Josh made an important point about artists and writers in his “After San Diego: My New Year’s Resolutions” article. In it he stressed the talent of the artist above the writer. Saying, “Any old clod with a keyboard can write comic books.. But a bad artist? Even the worst artists in comics could draw circles around me.”

*Josh – If I’m taking this out of context let them know.

It seems to me that most fanboys have an favorite artist who’s not everyone’s cup of tea. For me it’s Alex Maleev. This guy, when his panels are decipherable at least, is raising the bar on what comic art is and can be. I am not trying to instigate an argument about his placement among the all time greats, but I am saying he brings something critical and unique to the medium.

Much of the great art we see in current books is to be expected. Right now I’ll accept nothing less than Tony Daniel on Batman, Reis and Van Sciver on GL or Coipel on Thor. These artists do comic art the way it should be done. So what happens if you don’t stick to protocol? Well, you wind up with some hits and misses. Leinil Yu for instance. Can anybody say they “really love” what he’s doing? Probably not. But we appreciate it nonetheless.

If I were to offer up a book to someone who doesn’t normally delve into the medium it would have to come from a creative team with unique flair. I would want them to respond to it with something like, “this isn’t just kid’s stuff is it?” To which I’d happily respond “no”. Alex Maleev gives me something to hand to my non-comic reading friends and say “can you believe they’re doing this in comics? shouldn’t he be placing this in a gallery downtown?”

Let me just sum this up by saying, “I’m not worthy.”

It’s tough to define these artists we love as good and bad because what’s good to me might be shite to you. You could be critical of Maleev. A number of his panels are shaded so dark it can be hard to tell what you’re looking at, even the ones that aren’t can be difficult because of his line usage. But those panels that are good, well they could almost make me like Halo, and I hate Halo.

I guess I should say something about the story? 

Not bad. Not great. Umm, yeah..