Posted in: Comics | Tagged: best short story, Comics, countdown to the eisners, eisner, eisner awards, entertainment, jock, max landis

Countdown To The Eisners 2015 – Best Short Story

Published Thu, 30 Apr 2015 18:00:50 -0500

by Cameron Hatheway

Comments

Welcome to the first article of many, as we slowly countdown to the Eisner awards. I'll keep this intro short, since the subject this time around is Best Short Story. It can be easy for some to spend an entire issue, volume, or series crafting the perfect memorable story. For others, all they need is a few pages to leave a lasting impression. While no one will ever beat Ernest Hemmingway for shortest, most impactful story (For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.), the following nominees definitely left their mark while simultaneously hitting it.

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 eligible to vote?
Comic book/graphic novel/webcomic creators (writers, artists, cartoonists, pencillers, inkers, letterers, colorists
All nominees in any category
Comic book/graphic novel publishers and editors
Comics historians and educators
Graphic novel librarians
Owners and managers of comic book specialty retail stores

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 illustrating my life on a packet of sticky notes so I can be eligible for next year, let the games begin!

Best Short Story

"Beginning's End," by Rina Ayuyang, muthamagazine.com

An autobiography of sorts, Ayuyang's short tale begins in 2009 when she's still pregnant with her son. Focusing on the first few years of her son's life, she takes the reader on a humorous journey balancing motherhood with her career as a cartoonist. Illustrated with what appears to be markers and crayons, her style and storytelling has great vibes of Jeffrey Brown and a lot of heart. Many parents will probably relate to some of the universal themes of parenthood and postpartum depression.

"Corpse on the Imjin!" by Peter Kuper, in Masterful Marks: Cartoonists Who Changed the World (Simon & Schuster)

Review copy unavailable

"Rule Number One," by Lee Bermejo, in Batman Black and White #3 (DC)

Taking place in the early days of Dick Grayson's training, we follow Dick as he provides a distraction outside on the streets while Batman takes down a drug ring inside the neighboring building. While the ending is humorous when we discover what rule number one really is, it's Bermejo's art that's absolutely spectacular throughout. His black and white illustrations excel the story to the next level, leaving the reader in awe and wanting to go back and reread it all over again.

"The Sound of One Hand Clapping," by Max Landis & Jock, in Adventures of Superman #14 (DC)

The Joker makes his way to Metropolis, and seeks out Superman to play a game with. The game? Hide bombs all over the city and threaten to detonate them. When Superman outsmarts him, the Joker soon realizes that the joke's on him, as he's told never to return to Metropolis again. Turns out Batman was well aware of the situation, and Superman isn't happy that it was all just a test. Jock's gritty illustrations keep the reader on edge throughout, and Landis' story is very enjoyable. Superman vs the Joker isn't a pairing you see often, and it's a refreshing one.

"When the Darkness Presses," by Emily Carroll, emcarroll.com

A young woman is housesitting for a family while they're away, and at night she has strange, eerie dreams of the door in her room and something on the other side wanting to get in. Her friend spends the night and doesn't experience anything, so it's up to the young woman to figure out what's going on. Primarily black and white watercolors with sequences with brilliant colors and designs, Carroll takes the reader down the rabbit hole with an interactive layout and gifs. Creepy set-up, but the ending slightly falls flat.

Who I think should win:
"The Sound of One Hand Clapping," by Max Landis & Jock, in Adventures of Superman #14 (DC)

Batman vs the Joker can get tiring, for they know each other's every move. Superman vs the Joker? Color me intrigued. Landis does a great job exploring the dynamic between the unlikely pair, and Jock's illustration style really helps set the tone. Tense and unpredictable, it's very entertaining seeing Superman laugh at Joker's barbs and reducing the Clown Prince of Crime to nothing more than a scorned loser.

One thing I really enjoyed about this story was Jock's take on the different versions of the Joker throughout comics and cinematic history, as he tries to figure out what kind of person he is.

Who I think will win:
"The Sound of One Hand Clapping," by Max Landis & Jock, in Adventures of Superman #14 (DC)

People like Landis' writing, and they love Jock. It was a solid pairing of art and story.

Who I think should have been nominated:
"Banjo," by Jordie Bellaire & Declan Shalvey, in Dark Horse Presents #2 (Dark Horse)

A little girl plays the banjo as she waits for her father to return home from the frontlines of the Civil War. She plays even after her family has received word that he was killed in battle, and yet his ghost returns home to listen to her song. Simple, creepy, and lovely art.

Who do you think should win / been nominated?

Cameron Hatheway is a reviewer and the host of Cammy's Comic Corner, an audio podcast. You can share with him your favorite Joker pairing on Twitter @CamComicCorner.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!