Nominations are in for 2010's Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, celebrating all the best in words and pictures from the past year. While no one should be surprised to see critical hits like David Mazzucchelli's Asterios Polyp or Darwyn Cooke's Parker: The Hunter make the list, there are still plenty of surprises and discoveries for even the most dedicated readers.
I was personally very pleased to see the works of manga creator Naoki Urasawa make the list with both Pluto and 20th Century Boys. Hit the links for my reviews from last month's March Manganess feature. Also up for awards are recent iFanboy favorites like Chew, Irredeemable, Sweet Tooth, I Kill Giants, and The Unwritten.
And yes, Geoff Johns gets his due with a Best Writer nomination in the wake of Blackest Night. That said, where's Ivan Reis?
If I have any other nits to pick, it's the exclusion of Jonah Hex #50, another personal favorite from last year by Palmiotti, Gray, and Cooke. But with all the other amazing works being recognized, it's hard to complain.
Check out the full list of nominees and start a list for your local library or amazon wishlist.
Best Short Story
“Because I Love You So Much,” by Nikoline Werdelin, in From Wonderland with Love: Danish Comics in the 3rd Millennium (Fantagraphics/Aben malen)
“Gentleman John,” by Nathan Greno, in What Is Torch Tiger? (Torch Tiger)
“How and Why to Bale Hay,” by Nick Bertozzi, in Syncopated (Villard)
“Hurricane,” interpreted by Gradimir Smudja, in Bob Dylan Revisited (Norton)
“Urgent Request,” by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim, in The Eternal Smile (First Second)
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Brave & the Bold #28: “Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line,” by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz (DC)
Captain America #601: “Red, White, and Blue-Blood,” by Ed Brubaker and Gene Colan (Marvel)
Ganges #3, by Kevin Huizenga (Fantagraphics)
The Unwritten #5: “How the Whale Became,” by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (Vertigo/DC)
Usagi Yojimbo #123: “The Death of Lord Hikiji” by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)
Best Continuing Series
Fables, by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy et al. (Vertigo/DC)
Irredeemable, by Mark Waid and Peter Krause (BOOM!)
Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)
The Unwritten, by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (Vertigo/DC)
The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard (Image)
Best Limited Series or Story Arc
Blackest Night, by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, and Oclair Albert (DC)
Incognito, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Marvel Icon)
Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka, by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki (VIZ Media)
Wolverine #66–72 and Wolverine Giant-Size Special: “Old Man Logan,” by Mark Millar, Steve McNiven, and Dexter Vines (Marvel)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young (Marvel)
Best New Series
Chew, by John Layman and Rob Guillory (Image)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick, art by Tony Parker (BOOM!)
Ireedeemable, by Mark Waid and Peter Krause (BOOM!)
Sweet Tooth, by Jeff Lemire (Vertigo/DC)
The Unwritten, by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (Vertigo/DC)
Best Publication for Kids
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, by Jarrett J. Krosoczeka (Knopf)
The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook, by Eleanor Davis (Bloomsbury)
Tiny Tyrant vol. 1: The Ethelbertosaurus, by Lewis Trondheim and Fabrice Parme (First Second)
The TOON Treasury of Classic Children’s Comics, edited by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly (Abrams ComicArts/Toon)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz hc, by L. Frank Baum, Eric Shanower, and Skottie Young (Marvel)
Best Publication for Teens
Angora Napkin, by Troy Little (IDW)
Beasts of Burden, by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson (Dark Horse)
A Family Secret, by Eric Heuvel (Farrar Straus Giroux/Anne Frank House)
Far Arden, by Kevin Cannon (Top Shelf)
I Kill Giants tpb, by Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura (Image)
Best Humor Publication
Drinky Crow’s Maakies Treasury, by Tony Millionaire (Fantagraphics)
Everybody Is Stupid Except for Me, And Other Astute Observations, by Peter Bagge (Fantagraphics)
Little Lulu, vols. 19–21, by John Stanley and Irving Tripp (Dark Horse Books)
The Muppet Show Comic Book: Meet the Muppets, by Roger Langridge (BOOM Kids!)
