottley- He is best known for work on Image Comics' Invincible. Artist and co-creator of webcomic strip "Ted Noodleman", and it was through this web strip that Robert Kirkman first encountered Ryan's work. I've seen Wya ( many of us wanna bees and fans know him as) work for years before he was getting regular gigs and has always been one hell of an artist and one hell of a great guy. Ryan is a true indy guy with works in Digital Webbing presents, Ted Noodleman and OZ5 and now a smash hit with Invincible. Ryan's skill and speed is only matched by his professionalism and character. No matter if you see him at a con or on the net on message boards he’s always opinionated but always endearing to his fans. Ryan is an artist that can draw any and everything, cartoony or super detailed renderings. He will one day soon, be among the elite in the comic world.

3. B.Clay Moore- Clay is someone I know on a very casual basis. I had the pleasure meeting and hanging with him back in Kansas City doing the start and height of the Kansas city comic Creators boom. I sat with him in CCN meetings and read his little “Hawaiian Dick” ashcan before anyone even knew what he had. Who would have know…not me! I mention this because Clay is the one of those guys from that group that I know that has had some success ( Clay had more than just some success,) but still remains the same guy. Clay is not an underrated talent because every review I've ever read on his work has been stealer! Every book he does is not only quality work but has wit, humor and paced beautifully. His work is smart without being to “inside” or obscure and always remains hip. Clay has another sign of a great writer, he attracts good artists. Clay has a great eye for knowing what artist will do his story justice and looks for one that will complement his books and still be able to put their own artistic stamp on the material. Clay seems to be a very artist friendly creator, something I believe is needed if you ever want to have longevity in the business of creating comics. He seems to have the Midas touch with Books like “Hawaiian Dick”, “Battle Hymn” and the “Leading man”. Even books less read like the “Expatriate” has a very loyal following. Clay is a creative indy guy. And with Hollywood knocking down his door it’s just a matter of time before his name will be up there with all the heavy hitters in the biz. we could use “Moore” guys like him…damn, that pun was bad!

2. Tony Moore - ( no relation to Clay : ) I've been a fan of Tony long before I ever knew who the fuck he was. I still remember picking up “Battle Pope” #2 off the shelves like 5 or 6 years ago and being blown away at the his art! His art is very reminiscent of Will Eisner in the way his figures convey emotion and action. His ability to draw action and cartoony humor and over the top covers! Moore is by far my favorite artist to come up in the past ten years and it’s a shame he has not won an Eisner award yet, one of the reasons that award is losing all credibility in my eyes. As an artist myself I look at his work as something to aspire to. People get caught up in the over rendered photo realistic type art that has flooded the mainstream market. Fear Agent and the wicked good Walking Dead ( first 6 or 7 issues) are some of the best books you'll experiance in the small press. The Quality that Tony has in his work is something that doesn't come around to often in comics and if he has the right opportunity and motivation I think Tony will be our generations John Romita Jr. Plan on seeing him in the biz for as long as he want’s to be in it.


1. Robert Kirkman- Yeah, I know he’s doing a lot of Marvel stuff, and how I said I would exclude those guys, but come on! Robert is a hard core indy guy that started from nothing and busted his ass with Battle Pope that lead to gigs like Tech Jacket with Image and Then Hit a home run with titles like the Walking Dead ( with Tony Moore) and Invincible ( with Ryan Ottley) His Walking Dead series topped the image sales charts mouth after mouth and with the help of Uncle Way propelled Invincible to a fan favorite and got Hollywood giving him props with not only an option, but an offer to write the script, damn that almost unheard of for someone that’s not yet on the Hollywood map! Kirkman has all the qualities of a real indy guy and works his ass off churning out quality book after quality book. Kirkman is all set for mainstream heat and is now taking Marvel by storm and helped put over some of the best Indy properties being published in recent years. He evens put his buddy Tony Moore on the map with collaborations on Battle pope, Brit, Walking dead.