Greatest Spider-Man Artist of All Time

Who is the best Spider-Man artist of all time?

Let's get this out of the way really quick... it's not Todd McFarlane. I love and appreciate Todd's work but as far as Spider-Man goes, he really did not capture the essence of "Your Friendly Neighbordhood Spider-Man."

Todd's Spider-Man had webs and spiders everywhere with a mean menacing look. Looks cool for a pin-up but if this was your introduction to Spider-Man then you probably didn't get a true sense of just who the character really is.

So what exactly should Spider-Man look like? Well, Spider-Man usually has an upbeat personality. He isn't always the happiest to do his job but he realizes just how important his role is due to his tragic origin story. "With great power comes great responsibility." There's also a great deal of keeping up with day to day tasks that Peter struggles to come to terms with. Most importantly, Spidey is one of the greatest trash talkers in comics.

Does this sound like a character who should be creeping out of the shadows or hunkering down on you like a savage monster? Alright, enough harping on how Todd got Spidey wrong. Let's shift our focus towards those who got him right.

First up is legendary artist Steve Ditko. He's the guy who created Peter Parker alongside Stan "The Man" Lee. Of course he gets a nod. How can anybody have a better sense of a character over the creator? Just look at that cover. After all this time it stands up as one of the most iconic covers ever created. What words spring to mind when you see it? Responsible, free, wild, daring... all in one package. THIS is Spider-Man.

Somebody actually did come along to draw good ol' web-head better shortly after Ditko left Marvel and that would be none other than famed artist John Romita Sr. When you picture Spider-Man, you'll most likely conjure up an image drawn by this fantastic artist.

As much as I love Romita, he always drew Spider-Man a bit too bulky for my taste so I can't really give him the crown. Many may disagree but I feel Spidey should be lean as he zips through the city not looking like he's been hitting the gym with Batman.

Through the years several spectacular artists came along to draw Spidey rivaling the two celebrated artists mentioned above.

 Joe Quesada

 Humberto Ramos

 Rick Leonardi

 Olivier Coipel

Mark Bagley

Joe Madureira

All of these gentlemen are deserving of their own praise but as far as the BEST Spider-Man artist of all time... there can only be one in my mind and his name is Mr. Erik Larsen...

Let's take a look at Erik's art and note just what he does to give Spider-Man the energy, sizzle, and pop that he deserves. The image above is one of the best ever at capturing exactly who Spider-Man is. You can feel the power from Spidey's fist that knocks the Vulture back as he glides through the splash page to deliver a swift kick to Electro. Erik also wrote the issue so you can observe just how methodical Spidey is while giving the classic one liners all at once. All of this in one single panel! I challenge you to find anything close to the genius exploding from this page.

Oh, but one single page doesn't make you the greatest Spider-Man artist of all time. A picture is worth a thousand words and my words can never do Erik's art justice so I'll leave you with thousands upon thousands of words below...

  

  

  

  

Think I'm wrong? Let me know who you think the greatest Spider-Man artist of all time is in the comments below...

Top 5 Art Supplies Used By Comic Book Artists

(5)  Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser - Latex-free plastic eraser delivers practically residue-free erasing. The eraser waste twists itself up into long strands that can be easily removed. Plastic material is phthalate-free and latex-free. Eraser comes in a handy slide sleeve for convenient handling.

(4) Strathmore Bristol Board - Created specially for the comic, cartoon and graphic novel industry. Smooth is ideal for both traditional and specialty pen & ink tools and markers. Acid free, 100lb paper.

(3)  Pentel Graphgear 1000 (or 500) - Finely chiseled metallic grip inlaid with soft latex-free pads. Dual-function pocket clip releases heavy spring mechanism to retract tip. Sophisticated brushed metal barrel. Writes crisp fine lines of consistent density.

(Notable artists known to use Pentel Graphgear include Bernard Chang, Jim Lee, and Humberto Ramos)

(2.5)  Staedtler Lead Holder - This lead holder from Staedtler takes all 2 mm leads. It features a long finger grip, pocket clip and lead pointer in the top. A super-lock clutch formly grips the lead to eliminate unwanted movement.

(Notable artists known to use the Staedtler Lead Holder include Jim Lee and Adam Hughes)

(2)  Copic Sketch Markers - Scores of anime, manga and comics artists prefer Copic markers because of their ultra-blendable, low odor, alcohol based inks. Unlike water-based inks, which tend to peel and oversoak the paper while blending, Copics mix on the surface to deliver the wonderfully rich blends they're known for. This outstanding performance has distinguished Copic markers as the celebrated coloring tool within professional, semi-professional and hobby circles alike.

