Given the positive impact of the Eisner Awards, their importance to the comic book industry, and Fanbase Press’ own mission to “Celebrate Fandoms,” today marks the launch of Fanbase Press’ annual “Countdown to the Eisners” series. With “Countdown to the Eisners,” we seek to highlight the Eisner Award nominations for 2023 and provide comic book industry members and readers alike the opportunity to learn more about the nominees and their work.

In 2022, the comic book industry excitedly welcomed the in-person return of both the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards and San Diego Comic-Con International, While SDCC and the industry’s highest awards are once again upon us, extenuating circumstances may bring an even larger spotlight to this summer’s events.

When it comes to San Diego Comic-Con 2023, it remains to be seen how the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike and their fight for fair wages may impact Hollywood’s presence at the show.  According to the WGA strike website, members are ”prohibited from making… promotional appearances about your work” until the strike has concluded, including already completed projects.  Additionally, contracts for The Directors Guild of America (DGA) and SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild) are set to expire on June 30th. If negotiations for both organizations do not end amicably, then a simultaneous strike by all three groups would have a considerable impact on SDCC.

In a similar manner, while it is thrilling to anticipate another Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards and their celebration of comics, comic creators, the industry, and the community, a cloud has descended over this year’s nominees in light of the controversy with four-time Eisner nominee Thomas Woodruff’s Francis Rothbart!: The Tale of a Fastidious Feral from publisher Fantagraphics. Former students of Woodruff (once a department head at SVA) have voiced allegations of abuse, sexism, and racism. While industry awards outside of the comics medium are no stranger to controversy, it remains to be seen how this year’s events will impact, evolve, and guide the judging process in the years to come.  (This was eloquently discussed in an editorial piece by guest contributor Hannibal Tabu during Fanbase Press’ 2020 Eisner coverage.)  Hopefully, this situation will provide the opportunity for the Eisners and nomination process to become stronger and more transparent in the future.


THE 2023 WILL EISNER COMIC INDUSTRY AWARDS

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, often referred to simply as “the Eisners,” are generally accepted as the most prestigious recognition one can receive in the comic book field. Named in honor of comic book pioneer Will Eisner, the creator of The Spirit and the man who helped to popularize the term “graphic novel,” the Eisner Awards span over two dozen categories, including everything from Best Artist and Best Writer to Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism. This year, the awards will once again be presented at San Diego Comic-Con during a ceremony that is open to not only comic book professionals, but all convention attendees with a badge.

As noted on the official nominee posting, Image and DC Comics were the publishers that received the most nominations this year. Image received over 25 nominations and DC received  over 15 nominations. Multiple titles from both publishers received multiple nominations, including Human Target, Nightwing, Clementine, The Department of Truth, Rain, It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth, Killadelphia, Monstress, and Love Everlasting.

Comic-Con.org also broke down the individuals who received the most nominees this year, with Zoe Thorogood nabbing the top position (We would also encourage readers to check out Fanbase Press’ “Behind the Panels” interview with Thorogood conducted by contributor Kevin Sharp.):

“When it comes to creators, Zoe Thorogood leads the pack with 5 nominations: the 3 for Rain plus 2 for her memoir It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth (Image), followed by Thomas Woodruff with his 4 for Francis Rothbart! and Tom King with 4 (Best Writer, Best Single Issue: Batman: One Bad Day: The Riddler; DC; Best New Series: Love Everlasting, Image; and Best Limited Series: The Human Target, DC). Six creators have 3 nominations. They are Sean Phillips (Best Penciller/Inker, and 2 for Parker: The Martini Edition, IDW), Bruno Redondo (Best Penciller/Inker, Best Cover Artist, and Best Continuing Series for Nightwing, DC), Mark Russell (Best Writer, Best Limited Series for Superman: Space Age, DC; and Best New Series for Traveling to Mars, Ablaze), Sana Takeda (Best Painter/Multimedia Artist, Best Cover Artist, Best Graphic Album–New for Night Eaters, Abrams), James Tynion IV (Best Writer, Best Continuing Series for The Department of Truth, Image; and Best Limited Series for The Nice House on the Lake, DC), and Chip Zdarsky (Best Writer, Best Continuing Series for Daredevil, Marvel; Best New Series for Public Domain, Image). Another thirteen creators had 2 nominations.”

2023 EISNER AWARD NOMINEE – RIPPLE EFFECTS

This year is also a special one for Fanbase Press: We’re incredibly proud, honored, and humbled to receive a third Eisner Award nomination, as the Graphic Medicine series, Ripple Effects, was nominated in the Best Digital Comic category!

Congratulations to the entire creative team of Ripple Effects, including creator/writer/colorist Jordan Hart, artist Bruno Chiroleu, cover artist Justin C. Harder, letterer Oceano Ransford, and flatter Shane Kadlecik. Ripple Effects has connected powerfully with readers, and it’s a joy to provide a home for such an important and unique Graphic Medicine superhero story.

