Hm...

Feeling better. I think the stress had been getting to me and making me snappy, petty and vindictive. Reading Robinson's Starman (book 3 "Wicked Inclination") helped me get over that. To the people I've been offending, my apologies (you know who you are).

Every writer has his own feel, and I've been reflecting on what makes the writers of graphic novels I love great:
Gaiman: Sense of the mythic. And he spins a pretty good yarn, lets the tale play out in epic sweep but still pays attention to every detail.
Moore: It's all pulp action with him. And Watchmen, when I finally read it, was really great. Bizarre mix of action and deep feeling.
Ellis: Twists, turns, and out of this world ideas. Its like a comic book Neal Stephenson addiction... Sorta...
Bendis: I love crime stories. He really captures that feel in the medium.
Mignola: Speaking of medium, this guy's art is incredible.
Reiber: I really love the first couple Books of Magic. A bit of my lost childhood, I think.
Robinson: Family. And relationships. And childlike wonder. I either can't help but grin or cry when reading his stuff.
Straczynski: Midnight Nation was absolutely inspirational. Like Robinson, he brings it all down to a very human level.