(Notable artists known to use Copic Sketch Markers include Adam Hughes, Joe Benitez, and Humberto Ramos)

(1)  Sakura Pigma Micron Pen - When accuracy, minute details and preservation count, the unparalleled archival quality of pigma micron pens makes them everyone's first choice. It has achieved universal appeal and is carried by technical professionals, comic book artists, cartoonists,  and illustrators alike. Features archival quality ink for use in acidfree environments, chemically stable, waterproof, fade resistant, no smears, feathers or bleedthrough on most papers.

(Notable artists known to use Micron Pens include Jim Lee, Bernard Chang, and Marcio Takara)

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Demonstrations with these art supplies:

**Excerpts from Amazon were used in the descriptions for the items**

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What Pen Is That?

The number one question we receive on our YouTube channel is "what pen is that?" Rather than have to answer this question over and over I wanted to compile a list for you guys complete with links to where you can purchase these supplies for yourself. Below is a list of your favorite comic book artists' tools of the trade:  (Last updated 5/23/2023)

Ryan Benjamin

• Staedtler Mars Lumograph Pencil
• Kuratake Fude Brush Pen

Mark Brooks

• Faber-Castell Pitt Pens
• Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen
• Signo Uniball White Pen
• Copic Markers

Bernard Chang

• Pentel Graph Gear 1000
• Micron Ink Pen

Terry Dodson

• Scarlet Red Col Erase Pencil
• Light Blue Col Erase Pencil
• Sakura Micron Pigma Pens
• Faber Castell Pitt Pens
• Copic Markers (Warm Grey)
• Copic Markers (Cool Grey)

David Finch

• Pentel Arts Brush
• Sakura Pigma Micron 01
• Faber Castell Kneaded Eraser
• Staedler Lead Holder
• 2H Lead
• Strathmore 200 Series Bristol Board
• Lead Pointer
• Uni Posca White Pen
• Tombow Brush Pen

Kim Jung Gi

• Pentel Pocket Brush Pen

Adam Hughes

• 6B Lead
• Staedtler Lead Holder
• Dr. Martins Black Star India Ink
• Copic Markers (Warm Grey)
• Copic Markers (Cool Grey)
• Faber-Castel Pitt Pens

Jock

• Rotring Art Pen
• Pentel Jumbo Felt Pen
• Pentel Pocket Brush Pen

Erik Larsen

• Staedtler Mars Eraser
• Hunt Speedball #102 Nib
• Winsor Newton Series 7 (#2)
• Uniball Pen
• Pentel Rolling Writer

Ken Lashley

• Gelly Roll White
• Touch Twin Markers
• Copic Markers

Stanley Lau (Artgerm)

• Pentel Pigment Ink Brush

Jim Lee

• Pentel Graph Gear 1000 Mechanical Drafting Pencil (0.4 mm)
• Pentel Graphgear 1000 Automatic Drafting Pencil (0.7 mm)
• Pentel Ain Stein Mechanical Pencil Lead (0.4 mm HB)
• Pentel Super Hi-Polymer Leads (0.7 mm HB)
• Staedtler Lead Holder (2 mm)
• HB Lead (2 mm)
• Pentel Graphgear 500 Automatic Drafting Pencil (0.3 mm)
• Alvin Heritage Arts PK300-RD Apollo Lead Holder (5.6 mm)
• Lead Refill (5.6 mm HB)
• Sakura Pigma Micron Pen
• Winsor Newton Series 7 (#2)
• Winsor Newton Series 7 (#4)
• Rapidograph Black Drawing Ink
• Pentel - Presto Jumbo Correction Pen
• Tombo - Mono Plastic Eraser
• Pentel Clic Eraser Grip
• Strathmore 300 Series (11x17)
• Westcott 8ths 12-Inch Beveled Transparent Ruler
• Princeton Select Artiste Brush

Siya Oum

• Pentel - Color Brush Pen Black
• Pentel - Blue Lead Refills
• Pentel Graphgear 500 Automatic Drafting Pencil (0.5 mm)
• Copic Markers (Color)
• Copic Markers (Cool Grey)
• Bombay Ink

Humberto Ramos

• Pentel Graphgear 500 Automatic Drafting Pencil (0.5 mm)
• Sakura Mechanical Pencil (0.7 mm)
• Uni Color Pencil Lead (0.5 mm Soft Blue)
• Sharpie Retractable Fine-Point Pen
• Touch Twin Markers
• Uni-Ball Signo Broad Point Gel Impact Pen

Marcio Takara

• Pentel Sharp Automatic Pencil (0.5 mm)
• HB Lead (0.5 mm)
• Kneaded Eraser
• Winsor Newton Series 7 Size 000 Brush
• Kuretake Brush Pen
• Sakura Pigma Micron Pen
• Dr. Martins Black Star India Ink

Philip Tan 

• Pentel Graph For Pro Pencil (0.4 mm)
• Deleter Neopiko Line 3 (0.3 mm)
• Mitsubishi Mechanical Pencil (0.4mm)

If there are any errors or if there is an artist that you'd like to see added to this list... Let me know and I'll update it ASAP.


Victor Glover is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.