Nominees were chosen by an advisory board including such folk as Tim Burton, John Carpenter, Wes Craven, Neil Gaiman,
Damon Lindelof, Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino, and Joss Whedon. The winners are chosen by popular cote, which you can do here, with the Screams to be presented at a two-hour Spike-TV extravaganza on October 16.

Comics categories below, and selected other nominees below that (not even the Scream press release has all the categories!)

Best Comic Book or Graphic Novel
Asterios Polyp
Blackest Night
The Boys
Chew
Parker: The Hunter
Scalped
The Walking Dead

Best Comic Book Writer
Jason Aaron
Darwyn Cooke
Garth Ennis
Geoff Johns
Robert Kirkman
Mike Mignola

Best Comic Book Artist
Charlie Adlard
Darwyn Cooke
Fabio Moon
Frank Quitely
Jill Thompson
J.H. Williams III

Best Comic Book Movie:
Iron Man 2
Kick-Ass
The Losers

THE ULTIMATE SCREAM
·    Alice in Wonderland
·    Avatar
·    District 9
·    Inception
·    Iron Man 2
·    Kick-Ass
·    Lost
·    True Blood
·    The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
·    Zombieland

BEST SCIENCE FICTION MOVIE
·    Avatar
·    District 9
·    Inception
·    Iron Man 2
·    Predators
·    The Road

BEST FANTASY MOVIE
·    Alice in Wonderland
·    The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
·    Kick-Ass
·    Toy Story 3
·    The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
·    Where the Wild Things Are

BEST HORROR MOVIE
·    The Crazies
·    A Nightmare on Elm Street
·    Paranormal Activity
·    Shutter Island
·    Thirst
·    Zombieland

BEST TV SHOW
·    Dexter
·    Doctor Who
·    Lost
·    True Blood
·    V

BEST DIRECTOR
·    Neill Blomkamp, District 9
·    Tim Burton, Alice in Wonderland
·    James Cameron, Avatar
·    Roland Emmerich, 2012
·    Christopher Nolan, Inception
·    Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island

BEST SCREAM-PLAY
·    District 9, written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
·    Inception, written by Christopher Nolan
·    Kick-Ass, written by Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman
·    Shutter Island, written by Laeta Kalogridis
·    Toy Story 3, written by Michael Arndt
·    Zombieland, written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese

BEST WRITER — Robert Kirkman, “THE WALKING DEAD”, Image Comics

BEST ARTIST — Robert Crumb, “BOOK OF GENESIS”, W.W. Norton

BEST CARTOONIST — Darwyn Cooke, “RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE HUNTER”, IDW

BEST LETTERER– David Mazzucchelli, “ASTERIOS POLYP”, Pantheon


BEST INKER — Klaus Janson, “AMAZING SPIDER-MAN”, Marvel Comics

BEST COLORIST — Laura Martin, “THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES”, IDW

BEST COVER ARTIST — Mike Mignola, “HELLBOY: THE BRIDE OF HELL”, Dark Horse Comics

BEST NEW TALENT — Rob Guillory, “CHEW”, Image Comics

BEST NEW SERIES — CHEW, Image Comics

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES — “THE WALKING DEAD”, Image Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS — “THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK”, BOOM! Studios

BEST ANTHOLOGY “WEDNESDAY COMICS”, DC Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC ALBUM — “ASTERIOS POLYP”, by David Mazzucchelli, Pantheon

BEST PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED GRAPHIC ALBUM — “MICE TEMPLAR VOLUME 1″, by Bryan J.L. Glass and Michael Avon Oeming, Image Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP OR PANEL “MUTTS”, by Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT — “THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES”, by Dave Stevens; edited by Scott Dunbier,

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL — “THE ART OF OSAMU TEZUKA: GOD OF MANGA”, by Helen McCarthy, Abrams ComicArts

BEST ON-LINE COMICS WORK — “PVP”, by Scott Kurtz, http://www.pvponline.com

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS — Bryan Lee O’Malley, “SCOTT PILGRIM #5″, Oni Press

SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION — “THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES”, by Dave Stevens, edited by Scott Dunbier, IDW

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION — “ART OF HARVEY KURTZMAN: THE MAD GENIUS OF COMICS”, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle, Abrams ComicArts

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY — “ASTERIOS POLYP”, by David Mazzucchelli, Pantheon

It was mostly pep talk, partly an entreaty “not to be afraid of the future when we can still affect it.” On that part, it was hard to find fault.

But at least one other attendee, namely Sergio Aragones, a cartoonist whose name is regularly preceded by the word “legendary,” took issue with Waid’s idea that ideas should be free. After the speech, according to witnesses, Aragones went over to Waid and the two had a heated exchange. While we heard several reports of various folks storming out and slamming doors, we also heard that after all was said and done, Aragones and Waid literally hugged and made up.

We had a chance to talk to Sergio later on — it was an off the cuff conversation in the middle of a rather chaotic night (the Hyatt bar was shut down early and everyone was in a tizzy). Paraphrasing here a bit, but Sergio was advocating more for the idea that the spread of free content has devalued content, making it harder for people to make a living at it. He said a couple of things that I tried to jot down, one that (I’m paraphrasing) “quality has to be considered again” and the one I tweeted “If you give everything away for free, you have ruined everything.”

This wasn’t a real hard and fast pronouncement, but rather a reflection, I think, of the devalued media world of content farms, user-generated content and “doing it for the exposure,” — anti-income-generating measures that leave many of the creative types I know scrambling for 20 different ways to make a living.

Which isn’t to say it’s bad. It just is. Aragones and Waid are both right. It’s part of a conversation I’ve been having with many people this weekend, and most people seem to think that we’re living in a world where IP is the only sure currency — the Waidian view, as it were. The Aragonesian Principle is more that you have to be aggressive about valuing your IP – and getting paid for SOMETHING.

Dirk Deppey and Lea Hernandez, among others, got into a late night discussion of the Aragones quote, which, given the out of left field context it was presented in, was more of a webcomics-centric argument. Deppey wrote:

I’d go so far as to say that, right now, giving it wawy and selling merchandise at the back end…..is the de facto method for self-supporting, self-published cartoonists in ANY medium.

….true as far as it goes. But we live in a world where popular, loved cartoonists can’t make a living just selling comics for people to read. It may be SOP for all creative people, but it’s infinitely more complex than Jack Kirby’s world: Make a good comic, get it seen by a movie company or ad agency or whatever and get them to pay you a lot of money to do something, go back and do another free comics, rinse and repeat.

