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Sunday Showdown: Eisner Choices

By and | April 12th, 2010
Posted in Columns | % Comments

Today we’re back with a delayed version of Saturday Showdown, now Sunday Showdown due my obsessive need for sociability and the horrors of alcohol consumption. On this week’s showdown, Walt and I go over all of the Eisner nominations and select who we think was the finest example in each category. In a year where they got most everything right (save for their disturbing lack of Scalped nominations), it was a tough time to choose between nominees.

Check out our picks after the jump, and share who you think should/shouldn’t win in the comments.

Best Short Story

  • “Because I Love You So Much,” by Nikoline Werdelin, in From Wonderland with Love: Danish Comics in the 3rd Millennium (Fantagraphics/Aben malen)
  • “Gentleman John,” by Nathan Greno, in What Is Torch Tiger? (Torch Tiger)
  • “How and Why to Bale Hay,” by Nick Bertozzi, in Syncopated (Villard)
  • “Hurricane,” interpreted by Gradimir Smudja, in Bob Dylan Revisited (Norton)
  • “Urgent Request,” by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim, in The Eternal Smile (First Second)

Walt and David fail at this category: N/A

Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)

  • Brave & the Bold #28: “Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line,” by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz (DC)
  • Captain America #601: “Red, White, and Blue-Blood,” by Ed Brubaker and Gene Colan (Marvel)
  • Ganges #3, by Kevin Huizenga (Fantagraphics)
  • The Unwritten #5: “How the Whale Became,” by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (Vertigo/DC)
  • Usagi Yojimbo #123: “The Death of Lord Hikiji” by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)

Walt: The Unwritten #5

This issue made me fall in love with Mike Carey and Peter Gross’s The Unwritten. As an English major and aspiring writer/teacher, I for some reason have quite the taste for fictional stories about writers. Carey’s Rudyard Kipling-centered tale was extremely interesting to me, and I find the idea of a secret society controlling literature to be a very creative metaphor for Marx’s ideas on ideology (at least, that’s how I read it). If you’re a bit dubious upon reading the first few issues, make it this far and I guarantee you will have it added to your pull in moments.

David: The Unwritten #5

Considering that this is one of my absolute favorite comics on the market and this was perhaps its finest moment yet, it is easy to understand why this makes the cut as my favorite. Rudyard Kipling does an exceptional job as the thorn in the titles villainous illuminati’s side, and the ideas Carey and Gross conceive for why Kipling wrote some of his most prominent stories are incredibly inventive. Plus, Gross just kills it in this issue visually.

Best Continuing Series

  • Fables, by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Andrew Pepoy et al. (Vertigo/DC)
  • Irredeemable, by Mark Waid and Peter Krause (BOOM!)
  • Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)
  • The Unwritten, by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (Vertigo/DC)
  • The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard (Image)

Walt: Irredeemable

If Mark Waid manages to ever write something better than this, I will eat my proverbial hat. This series has been a non-stop roller coaster ride that asks three more questions for every one it answers, and with the release of its companion series, Incorruptible, the mystery has only deepened. The saga of the Plutonian is a fresh take on an idea that could have been easily left as a cliche, and is, above all, goddamn chilling (“Choose. Ten.”). I’m rarely as anxious for a new issue as I am for each month’s Irredeemable, and that anxiety is one that could only be brought about by an expert in the medium such as Waid.

David: The Walking Dead

While I love all of these books, there is one book that represents the peak of comic creativity more consistently than every other one: Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard’s The Walking Dead. This past year saw things get even darker than usual for Rick Grimes and his (not so) merry band of survivors, before they became fairly good for a change. Regardless of the mood within the title, the book was always uniform in its quality and ability to connect with the reader as a whole. While it isn’t what I’d pick overall (that’d go to Scalped), it is the best in the category.