Ripple Effects explores life as a superhero with an invisible and incurable disease. This positive, person-first representation about life with a chronic disease is also a thrilling and relevant superhero tale that touches on the difficulty of finding a work/life balance, the class struggles and economic inequality experienced by many in our nation, and the desire to help others during trying times. 


As with all of Fanbase Press’ titles, Ripple Effects is available in our online store. Ripple Effects is also available digitally via ComicsPlus and Hoopla Digital!

2023 COUNTDOWN TO THE EISNERS


As part of our “Countdown to the Eisners” coverage this year, Fanbase Press will be releasing three exclusive videos leading up to the announcement of the winners. These videos will feature various members of the comic book industry sharing their thoughts on the following subjects:



1) How the Eisner Award nominations impact or direct their own work each year;

2) Which nominee is the most interesting to this year and why; and

3) Why the average comic book reader should take note of each year’s Eisner Awards.


We hope that Fanbase Press readers will join us in celebrating the sequential art medium and the dedicated individuals who make it as phenomenal as it is. Be sure to look for the hashtag #FPSDCC to find our Eisner-related content on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


A full list of the 2023 Eisner Award nominees is listed below.

2023 EISNER AWARD NOMINEES

Best Short Story

“The Beekeeper’s Due,” by Jimmy Stamp and Débora Santos, in Scott Snyder Presents: Tales from the Cloakroom (Cloakroom Comics)
“Finding Batman” by Kevin Conroy and J. Bone in DC Pride 2022 (DC)
“Good Morning,” by Christopher Cantwell and Alex Lins, in Moon Knight: Black, White & Blood #4 (Marvel)
“Silent All These Years,” by Margaret Atwood and David Mack, in Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes (Z2)
“You Get It,” by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, in Amazing Fantasy #1000 (Marvel)

Best Single Issue/One-Shot

Batman: One Bad Day: The Riddler, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads (DC)
Mary Jane & Black Cat Beyond, by Jed Mackay and C. F. Villa (Marvel)
Moon Knight: Black, White, and Blood #3, edited by Tom Brevoort (Marvel)
Star Trek #400, edited by Heather Antos (IDW)
A Vicious Circle Book 1, by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo (BOOM! Studios)

Best Continuing Series

Daredevil, by Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto and Rafael de Latorre (Marvel)
The Department of Truth, by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds (Image)
Killadelphia, by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander (Image)
The Nice House on the Lake, by James Tynion IV and Alvaro Martinez Bueno (DC)
Nightwing, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)
She-Hulk, by Rainbow Rowell, Rogê Antônio, Luca Maresca, and Takeshi Miyazawa (Marvel)


Best Limited Series

Animal Castle, by Xavier Dorison and Felix Delep (Ablaze)
Batman: One Bad Day, edited by Dave Wielgosz and Jessica Berbey (DC)
The Human Target, by Tom King and Greg Smallwood (DC)
Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age, by Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham (Marvel)
Superman: Space Age, by Mark Russell, Michael Allred, and Laura Allred (DC)


Best New Series

The Atonement Bell, by Jim Ousley and Tyler B. Ruff (Red 5)
Love Everlasting, by Tom King and Elsa Charretier (Image)
Public Domain, by Chip Zdarsky (Image)
Star Trek, by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Ramon Rosanas (IDW)
Traveling to Mars, by Mark Russell and Roberto Meli (Ablaze)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

Beneath The Trees: A Fine Summer, by Dav (Magnetic Press)
Fox + Chick: Up and Down: and Other Stories, by Sergio Ruzzier (Chronicle Books)
Grumpy Monkey Who Threw That? by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang (Random House Studio)
Hey, Bruce!: An Interactive Book, by Ryan Higgins (Disney/Hyperion)
The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! by Mo Willems (Union Square Kids)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12)

Adventuregame Comics: Leviathan, by Jason Shiga (Amulet/Abrams)
Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (First Second/Macmillan)
Isla To Island, by Alexis Castellanos (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)
Little Monarchs, by Jonathan Case (Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House)
Swim Team, by Johnnie Christmas (HarperAlley)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

Chef’s Kiss, by Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine (Oni)
Clementine Book One, by Tillie Walden (Image Skybound)
Do A Powerbomb! by Daniel Warren Johnson (Image)
Heartstopper Volume 4, by Alice Oseman (Scholastic Graphix)
Wash Day Diaries, by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith (Chronicle Books)

Best Humor Publication

Cryptid Club, by Sarah Andersen (Andrews McMeel)
I Hate This Place, by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin (Image Skybound)
Killer Queens, by David Booher and Claudia Balboni (Dark Horse)
Mr. Lovenstein Presents: Failure, by J. L. Westover (Image Skybound)
Revenge of the Librarians, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Anthology

