Your Top 5 Comic Boom Publishers!?

[GreenLanternRanger]

So what are your top 5 favorite comic book publishers?

As for me I would say...


1. DC: I've always loved DC's characters growing up with the DCAU I was drawn to the comics as well. While I didn't start actually avidly collecting DC comics until the early 00's I have enjoyed the companies output, even with all the ups & downs. Currently loving Rebirth and can't wait to see whats in store for the future!

2. Archie: I loved getting the Archie Digests as a kid and am currently loving the recently rebooted Archie line. Honestly my interest in the company has really grown over the past year and I'll probably check out more of their stuff both inside & outside the main line eventually as well.

3. Boom Studios: I am loving what they have been doing with their Mighty Morphin Power Rangers books & Grant Morrison's Klaus has been a fun read as well.

4.IDW: Their run of TMNT has been spectacular. and I like all the crossovers they do with DC.

5.Valiant: X-O Manowar is probably one of the best indie superhero books out there.

So those are my favorites. How about the rest of you guys and gals?

Edit: Someone change Boom to Book please. Thanks.

[MRP]

I was going to say what era was the comic boom of publishers we are talking about?

Top 5 in no particular order

Image-more quality books in a variety of genres that I can read and get invested in that any publisher currently in the market

First Second Publishing from Yang's Boxers and Saints and the Shadow Heroto Templars to Paul Pope's Battlin' Boy this publisher is putting out tons of phenomenal OGNs in a variety of genres.

Les Humanoids-from its roots in Metal Hurlant and Heavy Metal Magazine to the collections of Jodo and Moebius, and a host of other great European albums, Humanoids has made some of the greatest comics available to the American market

First Comics-They were to the 80s what Image is now-a place where creators could bring their original visions to market in a variety of genres-from Grell's Sable to Chaykin's America Flagg! to Grimjack to the second half of Starlin's Dreadstar and a host of other quality books.

Marvel-my childhood in the 70s was defined by Marvel Comics-I liked and read the others, but Marvel was where it was at for me as a kid so the nostalgia I have is Marvel-based, and my love of comics was born in the Marvel Bronze Age. I don't read much current Marvel anymore, but if not for Marvel I wouldn't have become a comic reader.

I like stuff form a variety of publishers past and present. DC of the late 80s should get an honorable mention because stuff like Watchmen, DKR, Ronin, Camelot 3000, Sandman, Swamp Thing etc. showed me the broad scope of what comics could do and led me to explore more genres and publishers, but then offered me an intro into the oeuvre of Will Eisner later which also revolutionized my views on comics. I could list a dozen small self-publishers whose output I adore, and Eclipse or Pacific could easily take First's spot for providing creator focused stuff in the 80s, etc. There's a lot of good comics out there regardless of the publisher brand on it. Some publsihers ahve good track records so I seek them out, but I don't really buy by publisher brand anymore, but by the quality of the material being published no matter who puts it out.

-M

[Michael24]

First two may be be cliched and obvious, but oh well. Marvel and DC. Growing up, that's all I was about. Then came Image, which gave me that more PG-13 to R edge that let me feel like I was getting away with something right under my parents' nose. In recent years, I've come to appreciate Dark Horse a lot more than I used to as teen, and IDW does great things as well. (Love their Ghostbusters output.) So . . .

(in no particular order)
* Marvel
* DC
* Image
* Dark Horse
* IDW

With an honorable mention for Dynamite.

[codystarbuck]

With no distinction for eras:

DC
EC
Marvel
Dell
Kodansha

DC was there nearly at the start, ruled the industry for 3 decades, and keeps coming back when they falter (though they falter more and more, in this century). Timely was in the mix of the Golden Age; but never near the top. The fact that they survived the 50s is a testament to them. They reinvented themselves in the 60s and have ruled the market since the 70s. EC was, by far, the best publisher of quality material (including Quality Comics). The level of craftsmanship on their titles was and is unparalleled. MAD influenced generations. Dell was the number two publisher from the moment they acquired the Disney license and continued as such until the 60s. They gave us Carl Barks and Uncle Scrooge, which had worldwide influence. Kodansha has ruled manga since its inception and have probably published more notable works than any company in the world.

I have soft spots for others. Fawcett produced some of the best comics of the 40s, with Quality Comics doing a respectable job. Tower had some of the best looking comics of the 60s, thanks to Wally Wood, Mike Sekowsky, Gil Kane, George Tuska, and a few others. First had the most professional looking comics of the 80s independents (generally done by seasoned professionals), while Eclipse had the most varied line of books. Kitchen Sink gets high marks for introducing Will Eisner to new generations. Fantagraphics gave us Love and Rockets, Hate, Naughty Bits and several other alternative books; plus, the Comics Journal and Amazing Heroes. They also gave us some porn. Humanoids was groundbreaking when they came along; but, Pilote and Spirou probably had more impact on European comics. Metal Hurlant did influence other game changers, like L'Echo de Savanes and El Vibora.