More later.

The Hero Initiative, the charitable organization dedicated to helping veteran comic creators in medical or financial need, is honoring one of comics’ greatest gentlemen with a special award in his name.
 
The Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award will make its debut at the Harvey Awards Banquet at the Baltimore Comicon Aug. 28-29. Giordano, who passed away in early 2010, was part of Hero Initiative’s Board of Directors. He was also a legendary artist, a guiding force at Charlton Comics and DC Comics for many years, a mentor to his colleagues, and a friend to all who knew him. His legacy epitomizes the caring and commitment Hero Initiative strives to achieve. In honor of Dick, The Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award will recognize one person in comics each year who has demonstrated the generosity and integrity Dick brought to the charity and to the comic book community at large.
 
 “So many people have referred to Dick as ‘The Great Gentleman of Comics,’ and I’m sure he’d love to see his name and legacy carried on, especially in such a wonderful way that honors others who have shown kindness and generosity,” said Pat Bastienne, Giordano’s longtime friend and co-worker and now the executor of Giordano’s estate. “If Dick were here, he’d raise a Rob Roy and toast the idea.”
 
“As both a fan and a friend of Dick Giordano, I’m honored that this award bearing his name will be given out at the Baltimore convention” said Baltimore Comicon owner/operator Marc Nathan. “We’re pleased to be a part of keeping Dick’s everlasting legacy going.”

Other nerdcentric winners were Neil Patrick Harris for Glee, Robot Chicken for Outstanding Short-format Animated Program and Isaiah Mustafa for the best Commercial, The Man Your Man Could Smell Like. And of course, Betty White.

As always, it’s an eclectic mix, with many lesser known gems very much worthy of your attention:

Outstanding Artist
Eddie Campbell, Alec: The Years Have Pants (A Life-Sized Omnibus) (Top Shelf Productions)
Al Columbia, Pim & Francie: The Golden Bear Days (Fantagraphics Books)
Mike Dawson, Troop 142 (self-published & http://troop142.mikedawsoncomics.com)
John Pham, Sublife #2 (Fantagraphics Books)
Sully, The Hipless Boy (Conundrum Press)

Outstanding Anthology or Collection
The Hipless Boy, Sully (Conundrum Press)
Lemon Styles, David King (Sparkplug Comic Books)
Masterpiece Comics, R. Sikoryak (Drawn & Quarterly)
Red Snow, Susumu Katsumata (Drawn & Quarterly)
Ten Thousand Things to Do, Jesse Reklaw (self-published)

Outstanding Graphic Novel
The Complete Jack Survives, Jerry Moriarty (Buenaventura Press)
Market Day, James Sturm (Drawn & Quarterly)
Pim & Francie: Al Columbia (Fantagraphics Books)
The Summit of the Gods Volume 1, Yumemakura Baku and Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
Years of the Elephant, Willy Linthout (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)

Outstanding Story
“John Wesley Harding” The Red Monkey Double Happiness Book, Joe Daly (Fantagraphics Books)
Market Day, James Sturm (Drawn & Quarterly)
Monsters, Ken Dahl (Secret Acres)
“Turd Place”, The Hipless Boy, Sully (Conundrum Press)
“Untitled”, Mome Fall 2009 (Vol. 16) (Mome) Laura Park (Fantagraphics Books)

Promising New Talent
Rina Ayuyang, Whirlwind Wonderland, (Sparkplug Comic Books & Tugboat Press)
Rami Efal, Never Forget, Never Forgive (Studio Namu)
Blaise Larmee, Young Lions (self-published)
Sully, The Hipless Boy (Conundrum Press)
Matt Wiegle, “The Orphan Baiter”, Papercutter #13 (Tugboat Press)

Outstanding Series
Ganges, Kevin Huizenga (Fantagraphics Books)
King-Cat Comics & Stories, John Porcellino (self-published)
Sublife, John Pham (Fantagraphics Books)
Summit of the Gods, Yumemakura Baku and Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
Troop 142, Mike Dawson (self-published)

Outstanding Comic
Blammo #6, Noah Van Sciver (Kilgore Books)
Eschew #2, Robert Sergel (Sparkplug Comic Books)
Flesh and Bone, Julia Gfrörer (Sparkplug Comic Books)
I Want You, Lisa Hanawalt (Buenaventura Press)
Sublife #2, John Pham (Fantagraphics Books)

Outstanding Mini-Comic
Don’t Drink from the Sea, Lilli Carré
Rambo 3.5, Jim Rugg
Stories by…Vol. 1, Martin Cendreda
Troop 142, Mike Dawson
Water Column #3, Josh Frankel

Outstanding Online Comic
Callahan Online, John Callahan (www.callahanonline.com/calarc.html)
I Think You’re Sauceome, Sarah Becan (www.sauceome.com)
The Lestrygonians, Stephen Gilpin (www.sgilpin.com/2010_site/Weekly_Comic_Strip/Weekly_Comic_Strip.html)
Reliable Comics, David King (www.reliablecomics.com)
Troop 142, Mike Dawson (troop142.mikedawsoncomics.com)

After nearly shutting down just a few weeks ago, Friends of Lulu has reemerged with an interim volunteer board. In addition, missing financial records have been recovered, and the organization is moving forward once again.

Long Beach Comic Con has generously granted women in comics organization Friends of Lulu a venue for their 2010 Lulu Awards, as well as a booth at the show and a panel. The Lulu Awards will be held on October 29th, 2010 at the Long Beach Convention Center, and will recognize the fantastic comic and cartooning work by and about women from the year 2009.

The partnership with Friends of Lulu demonstrates LBCC’s commitment to expanding the boundaries of the comic book reading audience, and their support of women in comics.

Martha Donato, Executive Director of Long Beach Comic Con, commented on the exciting collaboration:

“Long Beach Comic Con and Friends of Lulu have a lot in common – we’re both proud supporters of women in comics, and the comics business overall.  I’m particularly pleased that we can give them a home for their Awards ceremony that publicly recognizes the contributions women have made in the business.  We look forward to expanding our Women in Comics programming opportunities with the help of Valerie and her talented staff.”

Valerie D’Orazio, President of Friends of Lulu, expressed her excitement at the prospect of teaming with LBCC in October:

“Long Beach Comic Con has provided Friends of Lulu with an opportunity that has literally energized the organization. We are very much looking forward to representing women in comics at LBCC and presenting the Lulu Awards to another year’s worth of talented individuals.”