Scott Pilgrim vol. 5: Scott Pilgrm vs. the Universe, by Brian Lee O’Malley (Oni)
Best Anthology
Abstract Comics, edited by Andrei Molotiu (Fantagraphics)
Bob Dylan Revisited, edited by Bob Weill (Norton)
Flight 6, edited by Kazu Kibuishi (Villard)
Popgun vol. 3, edited by Mark Andrew Smith, D. J. Kirkbride, and Joe Keatinge (Image)
Syncopated: An Anthology of Nonfiction Picto-Essays, edited by Brendan Burford (Villard)
What Is Torch Tiger? edited by Paul Briggs (Torch Tiger)
Best Digital Comic
Abominable Charles Christopher, by Karl Kerschl, www.abominable.cc
Bayou, by Jeremy Love, http://zudacomics.com/bayou
The Guns of Shadow Valley, by David Wachter and James Andrew Clark, www.gunsofshadowvalley.com
Power Out, by Nathan Schreiber, www.act-i-vate.com/67.comic
Sin Titulo, by Cameron Stewart, www.sintitulocomic.com/
Best Reality-Based Work
A Drifting Life, by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (Drawn & Quarterly)
Footnotes in Gaza, by Joe Sacco (Metropolitan/Holt)
The Imposter’s Daughter, by Laurie Sandell (Little, Brown)
Monsters, by Ken Dahl (Secret Acres)
The Photographer, by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre, and Frédéric Lemerier (First Second)
Stitches, by David Small (Norton)
Best Adaptation from Another Work
The Book of Genesis Illustrated, by R. Crumb (Norton)
Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation, adapted by Michael Keller and Nicolle Rager Fuller (Rodale)
Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, adapted by Tim Hamilton (Hill & Wang)
Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
West Coast Blues, by Jean-Patrick Manchette, adapted by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics)
Best Graphic Album—New
Asterios Polyp, by David Mazzuccheilli (Pantheon)
A Distant Neighborhood (2 vols.), by Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
The Book of Genesis Illustrated, by R. Crumb (Norton)
My mommy is in America and she met Buffalo Bill, by Jean Regnaud and Émile Bravo (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
The Photographer, by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre, and Frédéric Lemerier (First Second)
Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Absolute Justice, by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Doug Braithewaite (DC)
A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, by Josh Neufeld (Pantheon)
Alec: The Years Have Pants, by Eddie Campbell (Top Shelf)
Essex County Collected, by Jeff Lemire (Top Shelf)
Map of My Heart: The Best of King-Cat Comics & Stories, 1996–2002, by John Porcellino (Drawn & Quarterly)
Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips
Bloom County: The Complete Library, vol. 1, by Berkeley Breathed, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
Bringing Up Father, vol. 1: From Sea to Shining Sea, by George McManus and Zeke Zekley, edited by Dean Mullaney (IDW)
The Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley’s Cartoons 1913–1940, edited by Trina Robbins (Fantagraphics)
Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy Cartoons, by Gahan Wilson, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
Prince Valiant, vol. 1: 1937–1938, by Hal Foster, edited by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)
Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, Walt McDougall, and W. W. Denslow (Sunday Press)
Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books
The Best of Simon & Kirby, by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, edited by Steve Saffel (Titan Books)
Blazing Combat, by Archie Goodwin et al., edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
Humbug, by Harvey Kurtzman et al., edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures deluxe edition, by Dave Stevens, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
The TOON Treasury of Classic Children’s Comics, edited by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly (Abrams ComicArts/Toon)
Best U.S. Edition of International Material
My mommy is in America and she met Buffalo Bill, by Jean Regnaud and Émile Bravo (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
The Photographer, by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre, and Frédéric Lemerier (First Second)
Tiny Tyrant vol. 1: The Ethelbertosaurus, by Lewis Trondheim and Fabrice Parme (First Second)
West Coast Blues, by Jean-Patrick Manchette, adapted by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics)
Years of the Elephant, by Willy Linthout (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
The Color Trilogy, by Kim Dong Haw (First Second)
A Distant Neighborhood (2 vols.), by Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
A Drifting Life, by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (Drawn & Quarterly)
Oishinbo a la Carte, written by Tetsu Kariya and illustrated by Akira Hanasaki (VIZ Media)
Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka, by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki (VIZ Media)
Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)
Best Writer
Ed Brubaker, Captain America, Daredevil, Marvels Project (Marvel) Criminal, Incognito (Marvel Icon)
Geoff Johns, Adventure Comics, Blackest Night, The Flash: Rebirth, Superman: Secret Origin (DC)
James Robinson, Justice League: Cry for Justice (DC)
Mark Waid, Irredeemable, The Incredibles (BOOM!)
