I Reads You Review: TUKI #1

TÜKI #1
CARTOON BOOKS – @cartoonbooksinc

CARTOONIST: Jeff Smith – @jeffsmithbone
COLORS: Tom Gaadt
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Tüki is the latest comics project from cartoonist Jeff Smith, the award-winning creator of the comic book series, Bone and Rasl.  Tüki began publication in late 2013 as a webcomic published on Smith's website, Boneville.com.  Tüki has already won a 2014 National Cartoonist Society's Reuben Award in the category of “Online-Long Form,” for webcomics.  About four months ago, Cartoon Books began publishing Tüki as a full-color comic book.  According to information found in the comic book, Tüki is the story of the first human to leave Africa.

Tüki #1 introduces the title character, Tüki, a male character.  Tüki belongs to one of the early hominid species, Homo erectus, which were apparently the first humans to harness fire and to leave Africa.  Tüki takes place during an as yet indeterminate time, but it seems to be several millenia after the Ice Age changed the world 2,000,000 years ago.  During his search for food and water, Tüki encounters a strange old man who belongs to another early hominid species, Homo habilus.  The old man insists that he has an important message for Tüki, or, at least, he thinks it's important.

The art in Tüki #1 is printed in the landscape format, so reading it is like trying to read several pages of a wall calendar.  Normally, I would be annoyed by this, except that the art is so beautiful, not only because of Smith's compositions, but also because of Tom Gaadt's lush and shimmering coloring.  As a visual experience, this reminds me of Walt Disney's classic animated feature film, The Lion King.

The story is intriguing.  It takes place in a part of human history in which so little is known, and that gives Tüki #1 the feel of a mystery story.  Smith's art captures the naturalism of living hand-to-mouth and by one's wits and the skills learned and experience gained.  This matter-of-fact way of survival adds to the sense of the unknown or even the unknowable.

There is always a sense of mystery about Jeff Smith's comics, as if there is a great unknown hiding far back in each panel, too far to be seen by the reader.  So I need to read more before I can definitively or at least solidly grade this, but I can say at this point that it's quite good.  I'm intrigued, so I will give it a tentative grade.

A-

http://www.boneville.com/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

2014 Harvey Awards Nominations - Complete Nominees List

2014 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced

Visit www.harveyawards.org for Ballots & Submission Details

The 2014 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented September 6, 2014 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit, or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. Thank you to all that have already participated by submitting a nomination ballot.

Final ballots are due to the Harvey Awards by Monday, August 18, 2014. Full submission instructions can be found on the final ballot.  Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field.  Final ballots are available at www.harveyawards.org. Those who prefer paper ballots may e-mail harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.

This will be the ninth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD.  Look for more details soon as to how you can attend the Harvey Awards dinner.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 5-7, 2014.  The ceremony and banquet for the 2014 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 6th.

Without further delay, the 2014 Harvey Award Nominees:

BEST LETTERER

____   Deron Bennett, CYBORG 009, Archaia
____   Dave Lanphear, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studio
____   Steve Wands, ADVENTURE TIME, kaBOOM!
____   Britt Wilson, ADVENTURE TIME WITH FIONNA AND CAKE, kaBOOM!

BEST COLORIST

____   Jordan Bellaire, PRETTY DEADLY, Image Comics
____   Marte Gracia, ALL NEW X-MEN, Marvel Comics
____   Matt Hollingsworth, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Brian Reber, UNITY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Dave Stewart, HELLBOY: THE MIDNIGHT CIRCUS, Dark Horse Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL

____   DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services
____   FOX TROT, Bill Amend, Universal Uclick
____   GET FUZZY, Darby Conley, Universal Uclick
____   MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate
____   THE PHANTOM, Tony DePaul and Paul Ryan, King Features Syndicate

BEST ONLINE COMICS WORK

____   BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, battlepug.com
____   THE DREAMER, Lora Innes, thedreamercomic.com
____   GUNNERKRIGG COURT, Tom Siddell, gunnerkrigg.com
____   JL8, Yale Stewart, jl8comic.tumblr.com
____   TABLE TITANS, Scott Kurtz, Steve Hamaker, and Brian Hurtt, tabletitans.com

BEST AMERICAN EDITION of FOREIGN MATERIAL

____   ATTACK ON TITAN, Kodansha
____   THE KILLER, VOLUME 4, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   SHOWA: A HISTORY OF JAPAN 1926-1939, Drawn and Quarterly
____   SUNNY, Viz Signature
____   TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, Fantagraphics

BEST INKER

____   Vanesa R. Del Rey, HIT, BOOM! Studios
____   Stefano Gaudiano, THE WALKING DEAD, Image Comics
____   Danny Miki, BATMAN, DC Comics
____   Brian Stelfreeze, DAY MEN, BOOM! Studios
____   Wade Von Grawbadger, ALL NEW X-MEN, Marvel Comics

BEST NEW SERIES

____   AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, Archie Comics
____   QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   SEX CRIMINALS, Image
____   SIX GUN GORILLA, BOOM! Studios
____   SUICIDE RISK, BOOM! Studios

MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT

____   James Asmus, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Pere Perez, ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG, HARBINGER WARS, Valiant Entertainment
____   Victor Santos, POLAR: CAME FROM THE COLD, DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics
____   Jeff Stokely, SIX GUN GORILLA, BOOM! Studios
____   Chip Zdarsky, SEX CRIMINALS, Image Comics

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS

____   James Asmus, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM!
____   Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER, Archie Comics
____   Fred Van Lente, ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG, Valiant Entertainment
____   Jim Zub, SKULLKICKERS, Image Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION  FOR YOUNGER READERS

____   ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM!
____   BATTLING BOY, First Second
____   G-MAN: COMING HOME, Image Comics
____   MONSTER ON THE HILL, Top Shelf Productions
____   ONLY LIVING BOY, Bottled Lightning

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

____   HARBINGER VOLUME 1: OMEGA RISING, Valiant Entertainment
____   THE KILLER OMNIBUS VOLUME 1, Archaia
____   MOUSE GUARD VOL. 3: THE BLACK AXE, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   POLARITY, BOOM! Studios
____   RAINBOW IN THE DARK: THE COMPLETE SAGA, Comfort Love and Adam Withers