Creepshow, edited by Alex Antone and Jon Moisan (Image Skybound)
The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic, edited by Josh Bernstein (Z2)
The Nib Magazine, edited by Matt Bors (Nib)
Sensory: Life on the Spectrum, edited by Bex Ollerton (Andrews McMeel)
Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, edited by Rantz Hoseley (Z2)

Best Reality-Based Work

Alfred Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense, by Noël Simsolo and Dominique Hé, translation by Montana Kane (NBM)
Alice Guy: First Lady of Film, by José-Louis Bocquet and Catel Muller, translation by Edward Gauvin (SelfMadeHero)
But I Live: Three Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust, edited by Charlotte Schallié (University of Toronto Press)
Flung Out of Space, by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Abrams ComicArts)
Invisible Wounds: Graphic Journalism, by Jess Ruliffson (Fantagraphics)
Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball, by Jon Chad (First Second/Macmillan)

Best Graphic Memoir

Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story, by Catherine Pioli, translated by J. T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, by Kate Beaton (Drawn & Quarterly)
It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth: An Auto-Bio-Graphic-Novel, by Zoe Thorogood (Image)
So Much for Love: How I Survived a Toxic Relationship, by Sophie Lambda, translation by Montana Kane (First Second/Macmillan)
Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure, by Lewis Hancox (Scholastic Graphix)

Best Graphic Album—New

The Book of Niall, by Barry Jones (Ellie & Beatty)
Crushing, by Sophie Burrows (Algonquin Young Readers)
Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral, by Thomas Woodruff (Fantagraphics)
The Night Eaters, Book 1: She Eats the Night, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Abrams ComicArts)
Ultrasound, by Conor Stechschulte (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

Days of Sand, by Aimée de Jongh, translation by Christopher Bradley (SelfMadeHero)
Geneviève Castrée: Complete Works, by Geneviève Castrée, translation by Phil Elverum and Aleshia Jensen (Drawn & Quarterly)
Mazebook Dark Horse Direct Edition, by Jeff Lemire (Dark Horse)
One Beautiful Spring Day, by Jim Woodring (Fantagraphics)
Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, by Richard Stark, Darwyn Cooke, Ed Brubaker, and Sean Phillips (IDW)
Super Spy Deluxe Edition, by Matt Kindt (Dark Horse)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

Chivalry by Neil Gaiman, adapted by Colleen Doran (Dark Horse)
Rain by Joe Hill, adapted by David M. Booher and Zoe Thorogood (Syzygy/Image)
Ten Days in a Madhouse, by Nellie Bly, adapted by Brad Ricca and Courtney Sieh (Gallery 13/Simon $ Schuster)
Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, edited by Rantz Hoseley (Z2)
A Visit to Moscow by Rabbi Rafael Grossman, adapted by Anna Olswanger and Yevgenia Nayberg (Turner)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Always Never, by Jordi Lafebre, translation by Montana Kane (Dark Horse)
Blacksad: They All Fall Down Part 1, by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, translation by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander (Dark Horse)
Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story, by Catherine Pioli, translation by J. T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)
The Pass, by Espé, translation by J.T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)
Tiki: A Very Ruff Year, by David Azencot and Fred Leclerc, translation by Nanette McGuinness (Life Drawn/Humanoids)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

Black Paradox, by Junji Ito, translation by Jocelyne Allen (VIZ Media)
The Hellbound vols. 1-2, by Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok, translation by Danny Lim (Dark Horse)
Look Back, by Tatsuki Fujimoto, translation by Amanda Haley (VIZ Media)
PTSD Radio vol. 1, by Masaaki Nakayama, translation by Adam Hirsch (Kodansha)
Shuna’s Journey, by Hayao Miyazaki; translation by Alex Dudok de Wit (First Second/Macmillan)
Talk to My Back, by Yamada Murasaki, translation by Ryan Holmberg (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)

Bungleton Green and the Mystic Commandos, by Jay Jackson (New York Review Comics)
Come Over Come Over, It’s So Magic, and My Perfect Life, by Lynda Barry, edited by Peggy Burns (Drawn & Quarterly)
The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1922-1924, by George Herriman, edited by J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)
Macanudo: Welcome to Elsewhere, by Liniers, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)
Pogo The Complete Syndicated Comic Strips: Volume 8: Hijinks from the Horn of Plenty, by Walt Kelly, edited by Mark Evanier and Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)

The Deluxe Gimenez: The Fourth Power & The Starr Conspiracy, by Juan Gimenez, edited by Alex Donoghue and Bruno Lecigne (Humanoids)
The Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta, edited by Dian Hansen (TASCHEN)
Home to Stay! The Complete Ray Bradbury EC Stories, by Ray Bradbury and various; edited by J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus 1 (Abrams ComicArts)
Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge: The Diamond Jubilee Collection, by Carl Barks; edited by David Gerstein (Fantagraphics)

