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The Bleeding Cool Top 100 Power List 2015 – 49 To 47

Welcome to the Fourth Bleeding Cool Top 100 Power List for the next Bleeding Cool Magazine, being serialized right now on the Bleeding Cool website.

It's an attempt to list the most powerful people working in the English speaking comic book marketplace. It's judged by all manner of attributes, the ability to influence what comics exist and sell, but also the willingness to use that power and the ability to retain said power if one aspect is taken away – a job, a gig or a prominent role. Which is why you will see a number of people on a higher spot than their bosses.

The Power List rewards those who combine roles, those who are double and triple threats and also where power is concentrated in one person or perceived identity. But it also notes certain teams who work together, who've built up a joint identity, a gestalt more powerful than the sum of their parts. Some powerful organisations or groups, where power is diffused amongst many, drop down or drop out altogether.

It does not measure talent or likeability and also does not intend to represent diversity. All it does is note power, used for the betterment – or the detriment – of comics.

The list has been created in consultation with a number of senior figures in the comics industry. However, I'm aware the one thing that can be guaranteed is that everyone will think it's wrong and prefer their own take. Including all of those who were consulted.

There will be a new post every day on Bleeding Cool. We'll run the previous ones below as well, so, in reverse order…

49. Warren Ellis (DOWN)

The MacGuyver of the comic book industry, he takes what he has to hand and reworks it to his own purpose. Comic books, the internet, a nearby pub, they can all be turned into machines to propel Warren's work to critical and popular acclaim. It also helped that he often had the wherewithal to say no and walk away. All modern superhero comics are either trying to be, or not to be, his The Authority series. Wildstorm and Avatar remade themselves in his own image and many of their writers are people he used to swear at on-line back in the day and who owe him their careers and occasionally marriages. Marvel ring him up and read him lists of characters until he says yes. And sometimes, as with Karnak and Moon Knight, he does.

Position next year depends upon: Making it through San Diego weekend without nuking it from space, as it's the only way he can be sure.

48. Tim Lenaghan  (NEW STUDY)

Executive Director of Purchasing at Diamond Comic Distributors, Tim is the new head of comics side of Diamond, after taking over for John Wurzer.

A smart guy, Diamond is giving him a lot of power very fast and he is directly involved with anything that goes on in the direct market, and negotiates contracts wit comic book publishers – and has direct power over almost every one of them.

Position next year depends upon: his ninja like ability to keep hiding in plain sight.

47. Nick Landau (DOWN)

British-based owner of the Forbidden Planet chain of comic stores would make Nick Landau powerful enough. But owning Titan Comics, Titan Books and Titan Magazines just takes him to another level. Grabbing licenses for Doctor Who, Assassin's Creed, Deus Ex, The Black List and more has brought him into the A-game, creator owned work like Troop and Rivers Of London will bring him respect as well as success.

Position next year depends upon: Adding Sherlock.

#100-#98 – Dennis Barger, Janelle Asselin, Matthew Rosenberg

#97-#95 – Rich Johnston, Marc Silvestri, James Killen

#94-#92 – Jim Demonakos, Tim Buckley, Gahl Buslov

#91-#89 – Rob Liefeld, Peter Dolan, Catlin DiMotta

#88-#86 – Ken Levin, David Alpert, Kate Leth

#85-#83 – Jason Aaron, Stephen Christy, Jon Goldwater

#82-#80 – Stan Lee, Lorelei Bunjes, Marc Toberoff

#79-#77 – Jason Kingsley, Fiona Staples, Neal Adams

#76-#74 – Jim Sokolowski, Robbie Robbins, Corey Murphy

#73-#71 – Greg Capullo, Neil Gaiman, Art Baltazar & Franco

#70-#68 – Nemesis 43, Chris Powell, Mike Armstrong

#67-#65 – Hank Kanalz, Chuck Parker, John Rogers

#64-#62 – Alan Moore, Fred Pierce, John Wurzer

#61-#59 – Kate Beaton, CB Cebulski, Charles Soule

#58-#56 – Jeff Lemire, Matt Gagnon, Gail Simone

#55-#53 – Grant Morrison, Dinesh Shamdasani, Nicola Barrucci

#52-#50 – Skottie Young, William Christensen, Brian Azzarello

And catch up on previous years, here:

2014:

#100-#81
#80-#61
#60-#41
#40-#21
#20-#11
#10-#1

2013:

#100-#81
#80-#61
#60-#41
#40-#21
#20-#11
#10-#1

2012:

#100-#81
#80-#61
#60-#41
#40-#21
#20-#11
#10-#1

Bleeding Cool Magazine #19 is out now in all good comic book stores. Bleeding Cool Magazine #20 with the full Top 100 Power List will be out in January.

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