Fanbase Press’ coverage of the 2020 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards continues with the “Countdown to the Eisners” series. From June 22 through July 14, 2020, Fanbase Press will highlight each of the Eisner Awards’ 31 nomination categories, providing comic book industry members and readers alike the opportunity to learn more about the nominees and their work. Stay tuned for Fanbase Press’ continued coverage of the Eisner Awards, including live coverage of the ceremony at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2020.
Best Anthology
The books nominated in this year’s Best Anthology category feature some of the best writers and artists working in comics today. The Eisner Awards honor the editors that assembled the creators and shepherded their work into a cohesive whole. This category first appeared in 1992, and some recent Best Anthology winners include Elements: Fire – A Comic Anthology by Creators of Color!, edited by Taneka Stotts for Beyond Press and Love is Love, edited by Marc Andreyko for IDW and DC Comics.
Here are the 2020 Eisner Award nominees for the Best Anthology category:
ABC of Typography
Written by David Rault and translated by Edward Gauvin, ABC of Typography is as one would expect to read about: the lengthy history of printed matter commencing with the Sumerian pictographs 3,500 years ago. Broken Frontier states, “If you thought typography was boring, David Rault and his roster of 11 comic artists will make you eat your words.” ABC of Typography is published by Self Made Hero.
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Baltic Comics Anthology #34 – 37
Edited by David Schilter and translated by Santia Muizniece, four volumes of this ongoing anthology series from publisher, Kus!, have been nominated. According to the publisher’s website, Issue 34 (February 2019) specifically focuses on “emigration during the Second World War,” and Issue 37 (December 2019) features “alternative comics from Australia” while Issues 35 (July 2019) and 36 (September 2019) collect comics from around the world.
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Drawing Power: Women’s Stories of Sexual Violence, Harassment, and Survival
Published by Abrams, famed writer/creator Diane Noomin edited this collection of personal stories inspired by the #MeToo Movement. Drawing Power: Women’s Stories of Sexual Violence, Harassment, and Survival includes over 60 original non-fiction stories from over 60 women from around the world. At the Abrams webpage, it states, “With a percentage of going to RAINN, Drawing Power is an anthology that stokes the fires of progressive social upheaval, in the fight for a better, safer world.”
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Kramers Ergot #10
This Fantagraphics title is latest volume from American cartoonist Sammy Harkham who originally created Kramers Ergot as a zine while in high school. With a head-turning cover by Lale Westvind, this edition includes the art of almost thirty influential contemporary artists including Harkham. According to a Publishers Weekly review, Kramers Ergot “has defined a generation of comics artists.”
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The Nib #2 – 4
Matt Bors is the editor/publisher of the online daily comic, The Nib, based in Portland, Oregon. Under the tutelage of Bors, The Nib published three issues last year. Each volume explores a specific topic: Issue 2 – Family; Issue 3 – Empire; and Issue 4 – Scams. The Nib was nominated for this same category in 2016.
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Best Reality-Based Work
Not all comic books are fictional. The Best Reality-Based Work category honors the year’s best graphic memoirs and historical non-fictions. The six nominees drew from real-life events to tell stories that engage, educate, and inspire. Reality-Based Work is a relatively new Eisner category, first awarded in 2006 to Kyle Baker for his historical non-fiction title, Nat Turner.
Here are the 2020 Eisner Award nominees for the Best Reality-Based Work category:
Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations
Inspired by her young son’s questions, Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations is structured in ongoing conversations between author Mira Jacob and her son Z. While trying to formulate answers for her son during the current problematic administration, Jacob remembers back to the conversations during her own young, formative years. Published by One World/Random House, Jacob and Z discuss race, sexuality, and love, as well as a number of other important topics.
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Grass
The Canadian publisher, Drawn and Quarterly, published Grass, written by Keum Suk Gentry-Kim and translated by Janet Hong. Grass is described by the publisher as “a powerful anti-war graphic novel, offering up first-hand the life story of a Korean girl named Lee Ok-sun who was forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese Imperial Army during the second World War – a disputed chapter in 20th century Asian history.”
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Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos
First Second/Macmillan published Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos written by Lucy Knisley who documents her pregnancy and transition to motherhood. In addition to sharing her personal journey, Knisley weaves in the history of reproductive health. The New York Times review states, “Knisley’s personal journey can be compelling and quite funny…But the book, with its jaunty colors and friendly black art, works best as an extended public service announcement. The pages breathe easily, cleverly composed and uncluttered.”
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Moonbound: Apollo 11 and The Dream of Spaceflight
Last year was the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, and writer/illustrator Jonathan Fetter-Vorm commemorated the occasion with Moonbound: Apollo 11 and The Dream of Spaceflight published by Hill and Wang. Through the sequential art medium, Fetter-Vorm retraces Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin trip to the moon in 1969, recapturing the awe and magic of the age of space exploration.
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My Solo Exchange Diary, Volume 2
My Solo Exchange Diary 2, written by Nagata Kabi, is the follow-up sequel to My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness. Translated by Jocelyne Allen, Kabi continues her story as she cultivates new friendships and gains insight and understanding regarding her family. Ana Valens from The Mary Sue relates that Kabi “sheds light on the complicated emotional and mental dynamics involved in lesbian relationships. Her story is an open, honest, and deeply personal look at her struggles to fight back against her eating disorder, stop self-harming, and learn more about her sexuality.” Seven Seas is the publisher of this manga.
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They Called Us Enemy
Named one of the Best Books of the Year from numerous book review outlets, beloved actor George Takei shares his experience of being imprisoned in American concentration camps during World War II. Through his reflections, Takei explores what it means to be an American, as well as seeking to mediate the impact of the experience on himself and his parents. Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott joined Takei in writing duties, while artist Harmony Becker created the visual narrative in this Top Shelf graphic novel.
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Stay tuned to the Fanbase Press website each day as we continue our “Countdown to the Eisners” coverage! Plus, follow Fanbase Press’ Facebook, Twitter (@Fanbase_Press), and Instagram (@fanbasepress) with the hashtag #FPSDCC to stay up to date on our SDCC and Eisner Awards updates, including a live-tweet of the 2020 Eisner Award Ceremony!
