Welcome to my weekly column showcasing up and coming or undiscovered talent, bringing to your attention creators that I feel will be break-out stars in the near future. Some are already well on their way to super stardom, while some are just on the outskirts. Everyone has a favorite comic book creator. One they’ve discovered recently, or maybe followed from the very beginning of their career. Some have so many favorites it’s hard to choose just one.
Every single one of those creators started somewhere, be it by producing photocopied mini comics to sell at their neighborhood comic shop, getting a table in the artist’s alley at their local comic convention, publishing fan fiction, posting images to deviantart.com, or doing commissions through the internet or at conventions.
None of them would be worth their salt without a good colorist though.
Jordie Bellaire’s name may not be familiar to you, but her work has probably graced the pages of many a favorite comic of yours. Bellaire is a colorist, and so much more, with work appearing in many popular comics from Image, BOOM! Studios, Valiant, DC/Vertigo, Marvel and many others.
Her touch is unmistakeable, bringing so many artist’s work to glorious life, giving their comics depth, and a vibrancy unmatched by many in the field. Bellaire gives the pages so much texture, and is a master of lighting and shade, making the artist’s lines pop off the page. She is quickly becoming a favorite colorist of mine, it doesn’t hurt that she is working with many of my favorite artists.
Following in the footsteps of such talents as Lynn Varley and Dave Stewart, while finding her own path with an ever evolving style all her own, Bellaire has an ability to match whatever style the book needs.
Easily last years most prolific colorist, from the brilliant and critically acclaimed Mara and Pretty Deadly, through fan-favorites Captain Marvel and Quantom & Woody, to MY favorite new series of 2013, Nowhere Men (Seriously, this book is crazy AWESOME!), she is as integral to her various book’s successes as any other creator, and now she has a chance to really break out (As if she hasn’t already) with the upcoming Moon Knight, written by Warren Ellis, with artwork by her partner, and last week’s featured artist Declan Shalvey.
Many of these books would be great on their own, with great stories and amazing artwork, but her Photoshop wizardry takes them to that next level, and this is why she is a Future Comic Rock Star.
Check out more of her work here, and be sure to follow her on Twitter.
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