I think the only way to make a statement with comic books nowadays is either nudity or violation or detail even the detail doesn't seem to work any more. Masamune Shirow his stuff is tuff his later stuff is kinda weak though once he went digital his stuff lost power. Even though I think he still roughs out his drawings.
Getting a gig at Marvel doesn't even mean people will remember your stuff. Look how many comics are so much better then the Dark Knight return that are already forgotten.
Detail does work but you have to be sincere about it I mean who the fuck is going to spend as much time as Geoff Darrow on trying to beat the detail in Hard Boiled it's just insane.
Rick Veitch's rare bit fiends was a good attempt at dream comics but how many people remember that shit? I think the idea was good but they way he displayed it didn't have the same power as he envisioned it that was carried out by his dreams.
Dreams are usually random and don't mean shit but it's a good way to get in touch with yourself without thinking about trying to be the next picasso.