Continued below

Best Limited Series or Story Arc

  • Blackest Night, by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, and Oclair Albert (DC)
  • Incognito, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Marvel Icon)
  • Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka, by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki (VIZ Media)
  • Wolverine #66-72 and Wolverine Giant-Size Special: “Old Man Logan,” by Mark Millar, Steve McNiven, and Dexter Vines (Marvel)
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young (Marvel)

Walt: Incognito

Blackest Night and Old Man Logan were good, solid fun, but when compared to Incognito they don’t stand a chance. Incognito is simply the best thing I have read by Ed Brubaker, and that’s saying a lot. The story contains everything I love about Brubaker’s writing: well-scripted action, a great fusion of superpowers and hard crime and an incredibly gripping story. On top of that, frequent collaborator Sean Phillips’ art has never looked better. The trade is out now, so if you haven’t read it by now you have no excuse.

David: “Old Man Logan”

Mark Millar may be a polarizing writer, but when he is on he is on, and this book was an example of that. One of the best Wolverine stories ever, Millar and artist Steve McNiven envisioned a Marvel universe where the villains won and Wolverine was a beaten down old man living a quiet life with a terrified family. Everything about this book was a rip roaring romp, and some issues were so well made it was almost shocking (like the issue that revealed how Wolverine was broken). Superb work by Millar and McNiven.

Best New Series

  • Chew, by John Layman and Rob Guillory (Image)
  • Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick, art by Tony Parker (BOOM!)
  • Ireedeemable, by Mark Waid and Peter Krause (BOOM!)
  • Sweet Tooth, by Jeff Lemire (Vertigo/DC)
  • The Unwritten, by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (Vertigo/DC)

Walt: The Unwritten

I suppose logic would dictate that if I gave Best Continuing Series to Irredeemable that it would win Best New Series as well. Not so! As I said when talking about Irredeemable, it uses a concept that we have seen plenty of times before: the fall of a paragon of justice. Sure, the story is completely different than any other variation, but it’s still something familiar. Enter the Unwritten, which is probably unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the comic medium. Mike Carey’s interest in the world of literature and how it shapes the world comes to life in the pages of the Unwritten, and I’m impressed with how something that draws upon so many different works continues to be completely unique.

David: The Unwritten

Mike Carey and Peter Gross’ literary adventure story The Unwritten quickly went from something I didn’t even buy the first month to being pretty much guaranteed to be the first thing I read. It is remarkably inventive, filled with three dimensional characters, and one of the most well told stories around. Not only that, but it has to be near the top of the “most clever ideas” list for comics. It’s just awesomeness wall-to-wall.

Best Publication for Kids

  • Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, by Jarrett J. Krosoczeka (Knopf)
  • The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook, by Eleanor Davis (Bloomsbury)
  • Tiny Tyrant vol. 1: The Ethelbertosaurus, by Lewis Trondheim and Fabrice Parme (First Second)
  • The TOON Treasury of Classic Children’s Comics, edited by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly (Abrams ComicArts/Toon)
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz hc, by L. Frank Baum, Eric Shanower, and Skottie Young (Marvel)

Walt: Abstain!

David: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

This adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s book by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young is pretty much what you expect: it’s a devoted retelling of the book covering everything the movie did and didn’t go over. However, it is special because of Skottie Young’s almost absurdly awesome visuals. The dude puts on a flat out clinic in this book, nailing the feel of the book with his pitch perfect style.

Best Publication for Teens

  • Angora Napkin, by Troy Little (IDW)
  • Beasts of Burden, by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson (Dark Horse)
  • A Family Secret, by Eric Heuvel (Farrar Straus Giroux/Anne Frank House)
  • Continued below

  • Far Arden, by Kevin Cannon (Top Shelf)
  • I Kill Giants tpb, by Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura (Image)

Walt: I Kill Giants

This book will make grown men cry. One of the reasons I feel that this is a great choice for this category is that it can show young, impressionable teenagers that the comic industry is not just restricted to superheroes, and by doing this we can shape the industry into a more diverse medium. This story is especially good for teenage readers, as it deals with the dark, uncertain future of growing up. In my opinion, Joe Kelly’s opus is a shoe-in for this category.

