Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, HRL

The Bleeding Cool Top 100 Power List 2017 Countdown: #66-70

Published Tue, 26 Dec 2017 12:00:14 -0600

Every year, Bleeding Cool Magazine runs its Top 100 Power List of members of the comics industry. And every year we get told how wrong we are. Somehow, it's always for completely different reasons and from completely different directions. Why was X in when Y was not? Why is Z is high when W is so low? And neither U or T should be on this list after that incident involving V…

But that's part of the fun. This attempt to list the most powerful people working in the English-speaking comic book marketplace is, of course, flawed. It is judged by all manner of attributes, the ability to influence what comics exist and sell, but also the willingness to use that power in the industry to affect things, and the ability to retain said power if a job is taken away. 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, creator, publisher, distributor, retailers, those who are double and triple threats, and also where power is concentrated in one person rather than being spread out among many. Some powerful organisations or groups, where power is diffused amongst many individuals, drop down or drop out altogether.

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

The list was created in consultation with a number of senior figures in the comics industry, and I thank them for their help. Although because they all disagree, they'll all think the final list is wrong, too.

Watch for a new batch twice a day. Maybe more as we get going.

66. John Wurzer – VP Operations at Diamond Comic Distributors, after almost 25 years at the distributor, and the man where the buck stops for distributor/comics retailer relations. It's good for comic stores to keep him on their sweet side.
67. Nick Lowe – Vice President for Content and Executive Editor of Marvel's Spider-Men books among many others.
68. Shawn Kirkham – Skybound Director of Business, keeps the Dead Walking. A strong presence at shows, and a very influential voice in the future of that publisher, through Image Comics.
69. Kelly Sue DeConnick – Writer of Bitch Planet and Pretty Deadly, and a strong progressive voice in the comics industry, and a font for advice, support and comradeship through her production company with Matt Fraction, Milkfed.
70. Joe Nozemack – co-founder and President of Oni Press. A constantly innovating comics publisher, that attracts big names, original ideas and licenses, with Rick & Morty standing out.

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