San Diego Comic-Con is one of the best places for fans to see their favorite comic creators, and 2023 was no exception. There are a few interesting panels at the event that explore superstar creators like the current President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics, Jim Lee.
Not every fan can agree on the best Jim Lee stories, because there are so many to choose from. Lee’s breakout launch of the adjectiveless X-Men still holds records, while the debut of WildC.A.T.S and the Wildstormw universe made waves in the comics industry. He even helped launch the New 52 with Justice League, which was just one of many milestones from his 25+ year career.
10 Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight #51 (October 1987) with Bill Mantlo, Whilce Portacio, Bob Sharen, and Janice Chiang
Jim Lee’s first work with Marvel Comics appeared in Bill Mantlo’s Alpha Flight, alongside his later Image Comics co-founder Whilce Portacio. He filled in for a few issues before becoming the series’ regular artist, where he started to showcase his signature style that would make him a Marvel star.
Alpha Flight featured Lee’s first published work with X-Men characters when he penciled Wolverine, which would become a recurring theme in his early Marvel work. One of Jim Lee’s biggest contributions to Alpha Flight was the introduction of Dreamqueen, the powerful daughter of the demonic Nightmare.
9 “An Eye For An Eye”
Punisher War Journal #1 (November 1988) with Carl Potts, John Wellington, Don Hudson, Scott Williams, Gregory Wright, and Kenny Lopez
The ‘90s introduced quite a few comics starring Frank Castle as the character’s popularity grew, though Punisher War Journal was one of the best. Jim Lee initially inked writer Carl Potts’ pencils, though he started penciling full-time by the fourth issue.
Punisher War Journal also featured some of the earliest collaborations with Scott Williams, who has inked Jim Lee for decades at Marvel, DC, and Image Comics. Lee’s pencils were a bit rougher than his earlier and later work, though it served the darker stories well. Frank Castle and his well-stocked armory especially benefitted from the detailed work of Jim Lee.
8 "Mutant Genesis"
X-Men #1 (October 1991) with Chris Claremont, Scott Williams, Joe Rosas, and Tom Orzechowski
Rising superstar Jim Lee launched the first new ongoing X-Men series in 1991 with long-time Uncanny X-Men scribe Chris Claremont. The best-selling Marvel Comic shattered sales records and helped kick off the comic boom of the ‘90s.
After events in Uncanny X-Men united different factions for the first time in years, they reformed into iconic Blue and Gold rosters. Both teams dealt with the returning threat of Magneto and his new Acolytes in the initial storyline, though X-Men largely focused on the Blue team. The incredibly popular X-Men cartoon in the ‘90s used Lee's iconic costume designs.
7 WildC.A.T.s
WildC.A.T.s #1 (August 1992) with Brandon Choi, Scott Williams, Joe Rosas, and Michael Heisler
After Jim Lee rose to fame alongside other superstar artists at Marvel Comics, they formed new comic studios and united together as Image Comics. Jim Lee founded WildStorm, which derived it’s name from his first two Image titles; WildC.A.T.s and Stormwatch.
WildC.A.T.s followed a Covert Action Team embroiled in an ancient war between alien forces. Characters from WildC.A.T.s appeared in the DC universe after the Flashpoint event merged the WildStorm Universe together with other continuities. WildC.A.T.s even received a short-lived animated series that tried to capitalize on the success of the X-Men cartoon.
6 Deathblow
Deathblow #1 (May 1993) with Brandon Choi, Joe Chiodo, Wendy Fouts, Chameleon Prime, and Mike Heisler
Jim Lee and his WildC.A.T.s co-creator Brandon Choi also introduced fans to Michael Cray, a highly-trained operative who became known as Deathblow. He was a part of WildStorm’s Team 7, progenitors of the modern era of heroes.
Deathblow’s Gen-Factor activated during a Team 7 mission, and he received uncontrollable psionic abilities as well as an advanced healing factor. Deathblow’s art impressed fans and made Michael Cray a lasting hit who has appeared in the various WildStorm reboots over the years.
5 Heroes Reborn
Fantastic Four #1 (November 1996) with Brandon Choi, Scott Williams, Joe Chiodo, Martin Jimenez, Wildstorm FX, Richard Starkings, Comicraft, and Dave Lanphear
The biggest heroes of the Marvel universe appeared to sacrifice themselves in the X-Men-driven “Onslaught” event. However, they soon returned in a new universe removed from the continuity that reimagined their origins, much like the later Ultimate universe.
Superstar Image Comics creators returned to Marvel for the event and took over heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. Jim Lee and his WildStorm team updated the most powerful members of the Fantastic Four in the first Heroes Reborn event while honoring the classic comic.
4 Adventures of Max Faraday
Divine Right #1 (September 1997) with Scott Williams, Wildstorm FX, Richard Starkings, and Comicraft
One of Jim Lee’s solo WildStorm efforts featured some of the superstar creator’s best art and introduced one of the comic universe’s most powerful characters. Divine Right: Adventures of Max Faraday also further connected WildStorm’s mythology.
Max Faraday was a college student who unlocked an ancient power source. It downloaded into his brain by a confidential government file. He gained incredible cosmic abilities that turned him into a powerful new god who tested his limits against WildStorm’s best and brightest. Lee’s pencils and character designs only further highlighted the artist’s incredible talent.
3 “Hush”
Batman #608 (December 2002) with Jeph Loeb, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, and Richard Starkings
The WildStorm Universe, and Image Comics in general occasionally had issues with deadlines and scheduling over the years. DC's announcement that Jim Lee would join Jeph Loeb as the regular artist on Batman concerned fans initially, though early teases of the storyline later excited them.
Jim Lee delighted in proving them wrong and released one of the best Batman stories of the last few decades. A new villain orchestrated a layered attack against the Dark Knight that included his greatest foes. Hush also made Batman and Catwoman’s relationship official for the first time in the Post-Crisis universe, though it was short-lived.
2 For Tomorrow
Superman #204 (June 2004) with Brian Azzarello, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, and Nick J. Napolitano
Brian Azzarello teamed up with Jim Lee for his own Superman storyline called “For Tomorrow” which proved to be controversial for some fans. The storyline took place a year after Superman lost Lois Lane when millions disappeared in a mysterious disaster.
While Azzarello’s story wasn’t as praised as some of his other iconic DC works, Lee’s art (accompanied as always by Scott WIlliams) impressed fans. His brief time with the character in Batman: Hush only teased what Lee and Williams were capable of doing with DC’s Man of Steel. Lee’s later work in the New 52 with Superman: Unchained was also highly celebrated by fans.
1 Justice League
Justice League #1 (November 2011) with Geoff Johns, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair, and Pat Brosseau
Jim Lee became one of the best Justice League artists of all time when he reimagined the team with Geoff Johns in the New 52. Jim Lee’s costume redesigns inspired the entire rebooted line of characters as he updated the classic heroes for a new generation.
In the shortened timeline of the New 52, the heroes of the Justice League formed for the first time to stop Darkseid and his evil forces from Apokolips. Johns and Lee added Cyborg to the core team for the first time and launched them into battle against some of their most dangerous reimagined villains. Lee’s success with the New 52 continued his ongoing rise through the ranks of DC.