BEST ANTHOLOGY

____   DARK HORSE PRESENTS, Dark Horse Comics
____   MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOLUME 2, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   OUTLAW TERRITORY 3, Image Comics
____   SPERA, VOLUME 3, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR, BOOM! Studios/Archaia

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT

____   BARNABY VOLUME 1, Fantagraphics
____   BEST OF COMIX BOOK: WHEN MARVEL COMICS WENT UNDERGROUND, Kitchen Sink Books/Dark Horse
____   FRAGGLE ROCK CLASSICS VOLUME 2, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   VALIANT MASTERS: NINJAK VOLUME 1 - BLACK WATER, Valiant Entertainment
____   VALIANT MASTERS: SHADOWMAN VOLUME 1 - SPIRITS WITHIN, Valiant Entertainment

BEST COVER ARTIST

____   Goni Montes, CLIVE BARKER'S NEXT TESTAMENT,
____   Andrew Robinson, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Chris Samnee, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics
____   Brian Stelfreeze, DAY MEN, BOOM! Studios

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION

____   AL CAPP: A LIFE TO THE CONTRARY, Denis Kitchen, Bloomsbury
____   AMERICAN COMIC BOOK CHRONICLES: THE 1950S, TwoMorrows Publishing
____   ART OF RUBE GOLDBERG, Jennifer George, Abrams ComicArts
____   CO-MIX: A RETROSPECTIVE OF COMICS, GRAPHICS, AND SCRAPS, Art Spiegelman, Drawn and Quarterly
____   THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY, by Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker,
          Dark Horse
____   MARCH: BOOK ONE, John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, Top Shelf Productions

SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION

____   BEST OF COMIX BOOK: WHEN MARVEL COMICS WENT UNDERGROUND, John Lind,
          Kitchen Sink Books/Dark Horse Comics
____   CYBORG 009, Stephen Christy, Archaia
____   HARBINGER WARS, Josh Johns and Warren Simons, Valiant Entertainment
____   THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR, Joe LeFavi, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   UNITY, Alejandro Arbona, Josh Johns, and Warren Simons, Valiant Entertainment

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM ORIGINAL

____   BATTLING BOY, First Second
____   CYBORG 009, Archaia
____   THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY, Dark Horse Comics
____   MARCH: BOOK ONE, Top Shelf Productions
____   THE REASON FOR DRAGONS, BOOM! Studios/Archaia

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES

____   ARCHER AND ARMSTRONG, Valiant Entertainment
____   DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   HIT, BOOM! Studios
____   MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD VOL. 2, Archaia
____   SAGA, Image Comics

BEST WRITER

____   James Asmus, QUANTUM AND WOODY, Valiant Entertainment
____   Matt Fraction, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Matt Kindt, MIND MGMT, Dark Horse Comics
____   Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics
____   Mark Waid, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics

BEST ARTIST

____   David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER, Archie Comics
____   Nate Powell, MARCH: BOOK ONE, Top Shelf Productions
____   Chris Samnee, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics
____   Jeff Stokely, SIX GUN GORILLA, BOOM! Studios

BEST CARTOONIST

____   Matt Kindt, MIND MGMT, Dark Horse Comics
____   Comfort Love and Adam Withers, RAINBOW IN THE DARK, uniquescomic.com
____   Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios
____   Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER, Archie Comics
____   David Petersen, MOUSE GUARD: THE BLACK AXE, BOOM! Studios/Archaia
____   Paul Pope, BATTLING BOY, First Second

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY

____   ADVENTURE TIME ANNUAL #1, kaBOOM!
____   DEMETER, self-published, Becky Cloonan
____   "A Kiss ISN'T Just A Kiss!", KEVIN KELLER #10, Archie Comics
____   "Now and Then", DARK HORSE PRESENTS #30, Dark Horse Comics
____   "Pizza is My Business', HAWKEYE #11, Marvel Comics
____   SUICIDE RISK #5, BOOM! Studios
____   UNITY #1, Valiant Entertainment


Congratulations to all of the nominees!  The Havey Committe ask that if you know a nominee, please pass on the good news using email,  Facebook, and Twitter.

Please submit any corrections to harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.  The Harvey Committee tries its best to list nominees correctly, and want to know if there is an error.

The Harvey Committee and the Baltimore Comic-Con will make every effort to contact all nominees. If you are a nominee and you do not hear from them by July 25, please contact us at harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com. They would love to discuss your involvement in the ceremony and the Baltimore Comic-Con.

For additional information about Harvey Kurtzman and the Harvey Awards, visit www.harveyawards.org or http://www.facebook.com/theharveyawards.

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 15th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 5-7, 2014. For more information, please visit the website, Twitter, or Facebook pages.

Grumble on Indiegogo - The Last Week

Down to the last week:

2014 Glyph Comics Award Winners - "Watson and Holmes #6" Wins Big

The Glyph Awards recognize “the best in comics made by, for, and about people of color from the preceding calendar year.”  The winners were announced Friday, May 16, 2014 at the 13th annual East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention in Philadelphia.

Watson and Holmes #6 was the big winner, with four awards, including the big one, “Story of the Year.”  I had never heard of the series; now, I need to read it.

The 2014 Glyph Comics Award winners (for the year 2013):

Story of the Year:
• Watson and Holmes #6, by Brandon Easton and N. Steven Harris

Best Cover:
• Route 3 #2, by Robert Jeffrey

Best Writer:
• Brandon Easton, Watson and Holmes #6

Best Artist:
• N. Steven Harris, Watson and Holmes #6

Best Male Character:
• Jack Maguire, Nowhere Man; Jerome Walford

Best Female Character:
• Ajala, Ajala: A Series of Adventures; N. Steven Harris and Robert Garrett

Rising Star Award:
• Alverne Ball (writer); Jason Reeves and Luis Guerro (artists), One Nation #1

Best Comic Strip or Webcomic:
• The Adigun Ogunsanwo, by Charles C.J. Juzang

Best Reprint Publication:
• Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story, by the Fellowship of Reconciliation

Fan Award for Best Work:
• Watson and Holmes #6, by Brandon Easton and N. Steven Harris

----------------------------

"Grumble Chapter One" in Two Easy Ways

Buy Grumble Chapter One:

or please donate to Grumble campaign:

Grumble 2 Indiegogo Campaign - One Month In

A month to go. Praying...

