Few artists have as much influence on my life and career as Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby. I came to comics a few years after their 1960s Marvel Comics heydays, and my favorite artists at the time were the next generation. But as I've gone back to comics the past few years--and the classic "Silver Age" comics are available in classy and affordable reprints--I've really been enjoying the genius of Ditko and Kirby. News last month of Steve Ditko's original art to the first Spider-Man comic donated to the Library of Congress was astonishing: http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2008/08-089.html

Comic book illustrator/writer Matt Kindt uses minimal dialogue and a drawing style that feels immediate and tense to carry forward tales of espionage and intrigue. His latest work is Super Spy, a graphic novel set against the backdrop of World War II in Europe is a fascinating and complex book. Matt pushes the bounderies of the comic book medium in every direction. Check out this interactive Flash Comic on his web site, an amazing piece of work: http://www.supersecretspy.com/flash/treasure.swf

As I regularly haunt gigposters.com, I see many, many posters. While there is always amazing new work, it's infrequent to see something startlingly fresh. Gwenolas' work blows me away. Completely original stuff. I can't find much information about her on the 'net. She does not have a web site. But apparently her work is highly regarded in Europe, as it appears that her book cover illustrations have won many awards. If anyone can share more examples of her work, I'd love to see it. EDIT: Gwenola has a web site now! http://gwenola.ultra-book.com/

My favorite presentation at the AIGA Design Conference a few weeks ago in Denver was by this amazing woman. I was only vaguely aware of her work. But even more inspiring than her work was her story on self transformation: giving up graphic design at age 40 to dive into unknown territory with very personal work and arriving at astonishly fresh calligraphy/lettering/ornament hybrids that are totally unique.