David: Beasts of Burden

With apologies to Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura, Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson’s Beasts of Burden was one of my favorite titles from this past year. The story of dog (and cat!) supernatural detectives was fresh and really well done, developing a small band of characters into one I genuinely cared for. Plus, it was hilarious and actually scary, which is something that is pretty special in its own right. Thompson’s painted visuals match the mood and accentuate Dorkin’s storytelling, and really give the book a lot of its personality.

Best Humor Publication

  • Drinky Crow’s Maakies Treasury, by Tony Millionaire (Fantagraphics)
  • Everybody Is Stupid Except for Me, And Other Astute Observations, by Peter Bagge (Fantagraphics)
  • Little Lulu, vols. 19-21, by John Stanley and Irving Tripp (Dark Horse Books)
  • The Muppet Show Comic Book: Meet the Muppets, by Roger Langridge (BOOM Kids!)
  • Scott Pilgrim vol. 5: Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe, by Brian Lee O’Malley (Oni)

Walt: Scott Pilgrim vol. 5: Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe

We’ve all heard the hype about Scott Pilgrim. Even though it seemed a bit separated from my normal tastes, the excitement surrounding it eventually prompted me to check it out. I wouldn’t quite call it as amazing as other people have, but goddamn if it isn’t funny. The series has only improved volume by volume, so I don’t see Bryan Lee O’Malley having much difficulty in this category.

David: Scott Pilgrim vol. 5: Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe

While this is actually the least funny installment of the Scott Pilgrim series, it is still unbelievably awesome. All of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s series have beeen superb, and this one is no different. I can’t imagine it won’t win this category.

Best Anthology

  • Abstract Comics, edited by Andrei Molotiu (Fantagraphics)
  • Bob Dylan Revisited, edited by Bob Weill (Norton)
  • Flight 6, edited by Kazu Kibuishi (Villard)
  • Popgun vol. 3, edited by Mark Andrew Smith, D. J. Kirkbride, and Joe Keatinge (Image)
  • Syncopated: An Anthology of Nonfiction Picto-Essays, edited by Brendan Burford (Villard)
  • What Is Torch Tiger? edited by Paul Briggs (Torch Tiger)

Walt and David: Abstain!

Best Digital Comic

Walt: Abstain!

David: The Abominable Charles Christopher

This is the toughest category for me to choose from because I genuinely love a number of the competitors. However, when it gets down to making a choice its between Jeremy Love’s Bayou and Karl Kerschl’s The Abominable Charles Christopher, and the win has to go to Kerschl. His Charles Christopher is alternately hilarious, touching, and beautiful, and it is without a doubt one of my favorite examples of this medium period. When I spoke to David Petersen (Mouse Guard) about it, he suggested Calvin & Hobbes as perhaps closest analogue to it. Can’t say I disagree.

Best Reality-Based Work

  • A Drifting Life, by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Footnotes in Gaza, by Joe Sacco (Metropolitan/Holt)
  • The Imposter’s Daughter, by Laurie Sandell (Little, Brown)
  • Monsters, by Ken Dahl (Secret Acres)
  • The Photographer, by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre, and Frédéric Lemerier (First Second)
  • Stitches, by David Small (Norton)

Walt and David: Abstain!

Best Adaptation from Another Work

  • The Book of Genesis Illustrated, by R. Crumb (Norton)
  • Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation, adapted by Michael Keller and Nicolle Rager Fuller (Rodale)
  • Continued below

  • Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, adapted by Tim Hamilton (Hill & Wang)
  • Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)
  • West Coast Blues, by Jean-Patrick Manchette, adapted by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics)

Walt and David: Abstain!