Bill Willingham, Fables (Vertigo/DC)
Best Writer/Artist
Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter (IDW)
R. Crumb, The Book of Genesis Illustrated (Norton)
David Mazzuccheilli, Asterios Polyp (Pantheon)
Terry Moore, Echo (Abstract Books)
Naoki Urasawa, Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka (VIZ Media)
Best Writer/Artist–Nonfiction
Reinhard Kleist, Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness (Abrams ComicArts)
Willy Linthout, Years of the Elephant (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
Joe Sacco, Footnotes in Gaza (Metropolitan/Holt)
David Small, Stitches (Norton)
Carol Tyler, You’ll Never Know: A Good and Decent Man (Fantagraphics)
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
Michael Kaluta, Madame Xanadu #11–15: “Exodus Noir” (Vertigo/DC)
Steve McNiven/Dexter Vines, Wolverine: Old Man Logan (Marvel)
Fiona Staples, North 40 (WildStorm)
J. H. Williams III, Detective Comics (DC)
Danijel Zezelj, Luna Park (Vertigo/DC)
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
Émile Bravo, My mommy is in America and she met Buffalo Bill (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
Mauro Cascioli, Justice League: Cry for Justice (DC)
Nicolle Rager Fuller, Charles Darwin on the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation (Rodale Books)
Jill Thompson, Beasts of Burden (Dark Horse); Magic Trixie and the Dragon (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Carol Tyler, You’ll Never Know: A Good and Decent Man (Fantagraphics)
Best Cover Artist
John Cassaday, Irredeemable (BOOM!); Lone Ranger (Dynamite)
Salvador Larocca, Invincible Iron Man (Marvel)
Sean Phillips, Criminal, Incognito (Marvel Icon); 28 Days Later (BOOM!)
Alex Ross, Astro City: The Dark Age (WildStorm/DC); Project Superpowers (Dynamite)
J. H. Williams III, Detective Comics (DC)
Best Coloring
Steve Hamaker, Bone: Crown of Thorns (Scholastic); Little Mouse Gets Ready (Toon)
Laura Martin, The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures (IDW); Thor, The Stand: American Nightmares (Marvel)
David Mazzuccheilli, Asterios Polyp (Pantheon)
Alex Sinclair, Blackest Night, Batman and Robin (DC)
Dave Stewart, Abe Sapien, BPRD, The Goon, Hellboy, Solomon Kane, Umbrella Academy, Zero Killer (Dark Horse); Detective Comics (DC); Northlanders, Luna Park (Vertigo)
Best Lettering
Brian Fies, Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow? (Abrams ComicArts)
David Mazzuccheilli, Asterios Polyp (Pantheon)
Tom Orzechowski, Savage Dragon (Image); X-Men Forever (Marvel)
Richard Sala, Cat Burglar Black (First Second); Delphine (Fantagraphics)
Adrian Tomine, A Drifting Life (Drawn & Quarterly)
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
Alter Ego, edited by Roy Thomas (TwoMorrows)
ComicsAlliance, www.comicsalliance.com, edited by Laura Hudson
Comics Comics, edited by Timothy Hodler and Dan Nadel (www.comicscomicsmag.com) (PictureBox)
The Comics Journal, edited by Gary Groth, Michael Dean, and Kristy Valenti (Fantagraphics)
The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon (www.comicsreporter.com)
Best Comics-Related Book
Alan Moore: Comics as Performance, Fiction as Scalpel, by Annalisa Di Liddo (University Press of Mississippi)
The Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comics, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle (Abrams ComicArts)
The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, by Helen McCarthy (Abrams ComicArts)
Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater, by Eric P. Nash (Abrams ComicArts)
Will Eisner and PS Magazine, by Paul E. Fitzgerald (Fitzworld.US)
Best Publication Design
Absolute Justice, designed by Curtis King and Josh Beatman (DC)
The Brinkley Girls, designed by Adam Grano (Fantagraphics)
Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy Cartoons, designed by Jacob Covey (Fantagraphics)
Life and Times of Martha Washington, designed by David Nestelle (Dark Horse Books)
Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz, designed by Philippe Ghielmetti (Sunday Press)
Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow? designed by Neil Egan and Brian Fies (Abrams ComicArts)
The winners will be announced this July in San Diego. Congratulations to all the nominees–as well as the fans–for a great year in comics!
