Spotlight on Snyder

       Scott Snyder is one of the most prolific comic book writers of this generation. He's written some of the best comics to come out in the last 10 years, from Batman to his creator owned series American Vampire and Wytches. He has quickly become my favorite writer. If his name is on a book, I don't even hesitate I just buy it, I have complete faith that I'm gonna love it.

       I was first introduced to his work because of American Vampire. I saw that Stephen King was attached to it, since I was such a huge fan of King's I picked up the first issue. I'm so glad I did. From the first issue Snyder pulled me in with his amazing characterization and unique story about a new American breed of vampires. Not to mention the beautiful artwork by Rafael Albuquerque. After I read that I looked for something else he was writing. Just my luck, he was doing a run on Detective Comics starring my favorite character, Batman. Although that run had Dick Grayson wearing the cowl, The Black Mirror story line is one of my all time favorite Batman stories. He showed a different Batman that wasn't weighed down by tragedy and almost had fun fighting crime. The story that ran parallel about Commissioner Gordon's son was such a creepy story but interesting to learn more of his backstory. Again he was joined by 2 amazing artists on his run, Jock and Francesco Francavilla. He has the best luck with artists.

      The next run he did that really solidified him as my favorite writer was the relaunch of Batman in 2011. He was joined by Greg Capullo for a 52 issue run. He added so much to the mythology that I absolutely loved. The Court of Owls story line was probably my favorite. The way he was able to connect all of these threads throughout the history of Gotham and create this secret society that was hunting Batman has to be one of the coolest Batman stories of all time. The Endgame story line that capped off his run is a close second for my favorite story arcs. Watching an amnesiac Bruce Wayne decide to become Batman once again to defeat the Joker was one of the most memorable moments I've ever read. His Joker was one of the most terrifying renditions ever put on paper.

     During his run on Batman he did a book through Image called Wytches. It has to be on of the creepiest and beautiful books I've ever read. The story is unlike what you would expect when reading about witches. He creates a history in this small town about a hidden cove of witches that look so terrifying it could give you nightmares.I don't want to spoil anything for anybody that hasn't read it, if you haven't do yourself a favor and pick it up. Not only is the story amazing but Jock's art is outstanding as always.

     Over the past year, he reunited with Greg Capullo to do a mini series called Metal. It was so over the top. It was like a heavy metal show in comic form starring the characters of the DC Universe. They both brought their A game for this one. A story where your worst nightmares get brought to life and all these dark alternate versions of Batman invaded our universe. The ending, which I won't spoil, opened up an endless supply of ideas where he can take the story further. The ramifications of that story are being felt in his new series No Justice, which is so fucking cool, and will continue in his Justice League run. I  haven't been this excited about a new series since Metal was announced.

     This past year I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was going to a Jim Lee signing at Wonder Con and he just happened to be sitting there too. I got to talk to him about Metal and tell him what a huge fan of his I am. He even showed me a few pages of the final issue of Metal a week before it came out. I've always wanted to write my own comics and he has been such an inspiration to me. I can't wait to meet him again and hopefully I'll have my own comic that I can show him too. Thanks for being such an awesome and humble person Mr. Snyder and if you keep writing books I'll keep buying them.