Follow-up creative teams - who outdid their predecessor(s)?

[marcushill73]

When Bendis and Maleev announced they were concluding their run on Daredevil, I decided I would discontinue subscribing to this title every month, without even giving considering to the subsequent creative team. At the time, I thought, "Who could outdo Bendis and Maleev on Daredevil?" I felt a pang of sympathy for Brubaker and Lark.

Well now I find myself scrambling for the TPB's of this run, and both Brubaker and Lark are proving themselves equal to the task of Bendis and Maleev, arguably producing something better (this is of course speculative).

So I wanted to put this out there for everyone's consideration:
Recall a creative team's run on a title you have read. At the time, you may have thought, "Who can they get to to replace THIS team?" Did they outdo their predecessors?

Rules:
1) Has to be an entirely new creative team, i.e., Ditko / Lee and Romita / Lee wouldn't qualify.
2) Has to immediately follow-on from first creative team; no fillers or in between issues
3) Has to be at least a three issue run

That's all. I'm interested as to what people can come up with.

Cheers,
Marcus

[ConorKilpatrick]

3) Has to be at least a three issue run

Three issues?? That's it? I wouldn't ever call three issues a run, it's more like an arc.

[JAFlanagan]

Well, it could be said that the latest volume of Daredevil has followed this all the way through. Kevin Smith started out excellent. Then, not quite sure of the order, but Bob Gale did an arc that was surprisingly good. Then I think David Mack did an arc that was surprisingly good, and then Bendis started up what no one knew would be a legendary arc. I mean, he wasn't the darling back then. So I would even say that was a surprise.

It's not exactly what you're asking for, but I'd also offer up Mike Carey's Lucifer. In it's way, it was a spinoff from Sandman, and Carey was largely unknown. There can't have been much expectation, and Carey, Kelley, and Gross exceeded it all.

[marcushill73]

I didn't want to make it too restrictive - three issues seems like a real stretch for some teams these days.....

[fred]

I almost want to say Kirkman on Ultimate X but because of the rules I'd have to wait until I checked my back issues.

[mister s]

Daredevil really is the best example of this.

How about Green Arrow? Kevin Smith started it, and who came next?

I have hopes from Whedon on Runaways, and whoever ends up with Astonishing, though.

[ConorKilpatrick]

How about Green Arrow? Kevin Smith started it, and who came next?

Brad Meltzer, I believe.

[mister s]

Brad Meltzer, I believe.

That's right. He had a pretty good run.

[Luthor]

I'm a big fan of Erik Larsen's run on Spider-man(15 - 23) after Todd McFarlane launched the title. He brought some intriguing ideas to Spidey(Peter dealing with the guilt of lying to everyone he loves and the consequences involved being the one that sticks out).

[Kal]

I'll catch shit for this, but the first thing that pops to mind (that's been within recent years) is Millar and Land following up Ellis and whoever on Ultimate Fantastic Four. Personally, I hated Ellis' run, but as soon as Millar stepped on, the book became fun again (in spite of Land's sometimes shitty art). Zombies in the Ultimate U? **** yeah!

The Batman and Superman books have had a huge renaissance with their new creative teams as well. I couldn't even tell you who was on them before Morrison/Dini and Johns/Busiek started their runs.

[fred]

UFF was good from a story standpoint but it should be illegal for Greg Land to hold a pencil

or own a copy of photoshop

you know... however he works

[fred]

btw, I left work early today to take my mother to the hospital(she fell and yes she's ok thanks for asking) and needed something to read so I picked up Kevin Smith's run on Green Arrow. I'm only 2 issues in but I really like it. I've never even read any solo Green Arrow before

[Jimski]

I'll catch shit for this, but the first thing that pops to mind (that's been within recent years) is Millar and Land following up Ellis and whoever on Ultimate Fantastic Four.

That makes me smile, because I was sitting here wracking my brain and all I could think was, "Well, what about when Warren Ellis and Immonen took over Ultimate FF from Bendis and Millar et al? That was pretty boss."

[mister s]

btw, I left work early today to take my mother to the hospital(she fell and yes she's ok thanks for asking) and needed something to read so I picked up Kevin Smith's run on Green Arrow. I'm only 2 issues in but I really like it. I've never even read any solo Green Arrow before

I really like Green Arrow. I think it actually gets a little better post Kevin Smith.

[marcushill73]

Luthor suggested earlier he enjoyed Larsen's run on adjectiveless Spider-Man. I thought I was the only one! His run has been collected in a long out of print collection: Spider-Man: Revenge of The Sinister Six.

Millar and Quietly's run on Authority after Ellis and Hitch departed came as quite a surprise too.

My purpose for initiating this thread is to explore if we, as readers, have preconceived notions or benchmarks for various characters and their respective creative teams. I have heard Astonishing X-Men by Whedon and Cassady compared to Claremont and Byrne's run on Uncanny X-Men. Imagine how this comparison is compounded if two great teams contributed to a title back-to-back? Can we let go of the former creative team and be open-minded enough to embrace new creators, or will we be unconsciously measuring creative teams against their predecessors.....

I recognize that I have benchmarks in relation to following teams and titles:

Uncanny X-Men - Chris Claremont and Jim Lee
Amazing Spider-Man - tie between Ditko / Lee and Michelinie / McFarlane
Fantastic Four - Jack Kirby and Stan Lee
Daredevil - Frank Miller and Klaus Janson
Incredible Hulk - Peter David and Dale Keown

Have I been able to let go and enjoy subsequent creative teams? In some cases, no (Uncanny X-Men and Fantastic Four are victims). I did however enjoy Bruce Jones and John Romita Jr., Braithwaite, et al.'s run on Incredible Hulk.

Interested to hear from other members.

Marcus

[fred]

I really like Green Arrow. I think it actually gets a little better post Kevin Smith.

I think I'll probably continue, it seems cool

[fred]

I just finished the Kevin Smith Green Arrow this afternoon. It was amazing. I can't wait to read the next one. I hope that Meltzer keeps it up

[acomicbookgirl]

I just finished the Kevin Smith Green Arrow this afternoon. It was amazing. I can't wait to read the next one. I hope that Meltzer keeps it up


I hate to burst your bubble but my boy Judd Winick took over after Meltzer.. I think there was someone else before him but I don't recall... I read Kevin Smith's (love his character in "Catch and Release") and Brad Meltzer's run but started collect when Judd Winick started..

[JAFlanagan]

Before Winnick, it was Ben Raab I think. Ron hates Ben Raab comics.

[fred]

I got #2 last night and read it. It was great

[mister s]

GA has been consistently good for the whole run.

[fred]

GA has been consistently good for the whole run.

I picked up 3,4,5,and 6 today

[Baxter]

Before Winnick, it was Ben Raab I think. Ron hates Ben Raab comics.

Is what Raab did then is any indication he should. We all should.

How about Adam Beechen and Freddy Williams III taking over Robin from Bill Willingham and whoever was messing up the art. Beechen and Williams are just knocking it out of the park.