Also, please note that nominations for the Lulu Awards are now open to the public. The categories include:
• Kim Yale Award for Best New Talent
• Lulu Of The Year
• Woman of Distinction
• Leah Adezio Award For Best Kid-Friendly Work
• Female Comic Creator’s Hall of Fame
• Best Female Character

Eligible comics for nomination in this year’s awards must have been published (via print or the Web) in 2009. Please visit the official 2010 Lulu Awards page for more details and to enter your nominations. NOMINATIONS CLOSE AUGUST 23rd.

Earlier, Heidi lamented that the Eisner Awards were not given more notice by the general public.

But there are ways. Why aren’t the Eisners a bigger deal? EVERYONE, it seems, has planned their party opposite the Eisners, and it’s understandable when the ceremony has evolved into such a chore even for the nominees. But that’s not how it should be. Why isn’t EVERY media outlet covering the Eisners? The ceremony is caught between the Old Ways and the Newfangled. It wants to be the last ceremony of the Olden Days with the Russ Manning award and Sergio and retailers — but it also wants to have nerdlebrities — Jane Wiedlin and stormtroopers. We say — make the studios pony up! If they want to keep competing with their poker pals to have the biggest display in the parking lot outside the Gaslamp Hilton, make ‘em spend some money to make the Eisners party the Governor’s ball! Make it THE place you have to be before you go off to your studio/agency soiree.

I typed a blazing rant in the comments box, but then decided to let the topic simmer.

So, here are my thoughts on the Eisners, and how to improve upon an awards program which has been running since 1988.  These are not recommendations, because nobody is paying me to think about this, nor do I possess any professional expertise in this topic.  I merely offer perceptions, and hope others will offer their opinions as well.

Here’s what I’d like to see in the future:

1)  An awards banquet. The Harvey Awards has followed this format for the past few years.  Attendees pay for a ticket, receive a gift bag from the event sponsors, and then are assigned a place setting.  Certain tables would be located near electrical outlets to accommodate journalists.  A secondary ballroom, sponsored, would be reserved for general attendees, and have a closed video feed to monitors.

For the Eisners, there could be a cocktail reception from 4 to 6 PM, allowing people to congregate, chat, and if necessary, pose on the red carpet for media.  Companies can purchase tables, and there can also be “open” tables for the general public.  A percentage of the ticket sales could be donated to charity.  The ballroom foyer bar remains open throughout the event, allowing attendees a venue for private conversations or other needs.

At 5:30 PM, the ballroom opens, allowing guests to find their seats.  At 6, the event starts with the usual festivities.  Dinner is served during the ceremony.

By 10 PM, the event is done.  The ballroom is cleared and an after-party is scheduled with a cash bar, preferably somewhere epic and picturesque, adding to the buzz and glamor of the awards.  It is open to all convention attendees.

2)  Awards anthologies. Other literary awards publish anthologies.  These anthologies serve to promote the awards and the winners, generating exposure for both.  (This is the fundamental reason why awards exist.)  These anthologies are also an excellent introduction to the best of a specific category, format, or subject.

Some publishers are guarded when it comes to anthologies… they sometimes do not allow their stories to be published alongside that of other publishers.  This is understandable, but frustrating as well.  Why hasn’t ANY comics publisher issued their own Eisner Awards collection?  A few years ago, Warner Brothers Entertainment issued a DVD containing all of their Oscar nominees and winners for Best Animated Short.  Why does DC Entertainment not offer the same for their Eisner Award winners?

Comic-Con International could also license a general anthology, perhaps even including a clause in the rules allowing for republication of all nominees (with adequate compensation, of course).  With the Twenty-Fifth anniversary of the Eisner Awards approaching, CCI has an excellent opportunity to not only produce a beautiful history book of the Eisner Awards, but to also launch an annual “yearbook” of nominees and winners.  A Hall Of Fame series would also be worthwhile.

3) Better advertising.  Most comics fans and professionals know about the Eisner Awards.  The general public?  They have no idea that comics earn awards.  Awards anthologies help, but an even simpler solution exists: place the awards seal on the cover of the winning graphic novel.  An awards seal, more than a review or author blurb, is a quick and effective way to tell a reader “THIS IS A GOOD BOOK YOU SHOULD READ”.

The awards seal also makes it easier for retailers to market award winners.  Instead of thumbing through twenty-two years of winners and nominees, retailers can, at a glance, pull and merchandise titles for special displays.  (Comic book shops are slowly evolving into specialty bookstores.  Many (most?) do not yet merchandise graphic novels with monthly displays, or even display the weekly New York Times bestsellers.)

Once retailers begin to promote Eisner Award nominees and winners, then customers will begin to realize the worth of the award.  Customers will then seek out nominees and winners, creating demand, which will then generate greater sales for publishers.  Everyone knows how much an Oscar nomination is worth at the box office.  Booksellers know that the Pulitzer, National Book Award, Newbery, and other well-known literary awards generate instant sales.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the same were true for the Eisner Awards?

CCI does offer book seals (since 2008), which can be pricey in bulk.  Do they also offer downloadable graphics?  Is there a style manual for designers to follow, so that there is a brand identity for the awards?  (I don’t see a trademark symbol on the book seals, or near any of the other Eisner Award graphics on the CCI website.)  How difficult is it for a publisher to use the Eisner iconography?  Is it simpler to just place a text blurb on the cover, which reduces the branding of the award?

Among comics awards, the Eisners are one of the oldest and most respected.  Celebrities participate, and every year, the selection process becomes more difficult as amazing works are published.  Wouldn’t it be marvelous if the Awards themselves were as amazing as the titles being honored?

The evening gala starts with the introduction of host Bill Morrison, who lets on that “Somewhere there is a very small area that sells comics; look for it, search it out, and find some of the fantastic projects that have been here tonight.” Good advice, Bill even if we need a microscope and a Foursquare account to find those comics.

Bill introduced the other co-host, voice actor Maurice LaMarche, who comes up and admits he’s a comics book geek who shops at Golden Apple and Earth 2. After running through a vocal medley of his best known characters– like the Brain — he then introduces the “Queen Mother” of the Eisner Awards, Jackie Estrada.

Jackie runs through the history of the award from the great Olbrich/Fantagraphics Kirby Awards rift of the ’80s that gave rise to the Harveys and Eisners. She also explains the rules, introduces the judges and explains that this is her 20th year doing the Eisners. Congrats to Jackie!

Denis Kitchen announces that A CONTRACT WITH GOD will be made into a movie with four stories being adapted by four directors including Alex Rivera, Tse Tung and two others whose names we didn’t get. Among the group of producers is one Bob Schrec!! The main producer dude comes up and gives a humble speech about how cool it it is to be doing this.

