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

[Kirby101]

Kirby lied a lot though and he came across as being bitter so it's hard to take him at his word.

How so. I have not seen that claim. Everyone who knew him found him sincere and honest.

[Mister Mets]

Kirby lied a lot though and he came across as being bitter so it's hard to take him at his word.

At this point, there's an understanding (from anyone who has looked into the topic) that Kirby and Ditko had a major role in contributing to the stories of the Fantastic Four, Thor, Captain America, Dr Strange, and Spider-Man beyond illustrating Stan Lee's scripts.

Reasonable people could argue that Stan Lee (this is my view) made major contributions, but he would be a co-writer rather than the sole writer.

His reputation is a bit different if he's seen as a cowriter rather than the only writer.

[Kirby101]

Also "bitter", considering how he was treated by Marvel after what he did, bitter is a gentle reaction.