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Go Alex Sinclair!
Good list, for the most part. This’ll be the first in a long time that I’ve seen that didn’t have All Star Superman on it, too. I predict Johns wins best writer, Mazzuccheilli wins best writer/artist and JHWIII wins best artist.
There is so much quality material on this list. I know that I wouldn’t have personally read many of the titles on this list (PLUTO, PARKER: THE HUNTER, THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK, WALKING DEAD, etc.) without the reviews and discussion found on this site. Thanks so much for promoting quality comics as much as you do, guys!
Also, if J. H. Williams III doesn’t win for best ‘Penciller/Inker,’ then [insert wild claim of hyperbole here].
No Batman and Robin, but Cry for Justice gets multiple noms? Something just ain’t right here.
What an amazing list of creators and comcis that have come out in the past year. Many of these I have read due to the influence of the staff members on this site and I thank you guys for that. The best writer/artist category is intense with talent. I really hope that Parker wins for Mr. D. Cooke because that was my best book of last year, but the talent he is up against is crazy. I agree with Paul on the exclusion of Ivan Reis and of Jonah Hex #50 and do have one I would love to add on my own, where is Power Girl in new series? Is it not unable to be nominated for that position or was it an oversight?
I’m glad to see Brave and the Bold getting more notoriety. It honestly is my favorite comic book. From Waid and Perez to Wolfman to Straczynski and Saiz, I haven’t read a single issue I didn’t absoultly love. Though I’m surprised that’s the one the picked, I thought either Batman stories would be a shoe-in. Then again, of the one’s last year of the time slot, I guess it makes sense. Though the next awards has to have The Atom/Joker one.
No Batman & Robin and no iFanboy? BLASPHEMY!
OK, how is The Book of Genesis by Crumb NOT an adapation of another work?
Best Single Issue: The Unwritten #5
Best Continuing Series: The Walking Dead
Best Limited Series or Story Arc: Blackest Night… See More
Best New Series: Chew
Best Adaptation from Another Work: Parker The Hunter!
Best Graphic Album: Asterios Polyp
Best Graphic Album: Essex County
Best Writer: Ed Brubaker
Best Writer/Artist: Darwyn ! Darwyn ! Darwyn !!
Best Penciller/Inker: JH Williams
Best Cover Artist: Write-In Vote Dave Johnson!!!
Best Coloring: Dave Stewart is the Jordan of Coloring.
Best Lettering: David Mazzuccheilli, Asterios Polyp
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art): Jill Thompson, Beasts of Burden
I want to thank iFanboy for all the IRREDEEMABLE love! Nice to be nominated!
–Pete
Lots of goodness. No list like this is ever going to be perfect or please everyone, but having read a huge chunk of the stuff nominated (and lots of other books), I have to say that, in totality, this is a high quality group of nominees with a high hit rate.
I don’t really know how I would choose between Irredeemable, Chew, Sweet Tooth, and The Unwritten in that Best New Series category.
Where’s the Scalped love? No Jock or Jason Aaron noms? Eisner currently rolling in grave.
Bloom County. Still relevant. *sigh*
You have to nominate yourself. And some people don’t like to nominate themselves. Is this correct? Explains the lack of significant quality at times.
No idea, but this list sure isn’t lacking in quality.
@KickAss; I don’t believe you nominate yourself, no. A five member nominating committee is picked and they chose the nominees.
