Tag: Eisner

Geekscape Comics: Eisner Winning Artist Mike Allred Returns To Marvel With ‘Daredevil #17’

by Shawn Madden

So, not too long ago artist Mike Allred (Madman) wrote a letter to the letter page of Daredevil expressing an interest to be involved in the book. Well, it looks like he got his wish.

“It’s the issue Mike Allred was born to draw” – Marvel Senior Editor, Stephen Wacker.

Courtesy of Mark Waid and special guest artist Michael Allred & colorist Laura Allred, this pulse-pounding adventure pits the Man Without Fear against an old foe…Stilt-Man! Can Daredevil make it out of this grudge match in one piece?

DAREDEVIL #17
Written by Mark Waid
Pencils and Cover by Michael Allred
Colors by Laura Allred

Source: CBR

Eisner: Looking back 10 years ago

by scherem

During my research into the origin of the Eisner and Harvey Awards last month, I paid close attention to what was nominated 10 years ago (1997) and asked myself what is still talked about from this nomination period, and why were some things even nominated? Looking back at the 1997 list I noticed some classics, some swan songs and one time darlings of the independent circuit. The question remains though, how much do the Eisner’s (and other awards) matter a ten, five or even a year down the line. There is little doubt about how much I love my comics, but for the life of me I can’t tell you won last year. In the same line of thought, I can tell you who won the Oscar for best picture last year with out any problems— and I hardly watch movies.

So what purpose do these comic awards serve? Are these awards simply a pat on the back, or a true marker of excellence that causes us to look back and say “Check this out, it was best short story in 97”. Pardon the pun, but I think the shelf life of the importance of nomination and winning is relatively small. I admit there has been some great strides made in trying to make the awards mean more— most notably printing a banner on winning books. Again though, this only speaks to people who know what the Eisner is and what it means. How can we make these awards mean more, or become a symbol of comic cannon?

What follows is a partial list of nominees and winners. Those who won are in bold. For a full list of nominees and winners please look at this site
The complete list of winners is at the end of this article.

Best Short Story
“Gentlemanhog,” Jim Woodring, Frank #1 (Fantagraphics)
“Heroes,” Archie Goodwin and Gary Gianni, Batman: Black & White #4 (DC Comics)
“Joy Ride,” Carol Lay, Joy Ride and Other Stories (Kitchen Sink)
“The Nearness of You,” Wizard Presents Kurt Busiek’s Astro City, vol. 2, #1/2 (Homage/Wizard Press)
“Oracle-Year One: Born of Hope,” John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Brian Stelfreeze, and Karl Story, Batman Chronicles #5 (DC)
“Perpetual Mourning,” Ted McKeever, Batman: Black & White #1 (DC)

Both Heroes and Oracle-Year One share a common thread, they are (I believe to be) last works. Archie Goodwin well loved editor and writer would die suddenly in 1998, and Kim Yale, wife of John Ostrander would lose her battle with breast cancer. If memory serves, this story was published after her death. Both Ostrander and Yale helped create and flush out Oracle in the pages of the often talked about Suicide Squad.

Best Single Issue
Giant THB Parade, Paul Pope (Horse Press)
Kane #13: “Point of View,” Paul Grist (Dancing Elephant Press)
Kurt Busiek’s Astro City, vol. 2, #1: “Welcome to Astro City,” Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg (Jukebox Productions/Homage)
Elric #0: Neil Gaiman’s “One Life Furnished in Early Moorcock,” adapted by P. Craig Russell (Topps)
Optic Nerve #3, Adrian Tomine (Drawn & Quarterly)
Sandman #75: “The Tempest,” Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess (DC/Vertigo)
Stray Bullets #10: “Here Comes the Circus,” David Lapham (El Capitan)

While hardly talked about anymore, when Astro City came out it turned a lot of heads. It was a big cause of celebration that the second volume (and 1st regular series) of Astro City started. Astro City deservedly won the awards it was nominated for in 1997. It’s a shame that no one really talks about this book anymore with the same anxious breath.

