Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, Image | Tagged: Knoxville, Nirvana Comics, Skottie Young

Nirvana Comics of Knoxville Wins Image Comics Select Retailer Award

The first Image Comics Select Retailer Award has been won by Nirvana Comics of Knoxville, netting them an exclusive comic to sell.

The Image Comics Select Retailer Award, announced to coincide with the ComicsPRO Summit is intended to reward comic shops that go "above and beyond to serve their customers, expand readership, and grow a healthier marketplace." The first winner announced at the Lunar Distribution retailer event at Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle was Nirvana Comics of Knoxville.

Nirvana Comics posted to Instagram, "Part of winning this prize was the choice in a Store Exclusive Gold Foil Variant. We chose Skottie Young's Ain't No Grave! Our reason for choosing this book is two fold, 1. We freaking love Skottie Young! 2. We wanted a book that best represented Nirvana Comics, a book that showcased pushing the boundaries of comics, trying something new and risky, and of course being so damn fun. This book definitely embodies that. Thank you Image Comics for awarding us this honor and for continuing to support the comic shop industry. We look forward to our next collaboration. Thank you Skottie Young and Stupid Freshmess for allowing the use of your book. Can't wait to see you at Heroes Con! $20 for purchase"

Readers were asked to nominate their local comic shop based on criteria such as:

• exemplary customer service
• thoughtful and exciting handselling recommendations
• efforts fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere
• easy-to-browse shelving
• attractive and innovative displays
• forward-thinking customer marketing and out-of-box consumer outreach
• community engagement
• robust inventory of & support for Image Comics and other creator-owned/indie comics

To nominate a shop, submit the store's name, and location, and justify your decision. One winning store will be announced quarterly, and each store will receive:

• a commemorative medallion
• an Image Select Retailer Award window cling for their store's window
• a spotlight Q&A to be featured on Image Comics' social media platforms and Website
• the store's choice of a gold foil exclusive variant, branded as an Image Select Retailer Award winner, with store logo (limited to 250 copies)

"Simply put: Comic book stores are the backbone of our industry and the success we've all enjoyed since the development of the Direct Market would not be possible without the support of forward-thinking comic book store owners and their staffs," said Eric Stephenson, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer at Image Comics. "I often remind people that one of our industry's all-time biggest hits, The Walking Dead, launched with only a little over 7,000 orders, but as confident as we were in the sterling quality of that series, it took the commitment of the people who ordered up, promoted, and hand-sold that book month in and month out to build it into the worldwide success it eventually became. Now more than ever, new talent and new creativity face some long odds, and we are always looking for ways to recognize and thank members of our retail community who make a mutual investment in their success. This award is a way to spotlight and honor those retailers and their stores for raising the bar, changing the marketplace, and helping to build a better industry for us all."

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