Best Graphic Album-New

  • Asterios Polyp, by David Mazzuccheilli (Pantheon)
  • A Distant Neighborhood (2 vols.), by Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
  • The Book of Genesis Illustrated, by R. Crumb (Norton)
  • My mommy is in America and she met Buffalo Bill, by Jean Regnaud and émile Bravo (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
  • The Photographer, by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre, and Frédéric Lemerier (First Second)
  • Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter, adapted by Darwyn Cooke (IDW)

Walt: Asterios Polyp

God this is a beautiful book. I’m more used to Mazzuchelli’s gritty crime noir style, as seen in Batman: Year One as well as Frank Miller and Dennis O’Neil’s Daredevil runs. Just by looking at the cover, however, I knew I was in store for something completely different. I wouldn’t call this the most well-written graphic novel I’ve ever read, but its plenty intelligent and the fusion of writing and art is simply exquisite. This is one of those examples of a comic that just wouldn’t work were it written by one person and drawn by another; indeed, Mazzuchelli’s writing and art blend perfectly. Normally I judge a story by writing alone (yes, I’m one of those people), but this fusion of the arts is to great to pass.

David: Asterios Polyp

I’ve written about this title almost too many times to count. David Mazzucchelli’s graphic offering from 2009 is simply one of the best comics ever. Anything that can be said about it has been said, and I’m frankly tired of saying how awesome it is. Enough already Mazz! We get it! You’re good!

Best Graphic Album-Reprint

  • Absolute Justice, by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Doug Braithewaite (DC)
  • A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, by Josh Neufeld (Pantheon)
  • Alec: The Years Have Pants, by Eddie Campbell (Top Shelf)
  • Essex County Collected, by Jeff Lemire (Top Shelf)
  • Map of My Heart: The Best of King-Cat Comics & Stories, 1996-2002, by John Porcellino (Drawn & Quarterly)

Walt: Abstain!

David: Essex County Collected

Jeff Lemire’s Essex County is one of the most beautiful stories told in recent memory. This collects all of his Essex County work into one awesome package, telling the interweaving tales of three different people…connected by family, sadness, and loss. It is achingly superb work, and this collected edition is it at its finest.

Best Archival Collection/Project-Strips

  • Bloom County: The Complete Library, vol. 1, by Berkeley Breathed, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
  • Bringing Up Father, vol. 1: From Sea to Shining Sea, by George McManus and Zeke Zekley, edited by Dean Mullaney (IDW)
  • The Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley’s Cartoons 1913-1940, edited by Trina Robbins (Fantagraphics)
  • Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy Cartoons, by Gahan Wilson, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
  • Prince Valiant, vol. 1: 1937-1938, by Hal Foster, edited by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics)
  • Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, Walt McDougall, and W. W. Denslow (Sunday Press)

Walt: Bloom County: The Complete Library, vol. 1

When I grew up, my father had the entire Bloom County strips in paperback. As such, I will always have a fondness for this strip and for the silly going-ons of 80’s politics. There’s not much more I can say for this, other than to check out what you missed!

David: Bloom County: The Complete Library, vol. 1

Bloom County was one of my favorite comics growing up and into my young adulthood. I have every book in my collection already, and it’s awesome to see IDW packaging everything together slowly but surely. Now is a great time to start reading this comic if you never did, especially with IDW’s dedication to provide literally every Bloom County comic ever produced (even the previously unprinted stuff).

Best Archival Collection/Project-Comic Books

  • The Best of Simon & Kirby, by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, edited by Steve Saffel (Titan Books)
  • Blazing Combat, by Archie Goodwin et al., edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
  • Humbug, by Harvey Kurtzman et al., edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
  • Continued below

  • The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures deluxe edition, by Dave Stevens, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
  • The TOON Treasury of Classic Children’s Comics, edited by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly (Abrams ComicArts/Toon)

Walt & David: Abstain!

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

  • My mommy is in America and she met Buffalo Bill, by Jean Regnaud and Émile Bravo (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
  • The Photographer, by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre, and Frédéric Lemerier (First Second)
  • Tiny Tyrant vol. 1: The Ethelbertosaurus, by Lewis Trondheim and Fabrice Parme (First Second)
  • West Coast Blues, by Jean-Patrick Manchette, adapted by Jacques Tardi (Fantagraphics)
  • Years of the Elephant, by Willy Linthout (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)

Walt & David: Abstain!