May the I Reads You Be With You

It's May 2014.  Spider-Man and X-Men movies, oh my!

Welcome to I Reads You, a ComicBookBin web and sister publication (www.comicbookbin.com).  We write about the things we read:  mostly comic books, comics, and related books.  Sometimes, we’ll write about or link to other topics:  typically books, politics, and entertainment.

All images and text appearing on this publication are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

By the way, Leroy has an Indiegogo campaign for his webcomic, Grumble:

"Halloween Man" Scares comiXology

After thirteen strong years as a cult-favorite webcomic, "Halloween Man" is rolling into comiXology and Monsterverse with a new ongoing series. After a decade of smashing the troupes of Gothic Horror and Weird Science, our half-dead hero is taking on High Fantasy! Sailing through outer space in a Viking warship and arriving on ape-back, the dwarf king has come to burn Solar City to the ground. It's the undead vs. the under-sized as Earth's Weirdest Superhero rushes to save the day.

This offbeat, action-packed story is brought to you by series writer/creator Drew Edward, artist/graphic designer Sergio Calvet (Magic of Myths, The Dark of the Forest), and editor Russell Hillman (Fast & Frightening -- A Comic About Roller Derby).

Featuring back-up comics pulled from Halloween Man's long webcomic run and packing more thrills than a big budget blockbuster, this is your must read digital comic this week.  All for the low-price of $2.99! Brought to you by Monsterverse!

Check MONSTERVERSE: http://monsterverse.com/ and find HALLOWEEN MAN on Comixology https://www.comixology.com/Monsterverse/comics-publisher/388-0

John Ira Thomas of Candle Light Press Grumbles

John Ira Thomas of Candle Light Press contributed to the Indiegogo campaign for my comic book, Grumble.  Visit CLP's website to be introduced to some of the best graphic novels and books of the last two decades.

And you can give to Grumble, too:

Book Review: NYC BASIC TIPS AND ETIQUETTE

NYC BASIC TIPS AND ETIQUETTE
WILLIAM MORROW/HarperCollins – @WmMorrowBks and @HarperCollins

AUTHOR: Nathan W. Pyle – @nathanwpyle
ISBN: 978-0-06-230311-0; paperback (April 15, 2014)
144pp, B&W, $10.00 U.S.

One of the recent books that I have found myself thoroughly enjoying and even rereading is NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette.  What is the book about?

If you find yourself needing a guide to the hidden secrets and unwritten rules of New York City (NYC), you have one.  It is a small paperback book entitled NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette and is written and drawn by Nathan W. Pyle.  It is an illustrated guide for residents and visitors alike about navigating New York City.

Nathan Pyle lives and works in Manhattan and is a producer of nonfiction television shows for MSNBC and The Weather Channel (among others).  Although he lives in New York City (NYC), he is originally from Ohio.  He apparently loves living in the big city, but apparently had to learn by trial and error how to navigate life in NYC.

An illustrator, Pyle created 12 simple panel drawings/cartoons about living in NYC.  Last year, Pyle posted on his blog the following, “‘NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette’ is a new series I'm starting, as a guide for newcomers.  I've lived in the city for 4 1/2 years now, and I've decided to start writing down some of the things I've learned in my time here.”

Last year, Pyle posted “NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette” as a series of animated GIF, single-panel comics.  They became a viral Internet phenomenon.  Within the first week of their debut, these 12 comics were featured on sites like Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, and Reddit, among others.

Pyle created more of these comics and now 136 of them are presented in the new paperback book, NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette (published by William Morrow, a HarperCollins imprint).  For those who like the comics in their original animated GIF form, NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette is also available in an animated e-book version.

I have never been to New York City, but, of course, I know people who live and have visited or have lived there.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it reminds me of things I have been told about the city and even things that I have read about or seen on television and film about the Big Apple.  I like that some of the comics in NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette applies to other cities, even smaller ones.

Simply put, I think that anyone who picks up this book, even if they don’t care for NYC, will like it.  It’s just plain funny and, at times, it seems like a book of pop wisdom.  And yeah, when I finally visit NYC, I will use NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette as a guide to navigating and visiting that city.  People looking for a unique and useful book about New York City must have NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette – simple as that.

A

http://www.nathanwpyle.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NYCBASICTIPSANDETIQUETTE
https://twitter.com/nathanwpyle

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

2014 Eisner Award Nominees - Complete List

The 2014 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards will be given out in a gala ceremony on Friday, July 25, 2014 during Comic-Con International: San Diego.  Nominations were announced Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees 2014:

Best Short Story
• “Go Owls,” by Adrian Tomine, in Optic Nerve #13 (Drawn & Quarterly)
• “Mars to Stay,” by Brett Lewis and Cliff Chiang, in Witching Hour (DC)
• “Seaside Home,” by Josh Simmons, in Habit #1 (Oily)
• “Untitled,” by Gilbert Hernandez, in Love and Rockets: New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)
• “When Your House Is Burning Down, You Should Brush Your Teeth,” by Matthew Inman, theoatmeal.com/comics/house

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
• Demeter, by Becky Cloonan (self-published)
• Hawkeye #11: “Pizza Is My Business,” by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)
• Love and Rockets: New Stories #6, by Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez (Fantagraphics)
• Viewotron #2, by Sam Sharpe (self-published)
• Watson and Holmes #6, by Brandon Easton, and N. Steven Harris (New Paradigm Studios)

Best Continuing Series
• East of West, by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta (Image)
• Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)
• Nowhere Men, by Eric Stephenson and Nate Bellegarde (Image)
• Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)
• Sex Criminals, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky (Image)