Covers to Starman: Sand And Stars

Best Serialized Story
Captain America #450-453: “Man Without a Country,” Mark Waid, Ron Garney, and Scott Koblish (Marvel)
Kurt Busiek’s Astro City Vol. 2, #2-3: “Everyday Life/Adventures in Other Worlds,” Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg (Jukebox Productions/Homage)
Starman #20-23: “Sand and Stars,” James Robinson, Tony Harris, Guy Davis, and Wade von Grawbadger (DC)
Strangers in Paradise #10-13: “It’s a Good Life” Terry Moore (Abstract Studios/Homage)
Usagi Yojimbo #1-2: “Noodles,” Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)
Walt Disney’s Comics & Stories #604-606: “The Universal Solvent,” Don Rosa (Gladstone)

Starman is the series that made me love DC continuity, and the only book to spin out of Zero Hour to go more then 12 issues. This series featured gorgeous covers by Tony Harris, his pencils, while not as smooth as they are in Ex Machina are still very strong. While the seres lost its direction for awhile after the death of Archie Goodwin, when the series was on, it was ON. Not only did it tell good super-hero stories, it also managed to flush out the a rich history of Starmen past, present and future, and tie itself into many long forgotten aspects of the DCU. For fans of the JSA this particular story arc is especially important as it features one of the last adventures of the original golden age Sandman. I’ll do a more indepth look at the Jack Knight Starman series one day.

Its also interesting to note the nomination of a Disney book. I’m not to sure if Disney book’s were getting more focus due to Rosa, and the popularity for cartoon style art/stories that Bone had created in the industry during this period.

Best Continuing Series
Akiko, Mark Crilley (Sirius)
Kane, Paul Grist (Dancing Elephant Press)
Kurt Busiek’s Astro City, Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg (Jukebox Productions/Homage)
Starman, James Robinson, Tony Harris, and Wade von Grawbadger (DC)
Strangehaven, Gary Spencer Millidge (Abiogenesis Press)
Strangers in Paradise, Terry Moore (Abstract Studios/Homage)

Once again we see Astro city nominated (and winning) an award. Also notable nominees from this year are Starman, and Kane. Kane, the non-linear story of Officer Kane and his role on the New Eden police force is an excellent read. Paul Grist stopped publishing the book monthly and instead (is supposedly) focusing on continuing the series as a line of OGN’s once he finishes collecting all the original single issues through Image. Grist makes strong use of negative space and, while his style is relatively simple, it is this sense of space and use of the negative that really makes his art pop. There is two major storylines woven through the series, that of Kane in the now, and that of the events surround the death of his partner in the past. These flashback stories are placed seamlessly into the the issues, and while sometimes jarring remain engaging. Usually the only way you can tell is the flashback is by the physical appearance of Kane. Grist would also be nominated for best writer/artist this year.

Covers to Kane Vol 1 and 2

Best Limited Series
Age of Reptiles: The Hunt, Ricardo Delgado (Dark Horse)
Batman: Black and White, Mark Chiarello and Scott Peterson, eds. (DC)
Death: The Time of Your Life, Neil Gaiman, Chris Bachalo, Mark Buckingham, and Mark Pennington (DC/Vertigo)
Gon, Masashi Tanaka (Paradox Press)
Kingdom Come, Mark Waid and Alex Ross (DC)
The System, Peter Kuper (DC/Vertigo Verite)
Terminal City, Dean Motter and Michael Lark (DC/Vertigo)

If anything should be noted about 1997, was this it was a strong year for limited series. Kingdom Come, The System, Death: TTOYL and the original Batman Black & White Anthology are all strong stories that continue to sell well and are enjoyable today.

Covers to The System 1 through 3

Best New Series
Barry Windsor-Smith: Storyteller, Barry Windsor-Smith (Dark Horse)
Coventry, Bill Willingham (Fantagraphics)
Leave It to Chance, James Robinson and Paul Smith (Homage)
Nowhere, Debbie Drechsler (Drawn & Quarterly)
The Wretch, Phillip Hester and others (Caliber)

Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition
Ricardo Delgado, Age of Reptiles
Debbie Drechsler, Daddy’s Girl; Nowhere
Jon “Bean” Hastings, Smith Brown Jones
Batton Lash, Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre
Gary Spencer Millidge, Strangehaven
Rob Walton, Ragmop

Where are these series and talent today? Tying into my soap box from earlier, this is perhaps the best example of why the Eisner don’t mean that much outside of the professional community. The community is small, and both the Best New Series and Talent of Wider Recognition nominees (and winners) are virtually unheard of ten years after their nomination. These categories are to me, probably the most important ones in the Eisner’s, as it showcases breakout work. Yet, based on the history of 1997. We have these awards that in theory should allow us to create a better star system, but instead has sadly, fallen by the wayside. I suspect the only way that the majority of stars are made in comic books today are the ones who get pushed in the pages of Wizard, which leads into another topic, the problems with only having one big name ‘magazine’ reporting on the industry.

