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Eric: Some thoughts on the Eisner Nominations
So, I've gone through the Comics Reporter's list of Eisner nominees... and I have to say, I'm okay with it.
Obviously, the one that leaps out at me is the Best Digital Comic category, and just as obviously they're (mostly) not the comics I would have nominated, but that's subjective. The Eagles, back last year, were offensive in their lack of understanding of the medium. These are well picked. Of the ones nominated, I'm pulling for Athena Voltaire, which I think is a fantastic webcomic in every way, though as with most of the adventure comics I read, it's hard to snark it because it's so contextual. If it doesn't take it, I guess I'm going to shoot for Jonny Crossbones, which is definitely worthy.
The other big news is Scott Kurtz of PvP (for all two of you who don't know who Scott Kurtz is) getting nominated for the Best Writer/Artist -- Humor category. I think that's a tremendous validation both of Kurtz and of webcomics (even if they tagged him for his Image connection instead of the web connection) in general, and I think it's deserved.
I also think Kyle Baker's going to actually win, with Phil Foglio getting the outside chance. But just seeing Kurtz's name there makes me feel like our community is reaching out, not just in our own little ghetto (and a nice ghetto it is -- right in between the Science Fiction ghetto and the minicomickers) but in the broader comics community.
So, it's a first step. And it's an okay first step. And with time and greater penetration and understanding, more of what the webcomics community would expect to see on the Eisners list will be.
And then, Narbonic will win awards. Just you wait.
Posted by Eric Burns at April 14, 2005 1:14 PM
Comments
Comment from: Steve Bryant posted at April 14, 2005 1:54 PM
Thanks for pulling for us, Eric! We work really hard to make Athena Voltaire as good as we can. I still think "Mom's Cancer" will win, but it really is an honor just to be nominated.
--Steve Bryant
Art Monkey, Athena Voltaire
Comment from: Christopher B. Wright posted at April 14, 2005 1:56 PM
Is Scott being nominated for the PvP webcomic or the PvP tree-based comic? Doesn't make a lick of difference to me -- kudos to Scott either way. I just wondered if webcomics were leeching into other categories, or if he qualified because he's also in print.
I don't know anything about these things, I just remember hearing rumors that the new digital category was considered a leg-up, because previously webcomics were being snubbed. Either way, PvP-tree is a spinoff of PvP-web... so it's *still* a foot in the door.
Comment from: Christopher B. Wright posted at April 14, 2005 1:57 PM
Oh, I just noticed it's PvP (Image)... so PvP-tree it is...
Comment from: Dave Van Domelen posted at April 14, 2005 2:22 PM
I just went through the list and noted that, as usual, I almost never actually read more than one nominee per category, often zero. And there's a bunch of categories that'd be zero for me if I hadn't read Astonishing X-Men for free out of the preview packet. I follow several score titles.
In other words, business as usual for me.
Comment from: Shaenon posted at April 14, 2005 2:49 PM
I'm pleasantly surprised by the Digital Comics nominees. Two comics I'm not familiar with that look very good, and three I'm familiar with that I *know* are great. I'm rooting for Kazu's "Copper," but I'll be thrilled by whichever title wins.
Plus Raina Telgemeier is up for Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition. Nice!
Most of the print categories, however, are super lame this year. Where the hell is Roger Langridge's "Fred the Clown"? Where's "Flight"? This is so messed up.
P.S. I'm very flattered, Eric, but Narbonic isn't eligible for the Eisners anyway because it's a strip.
Comment from: Phalanx posted at April 14, 2005 3:13 PM
I'm plumping for Copper and Athena, but the field really looks competitive, I think I won't be disappointed no matter who wins.
Comment from: Phil Kahn posted at April 14, 2005 3:19 PM
Personally, I'm stoked that Astonishing X-Men is nominated for so many awards. It's the best thing to happen to The X-Men since the movie.
Also Brian K. Vaughn is the personal favorite of mine for the Writing. I'm oh so very much diggin on his work with Runaways.
Comment from: Tangent posted at April 14, 2005 3:26 PM
Pshah. You sell yourself short, Shaennon.
Besides, Narbonic is also coming out in trade paperback form, so maybe you'll get the recognition you /deserve/ girl, and more people will start reading about Dave and Helen and the others. :)
Rob
Comment from: Kristofer Straub posted at April 14, 2005 3:37 PM
I'm glad PVP is in the print category, so that the stories can be told that "y'know, it actually STARTED online." The digital stuff still feels like it's allowed to come, but it has to sit at the kids' table.
Comment from: quiller posted at April 14, 2005 4:21 PM
Wow, Kyle Baker was all over the Humor categories. Well good to see he is getting lots of work and recognition. Makes me feel like digging out my copy of "Why I Hate Saturn Again". Well, that and feeling generally bitchy about failed relationships!
Comment from: quiller posted at April 14, 2005 4:23 PM
Umm, "Again" should be outside of the quotations and not capitalized.
Comment from: Noip posted at April 14, 2005 9:25 PM
Speaking of ghettos between this silliness and that foolery... Lookie here!
Any questions may or may not be answered here.
Comment from: gwalla posted at April 15, 2005 3:00 AM
Shaenon isn't selling herself short by saying that Narbonic is a strip. It *is* a strip. That's not a value judgement. Comic strips have their own awardsÛnot the Eisners.
Comment from: larksilver posted at April 15, 2005 11:20 AM
Uh oh. I guess I'm a massive geek, meself. I fit on that chart in .. uhm.. about 6 places. Thankfully, none of those places involve "erotic" or "furry" anything. heh.
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