Bookwise, I'm not sure. My opinions are constantly changing. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy had a massive impact on me when I was younger, but honestly in recent years I've become rather fond of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I've read the first two Tarzan books, which are extremely entertaining, and A Princess Of Mars is likewise a delight. I think what clicnhes it for me is that his works as so escapist, yet in a time when science fiction at least hadn't truly found its footing (though it did exist), and so he's still toying with concepts that may be commonplace to authors and audiences today. Truthfully, I don't read as much as I used to, which is a shame, but I rarely have the time. I still read some YA fiction, since it's an age range that interests me (I'm currently writing a YA novel series myself) but other than that, the last books I read were King Lear and Titus Groan. This is all to say nothing of Tolkien, of course, as Middle-earth's a subject I could talk about for days, just as I could on the works of HP Lovecraft.

For film, I'm also not sure. As with you Funmi, I admire Christopher Nolan's work, particularly Interstellar and The Dark Knight, but I may go with Shane Black. I'm very partial to Lethal Weapon, Iron Man 3 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Edgar Wright also deserves a mention though.

In terms of TV, it would have to be Joss Whedon. While I love his work in other mediums, it's in Buffy and Firefly that his writing shines. His ability to juggle large character ensembles is phenomenal, and even his 'worst' work (often considered to be either Dollhouse or Alien: Resurrection) isn't that bad.

In comics...that's a tricky one. I have a love/hate relationship with comics anyway, since there's as much that annoys me about even my favourite comics as there is that I like about them. The Infinity Gauntlet omnibus is case-in-point: the six core issues by Jim Starlin are truly awful, but the Silver Surfer and Doctor Strange tie-ins are (mostly) a joy to read. I'd probably have to go with Matt Fraction, who did one of my favourite runs of Iron Man, as well as the most recent run of The Defenders, and Fear Itself, which is my favourite crossover event by far. Geoff Johns and his work on Green Lantern before/during/after Blackest Night, and on Flash, also deserves a huge special mention; he comes in as a close second for me.

NB sort of related, but I don't think Stan Lee's a particularly great writer. He's a fantastic world-builder, as seen in Thor's early adventures in Journey into Mystery, but a lot of his other stories feel quite poorly handled. Maybe that's just my opinion.

"Nothing goes down 'less I'm involved. No nuggets. No onion rings. No nothin'. A cheeseburger gets sold in the park, I want in! You got fat while we starved on the streets...now it's my turn!" -Harley Morenstein

I read the Percy Jackson (don't judge a book by its movie) series by Rick Riordan, the follow up series was okay-ish but the last book was bad. He writes about the lives of the descendants ancient mythological of gods/pharaoh that live in modern America and how they hide it from the world. It's quite interesting. I am eager for his Norse mythology books.

As for my favourite comic book writer, it is Jeph Loeb. He wrote some of the most well-known DC comic books such as Long Halloween, Hush and Batman/Superman. He works alongside Tim Sale most of the time. I haven't read any of his Mavel comics because I can't find them in book stores or libraries. He also writes scipts for TV shows: Heroes, Smallville, Lost, Teen Wolf. He is Head of Television for Marvel Entertainment. He doesn't have any good quotes and such, but his complex storyline gets me to reread his books over and over. I still haven't fully understood Batman: Hush after reading it two or three times.

I'm not into screenplay writers very much, but I enjoy a good comedy.

I have to say with Orson Welles.  I also like Arthur C Clarke and H.G. Wells, although both were extremely anti-Semitic, and I love George Orwell.

Stan Lee

Last edited by Smocktopus (June 29, 2016 (12:00pm))

J.R.R. Tolkien
C.S Lewis 
Chuck Black
Jonathan Sarfati

are a few I enjoy reading.

"Bless you for making this." -Sloth 2016 * on "Chicken Shaped Lighthouse Attacks Police"

Ephesians 4:29 -"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Victor Hugo - Book/Poetry Author

I don't remember writing this at all, for some reason. I just finished The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert louis stevenson and I like it very much.

This is an interesting one, as I have many favourite authors!

One not yet mentioned on here, though excellent is Philip Pullman, his world building is exceptional and Pullman is a very good descriptive author too.
I also love the way how he blends theology into his stories.

George Orwell, though popular is another one I would like to mention as one of my all time favourite authors.
Orwell writes in very simple language and conveys enormously big ideas in just a few words. I love the way how he writes about totalitarianism in his stories (Such as Animal Farm, 1984)

Teleplay wise (Authors who write for TV) I'd say Michael J Straczynski, Straczynski is an extremely talented writer
(Almost writing the entirety of the criminally underrated TV space opera Babylon5 by him self)

On a lighter note, Herge is a fantastic illustrator and author creating a diverse cast of fun and bright characters.

and finally Franz Kafka, Kafka's works are very hard to explain, they focus on putting regular people in weird and uncontrollable situations
such as Gregor's transformation to a bug like creature in "The Metamorphosis"