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The Bleeding Cool Top 100 Power List 2015 – 25 To 23

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…

25. David Goyer (UP)

Screenplay writer for everything from the upcoming Batman Vs Superman: Dawn Of Justice to, um, well, the David Hasselhoff Nick Fury film, David Goyer is in prime position within Warners to influence their upcoming projects as producer and writer. Indeed some believe that if you want to make a DC licensed production, you've "gotta get a Goyer" in some form or other. And the films and TV shows he attached himself to have a tendency to turn into comics or affect the portrayal of the characters. Krypton will be his next baby.

Next year's position depends upon: Continuing his Dawn Of Justice into a League if his own.

24. Loot Crate Merchandising Team (NEW ENTRY)

This is the year Loot Crate really came to town. Putting a comic in a monthly mystery subscription Loot Crate now adds 500,000 to its print run, and selling it to Loot Crate through Diamond severely distorts the direct market charts. It's why Bravest Warriors and Orphan Black both got top spots in 2015 and really, really annoyed a number of other publishers who lost their own PR opportunities. While there are plenty of rivals to Loot Crate, nothing comes close to their impact, especially when exposing half a million people to a comic book they never knew existed before…

Next year's position depends upon: Putting a comic in more boxes.

23. Frank Miller (NEW ENTRY)

In the political wilderness for years, Frank Miller arrived with a seismic shock. How much of Dark Knight III he wrote is up for debate, with Miler saying none of it and DC Comics saying much of it. But he put his name on it and some of his pencils and saw the comic sell over half a million with its first issue and helping DC Comics at its worst of times, as the publisher put their all behind the comic- and Miller. Right now anything he suggests will be seized on by a willing publisher – even if someone else then has to write it all. He has become one of the biggest brands in comics.

Next year's position depends upon: Staying dry and actually doing Dark Knight IV himself, as he promised.

#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

#49-#47 – Warren Ellis, Tim Lenaghan, Nicola Landau

#46-#44 – Eddie Berganza, Jonathan Hickman, Ross Richie

#43-#41 – Jonah Weiland, Peter Philips, Mark Waid

#40-#38 – Chris Ryall, Dan Slott, Mark Paniccia

#37-#35 – Nick Lowe, Raini Telgemeier, Sana Amanat

#34-#32 – Mark Doyle, Lance Fensterman, Mark Millar

#31-#29 – Hajime Isayama, Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie, Kevin Tsujihara

#28-#26 – John Cunningham, Dave Marshall, Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmotti

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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