Best Limited Series
• The Black Beetle: No Way Out, by Francesco Francavilla (Dark Horse)
• Colder, by Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra (Dark Horse)
• 47 Ronin, by Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)
• Trillium, by Jeff Lemire (Vertigo/DC)
• The Wake, by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy (Vertigo/DC)

Best New Series
• High Crimes, by Christopher Sebela and Ibrahim Moustafa (Monkeybrain)
• Lazarus, by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark (Image)
• Rat Queens, by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch (Image/Shadowline)
• Sex Criminals, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky (Image)
• Watson and Holmes, by Karl Bollers, Rick Leonardi, Paul Mendoza et al. (New Paradigm Studios)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
• Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas, by Philippe Coudray (TOON Books)
• The Big Wet Balloon, by Liniers (TOON Books)
• Itsy Bitsy Hellboy, by Art Baltazar and Franco (Dark Horse)
• Odd Duck, by Cecil Castellucci and Sara Varon  (First Second)
• Otto’s Backwards Day, by Frank Cammuso (with Jay Lynch) (TOON Books)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 8-12)
• The Adventures of Superhero Girl, by Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)
• Hilda and the Bird Parade, by Luke Pearson (Nobrow)
• Jane, the Fox, and Me, by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault (Groundwood)
• The Lost Boy, by Greg Ruth (Graphix/Scholastic)
• Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, vol. 2, edited by David Petersen, Paul Morrissey, and Rebecca Taylor (Archaia/BOOM!)
• Star Wars: Jedi Academy, by Jeffrey Brown (Scholastic)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)
• Battling Boy, by Paul Pope (First Second)
• Bluffton: My Summers with Buster, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)
• Boxers and Saints, by Gene Luen Yang (First Second)
• Dogs of War, by Sheila Keenan and Nathan Fox (Graphix/Scholastic)
• March (Book One), by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Top Shelf)
• Templar, by Jordan Mechner, LeUyen Pham, and Alex Puviland (First Second)

Best Humor Publication
• The Adventures of Superhero Girl, by Faith Erin Hicks (Dark Horse)
• The Complete Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes and Rob Davis (SelfMadeHero)
• The (True!) History of Art, by Sylvain Coissard and Alexis Lemoine (SelfMadeHero)
• Vader’s Little Princess, by Jeffrey Brown (Chronicle)
• You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Anthology
• Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson (Dark Horse)
• Nobrow #8: Hysteria, edited by Sam Arthur and Alex Spiro (Nobrow)
• Outlaw Territory, edited by Michael Woods (Image)
• Smoke Signal, edited by Gabe Fowler (Desert Island)
• Thrilling Adventure Hour, by Ben Acker, Ben Blacker et al. (Archaia/BOOM!)

Best Digital/Webcomic
• As the Crow Flies, by Melanie Gillman, www.melaniegillman.com
• Failing Sky, by Dax Tran-Caffee, failingsky.com
• High Crimes, by Christopher Sebela and Ibrahim Moustafa (Monkeybrain), www.monkeybraincomics.com/titles/high-crimes/
• The Last Mechanical Monster, by Brian Fies, lastmechanicalmonster.blogspot.com
• The Oatmeal by Matthew Inman, theoatmeal.com

Best Reality-Based Work
• A Bag of Marbles, by Joseph Joffo, Kris, and Vincent Bailly (Graphic Universe/Lerner)
• The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, by Vivek J. Tiwary, Andrew C. Robinson, and Kyle Baker (M Press/Dark Horse)
• Hip Hop Family Tree, vol. 1, by Ed Piskor (Fantagraphics)
• March (Book One), by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Top Shelf)
• Today Is the Last Day of the Rest of Your Life, by Ulli Lust (Fantagraphics)
• Woman Rebel: The Margaret Sanger Story, by Peter Bagge (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Graphic Album—New
• Bluffton: My Summers with Buster, by Matt Phelan (Candlewick)
• The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, by Isabel Greenberg (Little, Brown)
• Good Dog, by Graham Chaffee (Fantagraphics)
• Homesick by Jason Walz (Tinto Press)
• The Property, by Rutu Modan (Drawn & Quarterly)
• War Brothers, by Sharon McKay and Daniel LaFrance (Annick Press)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium
• The Castle, by Franz Kafka, adapted by David Zane Mairowitz and Jaromír 99 (SelfMadeHero)
• The Complete Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes, adapted by by Rob Davis (SelfMadeHero)
• Django Unchained, adapted by Quentin Tarantino, Reginald Hudlin, R. M. Guéra et al. (DC/Vertigo)
• Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground, by Donald Westlake, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
• The Strange Tale of Panorama Island, by Edogawa Rampo, adapted by Suehiro Maruo  (Last Gasp)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint
• The Creep, by John Arcudi and Jonathan Case (Dark Horse)
• Hand-Drying in America and Other Stories, by Ben Katchor (Pantheon)
• Heck, by Zander Cannon (Top Shelf)
• Julio’s Day, by Gilbert Hernandez  (Fantagraphics)
• RASL, by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)
• Solo: The Deluxe Edition, edited by Mark Chiarello (DC)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips
• Barnaby, vol. 1, by Crockett Johnson, edited by Philip Nel and Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)
• Percy Crosby’s Skippy Daily Comics, vol. 2: 1928–1930, edited by Jared Gardner and Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)
• Prince Valiant vols. 6-7, by Hal Foster, edited by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)
• Society Is Nix: Gleeful Anarchy at the Dawn of the American Comic Strip, edited by Peter Maresca (Sunday Press)
• Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, vol. 1, edited by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)
• VIP: The Mad World of Virgil Partch, edited by Jonathan Barli (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books
• Best of EC Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
• Canteen Kate, by Matt Baker (Canton Street Press)
• In the Days of the Mob, by Jack Kirby (DC)
• MAD Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
• Will Eisner’s The Spirit Artist’s Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
• Adventures of a Japanese Businessman, by Jose Domingo (Nobrow)
• Goddam This War! by Jacques Tardi and Jean-Pierre Verney (Fantagraphics)
• Incidents in the Night, Book One, by David B. (Uncivilized Books)
• Today Is the Last Day of the Rest of Your Life, by Ulli Lust (Fantagraphics)
• When David Lost His Voice, by Judith Vanistendael (SelfMadeHero)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
• The Heart of Thomas, by Moto Hagio (Fantagraphics)
• The Mysterious Underground Men, by Osamu Tezuka (PictureBox)
• Showa: A History of Japan, 1926–1939, by Shigeru Mizuki (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Summit of the Gods, vol. 4, by Yemmakura Baku and Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
• Utsubora: The Story of a Novelist, by Asumiko Nakamura (Vertical)

