2012 Eisner Award Nominees - The Complete List

EISNER AWARD NOMINEES 2012

Winners to be announced, Friday, July 13, 2012 at Comic-Con International in San Diego:

Best Short Story
"A Brief History of the Art Form Known as Hortisculpture," by Adrian Tomine, in Optic Nerve #12 (Drawn & Quarterly)

"Harvest of Fear," by Jim Woodring, in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #17 (Bongo)

"The Seventh," by Darwyn Cooke, in Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition (IDW)

"The Speaker," by Brandon Graham, in Dark Horse Presents #7 (Dark Horse)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Daredevil #7, by Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel)

Ganges #4, by Kevin Huizenga (Fantagraphics)

Locke & Key: Guide to the Known Keys, by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)

Princeless #3, by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin (Action Lab)

The Unwritten #24: "Stairway to Heaven" by Mike Carey, Peter Gross, and Al Davison (Vertigo/DC)

Best Continuing Series
Daredevil, by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera (Marvel)

Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)

Rachel Rising, by Terry Moore (Abstract Studio)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli (Marvel)

Usagi Yojimbo, by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)

Best Limited Series
Atomic Robo and the Ghost of Station X, by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener (Red 5)

Criminal: The Last of the Innocent, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Marvel Icon)

Flashpoint: Batman - Knight of Vengeance, by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (Vertigo/DC)

The New York Five, by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly (Vertigo/DC)

Who Is Jake Ellis? by Nathan Edmondson & Tonci Zonjic (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
Beauty and the Squat Bears, by Émile Bravo (Yen Press)

Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking, by Philippe Coudray (Candlewick/Toon Books)

Dragon Puncher Island, by James Kochalka (Top Shelf)

Nursery Rhyme Comics, edited by Chris Duffy (First Second)

Patrick in a Teddy Bear’s Picnic, by Geoffrey Hayes (Candlewick/Toon Books)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold, by Sholly Fisch, Rick Burchett, and Dan Davis (DC)

Amelia Rules: The Meaning of Life ... And Other Stuff, by Jimmy Gownley (Atheneum)

The Ferret’s a Foot, by Colleen AF Venable and Stephanie Yue (Graphic Universe/Lerner)

Princeless, by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin (Action Lab)

Snarked, by Roger Langridge (kaboom!)

Zita the Space Girl, by Ben Hatke (First Second)

Best Publication for Young Adults (Ages 12-17)
Anya’s Ghost, by Vera Brosgol (First Second)

Around the World, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)

Level Up, by Gene Yang and Thien Pham (First Second)

Life with Archie, by Paul Kupperberg, Fernando Ruiz, Pat & Tim Kennedy, Norm Breyfogle et al. (Archie)

Mystic, by G. Willow Wilson and David Lopez (Marvel)

Best Anthology
Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)

Nelson, edited by Rob Davis and Woodrow Phoenix (Blank Slate)

Nursery Rhyme Comics, edited by Chris Duffy (First Second)

The Someday Funnies, edited by Michel Choquette (Abrams ComicArts)

Yiddishkeit: Jewish Vernacular and the New Land, edited by Harvey Pekar and Paul Buhle (Abrams ComicArts)

Best Humor Publication
The Art of Doug Sneyd: A Collection of Playboy Cartoons (Dark Horse Books)

Chimichanga, by Eric Powell (Dark Horse)

Coffee: It’s What’s for Dinner, by Dave Kellett (Small Fish)

Kinky & Cosy, by Nix (NBM)

Milk & Cheese: Dairy Products Gone Bad, by Evan Dorkin (Dark Horse Books)

Best Digital Comic
Bahrain, by Josh Neufeld, www.cartoonmovement.com/comic/24

Battlepug, by Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com/

Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant, by Tony Cliff, http://www.delilahdirk.com/

Outfoxed, by Dylan Meconis, www.dylanmeconis.com/outfoxed

Sarah and the Seed, by Ryan Andrews, www.ryan-a.com/comics/sarahandtheseed01.htm

Best Reality-Based Work
Around the World, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)

Green River Killer: A True Detective Story, by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse Books)

