Who Was Considered The Greatest Comics Writer Before Alan Moore Came Along?

[Zelena]

Clearly René Goscinny, not even close.

I have the impression that the discussion is US-centric… If not, specialists will probably say Osamu Tezuka.

[babyblob]

Claremont's role in The X-Men's breakout cannot be exaggerated, or his impact on Marvel (and, arguably, all superhero comics) as a whole. Nonetheless, it minorly annoys me when he's given credit for remaking the X-Men. That was Wein and Cockrum, the latter of whom was on the title for two long runs with Claremont, including those that introduced Phoenix, the Shiar and their Imperial Guard, The Brood (arguably Marvel's most terrifying species), and Magneto's elevation to a serious menace, and his transformation into a complex anti-hero figure.

Claremont was - undeniably - great. But he owes much to others.

To be honest I did not know that about those two. I have only in the last few months been learning about the history of the company and I have started learning about other writers and artists as well.

Thank you for the information I will look at those two more closely

[CaptCleghorn]

I have the impression that the discussion is US-centric… If not, specialists will probably say Osamu Tezuka.

The discussion is definitely US based. It's also heavily super-hero oriented as well leaving a small piece of the comics pie that's being discussed.

[DrNewGod]

To be honest I did not know that about those two. I have only in the last few months been learning about the history of the company and I have started learning about other writers and artists as well.

Thank you for the information I will look at those two more closely

Didn't mean that to be a slam. It's a publicity thing; like saying The US won WWII without considering what the Russians did.

[babyblob]

Didn't mean that to be a slam. It's a publicity thing; like saying The US won WWII without considering what the Russians did.

I didnt take it as a slam. I am going to read up more on these guys. I am in the process of learning and am always happy to learn about more people

[DrNewGod]

I didnt take it as a slam. I am going to read up more on these guys. I am in the process of learning and am always happy to learn about more people

You're a good man BB.

[babyblob]

You're a good man BB.

Thank you. if you know of more guys who dont get enough credit let me know.

[Powerboy]

Stan Lee? Chris Claremont? Will Eisner?

I don't know that Alan Moore was ever considered the greatest but Stan Lee was probably considered the greatest just in creating all of those characters with a healthy assist from Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby.

I would nominate Denny ONeill as well.

Lee, Kirby, Ditko, O'Neill and, heck, Seagal, Bill Finger, Edmond Hamilton and a host of others were ther gods of comic book writing when people (kids though they were) read comic books.

Granted Miller, Moore and some others did some great work but it was on the edge of a cliff just before comics tanked as a market.

[seismic-2]

I would have thought it would be Carl Barks. However, he was writing for a different target audience, so maybe he's excluded from consideration?

[Timothy Hunter]

who WAS considered the best writer then, right before Moore gained prominence

[Timothy Hunter]

I have the impression that the discussion is US-centric… If not, specialists will probably say Osamu Tezuka.

Yes, I'm talking about the mainstream American comic industry before Alan Moore's Swamp Thing arrived on the scene. Japan, Europe, United Kingdom, and the undergrounds, while arguably ahead of the United States in terms of storytellong in their comics, don't factor in here.

[Jim Kelly]

So is the question who do we now consider the greatest writer before Moore came on the scene? Or who was considered the best writer then, right before Moore gained prominence.

I took it as who was considered the greatest at the time. And by that, I mean not who I think really was the greatest, but just who fandom in general thought was the greatest.

If you ask me who I think is the greatest comic book writer, that's an entirely different question--and my answer wouldn't be Alan Moore, Denny O'Neil, Stan Lee or Chris Claremont. And maybe not even Will Eisner.

[babyblob]

I took it as who was considered the greatest at the time. And by that, I mean not who I think really was the greatest, but just who fandom in general thought was the greatest.

If you ask me who I think is the greatest comic book writer, that's an entirely different question--and my answer wouldn't be Alan Moore, Denny O'Neil, Stan Lee or Chris Claremont. And maybe not even Will Eisner.

I am curious to know who you think it would be?

[Kirby101]

who WAS considered the best writer then, right before Moore gained prominence

Then I will stick with Stan. Among us fans at the time Stan was the Man.

[Jim Kelly]

I am curious to know who you think it would be?

For sheer output, maybe Paul S. Newman.

But among my personal favourites, it's hard to say. As soon as I think of one, then I think of another just as important to me.