Bob Layton, born September 25, 1953, is an American comics artist, writer, and editor whose career spans more than five decades and over six hundred credited issues. He is perhaps best recognized for his extensive contributions to Marvel's *Iron Man*, a title that became closely associated with his sensibility across multiple runs, and for his work on *Hercules*. His versatility as both a storyteller and visual artist — with credits as writer, penciler, inker, and colorist — gave him an unusually broad influence on the books he touched.
Iron Man #118 (1979)
Beyond Marvel, Layton played a foundational role in reshaping the independent comics landscape when he co-founded Valiant Comics alongside Jim Shooter. His fingerprints are visible across key Valiant titles, including *X-O Manowar*, *The H.A.R.D. Corps*, and *The Second Life of Doctor Mirage*, helping to establish the publisher's reputation for interconnected, character-driven storytelling in the early 1990s.
X-Factor #5 (1986)
His catalog reflects remarkable range, taking in superhero mainstays like *Captain America* alongside the creator-owned and independent work that defined Valiant's early years. Active in the industry from 1974 well into the 2020s, Layton represents a generation of craftsmen who moved fluidly between the major publishers and the independent scene, leaving a durable mark on both.