Marzi: A Memoir, by Marzena Sowa and Sylvain Savoia (Vertigo/DC)

Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Vietnamerica, by GB Tran (Villard)

Best Graphic Album - New
Bubbles & Gondola, by Renaud Dillies (NBM)

Freeway, by Mark Kalesniko (Fantagraphics)

Habibi, by Craig Thompson (Pantheon)

Ivy, by Sarah Olekysk (Oni)

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, adapted by Ramón K. Pérez (Archaia)

One Soul, by Ray Fawkes (Oni)

Best Graphic Album - Reprint
Big Questions, by Anders Nilsen (Drawn & Quarterly)

The Death Ray, by Dan Clowes (Drawn & Quarterly)

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition, by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

WE3: The Deluxe Edition, by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (Vertigo/DC)

Zahra’s Paradise, by Amir and Khalil (First Second)

Best Archival Collection/Project - Strips
Flash Gordon and Jungle Jim, by Alex Raymond and Don Moore, edited by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Forgotten Fantasy: Sunday Comics 1900-1915, edited by Peter Maresca (Sunday Press)

Prince Valiant vols. 3-4, by Hal Foster, edited by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)

Tarpé Mills’s Miss Fury Sensational Sundays, 1944-1949, edited by Trina Robbins (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse vols. 1-2, by Floyd Gottfredson, edited by David Gerstein and Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project - Comic Books
Government Issue: Comics for the People: 1940s-2000s, edited by Richard L. Graham (Abrams ComicArts)

The MAD Fold-In Collection, by Al Jaffee (Chronicle)

PS Magazine: The Best of Preventive Maintenance Monthly, by Will Eisner (Abrams ComicArts)

The Sugar and Spike Archives, vol. 1, by Sheldon Mayer (DC)

Walt Simonson’s The Mighty Thor Artist’s Edition (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
Bubbles & Gondola, by Renaud Dillies (NBM)

Isle of 100,000 Graves, by Fabien Vehlmann and Jason (Fantagraphics)

Like a Sniper Lining Up His Shot, by Jacques Tardi and Jean-Patrick Manchette (Fantagraphics)

The Manara Library, vol. 1: Indian Summer and Other Stories, by Milo Manara with Hugo Pratt (Dark Horse Books)

Night Animals: A Diptych About What Rushes Through the Bushes, by Brecht Evens (Top Shelf)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia
A Bride’s Story, by Kaoru Mori (Yen Press)

Drops of God, by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto (Vertical)

Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)

Saturn Apartments, vols. 3-4, by Hisae Iwaoka (VIZ Media)

Stargazing Dog, by Takashi Murakami (NBM)

Wandering Son, vol. 1, by Shimura Takako (Fantagraphics)

Best Writer
Cullen Bunn, The Sixth Gun (Oni)

Mike Carey, The Unwritten (Vertigo/DC)

Jeff Jensen, Green River Killer: A True Detective Story (Dark Horse Books)

Jeff Lemire, Animal Man, Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. (DC); Sweet Tooth (Vertigo/DC)

Mark Waid, Irredeemable, Incorruptible (BOOM!); Daredevil (Marvel)

Best Writer/Artist
Rick Geary, The Lives of Sacco and Vanzetti (NBM)

Terry Moore, Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)

Sarah Oleksyk, Ivy (Oni)

Craig Thompson, Habibi (Pantheon)

Jim Woodring, Congress of the Animals (Fantagraphics), "Harvest of Fear," in The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror #17 (Bongo)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
Michael Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Madman All-New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy Special (Image)

Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand (Archaia)

Chris Samnee, Captain America and Bucky, Ultimate Spider-Man #155 (Marvel)

Marcos Martin, Daredevil (Marvel)

Paolo Rivera/Joe Rivera, Daredevil (Marvel)

Best Cover Artist
Michael Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC)

Francesco Francavilla, Black Panther (Marvel); Lone Ranger, Lone Ranger/Zorro, Dark Shadows, Warlord of Mars (Dynamite); Archie Meets Kiss (Archie)

Victor Kalvachev, Blue Estate (Image)

Marcos Martin, Daredevil, Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel)

Sean Phillips, Criminal: The Last of the Innocent (Marvel Icon)