Morrison and LaMarche introduce the 13 stars of SCOTT PILGRIM with some awkward schtick — but is there ever any other kind at an awards show? Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ellen Wong introduce The Best Publication for Kids and the winner is…
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz HC, by L. Frank Baum, Eric Shanower, and Skottie Young (Marvel)

Eric Shanower and Skottie Young come up to accept and thank Marvel and everyone. Eric is well dressed.

GIANT BEAUTIFUL HUMAN Brandon Routh comes up to give the award for Best Publication for Teens to 
Beasts of Burden, by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson.

Jill comes up and jokes that she’ll be holding on to Routh — you and everyone else, MEORWWWR. Jill thanks the fans for making this unlikely blend of animal, detectives and the supernatural a success.

Satya Baba is up to present Best Humor Publication. Baba has an awesome accent and delivery and everyone is thrilled to present it to Bryan Lee O’Malley for Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe, a popular win. O’Malley inexplicably calls up Thomas Jane which really makes the night complete. O’Malley is also humble and surprised and says he isn’t funny. We say different.

The beautiful young movie stars leave the stage, taking their innocence and wonder with them and we are left with Jillian Tamaki and James Sturm who bring us back to the warm and familiar world of comics and present the Best Cover Artist award to J. H. Williams III for Detective Comics, a pretty good choice. James Sime accepts with a natty look.

They also present Best Letterer to David Mazzucchelli.  Stephen DeStefano accepts with another natty look. He says David told him to deliver the message “Who is Bryan Lee O’Malley.” De Stefano also lauds Mazzucchelli’s wife, Richmond, who is a fine artist and inspiration in her own right.

Best Digital Comic goes to Sin Titulo, by Cameron Stewart. Who is thrilled with his win and thanks his other Transmission-X Canadian cohorts.

Jerry Robinson and Mark Evanier come out to present the Finger Award to Gary Friedrich, who is very excited and humble and a bit hard to understand.

The Reno 911 guys are up and feign a skype video where the one guy pretends to be drunk and complains about Eric Powell being a jerk and Frank Miller doing something stupid and grand pappy of all jerks Bill Morrison. And his red-headed wife who dresses like a mink in heat. Oh my! Back to Best Coloring. The young Reno 911 who wrote Night in the Museum present the award to Dave Stewart for a bunch of wonderful comics. Scott Allie comes up and apologizes that the page shown for Stewart was “the sodomy page” from the books.

J.H. Williams III wins for Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team, despite being only one man, one brave brave man.

And Best Painter/Multimedia Artist goes to Jill Thompson for Beasts of Burden! Thompson, bubbly in a red dress, comes running up and picks up the young Reno 911 guy. “I have no idea what to say,” and pretends to faint. She also thanks her cohorts at the Academy of Arts. Thompson totally took a dive and hurt her head! JILL, BE CAREFUL! WE NEED YOU!

Up next, James Robinson and Jann Jones, introduced as a writer and an editor, natural enemies. Sadly James is solo as Jann is indisposed. JANN, FEEL BETTER! WE NEED YOU! James Robinson says he was encouraged to come back to comics by his friend Geoff Johns and is more creatively happy than he’s ever been. Robinson’s first award is Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism which goes to The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon. Congrats to Tom for a well-deserved win. Kooky screwball movie music plays for about 8,000 minutes while the winners get to the stage, BTW.

“If I’d have known I was going to win I would have thrown more food on my shirt,” he quips. Spurge thanks Bart Beaty and Dave Welsh and Jordan Raphael.

Best Comics-Related Book is won by The Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comics, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle. Kitchen comes up and says it’s fitting that a book about Harvey Kurtzman would win an award named after Will Eisner as they were great friends. He thanks his co writer and Charlie Kochman, whose name gets a few whoops.

NEXT, we have Best Publication Design which is presented to Absolute Justice, designed by Curtis King and Josh Beatman (DC) kind of a surprise win in a tough category, but a beautiful book, to be sure.

BOB CLAMPETT AWARD TIME. I have not said anything funny because everything has been pretty normal so far. I did run off and get a Met-Rx bar and some peanuts, so I don’t pass out from starvation. Feeling better now. Marley Zarcone is saving me a seat, but I am sitting in the back by the power outlet!

Ruth Clampett comes up to salute the strong dynamic women behind male creators. The winner has produced two documentary awards, volunteered endlessly and knows how to trapeze. In case you haven’t guessed, the winner is Jeannie Schulz, wife of Charles. She is a tiny, tiny woman and obviously very energetic! Her speech is short also.

LaMarche comes up to introduce Thomas Jane and calls him one of the HARDEST working men in show business too. Hee hee. This could be weird. It is. Jane is a nerdlebrity with comics cred and he knows how to pronounce most of the names. Jane presents Best Anthology to Popgun vol. 3, edited by Mark Andrew Smith, D. J. Kirkbride, and Joe Keatinge. Keatinge does a nice thank you to Image Comics, which is very classy.

Jane is easily the funniest presenter yet, just by being…himself. That is a wonderful gift. He is also having problems with the name “Gahan Wilson” …Go, Tom, you can do it!!!! He does and presents Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips to Bloom County: The Complete Library, vol. 1, by Berkeley Breathed, edited by Scott Dunbier .
Dunbier thanks his wife who helped sort through the strips. Breathed says Scott had to talk him into the reprints, for which he’s grateful. He’s at his first Comic-Con after 30 years and he’s happier than a pig in mud, and he’s genuinely excited by it all.

Jane is very excited by Best Archival Collection/Project –Comic Books. “Jack Kirby! Gosh darn it! These names invoke a real sense of awe in me!” Jane says he reads his daughter the TOON Treasury. Oh no, time out for a story. “In LA, there was a fistfight in a parking lot between Archie Goodwin and Alex Toth. They got into a fistfight over a young student named Dave Stevens and they fought over who would get him. It warms my heart to know that story is out there living in the universe and all of you can carry it out.” That’s because the winner is The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures deluxe edition, by Dave Stevens, edited by Scott Dunbier. We seem to recall that Jane was a good friend of Stevens. IDW’s Scott Dunbier is two for two here! Go, Scott.

Scott is trying not to tear up. Dave’s mom, Carolyn, who has his eyebrows, and is a fantastic lady is also up there. This is a really nice moment. Carolyn is quietly grateful and she’s grateful he had the opportunity to share his love of comics and art. “We thank you for everything you’ve done for us as a family, and Dave for helping him though the hard times and becoming the person he was. We all miss him. It is is a true honor for the whole family.”