Best Writer
• Kelly Sue DeConnick, Pretty Deadly (Image); Captain Marvel (Marvel)
• Matt Fraction, Sex Criminals (Image); Hawkeye, Fantastic Four, FF (Marvel)
• Jonathan Hickman, East of West, The Manhattan Projects (Image); Avengers, Infinity (Marvel)
• Scott Snyder, Batman (DC); American Vampire, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
• Eric Stephenson, Nowhere Men (Image)
• Brian K. Vaughan, Saga (Image)

Best Writer/Artist
• Isabel Greenberg, The Encyclopedia of Early Earth (Little, Brown)
• Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets New Stories #6 (Fantagraphics)
• Terry Moore, Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)
• Luke Pearson, Hilda and the Bird Parade (Nobrow)
• Matt Phelan, Bluffton: My Summers with Buster (Candlewick)
• Judith Vanistendael, When David Lost His Voice (SelfMadeHero)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
• Nate Bellegarde, Nowhere Men (Image)
• Nick Dragotta, East of West (Image)
• Sean Murphy, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
• Nate Powell, March (Book One) (Top Shelf)
• Emma Ríos, Pretty Deadly (Image)
• Thomas Yeates, Law of the Desert Born: A Graphic Novel (Bantam)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
• Andrew C. Robinson, The Fifth Beatle (Dark Horse)
• Sonia Sanchéz, Here I Am (Capstone)
• Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)
• Ive Svorcina, Thor (Marvel)
• Marguerite Van Cook, 7 Miles a Second (Fantagraphics)
• Judith Vanistendael, When David Lost His Voice (SelfMadeHero)

Best Cover Artist
• David Aja, Hawkeye (Marvel)
• Mike Del Mundo, X-Men Legacy (Marvel)
• Sean Murphy/Jordie Belaire, The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
• Emma Ríos, Pretty Deadly (Image)
• Chris Samnee, Daredevil (Marvel)
• Fiona Staples, Saga (Image)

Best Coloring
• Jordie Bellaire, The Manhattan Projects, Nowhere Men, Pretty Deadly, Zero (Image); The Massive (Dark Horse); Tom Strong (DC); X-Files Season 10  (IDW); Captain Marvel, Journey into Mystery (Marvel); Numbercruncher (Titan); Quantum and Woody (Valiant)
• Steve Hamaker, Mylo Xyloto (Bongo), Strangers in Paradise 20th Anniversary Issue 1 (Abstract Studio), RASL (Cartoon Books)
• Matt Hollingsworth, Hawkeye, Daredevil: End of Days (Marvel); The Wake (DC/Vertigo)
• Frank Martin, East of West (Image)
• Dave Stewart, Abe Sapien, Baltimore: The Infernal Train, BPRD: Hell on Earth, Conan the Barbarian, Hellboy: Hell on Earth, The Massive, The Shaolin Cowboy, Sledgehammer 44 (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering
• Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark’s Parker: Slayground (IDW)
• Carla Speed McNeil, Bad Houses; “Finder” in Dark Horse Presents (Dark Horse)
• Terry Moore, Rachel Rising (Abstract Studio)
• Ed Piskor, Hip Hop Family Tree (Fantagraphics)
• Britt Wilson, Adventure Time with Fiona and Cake (kaBOOM!)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
• Comic Book Resources, produced by Jonah Weiland, www.comicbookresources.com
• The Comics Journal #302, edited by Gary Groth and Kristy Valenti (Fantagraphics)
• Comics and Cola, by Zainab Akhtar, www.comicsandcola.com
• Multiversity Comics, edited by Matthew Meylikhov, www.multiversitycomics.com
• tcj.com, edited by Dan Nadel and Timothy Hodler (Fantagrapahics), www.tcj.com

Best Comics-Related Book
• Al Capp: A Life to the Contrary, by Michael Schumacher and Denis Kitchen (Bloomsbury)
• The Art of Rube Goldberg, selected by Jennifer George (Abrams ComicArts)
• Co-Mix: A Retrospective of Comics, Graphics, and Scraps, by Art Spiegelman (Drawn & Quarterly)
• Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth,  by Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell (LOAC/IDW)
• The Love and Rockets Companion, edited by Marc Sobel and Kristy Valenti (Fantagraphics)

Best Scholarly/Academic Work
• Anti-Foreign Imagery in American Pulps and Comic Books, 1920–1960, by Nathan Vernon Madison (McFarland)
• Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation, edited by Sheena C. Howard and Ronald L. Jackson II (Bloomsbury)
• Drawing from Life: Memory and Subjectivity in Comic Art, edited by Jane Tolmie (University Press of Mississippi)
• International Journal of Comic Art, edited by John A. Lent
• The Superhero Reader, edited by Charles Hatfield, Jeet Heer, and Ken Worcester (University Press of Mississippi)

Best Publication Design
• The Art of Rube Goldberg, designed by Chad W. Beckerman (Abrams ComicArts)
• Beta Testing the Apocalypse, designed by Tom Kaczynski (Fantagraphics)
• Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth, designed by Dean Mullaney (LOAC/IDW)
• The Great War: July 1, 1916: The First Day of the Battle of the Somme: A Panorama, by Joe Sacco, designed by Chin-Yee Lai (Norton)
• Little Tommy Lost, Book 1, designed by Cole Closser (Koyama)

I Reads February 2014

It's February 2014.  Welcome to I Reads You, a ComicBookBin web and sister publication (www.comicbookbin.com).  The ComicBookBin has free smart phone apps and comics.  We write about the things we read:  mostly comic books, comics, and related books.  Sometimes, we’ll write about or link to other topics:  typically books, politics, and entertainment.