Yuko Shimizu, The Unwritten (Vertigo/DC)

Best Coloring
Laura Allred, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Madman All-New Giant-Size Super-Ginchy Special (Image)

Bill Crabtree, The Sixth Gun (Oni)

Ian Herring and Ramón K. Pérez, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand (Archaia)

Victor Kalvachev, Blue Estate (Image)

Cris Peter, Casanova: Avaritia, Casanova: Gula (Marvel Icon)

Best Lettering
Deron Bennett, Billy Fog, Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal, Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, Mr. Murder Is Dead (Archaia); Helldorado, Puss N Boots, Richie Rich (APE Entertainment)

Jimmy Gownley, Amelia Rules! The Meaning of Life ... And Other Stuff (Atheneum)

Laura Lee Gulledge, Page by Paige (Amulet Books/Abrams)

Tom Orzechowski, Manara Library, with L. Lois Buholis(Dark Horse); Manga Man (Houghton Mifflin); Savage Dragon (Image)

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)

Best Comics-Related Journalism
The AV Club Comics Panel, by Noel Murray, Oliver Sava et al., www.avclub.com/features/comics-panel/

The Beat, produced by Heidi MacDonald et al., www.comicsbeat.com

The Comics Journal, edited by Gary Groth, and The Comics Journal website, www.tcj.com, edited by Timothy Hodler and Dan Nadel (Fantagraphics)

The Comics Reporter, produced by Tom Spurgeon, www.comicsreporter.com

TwoMorrows Publications: Alter Ego edited by Roy Thomas, Back Issue edited by Michael Eury, Draw edited by Mike Manley, and Jack Kirby Collector edited by John Morrow

Best Educational/Academic Work
Alan Moore: Conversations, ed. by Eric Berlatsky (University Press of Mississippi)

Cartooning: Philosophy & Practice, by Ivan Brunetti (Yale University Press)

Critical Approaches to Comics: Theories and Methods, edited by Matthew J. Smith and Randy Duncan (Routledge)

Hand of Fire: The Comics Art of Jack Kirby, by Charles Hatfield (University Press of Mississippi)

Projections: Comics and the History of 21st Century Storytelling, by Jared Gardner (Stanford University Press)

Best Comics-Related Book
Archie: A Celebration of America’s Favorite Teenagers, edited by Craig Yoe (IDW/Yoe Books)

Caniff: A Visual Biography, edited by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Drawing Power: A Compendium of Cartoon Advertising, edited by Rick Marschall and Warren Bernard (Fantagraphics/Marschall Books)

Genius Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

MetaMaus, by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon)

Best Publication Design
Genius Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (IDW/Library of American Comics)

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand, designed by Eric Skillman (Archaia)

Kinky & Cosy, designed by Nix (NBM)

The MAD Fold-In Collection, designed by Michael Morris (Chronicle)

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition, designed by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

I Reads You Review: AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #1

"Come back to the Five-and-Dime, Secret Wars, Secret Wars"
AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #1
MARVEL COMICS

STORY: Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman, and Matt Fraction
SCRIPT: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Scott Hanna
COLORS: Laura Martin
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVERS: Jim Cheung and Justin Ponsor
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated: T+

Marvel Comics’ latest big, event series is Avengers vs. X-Men. This planned 12-issue miniseries pits the Avengers and the X-Men against each other over the return of The Phoenix and its likely host, the Mutant Messiah, Hope Summers.

As Avengers vs. X-Men #1 begins, The Phoenix force makes itself known. Meanwhile, the Avengers deal with a crisis over New York City that threatens both civilians and landmarks. This crisis, however, is merely a harbinger of things to come concerning The Phoenix, a threat that both the Avengers and the White House take seriously. What they decide to do about it leads straight to the X-Men. When Captain America approaches Cyclops, will the mutant leader want to hear what the Avenger has to say?

I found the prologue to this event, Avengers vs. X-Men #0, to be surprisingly blasé. Avengers vs. X-Men #1 is a bit more exciting, mainly because its focus is conflict, whereas #0 offered character vignettes (and not very interesting ones, at that). From the destruction depicted early in this issue to the New York City disaster scene to the designation of the X-Men as a nexus point, this first issue clearly presages a superhero “pay-per-view” wrestling match.