"cry for justice" being nominated for writing comes close to discrediting the eisners.
I’m more or less fine with this but I’m kind of surprised Ivan Reiss didnt get nominated for best penciler.
@AmirCat "Best Cover Artist: Write-In Vote Dave Johnson!!!" You, my good kitty, are correct.
Ganges? I had to Google it. Anyone read it? Is it any good?
I don’t get how Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and Wonderful Wizard of Oz can be nominated for New and Kids series, but not Adapted series. Then again, All Star Superman won for best ongoing…
And no Fantastic Four #571 for best single issue? While not the best issue I read last year, I think we can all agree that that was some damn fine comic bookin’
To me the three disappointing angles:
1) No love for Jonah Hex 50
2) Where’s the Best Inking category? 🙁 [only one inker named in the Pencil/Inke]
3) Where is Ivan Reis for best artist?
I’m a little disappointed that Jonah Hex 50 wasn’t up for best single issue. I also wish I Kill Giants got a nod, but the trade came out right before Parker and Asterios Polyp so it was probably overshadowed by those two. Overall this is a fantastic list, and hopefully Jeff Lemire gets an Eisner for Essex County this year. I think Top Shelf should just keep putting it out in various editions until it finally wins (oversized, pocket sized, etc.)
I’m so happy to see The Unwritten up there so much!
Glad to see that I’ve read / am reading a lot of these. Did I miss Batman & Robin? How was that not nominated for best single issue?
Ah, the Eisners. A time to play the music, a time to light the lights. A time to put on make-up, a time to dress up right. Wait… That’s not the Eisners, that’s The Muppet Show…
Great list, better then last year’s. Although what the hell is Cry for Justice doing anywhere near this award? No one can seriously tell me that is Eisner worthy even if they did like it. If we’re guessing who’s gonna win I say:
Best Single Issue: Brave and the Bold #28 (It should be a shoo-in considering what it’s up against. But this isn’t the best issue JMS/Saiz has done. Issue thirty involving Green Lantern and Dr. Fate has been the best issue by far during their run.)
Best Continuing Series: The Walking Dead
Best Limited Series: Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Blackest Night and Wolverine be damned!)
Best New Series: Sweet Tooth (or Chew, it’s really a tie for me)
Best Humor Publication: The Muppet Show (Come on….it’s the Muppets!)
Best Adaptation: Parker The Hunter
Best Graphic Album (New): Asterios Polyp
Best Graphic Album (Reprint): Essex County
Best Writer: Geoff Johns (His run on Blackest Night burned him out….But overall how can I argue?)
Best Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke
Best Penciller/Inker: J.H. Williams III
Best Cover Artist: Alex Ross (He’s my boy!)
Best Colorist: Alex Sinclair (I know Dave Stewart is the favorite, but Sinclair is quickly becoming the favorite for DC and other companies)
Best Publication Design: Absolute Justice (Not cause of Ross, but because it was a new design by a fan to design the cover for the book. Gotta give the rookie some dues for his first try.)
Who did Dave Johnson piss off?
Sean Phillips for best covers!
I’ve heard some creators say they won’t nominate themselves. Not sure how it works.
"Is "Graphic Album" used in place of "Graphic Novel?"
Basically. Album is the European term.
@josh: Didn’t think of that but you’re right. Where is Dave Johnson in the Best Covers category?
Or Skottie Young?
I like this year’s nominees much more than last years. Go Unwritten – only one nomination for Chew does make me a little sad though.
Why didn’t the iFanboys pick any of the best single issue nominations as POW?
Oh, that’s right. "It’s the issue we liked best, not the best issue" blah, blah. Totally arbitrary, got it.
See, you answered your own question.
…..So no I Kill Giants love at all?
@MattB: It’s nominated for Best Publication For Teens
@conor – ok thanks sry I looked at best limited series
Also, to be fair, the last single issue of I Kill Giants came out in January of 09.
@Paul – yeah i just remeberd when it didnt get any noms last year the guys saying it would probably get them this year
I’m with ya, I’m with ya. Just gotta figure out where it could’ve gone otherwise. I don’t like to call out things I’d consider undeserving. And here it’s doubly tricky because there are so many nominees that more than deserve their slots.
