Posted in: Comics | Tagged: eisners

Countdown To The Eisners – Best Writer

Published Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:00:00 -0500

By Cameron Hatheway

A good writer can juggle several different titles at once, while making sure the quality never diminishes. A great writer can do all of that while still making every single deadline. The following six writers all have something in common; they're the best of the best of the best, sir! (With honors!) All six individuals, all men, are highly respected in the industry and put in that extra elbow grease required when burning the midnight oil, just to get some of our favorite titles out on time while maintaining excellence. Today I'll be focusing on the Best Writer category. If you need a reminder of what's been nominated, you can find the entire list right here, and see what I chose last time right here.

Keep in mind I cannot vote for who wins (nor can you, probably), as per the rules. However, that's not keeping me from being vocal regardless!

Who is not eligible to vote?

Comics press or reviewers (unless they are nominees)
Non-creative publisher staff members (PR, marketing, assistants, etc.)
Fans

Before I get back to writing my upcoming graphic novel How To Right Comics so I can be eligible for next year, let the games begin!

Best Writer

Ed Brubaker, Fatale (Image)

What makes a series like Fatale so great is the collaboration between Brubaker and Phillips. Both men have been attached at the hip on different successful projects for years, and together they have the formula of producing amazing comics down cold. Brubaker in particular really knows how to walk the fine line of pulp, noir, and science-fiction that makes Fatale so captivating across several demographics.

Matt Fraction, Hawkeye (Marvel); Casanova: Avaritia (Marvel Icon)

No one could have predicted how successful Hawkeye would be, and one of the main reasons it's been such a hit with the fans is because of Matt Fraction keeping things fun. The right amount of humor mixed with the action gave new life to the character of Clint Barton, and the fact that Fraction keeps things in New York rather than around the world is a huge relief for those not wanting to get mixed-up with several decades of character continuity.

Brandon Graham, Multiple Warheads, Prophet (Image)

Science-fiction comics feel so cliché and overdone nowadays with the same looking ships, the same alien races, and the same survival of the species mentality. Enter Brandon Graham to change the landscape entirely and make everything feel so fresh and, well, alien! He took a forgotten about series, Prophet, and made it a must-read month after month with a bold new direction. Then he goes and creates his own quirky and fantastic universe in Multiple Warheads. The man has some great ideas, and a tremendous imagination.

Jonathan Hickman, The Manhattan Projects (Image)

As The Manhattan Projects rolls on, so does the complex and intricate alternate universe that Hickman has set-up featuring some of history's biggest scientists. Entertaining as it is extraordinary, Hickman has always been known for his big ideas that pay-off further down the line. Hickman is a master at his craft, and definitely should be on everyone's radar by now.

Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)

After quite the vacation from comics, Brian K. Vaughan returns during a time of events and gimmicks to dazzle the masses once more with Saga, reminding us that great stories are alive and well in the medium. Making his new series accessible to almost everyone, Vaughan and Staples scored major points with fans with the new characters and settings, and for keeping on a reasonable schedule.

Frank M. Young, The Carter Family (Abrams ComicArts)

Frank M. Young did a tremendous job with the endless hours of researching the Carter family, and telling the tale not that many of us were ever familiar with. While the story progressed and years passed Young made sure that the reader was able to follow, as he constantly mentioned dates, previous events, and who was related to who in what way.

Who I think should win:
Jonathan Hickman, The Manhattan Projects (Image)

Jonathan Hickman has come very far in his comic book career, and it makes me happy to see him get the nomination for his Image work opposed to his Marvel work. I'm in no way diminishing what he's done for Marvel, but the attention to detail and energy he puts into his own original works consists of some powerful stuff and humongous ideas. It all seems farfetched and bizarre at times, but then Hickman pulls the rug out from underneath you and suddenly you're simply wowed at how he brought it all together.

His writing is intelligent, his imagination is limitless, and it feels like his great ideas never stop coming at you.

Who I think could win:
Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)

The comics industry is extended gutters and the gutters are full of events and when the drains finally scab over, all the variant covers will drown. The accumulated gimmicks of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the fans and comic editors will look up and shout "Save us!"… and Brian K. Vaughan will look down and whisper "Okay!"

Vaughan came back and made comics fun again. Albeit a little raunchy at times, but still damn entertaining nonetheless. This was the shot in the arm both the industry and fans needed.

Who I think should have been nominated:
Jeff Lemire, Lost Dogs, The Underwater Welder (Top Shelf), Animal Man (DC), Sweet Tooth (DC/Vertigo).

Jeff Lemire goes and has a tremendous 2012, and doesn't get one nomination in any of the Eisner categories. Something is tremendously awry here.

Who do you think should win / been nominated?

Cameron Hatheway is the host of Cammy's Comic Corner and Arts & Entertainment Editor of the Sonoma State STAR. You can tell him if he's write on Twitter @CamComicCorner.

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