Marvel and DC each have a proud, 80-year-old legacy of history, characters and stories. From founding figures like Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Siegel and Shuster to modern hit writers like Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Chip Zdarsky, comics have attracted some phenomenal writers. And as much as some writers have a wealth of titles under their belt, many have been neglected by the big two as the years have gone by.
Although there are many exceptional titles and creators right now, too many skilled comic book writers are currently without projects at the big two. While it is important to ensure a strong and steady flow of new talent into the industry, publishers should balance that with their legacy creators for a well-rounded talent pool beloved by fans. Publishers continue to have a wealth of existing talented options when selecting new comic book teams.
10 Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray Made Jonah Hex A Household Name Again
Palmiotti and Gray have written for many series over the years as a team but are best known for their 2005 revival of Jonah Hex. The scarred bounty hunter was given his best run, the popularity of which undoubtedly contributed to the decision to let him headline his own movie.
Palmiotti and Gray also had a fun stint on the main Hawkman title after Geoff Johns's departure at the time. Their typical style of done-in-one action stories makes them a great fit for the majority of titles, and they would be a welcome addition to any title on the publishing schedule.
9 Bryan Edward Hill Delivers On Thoughtful And Fun Action
In a relatively short time, Bryan Edward Hill wrote several instant classic stories. Among these are a masterful Killmonger miniseries, an original crime thriller called American Carnage and an action-packed run of Batman and the Outsiders, which ran for 17 issues.
Hill, also an accomplished screenwriter, has worked on properties such as Evil Dead and Titans. His work at the big two showed a great balance between an eye for detail and hard-hitting action. With a wide variety of characters behind him, Hill would be a good fit for a range of new projects.
8 Nancy Collins Is A Great Horror Writer
Nancy Collins is best known for a run on Swamp Thing in the 1990s, following work from Alan Moore, Rick Veitch and Len Wein. Collins proved to be the latest in a long run of great writers on the title, and left a long-lasting mark on the moss-encrusted swamp hero.
Joined by artists Scott Eaton and Kim DeMulder, she added character to the Louisiana swamp and told a strong series of ghostly tales and gothic horror. With Ram V's Swamp Thing proving a success, it shows there's still a strong market for the dark horror Collins knows so well.
7 Jeff Lemire Is One Of The Most Versatile Comic Writers
The writer of everything from The Terrifics (Jeff Lemire, Ivan Reis & Joe Prado) to his own Black Hammer (Lemire, Dave Stewart & Dean Ormstom), Lemire is a creator with cross-genre appeal. His versatile style had made him a fit for characters at both publishers.
Currently writing the Black Label miniseries Swamp Thing: Green Hell with artist Doug Mahnke, Lemire has shown his true strength to be on longer ongoing titles. The resurrection of The Terrifics and their Fantastic Four-style adventures would be a great opportunity for Lemire to return to DC's publishing schedule.
6 Dan Abnett Helmed Aquaman's Fun Rebirth Era
When the Rebirth era started, Abnett wrote the aquatic hero Aquaman for dozens of issues of a solid series. He then wrote the Justice League Odyssey series that saw Azrael, Cyborg, Starfire and Jessica Cruz teamed up in space and butt heads with Darkseid himself.
Abnett has also shown writing prowess for the British publisher Rebellion/2000 AD on their flagship character Judge Dredd. He has turned in work from across the diverse corners of the big two as well as other franchises. Abnett's return to Aquaman could help revive that title.
5 Dan Jurgens Has A Solid Track Record On Superman
Jurgens is possibly best known for his run on Superman in the 1990s, and especially his writing of the "Death of Superman" arc. As a co-creator of Booster Gold, he recently concluded an action-packed run of Blue and Gold, a miniseries team-up between Booster and his best friend, Blue Beetle.
Along with Peter J. Tomasi, Jurgens helped revive Superman for DC's Rebirth era in Action Comics. Jurgens was one in a long line of creators who showed Rebirth truly had the best writers in comics. With so many great comic books behind him, an ongoing series by Jurgens is always a great addition for comics.
4 Robert Venditti Masterfully Blends Science Fiction and Adventure
When DC debuted their Rebirth initiative, Robert Venditti––who had written New 52's Green Lantern––led the new Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps series. Running for 50 issues, the series has gone down as one of the best Green Lantern comic runs in recent memory.
In 2018, Venditti and artist Bryan Hitch took JSA member Hawkman to new heights and delivered perhaps the single best ongoing DC title of the last ten years. The series became an instant hit among readers and creatives alike. Venditti's works on Superman, Justice League and Freedom Fighters showcased his great balance between classic and modern writing.
3 Peter J. Tomasi Is A Safe Bet For Fun Action Stories
Tomasi has a long history at DC Comics, beginning as an editor and then joining the prestigious list of writers at the legendary publisher. He has penned the likes of Green Lantern Corps, Batman and the Outsiders and is perhaps best known for his post-Rebirth runs of Superman.
Tomasi's writing style of combining shorter story arcs, action and fan service for heroes outside the main roster means readers can be sure they'll be treated to great comics and fun cameos. The action writer would be a great pick for most titles, but his return to Superman and Super Sons would be a sure hit.
2 J.M DeMatteis Is A Comics Mainstay Writer
DeMatteis has been writing comic books since the Bronze Age, and has written titles like The Brave and the Bold, Justice League and Spider-Man. DeMatteis is an incredibly influential writer in both the comics and TV/movie realms, with storylines remaining relevant across generations.
His stories like "Kraven's Last Hunt" and his work on the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series have shown familiarity with the best heroes in comics. And his run with Keith Giffen on Justice League showed his ability to elevate lesser-known heroes to prominence and cultivate a fan base for them.
1 Walter Simonson Brought Thor To His Peak
Following the initial run from Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, Thor went through a series of new creators, from Gerry Conway to John Buscema. When Walter Simonson took over the title in 1983, he did covers, interior art and the script. His run has gone down in comics history as one of the greatest of all time.
His creation of iconic character Beta Ray Bill has remained a testament to his creative genius. And with runs on the titles like Hawkgirl, JSA and Ragnarok, he has proved his talent in both major publishers and across a range of characters. Simonson has the added skill of being both a writer and an exceptional artist.