CRY FOR FREAKIN’ JUSTICE?!?!
I’m about to…
@Paul – Ya i think we all want it to win something and there are always ones that ppl argue either should or should not be on the list of noms, I just had minor wtf moment when i misread the list and wondered why no one mentioned it and now i know why
I’m pulling for The Unwritten (specifically #5). I’ve throughly enjoyed that series since the first issue. I’m shocked that Batman & Robin didn’t get some attention. I have to wonder if the second arc completely overshadowed the first with its awfulness.
As someone who actually enjoyed much of Cry for Justice, I’m shocked Mr. Robinson received a nomination. I loved reading the backmatter in those issues and wonder if they played a role in his nomination.
Honestly though, can someone give me some sort of answer as to why there is no Batman and Robin?
@Gabe: Sadly, as @stuclach just pointed out, it’s probably because of the 2nd arc with Tan.
Actually wait no it isn’t. Grant Morrison actually wrote a pretty bad issue with that. The 2nd one (or #5) was not very well written at all.
Batman and Robin is a glaring omission. Why isn’t iFanboy nominated while comics alliance is? Well, with all the added content recently I suspect they’ll be nominated next year.
I Kill Giants is listed under ‘Best Publication for Teens’… which it better win, gahdamnit!
How can anyone complain about Batman & Robin not getting nominated when the majority of the 2009 issues featured Philip Tan art? I mean, seriously.
That said, aside from Hex getting screwed, this year’s mom’s are much better than last year’s. So great to see so many creators and books nominated that we talked about last year.
@ron: Yeah, not a ton to complain about this year.
that Absolute Justice design nom is the best story here. can you fucking imagine? it’s (relatively) easy to say, "yeah, I’m a design student, I like comics, maybe I’ll win this contest and get this high-profile job to add to my resume and brag about to all my friends, family, acquaintances." but I guarantee the word Eisner did not once enter the mind of anyone entering that contest. very very cool.
How did James Robinson receive a nomination over Grant Morrison for Best Writer!?
@TNC – I didn’t intend to lay the entire blame for that second arc at Mr. Tan’s feet. Mr. Morrison contributed to the low quality of the arc. The first three issues of B&R are three of the best superhero comic book issues I read last year.
@ron: I’m sorry man Tan did half of the Batman and Robin issues that came out. If Frank Quitely and Grant Morrison are such a powerful force in the industry…..and it pains me to say this…..But why was Batman and Robin not nominated just on the three issues of the series they did?
@stuclach: I’m not disagreeing with that. I’m just tired of people giving full blame (not you now obviously) to Tan on why that arc was terrible. You’re right, Grant Morrison did a lackluster job with issues #4-6….Except for the final 2-3 pages of issue #6.
@stuclach: I found that BATMAN & ROBIN #4-6 were excellent, storywise, upon reread in the new hardcover. Once I mentally blocked out the art I enjoyed the story a whole hell of a lot.
@conor – I’m praying I feel the same way after I reread the entire run this weekend. I WANT to love and understand every issue of this series as much as I did the first three and the last two.
@TNC – The way the Eisner committee (?) treated All Star Supes indicates that they respect the Morrison/Quietly combination considerably.
@conor: I’m confusing why inconsistencies with Jason Todd, a weak premise of a story, and an abrupt ending makes it a good story.
@TNC So Batman & Robin would be nominated for best series, but there’d be a footnote to ignore issues #4-6? Think about how silly that would be.
@TNC
I just reread the entirety of B&R after Conor’s HC review and actually the arc is actually pretty damn good. It’s really just bad art bringing it down.
Anyway, I’m really disappointed that iFanboy did not get a nomination. I’d say you guys deserved it and more. Other than that, a lot of nitpicks but not too much to complain about. Todd Klein and Elliopolous not being nominated as letters is a bit of a WTF situation.
Also James Robinson as best writer for Cry for Justice? I haven’t read the story but by all accounts (including I believe himself) that is not a Eisner worthy story. Why that wasn’t Hickman, Moore, or Morrison instead, I don’t know.
re: Batman & Robin.