Morrison comes up and says what a lot of us are feeling about missing Dave but says we’re happy that Carolyn can be here. We do miss you, Dave.

Our next presenters are the comics equivalent of those awkward couples who give out an award to promote their next movie: it’s Chris Claremont and Italian comics LEGEND Milo Manara of X-WOMEN/TIGHT BUTTS. Claremont gives out Best U.S. Edition of International Material and is having a hard, hard time with those names! The Photographer by Emmanuel Guibert is the winner. And Manara doesn’t speak English. So it’s awesome.

Mark Siegel from First Second accepts and speaks to the amazing renaissance of comics in France.

As night follows day, Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia follows. Claremont is not doing well with any of these Japanese names. Even Tezuka. OH BOY. The winner is Tatsumi’s A Drifting Life. I am sad my beloved Urasawa didn’t win, but you can’t argue with the great, great Tatsumi. Peggy Burns comes up to accept and delivers the best speech of the night so far . She talks about how excited Tatsumi was to come to the show in 2006 and his biggest observation was that he had never even signed a book for a woman in Japan. She says over 60,000 books of Tatsumi’s have been sold in North America. He has had the sales and acclaim he has never had in Japan, although it is beginning to come.

Retailer Joe Ferrara is out to present the Eisner Spirit of Retailing award to The Vault of Midnight in Ann Arbor. Midnight, congrats!

And now Sergio is up to begin the Hall of Fame Festivities. The first Judges inductee is Burne Hogarth. His son Ross comes up to accept. The younger Hogarth mentions his father’s challenging nature, but speaks of how his father captured Tarzan’s nature and makes a case for Hogarth to be recognized as one of the great fathers of how Tarzan appeared. “He synthesized the aspects of popular cinema with his fine art training to bring respect to an art form that had known few masters.”

Sergio shares an anecdote about how he was on a panel when nature gave an urgent call. A question about the nature of art was fielded to Hogarth and Sergio went to the bathroom, signed autographs, wandered around and came back and Hogarth was still answering the question.

Bob Montana is the next winner and two of his kids are here to accept. His daughter says he would have been “startled” by some of the artwork out there. She says she’s rooting for Betty if Archie grows up. Some smattering of applause.

And now the winners as voted on. The first winner is Steve Gerber, his daughter Samantha and writing partner Mary Skrenes accept. Steve was a wonderfully witty and intelligent guy who was interested in everything from ancient history to politics, says Skrenes,. “He read constantly blog and news feeds and comic books and watched the news. The only person he could have a real conversation with was Mark Evanier. Mark was a really good friend to Steve and now keeps Steve’s blog alive. Also, Billingham gave Steve a van when his beloved Subaru couldn’t be repaired any more.” She also thanks the Hero Initiative, which was a big help to Gerber in his last days. Samantha Gerber mentions that Mary has been there for her and she calls her all the time. Very touching. “My dad was a fabulous writer and what a genius he was and what he created. To me, he was just my dad, and that’s what I miss.”

The next winner is Dick Giordano. Pat Bastienne, his long-time companion accepts. “He was a special man. Thanks. Here’s one for the Dick,” she says.

The third Hall of Fame winner Mike Kaluta. Shelly Bond accepts. Rats that Kaluta couldn’t be here! Shelley says Mike will be psyched and we agree.

and finally……MORT WEISINGER!!!! His daughter accepts and she is not wearing a turtle costume. But she does bring Paul Levitz, who says “Mort helped with the first science fiction conventions and fanzines from which much descended. He had a legendary first day on which he wrote scripts for Green Arrow and Aquaman.” Weisinger made it to the Hall of Fame, not because he was beloved, but because his work was beloved, says Levitz after describing Weisinger’s devotion to Superman for two decades. “Mort was beloved by his family, certainly,” says Levitz. Getting the idea Mort was a pain to work for!

Joyce then speaks. She did like her dad because he didn’t make her dress like a giant turtle! I made that up, BTW. She is happy he is being recognized.

Maggie Thompson is up to do the In Memoriam section. Art Clokey died after a series of infections, it is revealed. Maggie totally starts to cry when she gets to Al Williamson. Shel Dorf, Ken Krueger, George Tuska, Howie Post…we lost so many good people this year.

Back to the Awards and Peter Bagge is up! He gives the award for the easiest and least important part of comics, the Writing. and the winner is…. Ed Brubaker! The Brub! Sean Phillips accepts.

Best Writer/Artist, slightly more important, the winner is David Mazzuccheilli for Asterios Polyp. Incongruous surf music is now accompanying the winners. Chip Kidd comes up, Stephen DeStefano having passed out. That reminds me; I hope Jill is alright! Chip talks about comics falling into the spaces. And finally, Best Writer/Artist–Nonfiction. Peter, you are rocking these names. The winner is Joe Sacco for his amazing Footnotes in Gaza. Mark Siegel accepts once again.

Maurice LaMarche, I regret to say, is going over like a lead balloon. Carol Tyler and Laurie Sandell are up next to present. Carol Tyler looks radiant as always.

They are up to give out Best Short Story which goes to “Urgent Request,” by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim, in The Eternal Smile. Good choice but I loved all the nominees! Gene and Derek come up. Derek appears to have a big bandage on his ear. Okay. Lot of jokes now about people being sleepy. I am yawning myself, although I am thrilled for the winners. Derek DOES have a big bandage on his ear. WOW. He apologized but doesn’t explain so we make up story. HAD FIGHT IN PARKING LOT WITH ARCHIE GOODWIN OVER WHO WOULD GET TO KEEP THOMAS JANE.

Best Single Issue or One Shot goes to Captain America #601: “Red, White, and Blue-Blood,” by Ed Brubaker and Gene Colan beating out the eclectic pack.

Best Adaptation goes to Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter, adapted by Darwyn Cooke Scott Dunbier is three for three! They will be celebrating in chez Dunbier after they wake up! The win has netted Dunbier a steak dinner on a bet from Cooke. Dunbier goes back to congratulate Dean Mullaney for his great design work.

The Russ Manning Award is the last of the “stand alone” awards. Former Manning winner Eric Shanower is back to present. The award goes to Marian Churchland, who is not present but her good bud Marley Zarcone is there and she is equally awesome.