Best U.S. Edition of International Material-Asia

  • The Color Trilogy, by Kim Dong Haw (First Second)
  • A Distant Neighborhood (2 vols.), by Jiro Taniguchi (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
  • A Drifting Life, by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Oishinbo a la Carte, written by Tetsu Kariya and illustrated by Akira Hanasaki (VIZ Media)
  • Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka, by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki (VIZ Media)
  • Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, by Naoki Urasawa (VIZ Media)

Walt & David: Abstain!

Best Writer

  • Ed Brubaker, Captain America, Daredevil, Marvels Project (Marvel) Criminal, Incognito (Marvel Icon)
  • Geoff Johns, Adventure Comics, Blackest Night, The Flash: Rebirth, Superman: Secret Origin (DC)
  • James Robinson, Justice League: Cry for Justice (DC)
  • Mark Waid, Irredeemable, The Incredibles (BOOM!)
  • Bill Willingham, Fables (Vertigo/DC)

Walt: Ed Brubaker

Ed Brubaker was the first writer who I was able to recognize by name when I first got into comics, and as such I will always have a soft spot for his work. The past year in particular was a great one for Brubaker, with the release of Criminal (mentioned above), the end of his excellent Daredevil run and even more stellar adventures of the new Captain America, as well as others. Despite being slightly spread out, his writing hasn’t suffered in the slightest (which is something I can’t necessarily say for Geoff Johns). I can’t wait to see what he has to offer us this year.

David: Mark Waid

If I had the ability to write someone in here, it’d be Jason Aaron all the way. To be honest, I don’t know if I’d put any of these guys in my top 5 writers from 2009, but without other options I’ll choose Mark Waid. His Irredeemable is one of the most fun and badass comics around, and his work in subverting the superhero genre and making his Superman type become a murderous villain is scary and intense. Extremely good work from Mr. Waid in 2009.

Best Writer/Artist

  • Darwyn Cooke, Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter (IDW)
  • R. Crumb, The Book of Genesis Illustrated (Norton)
  • David Mazzuccheilli, Asterios Polyp (Pantheon)
  • Terry Moore, Echo (Abstract Books)
  • Naoki Urasawa, Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka (VIZ Media)

Walt: David Mazzucchelli

Normally this category would be Darwyn Cooke’s, but man if David Mazzuchelli didn’t blow me away (as mentioned above). I’m not sure what I can say here that I didn’t say before, so just reread above for why I’m sure Mazzuchelli will win this category.

David: David Mazzucchelli

AGAIN?! Come on Mazzhucchelli, we’re getting tired of you. Stop being so awesome.

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

  • Michael Kaluta, Madame Xanadu #11-15: “Exodus Noir” (Vertigo/DC)
  • Steve McNiven/Dexter Vines, Wolverine: Old Man Logan (Marvel)
  • Fiona Staples, North 40 (WildStorm)
  • J. H. Williams III, Detective Comics (DC)
  • Danijel Zezelj, Luna Park (Vertigo/DC)

Walt: J.H. Williams III

Let’s be honest, J.H. Williams’ work on Detective Comics is nothing short of astounding. Don’t get me wrong, Michael Kaluta’s interiors for Madame Xanadu were incredible, but when J.H. Williams is on pencilling and inking duties you know you’re in for something special. Williams is well known for his incredibly creative panel layouts, but the one thing I enjoyed even more than that on this book was his completely different style that was used for flashbacks. Tack that on to his incredibly detailed pencilling, and you have a clear winner in this category.

David: J.H. Williams III

Just based off his scene design work, Williams III wins this category. The visuals he provided on Detective Comics were nothing short of monumental, giving us some of the greatest art in the history of comics, not just of the year.

