The best comic book writers are, at the top,Alan Moore,Neil Gaiman,Grant MorrisonetFrank Miller. This tier list ranks comic book authors according to their influence, their ambition and the quality of their work. Facts (major works, period) verified, no rating invented; each screenwriter refers to one of his works on the site.

The screenwriter is the architect of the comic: plot, dialogue, themes, inspiration. This tier list ranks the great authors according to their influence on the medium and the consistency of their work. The criterion is not productivity but the footprint left.

Editorial Ranks, Factsverified. Each screenwriter points to a signature work of the site.

Tier list — the screenwriters
B
Ed BrubakerCriminal, Winter Soldier Jonathan HickmanHouse of X, East of West Brian Michael BendisDaredevil, Ultimate SM Mark WaidKingdom Come, Daredevil
C
Tom KingThe Vision, Mister Miracle Geoff JohnsGreen Lantern, Blackest Night Jason AaronThor, Scalped Kurt BusiekMarvels, Astro City
D
Jeff LemireSweet Tooth, Get Down Kieron GillenThe Wicked + The Divine Robert KirkmanThe Walking Dead

Tier S: the absolute masters

Alan Mooreredefined what a comic could be (Watchmen, V for Vendetta).Neil Gaimanbrought a literary dimension to the medium with Sandman.Grant Morrisonpushed conceptual ambition to its extreme, andFrank Millerreinvented the dark, adult superhero.

Tier A: the great authors

Chris Claremontwrote the longest and most influential X-Men run.Brian K. Vaughandominates modern indie, whileWarren EllisetGarth Ennishave marked the mature comic.

Tier B: excellence confirmed

Ed Brubaker(king of thriller),Jonathan Hickman(universe architect),Brian BendisetMark Waidare among the most prolific and respected screenwriters.

Tier C: the great contemporary voices

Tom King,Geoff Johns,Jason AaronetKurt Busiekhave each signed notable runs in the recent period.

Tier D: authors to follow

Jeff Lemire,Kieron GillenetRobert Kirkmanclose this tier list: major screenwriters of the current generation.

To remember

Frequently asked questions

Alan Mooreis unanimously considered the most influential screenwriter, followed by Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison. The choice depends on the style you are looking for.

Absolutely. Many collectors follow a specific author (Moore, Claremont, Vaughan) and collect his runs. This is a very common themed entryway.

By their flagship works: Watchmen (Moore), Sandman (Gaiman), Saga (Vaughan). All exist in accessible bound collections.

Do you own an original edition signed by a great screenwriter?Estimate its value for freewith our tool based on real eBay sales.