One thing that certainly surprises me is how simply told this comic book is. None of that sophisticated, faux-Mamet drama here: this is Secret Wars-like in its punch-to-settle-differences ethos. Even John Romita, Jr.’s pencil art is retro-cool, lacking photo-realism and exaggerated detail in the figure drawing (especially on the musculature).

There is no telling where this narrative will go when new writers and artists take over in the later issues, but for now, I find this straight-forward superhero battle to be quaint, but fun to read. I won’t lie and say that it is great, but Avengers vs. X-Men #1 is nice.

B

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

DC COMICS

DEC110322 100 BULLETS HC BOOK 02 (MR) $49.99

FEB120200 BATGIRL #8 $2.99

FEB120196 BATMAN AND ROBIN #8 $2.99

FEB120238 BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #1 $2.99

DEC110334 BATMAN BUST (RES) $70.00

DEC110291 BATMAN INCORPORATED DELUXE HC VOL 01 (RES) $29.99

JAN120304 BATMAN NO MANS LAND TP VOL 02 NEW EDITION $29.99

FEB120198 BATWOMAN #8 $2.99

FEB120224 DEATHSTROKE #8 $2.99

FEB120219 DEMON KNIGHTS #8 $2.99

FEB120216 FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #8 $2.99

FEB120204 GREEN LANTERN #8 $2.99

FEB120207 GREEN LANTERN #8 COMBO PACK $3.99

FEB120274 GREEN LANTERN THE ANIMATED SERIES #1 $2.99

FEB120223 GRIFTER #8 $2.99

JAN120309 HITMAN TP VOL 06 FOR TOMORROW $29.99

NOV110204 I VAMPIRE TP $29.99

FEB120235 LEGION LOST #8 $2.99

JAN120311 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES WHEN EVIL CALLS TP $29.99

FEB120176 MISTER TERRIFIC #8 $2.99

FEB120291 NORTHLANDERS #50 (MR) $2.99

FEB120218 RESURRECTION MAN #8 $2.99

FEB120282 SAUCER COUNTRY #2 (MR) $2.99

FEB120243 SHADE #7 (OF 12) $2.99

DEC110296 SHOWCASE PRESENTS THE LOSERS TP VOL 01 $19.99

FEB120225 SUICIDE SQUAD #8 $2.99

FEB120184 SUPERBOY #8 $2.99

JAN120314 TEEN TITANS PRIME OF LIFE TP $19.99

FEB120297 UNWRITTEN #36 (MR) $2.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

MARVEL COMICS

FEB120572 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN HOOKY #1 $4.99

FEB120554 AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #2 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

FEB120550 AVENGERS COMING OF AVENGERS #1 $3.99

FEB120697 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY JIM CHEUNG B POSTER $8.99

FEB120698 AVENGERS VS X-MEN BY RYAN STEGMAN POSTER $8.99

FEB120650 AVENGERS VS X-MEN ITS COMING TP $19.99

FEB120575 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #6 WITH DIG CDE OMEGA $3.99

FEB120680 BLACK PANTHER MDMA KINGPIN OF WAKANDA TP $16.99

FEB120571 CARNAGE USA #5 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN120730 DAREDEVIL SEASON ONE PREM HC WITH DIG CDE $24.99

