Hilary Barta

Hilary Barta (born June 17, 1957) is an American comic book artist and writer whose career spans from the late 1970s into the 2020s. He is best known for his crisp, expressive ink work and his ability to bring a clean, dynamic finish to both superhero and humor comics. Barta entered the industry in 1977, and over the decades he has contributed to over 130 issues, with his most frequent credits appearing on *Power Pack*, *The Thing*, *Cable*, and *The New Mutants*. He also co-created the holiday-themed story *The Last Christmas*, a collaboration with writer Gerry Conway. His style—marked by clear storytelling and a subtle, often witty line—made him a sought-after inker, and he worked alongside such notable collaborators as Jon Bogdanove and Sal Buscema. Barta also wrote and drew the graphic novel *Superman: The Dark Side*, a standalone Elseworlds tale. Though he never sought the spotlight, his steady, reliable craftsmanship earned him respect among peers and readers. He has not received major industry awards, but his body of work remains a testament to the value of consistent, professional artistry in mainstream comics.