Yesterday, the 2020 Eisner Award nominations were announced. Despite there not being a San Diego ComicCon in 2020, the Eisners are still happening. The full list of nominees can be found here, but we are particularly interested in talking about the ‘best continuing series’ award this week.
Of the six titles nominated, one belongs to DC, two to Marvel, and four to Image. The only series to get nominated in both 2019 and 2020 is Multiversity’s Best Ongoing series of 2018 and 2019, “The Immortal Hulk.” We’ve spilled a ton of digital ink on why this series by Al Ewing, Joe Benentt, et al is so special, and it’s nice to see the Eisners recognize what is clearly one of the top tier series of the past few years.
Joining “Immortal Hulk” from Marvel is “Daredevil” by Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto. Daredevil, as a character, seems to attract solid creative teams and interesting approaches, and this take is no different. DC’s lone offering is the recently wrapped “The Dreaming” by Simon Spurrier and Bilquis Evely. This book, part of the ‘Sandman Universe’ line, was the book that most closely continued the “Sandman” story from Neil Gaiman’s seminal run.
The three Image nominees represent very different comics. “Criminal” is the second volume of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’s noir series, which was originally published under Marvel’s Icon imprint. “Crowded,” from Christopher Sebela, Ro Stein, and Ted Brandt is a humorous future tale where apps can get you killed, or saved. And, finally, “Bitter Root” by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene, is a supernatural tale set in 1920s Harlem.
Taken together, these represent an interesting cross section of where comics are right now. But which one is the best? Which one deserves the Eisner? Vote in our Reader Poll, and check back on Monday for the results!
