Comic Relief

I love stories. Through my work I try to tell a story about the people or businesses I’m creating them for. I look for all manner of inspiration of visual storytelling, whether it be classical art forms like painting or sculpture, or more contemporary art forms like graffiti and yarn bombing. My latest obsession is one that been around for some time and when it started was considered a low form of art. Today comics are still pretty underrated in terms of artistic merit but showcase the work of some of the most talented and innovative artists in the world.Though the images are still, movement is created with the use of swooping lines and cleverly placed onomatopoeia that give life to characters and make their stories flow across the page. Comic books and graphic novels have recently become some of my favorite medium of storytelling. I have to admit I’m a little late to the comic book game but right now is a great time to explore the world of comics with major comic book studios pushing this medium and coming out with stories in order to attract wide audience that usually wouldn’t go out of there way to read comics.

This list is only a fraction of the comics I'm reading a the moment. There are so many great titles out there but I wanted to share some of my favorites that not only tell an amazing story but also incorporate beautiful art.

Low

Written by Rick Remender Art by Greg Tocchini

This comic is like walking in to a futuristic fever dream. It’s a title that features art that is a prime example of the ethereal styles that seem to be becoming more prevalent in comics today. Straying away for the typical tropes that portray the future as being all clean lines and smooth textures, the images are organic colorful and otherworldly.

Elektra

Written by Haden Blackman Art by Michael Del Mundo

I don’t usually use the gorgeous to describe, well... anything, but it’s the only word I can think of to describe this book. Every panel looks as though it’s been hand painted. Finally getting her own comic series (she was originally a foe of Dare Devil) where we explore her past and the what makes the female assassin so dangerous.

Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon

Written by Matt Fraction Art by David Aja and Javier Pulido

If the great Saul Bass designed comic book covers, I imagine, this is what they would look. I remember seeing these covers on comic book stands for the first time and being utterly floored. I’d never seen a cover that looked like this. Simple tri-color composition on clean white backgrounds. The interior artwork is reminiscent of a more classical style of comic book art showing more of the average joe life of Hawkeye when he’s away from his superpowered allies, the Avengers.

Wicked + Divine

Written by Kieron Gillen Art by Jamie McKelvie, Matthew Wilson, and Clayton Cowles

Using a transparent white text over colorful richly textured images has been a popular trend lately and in this instance it works so well. This is another example of how the idea of what a comic book cover have been redefined. Clean bold lines and rich colors pervasive not only on the covers but also throughout this work.

East of West

Written by Jonathan Hickman Art by Nick Dragotta

East of west is an innovative depiction of the apocalypse as not just religious but also political event, where the future and the american old west converge seamlessly. Beautiful highlight and shadow embellish the the rich juxtaposition of warm and cool colors. This story become very grotesque yet it is render so beautifully you can’t look away. The covers of these graphic novel do not convey how glorious the art is that lies within them.