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Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, daredevil, eisners
Aftermath Of The Eisners by Cameron Hatheway
Cameron Hatheway writes for Bleeding Cool;
So last week at Comic-Con the Eisner Awards happened, and quite a few people went home with miniature spinning globes underneath their arms. In the weeks leading up to the awards ceremony, I was writing articles and sharing my picks with you all, and now we're going to see not only how many I called, but who or what surprised me in particular. Let's just be thankful that Super PACs weren't involved (or were they?)!
Best Short Story
Who Won: "The Seventh," by Darwyn Cooke, in Richard Stark's Parker: The Martini Edition (IDW)
Who I Picked: "A Brief History of the Art Form Known as Hortisculpture," by Adrian Tomine, in Optic Nerve #12 (Drawn & Quarterly)
While "The Seventh" certainly is a pretty story, I feel that "A Brief History of the Art Form Known as Hortisculpture" was really accessible to everyone. In "The Seventh" you're dropped in the middle of a hunt, and quickly have to play catch-up with who the characters are and how they came to their current predicament. In "Hortisculpture," it's not only a self-contained story, but you feel like you're learning about something new as well. It is easy to swoon over Cooke's beautiful art, but I still believe Tomine was the right choice in this case.
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Who Won: Daredevil #7, by Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel)
Who I Picked: Locke & Key: Guide to the Known Keys, by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)
To be honest, I can see why this won. I even picked it as my 'Who Could Win' category in the original article. Daredevil helping a bunch of blind kids through a blizzard to safety during the holidays? Tugs at the heart-strings, and keeps you guessing on how Matt's going to pull it off in the end. Plus, this issue had the awesome I'M NOT DAREDEVIL sweater Matt was rocking at the holiday party. I totally want that on a shirt!
Best Continuing Series
Who Won: Daredevil, by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel)
Who I Picked: Daredevil, by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel)
BAM! Called it!
Best Limited Series
Who Won: Criminal: The Last of the Innocent, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Marvel Icon)
Who I Picked: Criminal: The Last of the Innocent, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Marvel Icon)
SHAZAM! Called it!
Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
Who Won: Dragon Puncher Island, by James Kochalka (Top Shelf)
Who I Picked: Dragon Puncher Island, by James Kochalka (Top Shelf)
KAPOW! Called it!
Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
Who Won: Snarked, by Roger Langridge (kaboom!)
Who I Picked: Princeless, by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin (Action Lab)
I'll be completely honest; I really don't like Snarked. But alas, it won, so good for them. I was a big fan of the underlying message in Princeless for girls in the 8-12 age bracket, showing you can kick ass and not have to wait for your prince to come rescue you. However, whatever is getting kids to read more comics is good enough in my book.
Best Publication for Young Adults (Ages 12-17)
Who Won: Anya's Ghost, by Vera Brosgol (First Second)
Who I Picked: Mystic, by G. Willow Wilson and David Lopez (Marvel)
While walking the floor, I overheard people talking about Anya's Ghost all over the place. Apparently I missed the boat on this one, and it was the obvious choice for the majority of voters. A friend of mine even picked it when I chatted with him about it on my Eisner episode, so I should have listened to him! Now I have to track it down and see what's all the hubbub about (bub).
Best Anthology
Who Won: Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)
Who I Picked: Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)
PANCAKES! Called it!
Best Humor Publication
Who Won: Milk & Cheese: Dairy Products Gone Bad, by Evan Dorkin (Dark Horse Books)
Who I Picked: Milk & Cheese: Dairy Products Gone Bad, by Evan Dorkin (Dark Horse Books)
MERV GRIFFIN! Called it!
Best Digital Comic
Who Won: Battlepug, by Mike Norton, www.battlepug.com
Who I Picked: Battlepug, by Mike Norton, www.battlepug.com
PUG! Called it!
Best Reality-Based Work
Who Won: Green River Killer: A True Detective Story, by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse Books)
Who I Picked: Green River Killer: A True Detective Story, by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse Books)
HELTER SKELTER! Called it!
Best Graphic Album – New
Who Won: Jim Henson's Tale of Sand, adapted by Ramón K. Pérez (Archaia)
Who I Picked: Jim Henson's Tale of Sand, adapted by Ramón K. Pérez (Archaia)
SANDY! Called it!
Best Graphic Album – Reprint
Who Won: Richard Stark's Parker: The Martini Edition, by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
Who I Picked: Richard Stark's Parker: The Martini Edition, by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
MARTINI! Called it!
Best Archival Collection/Project – Comic Strips
Who Won: Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse vols. 1-2, by Floyd Gottfredson, edited by David Gerstein and Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
Who I Picked: Prince Valiant vols. 3-4, by Hal Foster, edited by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)
A part of me thought Prince Valiant would be a sure thing because of its 75th anniversary this year, and people would be getting all nostalgic. Way to go, majority of voters; Prince Valiant will continue to roam the seven seas and seeking adventure without an Eisner to his name. I hope you're all proud of yourselves! How do you even sleep at night? A pox upon your castles!
Best Archival Collection/Project – Comic Books
Who Won: Walt Simonson's The Mighty Thor Artist's Edition (IDW)
Who I Picked: Walt Simonson's The Mighty Thor Artist's Edition (IDW)
MJOLNIR! Called it!
