The ComicPRO retailer organization has announced the formation of their Industry Appreciation Awards to honor individuals who have improved the direct market. PR below, more info here.

The direct market remains the way most comic-book stories get from creator to fan. ComicsPRO, the largest organization of direct-market retailers, wants to honor those people who stand in that gap and help smooth that process. From publishers, distributors, marketers and more, a lot of people are involved in bringing the stories we all love to market. ComicsPRO would like to stand up and recognize those who have been simply the best at what they do, making the comic-book direct market more successful for all of us.

ComicsPRO has created The ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award to honor these individuals, and the first winners of the award will be announced at this year’s ComicsPRO Annual Members’ meeting in Memphis, TN from March 25-27. 

There are two categories for the Industry Appreciation Award, one for professionals who are still active in the business of comics and one for those who have passed away and left an indelible mark on the profession of comic book specialty retailing. After a period of accepting nominations from members, the ComicsPRO Board of Directors presents this final ballot. Members will vote for one Award recipient from each category.

The 2010 nominees for the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award:
o Neil Gaiman
o Steve Geppi
o Paul Levitz
o Dave Sim
o Bob Wayne

The 2010 nominees in the posthumous category for the ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award:
o Will Eisner
o Carol Kalish
o Phil Seuling
o Julius Schwartz


“ComicsPRO member retailers have been enthusiastic in working to make this award a reality,” said Joe Field, ComicsPRO President and the owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA. “This award is unique in that it specifically highlights the contributions of professionals who have made—and still make— Hall-of-Fame level contributions to the business of comics.” 

“The ComicsPRO Annual Membership meeting is the most business-focused of the meetings and conventions on the industry calendar,” said Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO’s Communications Coordinator. “At the meeting, ComicsPRO members want to highlight the achievements of people who have made this industry a better and more successful place to work.”

Brief biographical notes that accompany the ballots for the award can be found on http://comicspro.blogspot.com.

ComicsPRO is the retailer trade and advocacy group with more than 140 members comprising more than 180 storefronts in 36 states and six Canadian provinces. The goals of ComicsPRO are to be the united voice of advocacy for direct market retailers, to provide educational and mentoring opportunities to current and future retailers, and to offer opportunities to reduce some of the mutual fixed costs retailers incur. Information and membership applications are available at http://www.ComicsPRO.org. 

6 COMMENTS

  1. “This award is unique in that it specifically highlights the contributions of professionals who have made—and still make— Hall-of-Fame level contributions to the business of comics.”

    Kirby is certainly the King of Comics, but he didn’t make a lot of impact on the *business* of selling comics.

    -B

  2. “Kirby is certainly the King of Comics, but he didn’t make a lot of impact on the *business* of selling comics.”

    Other than creating a ton of comics and characters that have continued to sell for over 60 years.

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