Phil LaMarr and and Berkeley Breathed are the next odd couple presenters. LaMarr suggests nominees put on their shoes when their names are announced to pick things up. SIX AWARDS TO GO. I CAN DO IT. SO CAN YOU ALL. Best Reality-Based Work goes to A Drifting Life, by Yoshihiro Tatsumi. Big win on a stacked category. Peggy thanks Tatsumi-sensei, the most humble generous man. “He really is the embodiment of everything that is great with comics. He went to the drawing board every single day and drew what he believed in.”

Okay the big ones! Best Graphic Album—Reprint goes to Absolute Justice, by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Doug Braithewaite. Well. Okay. Paul Levitz accepts.

LaMarr and Breathed have some awesome chemistry up there! They need to take this on the road.

The always prestigious Best Graphic Album—New completes the triumph of Asterios Polyp by David Mazzuccheilli — it was the year of Polyp, no questions.

Kidd is making fun of the drawn out proceedings as well, but you know that happened at EVERY awards show. The problem with the Eisners is that it takes forever to get to the stage. The stage is so big because…well I don’t know why it is so big. They do TV panels here during the day so maybe it has to be big enough to hold a huge cast.

Dave Gibbons comes up and pledges to be as debonair as possible. Best New Series goes to Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory. Wow, a nice capper for a fantastic year for the Chew team. I hope I can still make the UTA party!

Best Limited series goes to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young. Work done with love which deserves the recognition. Skottie Young said he was humble the first time but “this time it kicked ass!”

FINAL AWARD! WE MADE IT! Best Continuing Series is The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard (Image) Yeah, Robert and Charlie. We made it through another Eisner Awards. Please make Drunk Thomas Jane a regular! Also. thanks for all the amazing comics that make being in this business a pleasure.

Members of the cast of Universalís Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World are kicking off the awards ceremony for the 22nd annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, Friday night as part of Comic-Con International, the largest comic book convention in the Western Hemisphere.

The Eisner Awards, considered the comics industryís ìOscars,î will be held in the Indigo Room at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

Scott Pilgrim, which opens August 13, is based on the graphic novel series by cartoonist Bryan Lee OíMalley. Volume 5 in the series is nominated in the Best Humor Publication category. Cast members from the film will be the first presenters of the evening, announcing the nominees and winners and three categories. Those expected to appear include Michael Cera, Aubrey Plaza, Anna Kendrick, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Mark Webber, Ellen Wong. Jason Schwartzman, Alison Pill, Satya Bhabha, Brandon Routh, and Mae Whitman.

MCís for the evening are Maurice LaMarche, is best know as the voice of “The Brain” in the animated series Pinky and the Brain, and Bill Morrison, one of the co-founders of Bongo Comics with Matt Groening.
The doors of the Indigo Ballroom will open for general seating at 8:15 p.m., with the festivities starting at 8:30 p.m. Other presenters for the evening include actor Thomas Jane (The Punisher, Hung), writer/actor Ben Garant (Reno 911); voice actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Samurai Jack); Watchmen co-creator Dave Gibbons; award nominees James Robinson (with fiancee editor Jann Jones), Carol Tyler, and Laurie Sandell; and Comic-Con special guests Berkeley Breathed, Chris Claremont, Milo Manara, Peter Bagge James Sturm, and Jillian Tamaki.

Awards will be given out in 29 Eisner categories. In addition, Comic-Cons own special awards will be presented: the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award.

No tickets are required; attendees just need their badges to get in. All who attend the awards will receive a free Will Eisner graphic novel. Eisner, in whose name the awards are given, is considered the “father” of the graphic novel, having popularized the term with his book
A Contract with God, which was published in 1978.

The Hilton San Diego Bayfront is located at 1 Park Boulevard near Harbor Drive, across the street from PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres. It can be reached from both Harbor Drive and the waterfront walkway along the park behind the Convention Center. The Eisner Awards are part of, and underwritten by, Comic-Con International, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.

Support of a wide variety of innovative material: Providing opportunities for creators’ material to reach buyers; stocking a diverse inventory.

Knowledge: Working to stay informed on retailing as well as on the comics field.

Community activity: Promoting comics to the community; maintaining relationships with schools and libraries; keeping active in social, business, and arts community organizations.

Quality of store image: Innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.

Adherence to standard ethical business practices.

A Comic Shop
Aaron Hoaland & Jason Blanchard
Winter Park, FL

Acme Comics
Jermaine Exum & Mark Austin
Greensboro, NC

Astro-Zombies
Mike D’Elia
Albuquerque, NM

Atomic Comics
Mike Malve
Chandler, AZ

Challengers Comics and Conversions
Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush
Chicago, IL

Comic Book Ink
John & Sarah Munn
Tacoma, WA

Comic Bug
Mike Wellman & Jun Goeku
Manhattan Beach, CA

The Comic Vault
Matthew Sardo
Chicago, IL

Comics & Vegetables
Yuval Sharon, Danny Amitai
Tel-Aviv, Israel

The Dragon
Jennifer Stewart
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy
David Wheeler
Austin, TX

Green Brain Comics
Katie & Dan Merritt
Dearborn, MI

Lightning Comics
Tim Boal
Coeur d’Alene, ID

Not Just Comix
David Easter
Park Hills, MO

Packrat Comics
Jamie and Teresa Colegrove
Hillard, OH

R-Galaxy
Rick & Maritza Keefe
Tucson, AZ

Travelling Man
Nabil Homsi
Manchester, England, UK

Up Up & Away
Kendall Swafford
Cincinnati, OH

Vault of Midnight
Curtis Sullivan & Steve Fodale
Ann Arbor, MI

Warp 1 Comics and Games
Dave Bryenton & James Steer
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Margaret Ashford-Trotter — Thunder in the Building #2

Jason Brubaker — reMIND

Jonathon Dalton — Lords of Life and Death

Wei Li — Lotus Root Children

Jed McGowan — Lone Pine

Ansis Purins — Zombre #2: The Magic Forest

Brittney Sabo and Anna Bratton — Francis Sharp in the Grip of the Uncanny! Book 1

A total of $32,761 was awarded for seven comic book projects. The Foundation has awarded in excess of $2,400,000 to comic book creators and nonprofit organizations since its first grant cycle in September 1992. Established by Peter Laird, co-creator of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Northampton, MA based foundation offers financial assistance to self-publishing comic book creators in the US and Canada and to qualified charitable and nonprofit organizations in western Massachusetts.  The next deadline and review dates for comic book grants are September 30, 2010 and November 1, 2010, respectively. The charitable organization grants are decided annually in March and announced separately.