All images and text appearing on this publication are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

This is my comic book of the month:

GRUMBLE #1 PDF Now a Free Download

I am in the early stages of producing a horror comic book/graphic novel, entitled Grumble, which I have been releasing as a digital comic.  It is the story of Ava Benson, a young woman who returns to her hometown, Beechwood, for her uncle, Avner Benson’s funeral.  In addition to reuniting with her dysfunctional family, Ava learns that an old enemy is terrorizing the town and murdering her family and friends.

Over the past few years, I have been posting pages from the comic book on this website.  Now, I am making a PDF of GRUMBLE the first issue/ first chapter (under a snazzy Bob McLeod cover) available for download, viewing, and reading by going to the COMIC BOOK BIN.

The original art for pages 12 through 24 are up for sale with the proceeds going into the continued production of Grumble.  Pages range in price from $160.00 to $200.00 U.S., but discounts are available for purchases of multiple pages – so please ask.

You may contact me via this blog.  Posting questions and comments in the “comments section” is welcomed.

I am going to sell signed and numbered hard copies of Grumble #1.  I am exploring a new printer as comiXpress punked out… I mean closed up shop… suddenly… with no warning.  But kitchen – heat, y’all know what I’m talking ‘bout.

Anyway, I’ll keep you updated, dear readers.  So right now: art is available; books coming soon.  Everything can be paid through a PayPal account, which will provide the buyer with protection from any shenanigans.  Hee hee.  More later.

Leroy Douresseaux

I Reads August 2013

It's August 2013.  Welcome to I Reads You, a ComicBookBin blog (www.comicbookbin.com).  We blog about the things we read:  mostly comic books, comics, and related books.  Sometimes, we’ll write about or link to other topics:  typically books, politics, and entertainment.

Go here for free comics.

We love donations, and every little bit will help:

All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

2013 Harvey Awards Nominations Announced

2013 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced!

Visit www.harveyawards.org for Ballots & Submission Details!

BALTIMORE, MD (July 15, 2013) -- The 2013 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con. Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented September 7, 2013 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit, or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. Thank you to all that have already participated by submitting a nomination ballot.

Final ballots are due to the Harvey Awards by Monday, August 19, 2013. Full submission instructions can be found on the final ballot.  Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field.  Final ballots are available at www.harveyawards.org. Those who prefer paper ballots may e-mail harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.

This will be the eighth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD.  Look for more details soon as to how you can attend the Harvey Awards dinner.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 7-8, 2013.  The ceremony and banquet for the 2013 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 7th.

The 2013 Harvey Award Nominees:

BEST LETTERER
____   Joe Caramagna, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   Chris Eliopoulos, COW BOY: A BOY AND HIS HORSE, Archaia
____   Todd Klein, FABLES, DC Comics
____   Jack Morelli, ARCHIE, Archie Comics
____   Chris Ware, BUILDING STORIES, Pantheon

BEST COLORIST
____   Laura Allred, FF , Marvel Comics
____   Matt Hollingsworth, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Tito Pena, ARCHIE, Archie Comics
____   Ed Ryzowski, GUTTERS, the-gutters.com
____   Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP or PANEL
____   CUL DE SAC, Richard Thompson, Universal Press Syndicate
____   DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services
____   GET FUZZY, Darby Conley, United Feature Syndicate
____   MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, King Features
____   PEARLS BEFORE SWINE, Stephen Pastis, United Feature Syndicate

BEST ONLINE COMICS WORK
____   BANDETTE, Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover, http://www.monkeybraincomics.com/titles/bandette/
____   BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com
____   THE DREAMER, Lora Innes, http://www.thedreamercomic.com
____   NIMONA, Noelle Stevenson, http://gingerhaze.com/nimona
____   SHELDON, Dave Kellett, http://sheldoncomics.com

BEST AMERICAN EDITION of FOREIGN MATERIAL
____   ABELARD, NBM
____   BLACKSAD: A SILENT HELL, Dark Horse
____   NEW YORK MON AMOUR, Fantagraphics Books
____   SHARAZ-DE: TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS, Archaia
____   NAOKI URASAWA'S 20TH CENTURY BOYS, VOL. 22, VIZ Media

BEST INKER
____   Steve Ellis, ONLY LIVING BOY, Bottled Lightning
____   Jonathan Glapion, BATMAN, DC Comics
____   Klaus Janson, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics
____   Mark Morales, AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, Marvel Comics
____   Bob Smith, LIFE WITH ARCHIE, Archie Comics

BEST NEW SERIES
____   ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios
____   HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   NEW CRUSADERS: RISE OF THE HEROES, Red Circle Comics
____   REVIVAL, Image Comics
____   SAGA, Image Comics

MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT
____   Jerry Gaylord, FANBOYS VS. ZOMBIES, BOOM! Studios
____   Dennis Hopeless, AVENGERS ARENA, Marvel Comics
____   Ryan Jampole, MEGA MAN, Archie Comics
____   Mark Mariano, Happyloo, MyPalMark.com
____   David Nytra, THE SECRET OF THE STONE FROG, Toon Books

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS
____   Chad Lambert, THE POSSUM AT LARGE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CRAPTACULAR, Old School Comics
____   Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios
____   Dan Parent, KEVIN KELLER, Archie Comics
____   Chris Sparks, TEAM CUL DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Andrews McMeel
____   Jim Zub, IMAGE COMICS, Skullkickers

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION  FOR YOUNGER READERS
____   ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios
____   AMELIA RULES: HER PERMANENT RECORD, Simon and Schuster
____   COW BOY: A BOY AND HIS HORSE, Archaia
____   DRAMA, Schoolastic
____   SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES, DC Comics
____   THE SHARK KING, Toon Books

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
____   ALIEN: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY, Titan Books
____   ARCHIE: THE MARRIED LIFE, BOOK 2, Archie Comics
____   CURSED PIRATE GIRL COLLECTED EDITION: VOLUME ONE, Archaia
____   HEADS OR TAILS, Fantagraphics
____   KING CITY, Image

