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 New Series
There are some things that grow on us over time, and then there are others that clobber us right out of the starting gate with their sublime characters, emotional depths, deep-seated themes, and opulent worlds. The Best New Series category has been part of the Eisner Awards since the beginning, heralding some of the best series of all time like Concrete, Astro City, All-Star Superman, Chew, and Lumberjanes – at times, solidifying the status of veterans and other times catapulting new talents to the forefront of the comic book industry.
Here are the 2020 Eisner Award nominees for the Best New Series:
Doctor Doom by Christopher Cantwell and Salvador Larocca (Marvel)
Some seminal characters have been around for so long that it can be difficult to envision finding a fresh approach, but Cantwell and Larocca’s take on the nefarious Doctor Doom made this series one of the hottest of the year.
Cantwell comes from a background of film and television with his hit AMC series, Halt and Catch Fire, and he recently broke into the comics world projecting a strong and original voice with She Could Fly and Everything. His voice is perfectly matched with Larocca’s breathtakingly epic artwork that also recently brought to life another infamous villain for Marvel Comics, Darth Vader.
To purchase, click here.
Invisible Kingdom by G. Willow Wilson and Christian Ward (Berger Books/Dark Horse Comics)
Blind faith, indoctrination, and corruption are themes that are tackled thoughtfully and with full-throttle excitement in this sci-fi adventure series, pitting the crew of a transport craft and a fresh acolyte to the largest religious convent in the universe against … basically everything else!
Wilson has become one of the strongest voices in the industry with her work on Ms. Marvel. She imbues complexity into her characters that make them easily relatable, and Ward’s artwork is vibrant and otherworldly, bringing his talents from previous sci-fi outings like Ody-C to this strange, new universe.
To purchase, click here.
Once & Future by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora (BOOM! Studios)
Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora have taken one of the greatest and influential stories of all time, Le Morte d’Arthur, and transplanted it into modern-day UK. Tapping into those ancient myths has given the two creators plenty to work with and with Gillen’s background working in myths and legends from Vader for Marvel Comics and his own god-centric series, The Wicked + the Divine, this absolutely is in his wheelhouse. It only helps that Mora brings his exceptional talents to the page and helped the first issue reach a staggering sixth printing.
To purchase, click here.
Something Is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera (BOOM! Studios)
There’s horror and then there’s smart horror. Tynion IV has carved out a path at BOOM Studios! with a string of exceptional horror-themed books that all touch on social issues while portraying complex, LGBTQ+ characters in lead roles. With Something Is Killing the Children, his talents have been honed to a razor-sharp edge. Not to mention that Dell’Edera’s artwork intensifies the horror and humanity of the characters to a staggering degree, drawing us into the haunting world; it’s like nothing else currently on the shelves.
To purchase, click here.
Undiscovered Country by Scott Snyder, Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli, and Daniele Orlandini (Image)
Talk about hitting all of the hot-button issues of our time in a thrilling, sci-fi post-apocalyptic setting that has already been picked up by Hollywood. Super star comic creator Snyder, who came to prominence with his incredibly modern, classic New York Times bestselling run on Batman, and Soule, who is a comic book vet having worked on everything from Wolverine to Daredevil and multiple Star Wars series, have walled off the United States from the rest of the world in their new series. Thirty years later, no one knows what’s happened behind those walls until a pandemic strikes and a group of scientists have to explore the new desolation that is the United States of America looking for a cure! The artwork is ridiculously beautiful, and the story perfectly exciting.
To purchase, click here.
Best Humor Publication
Charlie Chaplin said, “Anyone can make them cry, but it takes a genius to make them laugh.” Looking over the long list of winners since 1992, that statement rings true seeing titles like Groo the Wanderer, Bone, Scott Pilgrim, Darth Vader and Son, and Giant Days. Especially on the page, capturing the timing of a joke and the perfect expression to sell it takes precision and talent that doesn’t come naturally, but somehow the nominees this year make it look easy.
Here are the 2020 Eisner Award nominees for the Best Humor Publication:
Anatomy of Authors by Dave Kellett (SheldonComics.com)
Dave Kellett co-directed a documentary about the history of comic strips and where they’re going as we head into the digital age. It seems like he has a pretty good handle on it. He’s the webcomic creator behind Sheldon and Drive, and his Eisner-nominated book, Anatomy of Authors, breaks down facts about some of the world’s famous authors with love and irreverence.
To purchase, click here.
Death Wins a Goldfish by Brian rea (Chronicle Books)
Apparently, Death is a workhorse. He’s never taken a day off, until now. On over a year-long sabbatical, Death keeps a journal of his exploits. Rea’s artistic vision is simple and beautiful, capturing a children’s book-like joy as Death sets out to imbibe on life. Known for his column in The New York Times, “Modern Love,” this is Rea’s first book as writer and illustrator.
To read, click here.
Minötaar by Lissa Treiman (Shortbox)
Lissa Treiman is head of story at Disney, having worked on multiple films as an animator like Zootopia, Big Hero 6, Wreck-It Ralph, and Tangled. In the comic book world, she is known for illustrating the hit comic, Giant Days, from BOOM! Studios.
With Minötaar, her humorous, satirical take on two friends getting lost in an Ikea-like store has earned her 2 Eisner nominations this year, which should go along nicely for her Harvey and Eisner nominations and wins for Giant Days.
To purchase the comic, click here.
Sobek by James Stokoe (Shortbox)
Sobek is about a lazy, Ancient Egyptian giant crocodile god who is forced to action when the followers of Set beset his own followers. This humorous take on deities and those that follow them has been nominated for 3 Eisners this year.
Stokoe is a highly a sought-after writer and illustrator, working for Marvel, Dark Horse, and Image Comics.
To purchase, click here.
The Way of the Househusband, Vol 1 by Kousuke Oono, translation by Sheldon Drzka (VIZ Media)
Written and illustrated by Kousuke Oono, this is his first serialized manga, and it seems to have struck a chord with readers for its absurdist sensibilities. It follows the life of a great Yakuza known as The Immortal Dragon, as he leaves the life of a gangster behind to become a househusband and support his wife.
To purchase, click here.
Wondermark: Friends You Can Ride On by David Malki (Wondermark)
This is the fifth collection of comic strips from David Malki under his Wondermark label, what gocomics.com calls “sarcastic, silly, weird and wondrous, each comic is a window into an alternate world in which anything can happen, but probably shouldn’t.” Malki assembles imagery from old publications, catalogs, and other such places to create his comic strips, and they are a joy to read.
To purchase, click here.
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!