The grant money is applied towards printing of worthy projects. Past winners include everyone from Megan Kelso to Derek Kirk Kim to Nathan Schreiber. Congratulations to the recipients — it’s a varied and talented bunch, very indicative of the wide open range of expression comics are finding in this golden age.

While past Harvey slates contained many examples of assumed ballot box stuffing — the Nascar and Gemstone scandals spring to mind — this year, voters seem to have nominated things that are actually great, like Asterios Polyp and R. Crumb. You go, Harveys!

Information on final voting can be found here.

BEST WRITER

Jason Aaron, “SCALPED”, Vertigo/DC Comics
Geoff Johns, “BLACKEST NIGHT”, DC Comics
Robert Kirkman, “THE WALKING DEAD”, Image Comics
Jeff Kinney, “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
Mark Waid, “IRREDEEMABLE”, BOOM! Studios

BEST ARTIST

Robert Crumb, “BOOK OF GENESIS”, W.W. Norton
Guy Davis, “BPRD: BLACK GODDESS”, Dark Horse Comics
Brian Fies, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?”, Abrams ComicArts
David Petersen, “MOUSE GUARD : WINTER 1152″, Archaia Studios Press
Frank Quitely, “BATMAN AND ROBIN”, DC Comics
JH Williams III, “DETECTIVE COMICS”, DC Comics

BEST CARTOONIST

Darwyn Cooke, “RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE HUNTER”, IDW
Jeff Kinney, “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
Roger Langridge, “THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK”, BOOM! Studios
David Mazzucchelli, “ASTERIOS POLYP”, Pantheon
Seth, “GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)”, Drawn and Quarterly

BEST LETTERER

Chris Eliopoulos, “FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS” stories, Marvel Comics
Brian Fies, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?”, Abrams ComicArts
Thomas Mauer, “RAPTURE”, Dark Horse Comics
David Mazzucchelli, “ASTERIOS POLYP”, Pantheon
Richard Starkings, “ELEPHANTMEN”, Image Comics

BEST INKER

Oclair Albert, “BLACKEST NIGHT”, DC Comics
Steve Ellis, “HIGH MOON”, Zuda/DC Comics
Klaus Janson, “AMAZING SPIDER-MAN”, Marvel Comics
Jeff Kinney, “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
Mark Morales, “THOR”, Marvel Comics

BEST COLORIST

Brian Fies, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?”, Abrams ComicArts
Steve Hamaker, “BONE: CROWN OF HORNS”, Graphix
Laura Martin, “THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES”, IDW
David Mazzucchelli, “ASTERIOS POLYP”, Pantheon
Dave Stewart, “BPRD: BLACK GODDESS”, Dark Horse Comics

BEST COVER ARTIST

Jenny Frison, “THE DREAMER”, IDW
Mike Mignola, “HELLBOY: THE BRIDE OF HELL”, Dark Horse Comics
Michael Avon Oeming, “MICE TEMPLAR: DESTINY, PART I”, Image Comics
Frank Quitely, “BATMAN AND ROBIN”, DC Comics
JH Williams III, “DETECTIVE COMICS”, DC Comics

BEST NEW TALENT

Kevin Cannon, “FAR ARDEN”, Top Shelf
Rob Guillory, “CHEW”, Image Comics
Reinhard Kleist,”JOHNNY CASH: I SEE A DARKNESS”, Abrams ComicArts
Nathan Schreiber, “ACT-I-VATE: POWER OUT”, http://act-i-vate.com
Matthew Weldon, “NEW BRIGHTON ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY”, Image Comics

BEST NEW SERIES

“BATMAN AND ROBIN”, DC Comics
“CHEW”, Image Comics
“IRREDEEMABLE”, BOOM! Studios
“SWEET TOOTH”, Vertigo/DC Comics
“UNWRITTEN”, Vertigo/DC Comics

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES

“BEASTS OF BURDEN”, Dark Horse Comics
“DIARY OF A WIMPY KID”, Amulet Books
“GANGES”, Fantagraphics Books
“INVINCIBLE”, Image Comics
“SCALPED”, Vertigo/DC Comics
“THE WALKING DEAD”, Image Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS
“AMULET: STOREKEEPER’S CURSE”, Graphix
“DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
“GROWN-UPS ARE DUMB”, Hyperion Books
“THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK”, BOOM! Studios
“NEW BRIGHTON ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY”, Image Comics
“3-2-3 DETECTIVE AGENCY”, Amulet Books

BEST ANTHOLOGY

“ACT-I-VATE”, http://act-i-vate.com
“FLIGHT # 6″, Villard
“POPGUN # 3″, Image Comics
“STRANGE TALES”, Marvel Comics
“WEDNESDAY COMICS”, DC Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC ALBUM

“ASTERIOS POLYP”, by David Mazucchelli, Pantheon
“BOOK OF GENESIS”, by Robert Crumb, W.W. Norton
“GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)”, by Seth, Drawn and Quarterly
“FOOTNOTES IN GAZA”, by Joe Sacco, Metropolitan Books
“STITCHES”, by David Small, W.W. Norton
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?”, by Brian Fies, Abrams ComicArts

BEST PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED GRAPHIC ALBUM

“A.D.: NEW ORLEANS AFTER THE DELUGE”, by Josh Neufeld, Pantheon
“COLLECTED ESSEX COUNTY”, by Jeff Lemire, Top Shelf
“GRAVESLINGER”, by Shannon Denton, Jeff Mariotte, John Cboins & Nina Sorat, IDW
“MASTERPIECE COMICS”, by R. Sikoryak, Drawn and Quarterly
“MICE TEMPLAR VOLUME 1″, by Bryan J.L. Glass and Michael Avon Oeming, Image Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP OR PANEL

“CUL-DE-SAC”, by Richard Thompson, Universal Press Syndicate
“FOXTROT”, by Bill Amend, Universal Press Syndicate
“GET FUZZY”, by Darby Conley, United Feature Syndicate
“MUTTS”, by Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate
“PEARLS BEFORE SWINE”, by Stephan Pastis, United Feature Syndicate

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT

“THE BEST OF SIMON AND KIRBY”, by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; edited by Steve Saffel,
Titan Books
“HUMBUG”, conceived and edited by Harvey Kurtzman and created by Harvey Kurtzman, Jack
Davis, Will Elder, Al Jaffee and Arnold Roth; edited by Gary Groth, Fantagraphics Books
“RIP KIRBY”, by Alex Raymond; edited by Dean Mullaney, IDW
“THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES”, by Dave Stevens; edited by Scott Dunbier,
IDW
“THE TOON TREASURY OF CLASSIC CHILDREN’S COMICS”, edited by Art Spiegelman and
Francoise Mouly, Abrams ComicsArt