Despite all of this, I look forward to the nominations each year, and wonder if I read what will eventually win.

Martin Scherer enjoys reading, thinking and talking comics. When he is not doing this, he is lonley and hopes for people to mail questions, comments and suggestions for future articles. He is tame and housebroken. Contact him via email, martin@geekscape.net

Complete 1997 Eisner Winner List:

Best Short Story: “Heroes,” Archie Goodwin and Gary Gianni, Batman: Black & White #4 (DC Comics)
Best Single Issue: # Kurt Busiek’s Astro City, vol. 2, #1: “Welcome to Astro City,” Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg (Jukebox Productions/Homage)
Best Serialized Story: Starman #20-23: “Sand and Stars,” James Robinson, Tony Harris, Guy Davis, and Wade von Grawbadger (DC)
Best Continuing Series: Kurt Busiek’s Astro City, Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg (Jukebox Productions/Homage)
Best Limited Series: Kingdom Come, Mark Waid and Alex Ross (DC)
Best New Series: Leave It to Chance, James Robinson and Paul Smith (Homage)
Best Comics Publication for a Younger Audience: Leave It to Chance, James Robinson and Paul Smith (Homage)
Best Humor Publication: Sergio Aragones Destroys DC (DC) and Sergio Aragones Massacres Marvel (Marvel), Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones
Best Anthology: Batman: Black and White, Mark Chiarello and Scott Peterson, eds. (DC)
Best Graphic Album-New: Fax from Sarajevo, Joe Kubert (Dark Horse Books)
Best Graphic Album-Reprint: Stray Bullets: Innocence of Nihilism, David Lapham (El Capitan)
Best Archival Collection: Tarzan: The Land That Time Forgot and The Pool of Time, Russ Manning (Dark Horse)
Best Writer: Alan Moore, From Hell (Kitchen Sink);Supreme (Maximum Press)
Best Writer/Artist-Humor: Don Rosa, Walt Disney’s Comics & Stories; Uncle Scrooge (Gladstone)
Best Writer/Artist-Drama: Mike Mignola, Hellboy: Wake the Devil (Dark Horse/Legend)
Best Penciller: Steve Rude, Nexus: Executioner’s Song (Dark Horse)
Best Inker: Al Williamson, Spider-Man, Untold Tales of Spider-Man #17-18 (Marvel)
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team: Charles Vess, Book of Ballads and Sagas (Green Man Press); Sandman #75 (DC/Vertigo)
Best Painter: Alex Ross, Kingdom Come (DC)
Best Coloring: Matt Hollingsworth, Preacher; Death: The Time of Your Life (DC/Vertigo); Bloody Mary (DC/Helix); Challengers of the Unknown (DC)
Best Lettering: Todd Klein, The Sandman,: Death: The Time of Your Life; House of Secrets; The Dreaming (DC/Vertigo); Batman; The Spectre; Kingdom Come (DC)
Best Cover Artist: Alex Ross, Kingdom Come (DC); Kurt Busiek’s Astro City (Jukebox Productions/Homage)
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition: Ricardo Delgado, Age of Reptiles
Best Editor: Dan Raspler, Kingdom Come; Hitman; The Spectre; Sergio Aragones Destroys the DC Universe (DC)
Best Comics-Related Periodical: The Comics Journal (Fantagraphics)
Best Comics-Related Book: Graphic Storytelling, Will Eisner (Poorhouse Press)
Best Comics-Related Product: Hellboy bust, Randy Bowen (Bowen Designs)
Best Publication Design: Acme Novelty Library #7, designed by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics)
Hall of Fame: ,Gil Kane , Charles Schulz ,Julius Schwartz ,Curt Swan

 

 

Harvey vs Eisner

by scherem

Comicon International is fast approaching, and along with the masses of people that it brings to the San Diego Convention Centre, it also brings the event that many consider to be The Oscars of comics, The Eisners. Named after legendary artist, Will Eisner, the awards are given to those people/titles that are “the best that the comics art form has to offer”. Since their inception in 1988 the Eisner\\\’s have been a yearly tradition at Comic-Con International, with the exception of 1990, where the awards were canceled due to \\\’numerous errors on the ballots\\\’. There are a total of 28(and growing) unique categories and the Eisner Hall of Fame. Each year the winners are determined by votes from creators, publishers, editors, retailers and distributors. Nominees are decided by a panel of five judges that is completely changed from year to year. The judges represent various stakeholders in comics (fans, critics, professionals and retailers). The Eisner\\\’s are not the only comic book award, in fact, the other major award shares a unique history with The Eisner\\\’s.

