The comic book world’s version of Emmys has announced its nominations. Unlike television, which tends to award fairly mainstream properties, the Harveys aren’t really an industry tool to promote books or encourage commercial development. Like most comic nerds, they award the offbeat and esoteric, eschewing Marvel Comics (who dominate the sales chart year after year). I don’t say this to cast judgment, it’s a fact. You may like that about the Harveys, or you may think that it makes them less relevant.
As you, my readers, know, I major in Marvel and dabble in Everyone Else. Nevertheless, I think the Harveys got it right in a lot of the categories. Here’s why:
BEST WRITER
- Jason Aaron, “SCALPED”, Vertigo/DC Comics
- Geoff Johns, “BLACKEST NIGHT”, DC Comics
- Robert Kirkman, “THE WALKING DEAD”, Image Comics
- Jeff Kinney, “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
- Mark Waid, “IRREDEEMABLE”, BOOM! Studios
The obvious problem here is the nomination of Geoff Johns. Yeah, BN was a reasonably good “event,” as events go, but best writer in the entire business, based on Blackest Night? Come on. If you’re going to do that, then you’ve also got to nominate Brian Michael Bendis. I’d say neither of these folks should be nominated—when it comes to “events,” they’re more architects than writers. For their token “mainstream writer” nom, I’d have gone with either Andy Diggle for picking up Daredevil at a place where it seemed like there was nowhere further down for the character to sink, or Grant Morrison for making the new Batman and Robin even better than the Bruce and Dick team. Or, I’d nominate Jason Aaron for his work on Wolverine: Weapon X (best Wolvie stories ever—EVER!), and throw a different Vertigo title in, like DMZ or Demo. As for who should win, I’d love to see Mark Waid get it. Irredeemable works on so many levels. It’s the best
superhero book out there today.
BEST ARTIST
- Robert Crumb, “BOOK OF GENESIS”, W.W. Norton
- Guy Davis, “BPRD: BLACK GODDESS”, Dark Horse Comics
- Brian Fies, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?”, Abrams ComicArts
- David Petersen, “MOUSE GUARD : WINTER 1152”, Archaia Studios Press
- Frank Quitely, “BATMAN AND ROBIN”, DC Comics
- JH Williams III, “DETECTIVE COMICS”, DC Comics
Okay, a lot of geeks like BPRD, and Crumb’s there because he’s Crumb. The only head-scratcher for me here is JH Williams III on Detective. I don’t see where he moved the ball there. And if Bochalo’s work on this year’s Amazing Spider-Man “Shed” story doesn’t get nominated next year, then Williams clearly shouldn’t have been nominated this year. So, no real complains from me here, other than I think Amanda Conner should be recognized for Power Girl. If I had to vote, I’d go with Frank Quitely. Love his stuff.
BEST INKER
- Oclair Albert, “BLACKEST NIGHT”, DC Comics
- Steve Ellis, “HIGH MOON”, Zuda/DC Comics
- Klaus Janson, “AMAZING SPIDER-MAN”, Marvel Comics
- Jeff Kinney, “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
- Mark Morales, “THOR”, Marvel Comics
Other than Steve Ellis, whose work I don’t really know, these are all obvious and great choices. If I had to express a preference, Klaus is always going to be getting my vote.
BEST NEW SERIES
- “BATMAN AND ROBIN”, DC Comics
- “CHEW”, Image Comics
- “IRREDEEMABLE”, BOOM! Studios
- “SWEET TOOTH”, Vertigo/DC Comics
- “UNWRITTEN”, Vertigo/DC Comics
All good. All good. Is anything really missing here? I don’t think so. Irredeemable gets my vote.
BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES
- “BEASTS OF BURDEN”, Dark Horse Comics
- “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID”, Amulet Books
- “GANGES”, Fantagraphics Books
- “INVINCIBLE”, Image Comics
- “SCALPED”, Vertigo/DC Comics
- “THE WALKING DEAD”, Image Comics
Again, all good. I would have liked to have seen a Marvel title here, though. I think Secret Warriors, JMS’s Thor run, and Invincible Iron Man are all at least as good as Invincible, Beasts of Burden, or Ganges.
BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC PUBLICATION FOR YOUNGER READERS
- “AMULET: STOREKEEPER’S CURSE”, Graphix
- “DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW”, Amulet Books
- “GROWN-UPS ARE DUMB”, Hyperion Books
- “THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK”, BOOM! Studios
- “NEW BRIGHTON ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY”, Image Comics
- “3-2-3 DETECTIVE AGENCY”, Amulet Books
This is the last one I’ll write about, if only to throw in a pitch for the Power Pack/Thor book. Dunno if it was eligible for this category in terms of release dates, but it’s hands down one of the best kids books I’ve read. Ever.
The awards will be presented in Baltimore at the comic-con on August 28th. I’ll be there. Will you?