Best Writer
Who Won: Mark Waid, Irredeemable, Incorruptible (BOOM!); Daredevil (Marvel)
Who I Picked: Jeff Lemire, Animal Man, Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. (DC); Sweet Tooth (Vertigo/DC)
While Waid did a great job on the Daredevil reboot, he didn't show as much range with his other comics as Lemire did. Lemire was on fire, writing series after compelling series, and what does he get in return? Robbed, that's what! I eagerly await him to walk-up to the podium next year and pick-up multiple Eisners for Lost Dogs and The Underwater Welder. Oh wait, he and Snyder will probably just get snubbed again! Bloody fascists.
Best Writer/Artist
Who Won: Craig Thompson, Habibi (Pantheon)
Who I Picked: Terry Moore, Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)
Yeah, I saw this one as possibly being a toss-up because of both talented parties. No hard feelings, Craig Thompson is pretty phenomenal as a writer/artist, and better luck next year to Moore. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT, TERRY! Rachel Rising is still such a great series.
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
Who Won: Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson's Tale of Sand (Archaia)
Who I Picked: Paolo Rivera/Joe Rivera, Daredevil (Marvel)
Again, this was a battle of the artistic titans, and in the end it could have gone either way. The Riveras gave us such wonderful action sequences and beautiful inks, and Pérez simply dipped his brush into Henson's brain and painted a majestic graphic novel to be cherished forever. Pérez really proved his worth this year, and I can't wait to see what he does next.
Best Cover Artist
Who Won: Francesco Francavilla, Black Panther (Marvel); Lone Ranger, Lone Ranger/Zorro, Dark Shadows, Warlord of Mars (Dynamite); Archie Meets Kiss (Archie)
Who I Picked: Francesco Francavilla, Black Panther (Marvel); Lone Ranger, Lone Ranger/Zorro, Dark Shadows, Warlord of Mars (Dynamite); Archie Meets Kiss (Archie)
FRANCAVILLA! Called it!
Best Coloring
Who Won: Laura Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Madman All-New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy Special(Image)
Who I Picked: Cris Peter, Casanova: Avaritia, Casanova: Gula (Marvel Icon)
What, where the judges color-blind or something?! All kidding aside, I've enjoyed Allred's coloring for years, so I can see why she won it. Cris Peter certainly gave it her all, and I think she'll strive to awe everyone next year and prove why not receiving the Eisner this time around was a mistake. Dazzle them, Peter, dazzle!
Best Lettering
Who Won: Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)
Who I Picked: Deron Bennett, Billy Fog, Jim Henson's Dark Crystal, Jim Henson's Tale of Sand, Mr. Murder Is Dead (Archaia); Helldorado, Puss N Boots,Richie Rich (APE Entertainment)
You know, I originally went with Sakai at the beginning when flipping through the nominations. I think I even picked him on the podcast. Be that as it may, I think Bennett still should have gotten it. Then again, with a category like Lettering, it's hard to tell what the voters were looking for.
Best Comics-Related Journalism
Who Won: The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon, www.comicsreporter.com
Who I Picked: The Comics Journal, edited by Gary Groth, and The Comics Journal website, www.tcj.com, edited by Timothy Hodler and Dan Nadel (Fantagraphics)
Bah! Curse that Spurgeon, taking all the glory! I guess I don't prefer The Comics Reporter that much because I find the site hard to navigate, since it appears to be one continuous feed. This is coming from a guy who has the same format on his own website, but I still don't like it so there! Congrats to Tom, but remember now; the rest of us are holding you and your work to a new high standard! Quick Rich, release the Spurgeon nudes! Smutastic.
Best Comics-Related Book
Who Won: MetaMaus, by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon)
Who I Picked: MetaMaus, by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon)
MAUSIC TO MY EARS! Called it!
Best Publication Design
Who Won: Jim Henson's Tale of Sand, designed by Eric Skillman (Archaia)
Who I Picked: Richard Stark's Parker: The Martini Edition, designed by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
What?! Okay, this one shocked me. Tale of Sand wasn't even on my radar for this category, because while nice to look at, I didn't find it to be Eisner Award-worthy! Sure the round corners keep you from poking your eye out or stabbing somebody, but that's exactly what I look for in a book; anti-bully weapon if need be. I can smash the head of a bully into pink pulp with The Martini Edition after only three whacks. Don't ask how I know this, I just do. But if I were to battle with Tale of Sand as my Excalibur? I might as well be yelling "LIGHTNING BOLT!" at them. If you couldn't tell, I just have to disagree with the voters.
So I think it's safe to say that Ramón K. Pérez/Jim Henson's Tale of Sand/Archaia and Daredevil/Marvel were the real winners this year at the Eisners, and DC got a big and hearty "Go fuck yourselves." While I didn't hear about any nerds rioting in the streets after the ceremony (I was too busy getting drunk at TR!CK2TER and completely forgot about the Eisners), I have seen some displeasure from both fans and professionals alike online. But guess what? Not only are there several other award shows (like all other mediums), but if anything you strive to produce better comics next year, just to stick-it to the competition. Whether it's in a serious way or a playful way is entirely up to you, because in the end, I think the fans remain the true winners.
Congratulations to all the winners, I'm fairly certain you all deserved it.
I got 12 out of the 24 I covered right. By U.S. education standards, that's still passing. GOD BLESS 'MERICA!
Cameron Hatheway is the host of Cammy's Comic Corner, a weekly audio podcast. You can buy an Eisner he 'found' on Twitter @CamComicCorner.
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