This is a list of my favorite comic book scribes. I've limited it to works completed since 1980 to the present day. The list will give brief descriptions of my favorite works by each writer.
5. Neil Gaiman
Neil is responsible for my favorite comic title to date, the Sandman. I can't say enough about the story of Morpheus and his kin, other than you must read it if you haven't had the chance. DC asked Neil to eulogize (or so we thought) Bruce Wayne, he did it with his trademark excellence. Gaiman also relaunched the long forgotten Eternals into the Marvel U, only to watch the monthly title flounder under poor writing and artwork. An earlier work like Black Orchid is a good read also.
4. Robert Kirkman
Mr. Kirkman is responsible for bringing me back to comic books after a very long hiatus. His Walking Dead has everything one could want in a great work of literature, set amongst a world infested with zombies. Invincible is rewriting the way to do a superhero monthly. Its witty, engaging and brutally violent (check this month's issue for a top 5 example). Even earlier works like Battle Pope bring an outrageous concept home with trademark Kirkman charm.
3. Mark Millar
I first became aware of Mark after reading Wanted. The book blew me away in both concept and execution. I haven't been disappointed by a thing he's done since. Civil War and Old Man Logan are two classic stories. The Ultimates and Ultimate X-Men run shaped the fantastic road the Ultimate Marvel Universe travelled for a decade. His new creator owned works- Kick Ass, War Heroes, Nemesis- are gutsy, medium-expanding, and most importantly fun.
2. Garth Ennis
Everything I've read from Garth Ennis is excellent. Preacher is amazing. He reinvigorated Frank Castle. Crossed gives a perverse and gloomy look at a world ravaged by plague. The Boys continues to kick the superhero comic in the nuts as only Garth can.
1. Brian Michael Bendis
Kind of an almost default pick by the amount of books I read from the man. I'll just skip the platitudes and give you some highlights by the writer of (almost) EVERY Marvel book that matters- Powers, his Daredevil run, Ultimate Spider-Man, Siege, Secret Invasion, New Avengers, Dark Avengers, Secret War
Honorable Mentions: Warren Ellis, Geoff Johns, Alan Moore, Jeff Lemire, Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Powell
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Very surprised that Warren Ellis did not make your list. Also surprised that Kirkman was #4. never would I have guessed that Mark Millar would be above him. It also begs the question: are their any female comic writers out there? Why is this such a man's world?
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