FEB120637 DEADPOOL #53 $2.99

FEB120696 ESSENTIAL AVENGERS TP VOL 08 $19.99

FEB120592 FANTASTIC FOUR #605 $2.99

FEB120562 FORMIC WARS SILENT STRIKE #5 (OF 5) $3.99

JAN128259 FREE MARVELS AVENGERS MOVIE ROLLED POSTER PI

FEB120642 GOLDFISH GN HC (MR) $24.99

JAN120652 HALO FALL OF REACH INVASION #3 (OF 4) $3.99

FEB120591 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #636 $2.99

FEB120603 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES #1 $2.99

FEB120588 MIGHTY THOR #12.1 $2.99

NOV110599 MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 06 $59.99

NOV110600 MMW CAPTAIN AMERICA HC VOL 06 DM VAR ED 178 $59.99

FEB120538 NEW AVENGERS #24 AVX $3.99

FEB120682 NEW MUTANTS TP UNFINISHED BUSINESS VOL 04 $16.99

FEB120699 OMEGA EFFECT BY ADI GRANOV POSTER $8.99

FEB120686 PUNISHERMAX FRANK TP $19.99

FEB120669 PUNISHERMAX HOMELESS PREM HC $19.99

FEB120564 SCARLET SPIDER #4 $2.99

FEB120556 SECRET AVENGERS #25 $3.99

FEB120640 SECRET SERVICE #1 (OF 7) (MR) $2.99

FEB120692 SPIDER-MAN COMPLETE BEN REILLY EPIC TP BOOK 04 $39.99

FEB120559 ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #10 WITH DIG CDE $3.99

FEB120618 UNCANNY X-MEN #10 $3.99

OCT110699 UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS HC $99.99

OCT110700 UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS HC DM VAR ED $99.99

FEB120586 WINTER SOLDIER #4 $2.99

FEB120627 WOLVERINE #304 $3.99

FEB120693 X-MEN DARK PHOENIX SAGA TP NEW PTG $24.99

FEB120688 X-MEN LEGACY LOST LEGIONS TP $16.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB120363 COBRA ONGOING #12 $3.99
JAN120436 DANGER GIRL REVOLVER #3 (OF 4) $3.99
FEB120317 DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS 100 PG $7.99
FEB120329 INFESTATION 2 #2 (OF 2) $3.99
FEB120399 OZ TREASURY ED $9.99
FEB120384 SMOKE AND MIRRORS #2 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN120482 ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS ASHLEY WOOD PORTFOLIO SET $20.00

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB120028 ALABASTER WOLVES #1 (OF 5) RUTH CVR $3.50
JAN118120 BERSERK TP VOL 21 (MR) $14.99
DEC110073 BRODYS GHOST BOOK 03 $6.99
FEB120034 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #8 JEANTY VAR CVR $2.99
FEB120033 BTVS SEASON 9 FREEFALL #8 NOTO CVR $2.99
NOV110056 CLASSIC MARVEL CHARACTERS FF #3 HUMAN TORCH $49.95
FEB120022 CONAN THE BARBARIAN #3 CARNEVALE CVR $3.50
FEB120017 DARK MATTER #4 (OF 4) $3.50
DEC110074 DOLLHOUSE EPITAPHS TP VOL 01 $18.99
JAN120124 DOMO DRESS MAGNET SET $8.99
FEB120036 LOBSTER JOHNSON THE BURNING HAND #4 (OF 5) JOHNSON CVR $3.50
DEC110081 MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH DARK HORSE OMNIBUS ED VOL 02 (RES) $19.99
FEB120021 ORCHID #6 (MR) $3.50
FEB120011 STAR WARS AGENT O/T EMPIRE IRON ECLIPSE #5 (OF 5) $3.50
FEB120013 STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC WAR #4 (OF 5) $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 11 2012

IMAGE COMICS

FEB128166 SAGA #1 VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $2.99
FEB120414 68 SCARS #1 (OF 4) CVR A JONES (MR) $3.99
FEB120416 68 SCARS #1 (OF 4) CVR C JONES (MR) $3.99
FEB120402 AMERICAS GOT POWERS #1 (OF 6) $2.99
DEC110544 ARTIFACTS #16 $3.99
OCT110543 EPOCH #5 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN128160 GLORY #24 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99
FEB120503 GLORY #25 $2.99
DEC110555 HAUNT #23 $2.99
FEB120448 INFINITE HORIZON TP $17.99
JAN128290 PETER PANZERFAUST #2 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
FEB120514 PETER PANZERFAUST #3 (MR) $3.50
FEB120519 SAGA #2 (MR) $2.99
FEB120405 SECRET #1 $3.50
FEB120457 SEVERED HC (MR) $24.99
FEB120467 STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE TP VOL 01 (MR) $14.99
JAN128162 THIEF OF THIEVES #2 VAR CVR 2ND PTG $2.99
FEB120525 THIEF OF THIEVES #3 $2.99