Continued below

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

  • É Bravo, My mommy is in America and she met Buffalo Bill (Fanfare/Ponent Mon)
  • Mauro Cascioli, Justice League: Cry for Justice (DC)
  • Nicolle Rager Fuller, Charles Darwin on the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation (Rodale Books)
  • Jill Thompson, Beasts of Burden (Dark Horse); Magic Trixie and the Dragon (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
  • Carol Tyler, You’ll Never Know: A Good and Decent Man (Fantagraphics)

Walt: Nicole Rager Fuller

You may not have even heard of Fuller’s adaptation of Darwin’s most famous writing, but if you’re a lover of art I highly recommend it. I know I’ve been throwing the term around, but this book is simply beautiful whether or not you agree with Chuck’s theories on evolution. I’m really interested to see if Fuller releases anything similar in the future, as her website promises to “visually describe complex ideas and topics.”

David: Jill Thompson

For the reasons I said before at Beasts of Burden, Thompson wins. There is a true sense of warmth to her work, making the characters and scenes in that title quite literally come to life. Her work was beautiful and it really helped Dorkin’s script take the story to the next level. Plus, she gets kudos for successfully making Beasts imagery scary and her animals seem actually real.

Best Cover Artist

  • John Cassaday, Irredeemable (BOOM!); Lone Ranger (Dynamite)
  • Salvador Larocca, Invincible Iron Man (Marvel)
  • Sean Phillips, Criminal, Incognito (Marvel Icon); 28 Days Later (BOOM!)
  • Alex Ross, Astro City: The Dark Age (WildStorm/DC); Project Superpowers (Dynamite)
  • J. H. Williams III, Detective Comics (DC)

Walt: Salvador Larocca

Ok, maybe the other nominees for this category have contributed more great covers total when compared to Larocca, but man if those covers to Stark: Disassembled aren’t some of the coolest I’ve ever seen. I should probably be giving this to Phillips or Williams III (sorry, Cassaday), but I want those five covers of Larocca’s on my wall so bad that I don’t care.

David: Jock…I mean John Cassaday (but seriously…Jock)

To me, Jock not getting nominated for this category is ridiculous. His covers for Scalped are flat out the best in the business. I’m not sure how no Eisner voter is reading Scalped, but come on, let’s get some love for that book pronto. You’re really missing out here guys.

Best Coloring

  • Steve Hamaker, Bone: Crown of Thorns (Scholastic); Little Mouse Gets Ready (Toon)
  • Laura Martin, The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures (IDW); Thor, The Stand: American Nightmares (Marvel)
  • David Mazzuccheilli, Asterios Polyp (Pantheon)
  • Alex Sinclair, Blackest Night, Batman and Robin (DC)
  • Dave Stewart, Abe Sapien, BPRD, The Goon, Hellboy, Solomon Kane, Umbrella Academy, Zero Killer (Dark Horse); Detective Comics (DC); Northlanders, Luna Park (Vertigo)

Walt: Dave Stewart

Now, I’m normally a fan of Alex Sinclair’s coloring, but I’m simply amazed with the volume of work Dave Stewart has put forth this past year. Coloring can be just as difficult as pencilling, but I can’t think of a single penciller that can work on as many titles as Stewart without a noticeable decline in quality.

David: David Mazzucchelli

Good lord. You again. I will actually say something here, as Mazzuccehlli’s use of coloring was exceptional even for this book. The way he used colors to indicate mood and time was spellbinding, and it really showed how much he pushed the boundaries of the medium with this title. Bravura work…now please can I stop writing about you Mazz?

Best Lettering

  • Brian Fies, Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow? (Abrams ComicArts)
  • David Mazzuccheilli, Asterios Polyp (Pantheon)
  • Tom Orzechowski, Savage Dragon (Image); X-Men Forever (Marvel)
  • Richard Sala, Cat Burglar Black (First Second); Delphine (Fantagraphics)
  • Adrian Tomine, A Drifting Life (Drawn & Quarterly)

Walt and David: Abstain (but really, we’d probably go with David Mazzucchelli here).

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

Walt and David: Multiversity Comics! (But David loves ComicsAlliance, if it weren’t such a pale imitation of MC…I kid!)


//TAGS | Saturday Showdown

David Harper

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Walt Richardson

Walt is a former editor for Multiversity Comics and current podcaster/ne'er-do-well. Follow him on Twitter @goodbyetoashoe... if you dare!

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