Best Comics Of 2021: Best Artists

2021 had a lot of pressure on it. Following up on one of the worst years ever can’t be easy. While the outside world is still dealing with pandemics and the such, we are at least being blessed with some great comic books. This year, the artists brought their A game, bringing us some of the best panels in recent memory. Here are our picks for 2021’s best artists:

Marcus Orchard – Pepe Larraz

2021 was a year full of stellar artists. Still, one of the absolute standouts is Pepe Larraz. While Marte Gracia deserves an immense amount of credit for the gorgeous colors of Planet Size X-Men and X-Men (2021), Pepe Larraz has absolutely stolen the show this year. Massively epic set pieces, fantastic staging, and incredible linework all highlight Larraz’s stellar 2021. Just flipping through Planet Size will make this pick clear to any doubters. Any X-Men book that is blessed with Larraz’s art is a must-but just to flip through the pages and take in the gorgeous panels. 

Zach – Dan Mora 

Visually speaking, Once & Future is stunning. Every one of Dan Mora’s characters are so confident in design. I happened to be reading Buffy: Welcome Back to the Hellmouth recently and while Mora’s art is solid and stylish there, it helps to underscore what a wide open playground he’s been unleashed on in Once & Future. So many creatures, knights, and medieval weaponry, magical explosions and devices, bold character designs–it’s all there. With Tamra Bonvillain’s colors bringing it to life, you’re hard pressed to find a better looking book.

Ethan Maddux – Bilquis Evely

I’ve followed Bilquis Evely on social media for a while now because while I was aware she’s kind of a rising star; I hadn’t read one of her books. I feel like it’s important to note that, only because I thought she was fantastic before I read her work, whereas now I feel like I completely get why she’s quickly becoming what’s known in the industry as “The Best.”

Even one issue of Supergirl was impressive just in terms of pure creative output alone, but when you take a look at them one after the other it nearly feels like an overwhelming level of quality. The variety of wonderful worlds and vistas in just the first issue is hard to even comprehend from a creative standpoint. Her ability to craft every panel with such an attention to detail and density, but also with so much fun and care is just next door to unmatched.

Evely is one of the best in the business, and her book (written by Tom King, who also does great) Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow still isn’t over, so if you like to support good art there is still time to catch up before it’s over. 

Honorable Mentions: Jorge Fornes, Bruno Redondo, Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Peach Momoko