BEST ANTHOLOGY
____   DARK HORSE PRESENTS, various, Dark Horse
____   DISTRICT COMICS, Matt Dembicki, Fulcrum Publishing
____   ONCE UPON A TIME MACHINE, Andrew Carl, Dark Horse
____   TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Chris Sparks, Andrews McMeel
____   WOMANTHOLOGY: SPACE, Mariah Huehner, IDW

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT
____   BEST OF ARCHIE COMICS, VOL. 2, Archie Comics
____   CAME THE DAWN AND OTHER STORIES, THE EC COMICS LIBRARY, Fantagraphics
____   CRIME DOES NOT PAY ARCHIVES, Dark Horse Comics
____   DAVID MAZZUCHELLI'S DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN: ARTIST'S EDITION, IDW
____   POGO: BONA FIDE BALDERDASH VOL. 2, WALT KELLY'S POGO, Fantagraphics

BEST COVER ARTIST
____   David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Steve Ellis, ONLY LIVING BOY, Bottled Lightning
____   Jenny Frison, REVIVAL, Image Comics
____   Adam Hughes, FAIREST, Vertigo Comics
____   Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, or JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION
____   ALTER EGO MAGAZINE, TwoMorrows Publishing
____   JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR, TwoMorrows Publishing
____   TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Andrews McMeel
____   MARVEL COMICS: THE UNTOLD STORY, HarperCollins
____   ROBOT 6 WEBSITE, Comic Book Resources

SPECIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION
____   BUILDING STORIES, Chris Ware, Pantheon Books
____   CURSED PIRATE GIRL COLLECTED EDITION: VOLUME ONE, Jeremy Bastian, Archaia
____   DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI'S DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN: ARTIST'S EDITION, Scott Dunbier, IDW
____   TEAM CUL DE DE SAC: CARTOONISTS DRAW THE LINE AT PARKINSON'S, Chris Sparks, Andrews McMeel
____   THE ART OF BETTY AND VERONICA, Victor Gorelick and Craig Yoe, Archie Comics

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM ORIGINAL
____   BUILDING STORIES, Pantheon
____   THE CARTER FAMILY: DON'T FORGET THIS SONG, Abrams ComicArts
____   MY FRIEND DAHMER, Abrams ComicArts
____   RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE SCORE, IDW
____   THE UNDERWATER WELDER, Top Shelf

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES
____   BATMAN, DC Comics
____   DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   LOCKE AND KEY, IDW
____   RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios
____   SAGA, Image Comics

BEST WRITER
____   Matt Fraction, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Joe Hill, LOCKE AND KEY, IDW
____   Tim Seeley, REVIVAL, Image Comics
____   Scott Snyder, BATMAN, DC Comics
____   Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics
____   Mark Waid, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics

BEST ARTIST
____   David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics
____   Greg Capullo, BATMAN, DC Comics
____   Mike Norton, REVIVAL, Image Comics
____   Chris Samnee, DAREDEVIL, Marvel Comics
____   Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

BEST CARTOONIST
____   Jaime Hernandez, LOVE AND ROCKETS: NEW STORIES, Fantagraphics
____   Jeff Lemire, THE UNDERWATER WELDER, Top Shelf
____   Terry Moore, RACHEL RISING, Abstract Studios
____   Chris Ware, BUILDING STORIES, Pantheon
____   Adam Withers and Comfort Love, RAINBOW IN THE DARK, uniquescomic.com

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY
____   BATMAN # 12, DC Comics
____   BUILDING STORIES, Pantheon
____   HAWKEYE # 1, Marvel Comics
____   LOCKE AND KEY: GRINDHOUSE, IDW
____   THE MIRE, BeckyCloonan.net
____   SAGA # 1, Image Comics
____   TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE #8, Fantagraphics


Congratulations to all of the nominees!  If you know a nominee, please pass on the good news using email, Facebook, and Twitter.

Please submit any corrections to harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.  We try our best to list nominees correctly, and want to know if there is an error.

The Harvey Committee and the Baltimore Comic-Con will make every effort to contact all nominees.  If you are a nominee and you do not hear from us by July 25, please contact us at harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com.  We would love to discuss your involvement in the ceremony and the Baltimore Comic-Con.

For additional information about Harvey Kurtzman and the Harvey Awards, visit www.harveyawards.org or harveyawards.blogspot.com.

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 14th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 7-8, 2013. For more information, please visit the website, Twitter, or Facebook pages.

I Reads June 2012

Welcome to June 2012, and welcome to I Reads You, my blog about the things I read: mostly comic books, comics, and related books. Sometimes, I’ll write about or link to other topics: typically books, politics, and entertainment.

I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I have another blog: http://www.negromancer.com/. I also write for the Comic Book Bin (which also has smart phones apps and comics).

All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

May I Reads You Inform You?

It's the first day of May 2012.  Welcome to I Reads You, my blog about the things I read: mostly comic books, comics, and related books. Sometimes, I’ll write about or link to other topics: typically books, politics, and entertainment.

I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I have another blog: http://www.negromancer.com/. I also write for the Comic Book Bin (which also has smart phones apps and comics).

All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

I Reads You Thankful for November 2011

Welcome to I Reads You, my blog about the things I read (mostly comic books, comics, and related books) and about the things I come across worth reading (mostly about comic books, politics, and entertainment). Sometimes I’ll comment on “real” books and the mass media.

I’m Leroy Douresseaux, and I have another blog: http://www.negromancer.com/. I also write for the Comic Book Bin (which has smart phones apps).

And read a new horror graphic novel in progress here.

All images and text appearing on this blog are copyright © and/or trademark their respective owners.

