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Moving The Needle – Bleeding Cool's Top 11 Hottest Artists, April 2017

Published Sun, 30 Apr 2017 14:00:51 -0500

Remember when Wizard Magazine used to do these top ten lists every month? So do we. Now with a new name inspired by Axel Alonso, this list was put together after consultation with retailers, publishers and statistics regarding the demand for comic book creator's works and their media coverage… and placed into a mysterious algorithm.

And we added one more for luck.

1. Ardian Syaf. Artist on the first three issues of X-Men Gold, already drawn when it was discovered he hid Indonesian Islamist messages in the first issue. The controversial issue started selling for over $50 and subsequent issues saw a rise in interest and orders. He is entertaining a number of bids from publishers wishing to cash in on his controversy.

2. Howard Porter It took the recent issue of Flash for DC readers to see what this artist has become, after spending a few years on less high-profile books such as Justice League 3000 and Scooby Doo Apocalypse.

3. Jim Lee Dark Matter is coming. But Lee's covers keep pushing all manner of books. But heading up lead on The Immortal Men, with a move towards greater emphasis on the artist at DC Comics is giving him a big boost.

4. Greg Capullo With Reborn still in the charts, his upcoming Metal series tied into the heart of DC Comics is to launch the Dark Matter/Master Class/ New Age Of DC Heroes line. He has a big hanging needle to swing…

5. Kenneth Rocafort – His work has always been well regarded but drawing the second title of the Dark Matter books, Sideways, may do a lot for his career. Especially if he shows how much artists can move the needle by making a success of a comic bok that Dan DiDio has written!

6. Sana Takeda. Artist on Monstress, and seen as the principle reason for making it the phenomenal success it is becoming, she is probably the definition of an artist moving the needle.

7. Patrick Gleason. The man who has made Superman (and son) great again.

8. Bart Sears. Kickstartered a return of his Wizard How-To Brutes And Babes column with incredible success! The people still love him!

9. Pepe Larraz. Could this be Marvel's next needle mover extraordinaire? His recent work on X-Men Prime was extremely well received, with comparisons to the very best exciting comic book artists of the nineties. But would Marvel risk creating another star?

10. Molly Ostertag artist on Strong Female Protagonist, she was behind the Kickstarter for the second volume that raised $40,000 in its first five days and a strong audience on The Castoffs for Lion Forge demonstrates how she can bend her following to her will. She can do it!

11. Daniel Warren Johnson hit hard with Extremity #1, a hyperviolent series that will see Robert Kirkman struggle to hold onto him. Aside from paying him lots and lots of money Which he can.

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