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The18th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are tomorrow night. I will be there. No denying it: I’m a big geek for awards shows. And especially when you have one for comics? Hell yeah. This year, they even allowed me to vote.

“As for me, I am in pursuit of excellence.
I have no time to get old.”
- Will Eisner

WIKIPEDIA OF THE WEEK: EISNER AWARD -->
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Award is given for creative achievement in comic books. It is named in honor of the pioneering writer and artist Will Eisner, who was a regular participant in the award ceremony until his death in 2005, and includes the comics industry’s Hall of Fame. The Eisner Award was created in response to the discontinuation of the Kirby Awards after 1987. Each category is nominated by a five-member panel, voted on by comic-book professionals, and presented at the annual Comic-Con International convention held in San Diego, California. Jackie Estrada has been the award administrator since 1990.

Jackie Estrada’s phone number (619) 286-1591

Found her number on the official Eisner Award website. I called it to check on the availability of table seating—I’m pretty sure this is her home line. We had a really nice conversation. I might call her more often. You know, just to chat and stuff.

“I want to point out to adults that there is a world of good material
available to you now in comic form - in this medium -
and learn to give it your support because the more
you support it, the better the material
will be as it comes out.”
- Will Eisner

For a full list of nominees
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners06nom.shtml

Keep in my mind. These are my picks for what I think should win the Eisner; these are not predictions. And it doesn’t mean I don’t like the other nominated books. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I tend to like everything. I’d be a terrible critic.

Best Short Story
“Teenage Sidekick,” by Paul Pope, in Solo #3 (DC)
Paul Pope has gotten some good press lately, especially with Batman Year 100 (...no, haven’t read it yet, waiting for the TPB). Solo is a wonderful, indie-friendly, series. Maybe an Eisner Award or two, could save it from cancellation? Please?

Best Single Issue Or One-Shot
Solo #5, by Darwyn Cooke (DC)
Once again, more love for the Solo series. And Darwyn Cooke has to be one of DC’s best talents. It’s been over a year, and I’m still dazed over the awesomeness that is DC: New Frontier.

Best Continuing Series
Fell, by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith (Image)
Not only do I love the $1.99 format, but this is a really good series. However, I realize Warren Ellis has sworn off SDCC. From his blog: “Why am I not at San Diego? If you think I’m spending my own money on a business-class flight from London to San Diego for a smurfin comics convention, you’re insane. Also, Klingons. I never want to have to piss while standing next to Klingons again.” So while I won’t get to enjoy what would be an interesting Ellis acceptance speech, Fell is still a consistently good read and that will be my comfort.

Best New Series
All Star Superman, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (DC)
I always considered myself more of a Batman-fan over a Superman-fan. However, Grant Morrison’s offbeat superhero series has won me over.

Best Publication for a Younger Audience
Stubborn write-in vote: Oddly Normal

Blog excerpt from April 30, 2006 --
“Oddly Normal is an amazing story that was sadly overlooked. Don’t get me wrong. This category has some great comics, but I wish it were even more competitive. There simply aren’t enough younger audience books available”

Best Anthology
Flight, Vol. 2, edited by Kazu Kibuishi (Image)
About frickin’ time… since they didn’t nominate volume one!!! In my opinion, the Flight series is a milestone for comics. It marks a whole new generation of artists. They’ve raised the standard in so many ways, and challenge us to go further, taking more risks.

Best Digital Comic
Copper, by Kazu -or- PVP, by Scott Kurtz
Tough call. Kurtz should’ve been nominated in the Best Writer/Artist — Humor category. “Best” is such a subjective term. According to what criteria? If we’re taking about humor, audience, scope, commitment, Kurtz has earned this award several times over. However, if we’re talking about depth of artistry, Kazu is it. Can I already predict an Eisner for Kazu’s Amulet graphic novel, whenever it comes out? (No pressure, Kazu.)

Best Reality-Based Work
Epileptic, by David B. (Pantheon)
Lots of good books in this category, but I’d be seriously surprised if David B doesn’t win this one.

