Kick-ass 2

Mark Millar has been one of the key writers for Marvel Comics in the 21st century. His first major contribution to Marvel was with Ultimate X-Men. Next up was The Ultimates, a new rendering of the Avengers that was to continue building on the success of the Ultimate line. He and artist Bryan Hitch pulled it all off in spades: The Ultimates and its sequel, Ultimates 2, were ensconced at the top of the sales charts every month; what's more, they were critical successes, as well. Amid building a small library of Millarworld indie comic books -- including the titles Chosen and Wanted, the latter of which was turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Angelina Jolie -- he managed to write Civil War, the epic seven-issue miniseries that definitively reshaped the landscape of Marvel's heroes.

John Romita Jr. is best known for his extensive work with Marvel Comics from the 1970s to present day.