Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, entertainment

The Bleeding Cool Top 100 Power List 2015 – 55 To 53

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.  This is the fourth. We'll run the previous ones below as well, so, in reverse order…

55. Grant Morrison, MBE (DOWN)

The year began with the long awaited publication of Multiversity and ended with Grant Morrison in an editor-in-chief role for Heavy Metal Magazine with a Wonder Woman graphic novel on the way, a Santa Claus comic and lots more on the way. A highly prized writer, he chooses his work sparingly and with care and with editors who know to get the hell out of his way. Magician, musican and marketeer, each step he makes seems out of kilter with every other step, but when you look back there is just a straight line. Successfully and unpredictable, he is the very definition of the words commercial and artist.

Position next year depends upon: Getting someone to make his We3 screenplay. Seriously now.

54. Dinesh Shamdasani (DOWN)

CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Valiant Entertainment, Dinesh Shamdasani has become more and more the public face of Valiant. As the publisher has grown and attracted top talent, investment, award nominations and respect, so Dinesh is edging more and more towards the centre of conversations. It's quite common to find Valiant a part of any new moves made to expand the marketplace and Dinesh as a charming man who manages to get those deals signed off.

Position next year depends upon: Not spending all the Chines investment money on a night out in the Village. 

53. Nicola Barrucci (DOWN)

Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment, Nick Barrucci's company got a massive boost this year announcing the James Bond, Bobs Burgrs and Grumpy Cat license, but it was the announcement that Gail Simone with Nicola Scott would be revamping their action female line, and recruiting like-minded creators that really stood out as hitting the zeitgeist. Continuing to recruit and publish the work of Rick Remender, Warren Ellis, Kate Leth, Jae Lee, Kevin Eastman, Garth Ennis, Matt Wagner, Nancy A Collins, Marguerite Bennett, Tim Seeley and more, as well as returning to convention prominence maintains his position on this list.

Position next year depends upon: Getting Robert Crumb to sign on to James Bond.

#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

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.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!