It was a huge deal on iFanboy. I certainly think Conor’s fanboy love of Dick Grayson coloured how high the book was considered in teh podcast and site. However, i don’t really think it was THAT breath taking. I totally get the lack of nomination.
There’s better series out there – just not fucking fables
I have no problem with Batman & Robin not being on this list. While the first three issues of the series were great, up until the recent issue, the series has been lackluster for me.
Best new series nominations really bring to light how good of a year for comics 2009 was. Chew, Irredemable, Sweetooth, and Unwritten are all excellent books. Haven’t read The "Do Androids dream…" but, I just may pick up the first trade.
Yeah, even as a huge B&R fan, if they’re only going by 2009 publications, then the first six issues of the series weren’t THAT great. Probably not even enough to warrant Morrison getting a nod for writing. (I mean, I’d give him one, but that’s just me.)
On the other hand, James Robinson getting a nomination for Cry for Justice? If you like it, whatever. But understand that as far as most readers are concerned, we think that’s as bad as Loeb being nominated for Hulk. And I read most of his Hulk and haven’t hated it. But stuff like this should NOT be Eisner-worthy. It erodes the integrity of the awards…just a bit.
But: Go Alex Sinclair, JH Williams and David Mazzuchelli!
Grant Morrison had Final Crisis #6 & 7, Superman Beyond #2, Seaguy: Slaves of Mickey Eye #1-3, Batman and Robin #1-6 in 2009.
None of James Robinson’s Superman work or Justice League work make a case for being nominated over Morrison, though I really enjoyed Starman #81.
Also, it’s sad to see no Jason Aaron/Scalped or Joe Hill/Gabriel Rodriguez/Locke & Key noms.
I was thrilled to see all of the well deserved Naoki Urasawa noms.
I’m glad to see The Unwritten get some nominations. It’s a great Vertigo title. I’m really surprised that Justice League: Cry for Justice got a couple nods from the creators. In my opinion, the ideas from the series were good, but the execution wasn’t all that great.
what’s the time frame for the nominations? is it anything that came out in 2009?
I started reading The Guns of Shadow Valley after I heard the guys at Around Comics talk about it. I think its a great series and I am happy to see it nominated!
If you haven’t read Ganges, you absolutely should. It’s astonishingly good. I reviewed #2 on my own blog: http://www.4thletter.net/2010/01/ganges-2-unexpected-and-good/
@ghettojourno: you took the words right out of my mouth regarding Scalped.
@Ron Philip Tan drew the exactly the same about of issue as Frank Quitely. And if "Old Man Logan" can be singled out then why can’t "REBORN" be nominated? There’s no way you read the first three issues of Batman and Robin and say they don’t compare to the 7 issues of James Robinson’s "Cry for Justice". NO WAY.
For them to ignore Rucka and Morrison is just sad. Plain and simple. "REBORN" and "GO!" were better than any other superhero comic released. Blackest Night was nothing more than a glorified costume change merry-go-round. While Grant Morrison’s work on Batman and Robin not only told a REAL emotional story, but had the nerve to bring in more continuity instead of erasing/changing the past. And on top of that, Quitely doesn’t even get a nomination. I guess the Eisners comittee feel that Grant and Frank don’t need anymore awards after All Star: Superman. This is ridiculous.
Lotta good stuff here. My only nitpicks are the lack of noms for Dave Johnson and Ivan Reis (WTF?!). I would’ve liked Jason Aaron to see some love too. His stuff is pretty bitchin’.
Honestly there a lot of great books nominated here. You can’t nominate everything guys.
Hey Ron, I know this is a bit late, and I mean no disrespect, but why don’t you read those tan issues before you bash them. Granted, the art wasn’t great, but it was some of the best written superhero stuff of tge decade. That combigned with 1-3, which in my humble opinion where the three best issues if the year, should definatley secure batman and robin some Eisner love. Also, no ifanboy is also frustrating, however, I guess there aren’t any locals this year….
Just noticed:
Where is all of the Dear Billy nominations? Because they have to be there right?