Best Graphic Album—New
The Rabbi’s Cat, by Joann Sfar (Pantheon)
Great book! A fascinating and original story. This, along with Vampire Loves from the new publisher First Second books, has turned me into a big fan of Joann’s.

“A key to my thinking has always been
the almost fanatical belief that what I was engaged
in was a literary art form. That belief was compounded
out of ego and necessity, I guess, a combination of the two.”
- Will Eisner

Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Black Hole, by Charles Burns (Pantheon)
Disturbing, grotesque, and strangely beautiful. This book captures the high school experience from a rare perspective. A book club could spend a year just discussing this one.

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Strips
The Complete Calvin & Hobbes, by Bill Watterson (Andrews McMeel)
This collection haunts me in my dreams. It’s so expensive, but I want it. I need it.

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books
Buddha, Vols. 5-8, by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical)
It should be required reading for anyone who loves comics. The U.S. version is very accessible to non-manga fans wanting to explore comic book creations from our Japanese counterparts.

Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material
The Rabbi’s Cat, by Joann Sfar (Pantheon)
The French love their comic books. And they’ve got the talent to show for it.

Best Writer
Warren Ellis, Fell (Image); Down (Top Cow/Image); Desolation Jones, Ocean, Planetary (WildStorm/DC)
This is the year of Ellis. In my opinion, he’s doing some of his best work since Transmetropolitan.

“It’s very important for me to maintain contact
with the reader, because I’m writing to someone,
and I’m desperately eager to achieve believability.”
- Will Eisner

Best Writer/Artist
Geof Darrow, Shaolin Cowboy (Burlyman) -or- Adrian Tomine, Optic Nerve #10 (Drawn & Quarterly)
This category is tricky. I have no idea. These two artists have very different styles, and very different stories. Both are good. It’s an apple and oranges situation.

Best Writer/Artist—Humor
Bryan Lee O’Malley, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (Oni)
If I had a personal conversation with God, I would ask him to create this comic book. I love Scott Pilgrim that much.

Best Penciller/Inker
Frank Quitely, All Star Superman (DC)
Grant Morrison’s best work is with this guy. I think that speaks volumes for his talent as an artist. He communicates surrealism in the sci-fi/super hero genre better than anyone.

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
Ben Templesmith, Fell (Image)
A dark and moody style that may not find its way in an Archie Comic anytime soon, but it’s perfect for this book.

Best Cover Artist
James Jean, Fables (Vertigo/DC); Runaways (Marvel)
Two years in a row? I think so. The covers have always been one of Fables’ strongest attributes.

Best Lettering
Todd Klein, Wonder Woman, Justice, Seven Soldiers #0 (DC); Desolation Jones (WildStorm/DC); Promethea, Top Ten: The Forty-Niners, Tomorrow Stories Special (ABC); Fables (Vertigo); 1602: New World (Marvel)
Because he wins every year! That’s why.

Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition
???
Okay, this is a little embarrassing. I suck. I’m writing a column about the underdog, and I don’t know any of the nominees. Usually, they find people who are already a little too well known (previous nominees include Christine Norrie and Brian Wood). They got me this year. My friend Jeff Elden suggests Aaron Renier’s Spiral-Bound.

Best Comics-Related Book
Eisner/Miller, interviews conducted by Charles Brownstein (Dark Horse Books)
It’s a great concept for a great book. These are the kinds of conversations that all people who loves comics have had. However, Eisner and Miller offer their wisdom and hopes.

Best Publication Design
Wimbledon Green, designed by Seth (Drawn & Quarterly)
Seth and Chip Kidd are the two most amazing designers. Chip Kidd wasn’t nominated this year.

THE SCOTT MCCLOUD CHESS CHALLENGE -->
The game continues. The French Defense. In honor of Joann Sfar and David B?

Hopkins - McCloud
1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. Nc3

For those in San Diego, make sure to attend the McCloud Family panel, on Friday 12 noon to 1 PM in Room 8. (For more news, check out his blog.)

This concludes my third week of “Beneath the Underdog” for Pop Syndicate. Feedback appreciated. Discussion encouraged.
Come back next Thursday when we get to the bottom of the Hope Larson/pixie stix incident.

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