Complete List of 2011 Eisner Award Winners

2011 Eisner Award Winners List

Best Continuing Series
Chew, by John Layman and Rob Guillory (Image)

Best Short Story
"Post Mortem," by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark, in I Am an Avenger #2 (Marvel)

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Hellboy: Double Feature of Evil, by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben (Dark Horse)

Best Limited Series
Daytripper, by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá (Vertigo/DC)

Best New Series
American Vampire, by Scott Snyder, Stephen King, and Rafael Albuquerque (Vertigo/DC)

Best Publication for Kids
Tiny Titans, by Art Baltazar and Franco (DC)

Best Publication for Teens
Smile, by Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic Graphix)

Best Humor Publication
I Thought You Would Be Funnier, by Shannon Wheeler (BOOM!)

Best Anthology
Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, edited by Paul Morrissey and David Petersen (Archaia)

Best Digital Comic
Abominable Charles Christopher, by Karl Kerschl, www.abominable.cc

Best Reality-Based Work
It Was the War of the Trenches, by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—New
Return of the Dapper Men, by Jim McCann and Janet Lee (Archaia)
Wilson, by Daniel Clowes (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Wednesday Comics, edited by Mark Chiarello (DC)

Best Adaptation from Another Work
The Marvelous Land of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, adapted by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young (Marvel)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips
Archie: The Complete Daily Newspaper Strips, 1946–1948, by Bob Montana, edited by Greg Goldstein (IDW)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books
Dave Stevens' The Rocketeer Artist's Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material
It Was the War of the Trenches, by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)

Best Writer
Joe Hill, Lock & Key (IDW)

Best Writer/Artist
Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark's Parker: The Outfit (IDW)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
Skottie Young, The Marvelous Land of Oz (Marvel)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
Juanjo Guarnido, Blacksad (Dark Horse)

Best Cover Artist
Mike Mignola, Hellboy, Baltimore: The Plague Ships (Dark Horse)

Best Coloring
Dave Stewart, Hellboy, BPRD, Baltimore, Let Me In (Dark Horse); Detective Comics (DC); Neil Young's Greendale, Daytripper, Joe the Barbarian (Vertigo/DC)

Best Lettering
Todd Klein, Fables, The Unwritten, Joe the Barbarian, iZombie (Vertigo/DC); Tom Strong and the Robots of Doom (WildStorm/DC); SHIELD (Marvel); Driver for the Dead (Radical)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
ComicBookResources, produced by Jonah Weiland (www.comicbookresources.com)

Best Comics-Related Book
75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking, by Paul Levitz (TASCHEN)

Best Publication Design
Dave Stevens' The Rocketeer Artist's Edition, designed by Randall Dahlk (IDW)

HALL OF FAME
Judges' Choices: Ernie Bushmiller, Jack Jackson, Martin Nodell, Lynd Ward
Elected: Mort Drucker, Harvey Pekar, Roy Thomas, Marv Wolfman

Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award:
Nate Simpson

Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award:
Patrick McDonnell

Bill Finger Excellence in Comic Book Writing Award:
Del Connell, Bob Haney

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award:
Comics & Vegetables, Tel Aviv, Israel - Yuval Sharon, Danny Amitai

Leroy Douresseaux on FINDER: VOICE

FINDER: VOICE

DARK HORSE BOOKS

 

CARTOONIST: Carla Speed McNeil

ISBN: 978-1-59582-651-0; paperback
216pp, B&W, $19.99 U.S., $21.99 CAN

I knew Carla Speed McNeil for a few years back in college, when we both worked for the student newspaper. She was a cartoonist and also contributed a comic strip (entitled “Sane as it Ever Was,” I think). I thought then that she was quite talented. When she showed me a sketchbook filled with pencil figure drawings of humans and animals, I knew that she was going to do fantastic work in comics, if she chose to pursue that.

She was humble and thought I might be exaggerating. I was right. She was wrong. I’m a prophet. Welcome to the Church of Leroy!

Carla Speed McNeil has been producing her comic book (now webcomic), Finder, which she describes as “aboriginal science fiction,” since 1996. McNeil self-published the Finder comic book series through her company, Lightspeed Press, for 38 issues. Finder the webcomic is available on the publisher’s website.

Dark Horse has just published the most recent Finder graphic novel/story arc in a trade paperback entitled Finder: Voice. Finder takes place in the far distant future, on a vastly depopulated Earth. The series is set primarily in domed city-states that are dominated by wealthy clans. In the lands outside the domes, various hunter-gatherer cultures thrive.

Voice is set in the domed city of Anvard, where society is dominated by an intricate network of clans, including the flamboyant Llaverac. Rachel Grosvenor is Llaverac on her mother’s side and Medawar (another clan) on her father’s side. Now, Rachel is in the midst of the 557th Annual Llaverac Clan Confirmation Competition. Winning or finishing near the very top means that Rachel will be formally welcomed into the clan, which will secure her and her family’s future. A mugging and the theft of a priceless and indispensable family heirloom wrecks her chances. Rachel’s hunt for the heirloom sends her spiraling into Anvard’s dark underbelly (the other side of the tracks, so to speak), and a legendary Finder may hold the key to her future. But can Rachel find the Finder?

There are many things that stand out about Carla Speed McNeil’s work on Finder: the deft handling of a huge ensemble cast, the intricate character relationships, the complex internal mythology, etc. What always stands out to me is how expressive her art is. Comics are a visual storytelling medium, of course, but that is a rather simplistic way of looking at the medium. Comics use graphics that include drawings, sound effects, word balloons, captions, lettering, etc. to not only tell a story, but to also convey a range of emotions, as well as establish settings, moods, and time periods.

As a whole, McNeil’s graphic storytelling is lush and highly-detailed. It is a meticulous graphical symphony of sights, sounds, smells, and sensations, if not tastes. A reader can break down the composition of each panel and see that every line is a conveyance. The flowing drapery informs the readers of the opulence and importance of the clan confirmation competition. Heavy word balloons carry the weight of angry words. Swaying brush strokes suggest the wild and fevered rhythm of Ascian dance. Grassy cross-hatching unveils the lavish, stately home that marks Rachel’s victory.

Finder is the little independent, self-published comic book that is a great, big old science fiction comic book. Through her vivid, expressive storytelling, Carla Speed McNeil presents a world that is at once familiar and old, but also brand new. Finder is a ticket to adventure through a mesmerizing, new science fiction world.

A

http://www.lightspeedpress.com/