New York Times best-selling author Mark Waid has worked for every major company in the comics industry in a nearly three-decade-long career, writing thousands of issues, including runs of Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men, Ka-Zar and Fantastic Four. His other works of note include his collaboration with painter Alex Ross on Kingdom Come, which earned an Eisner Award for Best Limited Series. Waid enjoyed his greatest outpouring of critical acclaim with the Eisner Award-winning Daredevil — which included a revered collaboration with frequent artistic partner Chris Samnee. He later took on such diverse pop-cultural icons as Princess Leia and Archie, and ushered in a new era of greatness for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in All-New, All-Different Avengers. His Marvel work continued with Avengers, Black Widow, Captain America, Champions and Doctor Strange.
British-born artist Barry Kitson made his mark in the pages of the venerable sci-fi anthology 2000 AD. He first worked for Marvel during the late ’80s, drawing Spider-Man for Marvel UK. In the ’90s, Kitson moved to DC; his credits include JLA: Year One and Adventures of Superman. He also co-created Empire with Mark Waid, whom he would later join on a relaunch of Legion of Super-Heroes. For Marvel, Kitson has drawn The Order, Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man 2: Public Identity and Iron Man 2.0.
Jesús Saiz made his name with Spanish readers with the fanzine 451º, and then the Azoth miniseries. His first American work, “Iron Reich 3000,” was published in Dark Horse Presents, and he followed it with a story for Star Wars Tales. His work for DC Comics includes Birds of Prey, Swamp Thing and an Eisner Award-nominated collaboration with J. Michael Straczynski on The Brave & the Bold. Saiz moved to Marvel to illustrate Captain America: Steve Rogers, which he followed with such titles as Doctor Strange, Star Wars and Punisher.
Javier Piña is quickly building an impressive resumé at Marvel with credits including Captain America: Steve Rogers, Maestro: War and Pax, Doctor Strange and Star. His collaboration with Gerry Duggan on the flagship X-Men title is his highest-profile work to date.