The physical awards

The Harvey, named after Harvey Kurtzman founding editor of MAD magazine, is also awarded to outstanding achievements in the comic book field. If the Eisner\\\’s are the Oscars of the comic book world, the Harvey\\\’s are the Screen Actor Guild (SAG) awards. Like the SAG\\\’s, the Harvey\\\’s are nominated by professionals who have worked in the field. After the nomination period, the top five (more if ties exist) nominees for each of its 20 categories are compiled and a list is mailed out/available to be downloaded, and voted on by professionals. The awards have been given out at various venues over its history, with the last move being to the Baltimore Comic-con. As with the Eisner\\\’s, the Harvey\\\’s have a hall of fame, named after Jack Kirby.

Speaking of Kirby, why isn\\\’t there a whole body of awards named after him? After all many consider him to be the father of modern superhero comics. The Kirby Awards did exist and at once time were considered and designed to be the equivalent to comic book Oscars. The first awards were given out in 1985 and were operated by Dave Olbrich and Fantagraphics. These awards ran yearly until 1988, when there was a dispute over who would run the awards after Olbrich left Fantagraphics. As part of the solution to this dispute, both Olbrich and Fantagraphics would continue to offer an industry award, but not refer to them as the Kirby\\\’s. Olbrich would begin the Eisner\\\’s in 1988, while Fantagraphics would names theirs the Harvey and also begin awarding them in 88. As acknowledgment of their shared history, both awards have the three members of the old Kirby Award Hall of Fame, Carl Banks, Jack Kirby and Will Eisner as the inaugural members in their respective hall of fame.

The three faces of comic awards (note these are not official logos)

For two major awards, how do the results compare? Thats what I asked myself as I began to pour over all the winners lists from 1988 to 2005. Finding matches were easy for some categories (Best Artist exists in both awards) others called for some compromising and combining of categories so they lined up. Once this was done, I was left with a combined total of 255 awards given out over this period. 77 of the awards matched up, yeidling that the two awards were sympatico 30% of time. On average there are four common winners a year, and most likely in the categories of Best Continuing or Limited series(9 common awards) and least common being Best Inker (1 common award). 2005 was the most common year, as there were 10 matches (but these matches did not happen in the Best Writer, Artist, Cartoonist, New Series categories). Worst year was (excluding 1990, as the Eisner\\\’s didn\\\’t happen that year) was 1993, with only one match in the category of best Letterer. Also interesting to note is that the category of Best single issue/story only has 3 matches. Finally I imagine that 90% of you can now tell that I enjoyed stats in school.

Is there a need for two major award bodies? I\\\’m not to sure. Its interesting that 2005 was such a strong matching year, and if this trend continues than I\\\’d been likely to suggest that the Harvey\\\’s be folded into the Eisner\\\’s as they have more categories and a bigger name recognition due to the location of their announcement. That being said, I like the fact that the Harveys operate like the SAGs, and its a reflection of what professionals find noteworthy, not what five people do. There is a question though as to what constitutes a professional comic book creator. The (unintentional?) roving natures of the Harvey presentation, while making it a scheduling nightmare, also allows more people a chance to see a little bit of history go down.

Any event, if you have a chance to attend the Harvey\\\’s, Eisner\\\’s, Shuster\\\’s or any other event that acknowledges the achievements of those in a field you love, do it. Clap your hands when they read the nominations aloud, and let them, and everyone else know that you appreciate the boundary pushing work they\\\’ve done.

Martin Scherer enjoys reading, thinking and consuming comics in mass amounts. In addition, his theory that \\\’the only good Stacy is a dead Stacy\\\’ has been re-affirmed with his recent reading of Ultimate Spider-Man: Clone Saga and The Death of the Stacys. When he is not reading about the dead Stacy\\\’s in Spider-Man\\\’s life or number crunching, he looks forward to hearing your comments about this, past articles or general questions about comics. Contact him via email, martin@geekscape.net