This will NOT qualify as the best writing...

Caveats:

One: If I already listed the creator as one of the best writer/artists, then I didn’t include them again. Seems only fair to let everyone else have a turn.

Two: I know that lots of folks are missing. To get on this list, the writer has to have a large, solid body of work with few misses. That’s why Jason Aaron and Matt Fraction aren’t here: Not a good enough hits-to-misses ratio. And their work has to have been impactful on the industry.

Three: If you disagree with me, please drop me a comment. But try to make it more intelligent than “Ekko, you suck!”  Remember, this is my list, not yours.  But I’d love to see who you think belongs here…

Four: Don’t bother telling me that Gardner Fox, Mark Millar, Marv Wolfman, JM DeMatteis, etc., should have made the list. I agree. I’m all broken up about it, too, but I had to narrow it down to ten because ten is how all the cool kids number their lists.

Five: Peter David is more literary than any author on this list, in that he uses many novelistic conventions and emphasizes character development over plot. This is especially true of his later work on X-Factor, which is probably the best-written comic book currently on the market in terms of individual characterization. David truly establishes a unique voice for every one of his characters. Still, he hasn’t produced enough superb work to get on the list. But when he loves his subject, there is truly no better character-and-dialog writer working today. So he gets his own caveat.

Hit the break for the big ten.

Read more…

Sometimes, I like my music crisp and tight.  Sometimes, I like hooks and choruses and stuff I can sing along with in the car, where nobody cares if I sound like shit. Ever feel like that?  That is not a time to listen to The Antiques.

I can’t understand why this band picked its name.  “The Antiques” suggests something old, dusty and dark brown.  And boring.  And old.  If you’re looking for that, you do not want to listen to The Antiques.

But if you’re looking for experimental garage rock, with fuzz and odd voiceovers, a complete lack of hooks or harmonies, but some steady percussion, then trust me, you do want to listen to The Antiques.  It’s like Beck, only without trying to be profound.

You can preorder it for just under four bucks.  Definitely worth supporting this extremely odd, disturbed duo.

Everybody! Do the Twist!