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The comics industry's
Eisner Awards, named for pioneering writer and artist Will Eisner,
are given as part of the annual ComicCon International convention. One
of the largest conventions of any kind anywhere, ComicCon drew
more than 90,000 people to San Diego, Calif. in July 2005 for a four-day
celebration of comic books, comic strips, movies, video games, toys,
animation, and anything loosely connected to science fiction and fantasy.
It's huge.
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Two views of the floor of the ComicCon Exhibit
Hall, filled with artists, vendors, traders, publishers, and Jedi.
These photos don't show even a fraction of it.
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The Eisner Award is
commonly referred to as the industry's "Oscar," given for excellence
in 26 categories in addition to special awards for humanitarian
work, the Hall of Fame, etc. Eisners go to writers, artists,
colorists, letterers, retailers, one-shot projects, limited series,
continuing series--and, for the first time in 2005, digital comics.
The Eisner judges defined "digital comics" very precisely so that,
for example, most animated work would not be considered. In early
2005, "Mom's Cancer" was nominated for Best Digital Comic.
This
was my first ComicCon, and it was overwhelming. My wife and two girls
came along and we found "Kid Sis" (the true comics geek
in the family) at the event. I got to meet in person some people I'd
come to know on the Internet, make some new friends, and shake hands
with some childhood idols. I encourage you to seek out the work of
the following creators, even if you normally wouldn't, because justice
demands that good people be rewarded: Otis Frampton (Oddly Normal,
a very charming character and series), Frank Cammuso (Max Hamm, Fairy
Tale Detective), Raina Telgemeier (Smile, The Babysitters Club), Eric
Shanower (Age of Bronze), and Ted Slampyak (Annie, Jazz Age Chronicles).
The awards ceremony is traditionally held Friday night in a
large ballroom. It is structured much like the movies' Academy Awards,
with noteworthy presenters giving the awards a few at a time, interspersed
with special presentations or recognitions. The evening seemed to
move very quickly until the Best Digital Comic category and then very
slowly afterward. What happened in the few minutes between is a blur.
When presenter Scott McCloud read the list of nominees and announced
that "Mom's Cancer" had won, my priorities were to move quickly, remember
to mention everyone important, and not make a fool of myself. I am
told I largely succeeded.
The Eisner Award is a tremendous honor
that I never expected to receive. It's extremely gratifying. Much
of the success of "Mom's Cancer" has come because readers found it
online, connected to the story in a very personal way, and recommended
it to others. I appreciate that most of all.
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Above, my Eisner acceptance speech, flanked by awards
administrator Jackie Estrada and Scott McCloud.
Upper right,Kid Sis stealing my trophy.
At lower right, almost as big a
thrill as the Eisner Award itself was spending a few minutes talking
to the great Gene Colan while waiting for the photographers to shoot
a group picture. I am a huge admirer of Mr. Colan's decades of first-class
artistry (he received a Hall of Fame Award that night) and he couldn't
have been more gracious or encouraging to me.
Below, the Eisner
Award for "Mom's Cancer."
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