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL

“THE ART OF OSAMU TEZUKA: GOD OF MANGA”, by Helen McCarthy, Abrams ComicArts
“MANGA KAMISHIBAI”, by Eric P. Nash, Abrams ComicArts
“THE PHOTOGRAPHER”, by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier LeFevre and Frederic Lemercier,
First Second
“PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA”, by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki, Viz Media
“20TH CENTURY BOYS”, by Naoki Urasawa, Viz Media

BEST ON-LINE COMICS WORK

“HARK! A VAGRANT”, by Kate Beaton, http://harkavagrant.com
“HIGH MOON”, by Steve Ellis, David Gallaher and Scott O. Brown,

http://www.zudacomics.com/high_moon

“POWER OUT”, by Nathan Schreiber, http://act-i-vate.com
“PVP”, by Scott Kurtz, http://www.pvponline.com
“SIN TITULO”, by Cameron Stewart, http://www.sintitulocomic.com

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS

Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson, “BEASTS OF BURDEN”, Dark Horse Books
Jeff Kinney, “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
Roger Landridge, “THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK”, BOOM! Studios
Bryan Lee O’Malley, “SCOTT PILGRIM #5″, Oni Press
Andrew Pepoy, “THE ADVENTURES OF SIMONE & AJAX: A CHRISTMAS CAPER”, ComicMix

SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION

“ART OF HARVEY KURTZMAN: THE MAD GENIUS OF COMICS”, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle,
Abrams ComicArts
“THE BRINKLEY GIRLS: THE BEST OF NELL BRINKLEY’S CARTOONS FROM 1913-1940″, edited
by Trina Robbins, Fantagraphics Books
“GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)”, by Seth, Drawn and Quarterly
“THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES”, by Dave Stevens, edited by Scott Dunbier, IDW
“SECRET IDENTITY: THE FETISH ART OF SUPERMAN’S CO-CREATOR JOE SHUSTER”, edited by
Craig Yoe, Abrams ComicArts
“WEDNESDAY COMICS”, edited by Mark Chiarello, DC Comics

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION

“ALTER-EGO”, edited by Roy Thomas, TwoMorrows
“ART OF HARVEY KURTZMAN: THE MAD GENIUS OF COMICS”, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle,
Abrams ComicArts
“THE BEST OF SIMON AND KIRBY”, by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; edited by Steve Saffel,
Titan Books
“THE COMICS JOURNAL”, edited by Gary Groth, Michael Dean and Kristy Valenti,
Fantagraphics Books
“UNDERGROUND CLASSICS”, by James Danky and Denis Kitchen, Abrams ComicArts

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY

“ALEC: THE YEARS HAVE PANTS”, by Eddie Campbell, Top Shelf
“ASTERIOS POLYP”, by David Mazucchelli, Pantheon
“GANGES #3″, by Kevin Huizenga, Fantagraphics Books
“GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)”, by Seth, Drawn and Quarterly
“JONAH HEX #50″, written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, artwork by Darwyn Cooke,
DC Comics
“RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE HUNTER”, by Darwyn Cooke, IDW
“WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?”, by Brian Fies, Abrams ComicArts

Via PR, Gary Friedrich, a seminal figure at Marvel in the ’60s and ’70s and co-creator of Ghost Rider, and the late Otto Binder, without whom there would be no Supergirl or Krypto or hundreds of comics, are the two latest recipients of the Bill Finger Award. This honor is presented annually at the the San Diego Comic-Con to honor one living writer, and one deceased who have made significant contributions to the comics industry.

Comic-Con International is proud to announce that Otto Binder and Gary Friedrich have been selected to receive the 2010 Bill Finger Award for Achievement in Comic Book Writing. The choices made by a blue-ribbon committee chaired by writer-historian Mark Evanier were unanimous.

“This is an award about excellence and about contributions to the field which have not received the recognition they deserve,” Evanier explains. “Bill Finger sure merited more acclaim than he got and in his name, we try to honor others who have been similarly overlooked. Many people know of and love the work of Otto Binder and Gary Friedrich. Not nearly enough know the names of the men who created that work.”

Gary Friedrich was a member of the legendary Marvel Bullpen of the sixties, joining the company in 1967 after a brief stint working for Charlton Comics on strips that included Blue Beetle and The Sentinels. For Marvel, he began with westerns and quickly segued to super-hero features including The X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, and Marvel’s version of Captain Marvel. He distinguished himself with a long, memorable run writing Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, and in 1972 he introduced a new, memorable character with the name of Ghost Rider, which has had a successful run in publishing and which in 2007 resulted in a major motion picture bringing Friedrich’s fiery hero to the screen.

Otto Binder sold the first of hundreds of science-fiction stories in 1930 at the age of 19. Within a few years, he was a major contributor to pulp magazines, and when comic books came along, he was an early entrant in that field and one of its most prolific writers. He was the primary scripter for the original Captain Marvel, authoring nearly a thousand stories—approximately half—of those featuring that hero and allied characters. It was largely due to Binder’s work for Fawcett Comics that Captain Marvel became the bestselling superhero of his era. Binder also found time over the years to write for Timely Comics, Quality, MLJ, Western Publishing and EC. In 1948 he began working for DC Comics and soon was writing Superman. In the course of writing that character he introduced such important, lasting elements of the mythos as Supergirl, Brainiac, Krypto the Super Dog, and The Legion of Super-Heroes. Binder passed away in 1974.

The Bill Finger Award honors the memory of William Finger (1914–1974), who was the first and, some say, most important writer of Batman. Many have called him the “unsung hero” of the character and have hailed his work not only on that iconic figure but on dozens of others, primarily for DC Comics. The Bill Finger Award was instituted in 2005 at the instigation of comic book legend Jerry Robinson, who worked with Finger on the original Golden Age Batman.

In addition to Evanier, the selection committee consists of Charles Kochman (executive editor at Harry N. Abrams, book publisher), comic book artist-historian Jim Amash, writer Tony Isabella, and writer/editor Marv Wolfman.

The 2010 awards are underwritten by Comic-Con International. DC Comics is the major sponsor; supporting sponsors are Heritage Auctions and Maggie Thompson.

The Finger Award is presented under the auspices of Comic-Con International: San Diego and is administered by Jackie Estrada. The awards will be presented during the Eisner Awards ceremony at this summer’s Comic-Con on the evening of July 23 at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront.

Additional information on the Finger Award can be found at