Best Writer

Grace Ellis, Flung Out of Space (Abrams ComicArts)
Tom King, Batman: Killing Time, Batman: One Bad Day, Gotham City: Year One, The Human Target, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (DC); Love Everlasting (Image)
Mark Russell, Traveling to Mars (Ablaze), One-Star Squadron, Superman: Space Age (DC); The Incal: Psychoverse (Humanoids)
James Tynion IV, House of Slaughter, Something Is Killing the Children, Wynd (BOOM! Studios); The Nice House on the Lake, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country (DC), The Closet, The Department of Truth (Image)
Chip Zdarsky, Stillwater (Image Skybound); Daredevil (Marvel)

Best Writer/Artist

Sarah Andersen, Cryptid Club (Andrews McMeel)
Kate Beaton, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands (Drawn & Quarterly)
Espé, The Pass (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University)
Junji Ito, Black Paradox, The Liminal Zone (VIZ Media)
Zoe Thorogood, It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth (Image)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

Jason Shawn Alexander, Killadelphia, Nita Hawes’ Nightmare Blog (Image)
Alvaro Martínez Bueno, The Nice House on the Lake (DC)
Sean Phillips, Follow Me Down, The Ghost in You (Image)
Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)
Greg Smallwood, The Human Target (DC)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Lee Bermejo, A Vicious Circle (BOOM! Studios)
Felix Delep, Animal Castle (Ablaze)
Daria Schmitt, The Monstrous Dreams of Mr. Providence (Europe Comics)
Sana Takeda, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts); Monstress (Image)
Zoe Thorogood, Joe Hill’s Rain (Syzygy/Image)
Thomas Woodruff, Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral (Fantagraphics)

Best Cover Artist (for multiple covers)

Jen Bartel, She-Hulk (Marvel)
Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)
Alex Ross, Astro City: That Was Then . . . (Image); Fantastic Four, Black Panther (Marvel)
Sana Takeda, Monstress (Image)
Zoe Thorogood, Joe Hill’s Rain (Syzygy/Image)

Best Coloring

Jordie Bellaire, The Nice House on the Lake, Suicide Squad: Blaze (DC); Antman, Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)
Jean-Francois Beaulieu, I Hate Fairyland 2022, Twig (Image)
Dave McCaig, The Incal: Psychoverse (Humanoids)
Jacob Phillips, Follow Me Down, The Ghost in You, That Texas Blood (Image)
Alex Ross and Josh Johnson, The Fantastic Four: Full Circle (Abrams ComicArts)
Diana Sousa, Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins; The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin; The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone; The Mighty Nein Origins: Caleb Widogast (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering

Pat Brosseau, Batman: The Knight, Wonder Woman: The Villainy of Our Fears (DC): Creepshow, Dark Ride, I Hate This Place, Skybound Presents: Afterschool (Image Skybound)
Chris Dickey, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts)
Todd Klein, Chivalry (Dark Horse); Fables (DC); Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)
Nate Piekos, Black Hammer Reborn, Minor Threats, Shaolin Cowboy, Stranger Things: Kamchatka (Dark Horse), I Hate Fairyland, Twig (Image)
Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (IDW)
Thomas Woodruff, Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral (Fantagraphics)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

Alter Ego, edited by Roy Thomas (TwoMorrows)
Comic Book Creator, edited by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)
The Comics Journal #308, edited by Gary Groth, Kristy Valenti, and Rachel Miller (Fantagraphics)
PanelXPanel magazine, edited by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Tiffany Babb (panelxpanel.com)
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, ICv2, Publishers Weekly

Best Comics-Related Book

The Art of the News: Comics Journalism, edited by Katherine Kelp-Stebbins and Ben Saunders (Oregon State University Press)
Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects, by Benjamin L. Clark and Nat Gertler (Schulz Museum)
The Charlton Companion, by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)
Gladys Parker: A Life in Comics, A Passion for Fashion, by Trina Robbins (Hermes Press)
Resurrection: Comics in Post-Soviet Russia, by José Alaniz (Ohio State University Press)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

Bandits, Misfits, and Superheroes: Whiteness and Its Borderlands in American Comics and Graphic Novels, by Josef Benson and Doug Singsen (University Press of Mississippi)
Graphic Medicine, edited by Erin La Cour and Anna Poletti (University of Hawai’i’ Press)
How Comics Travel: Publication, Translation, Radical Literacies, by Katherine Kelp-Stebbins (Ohio State University Press)
The LGBTQ+ Comics Studies Reader: Critical Openings, Future Directions, edited by Alison Halsall and Jonathan Warren (University Press of Mississippi)
Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels. By Tim Smyth (Routledge)

Best Publication Design

Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral, designed by Thomas Woodruff, Jacob Covey, and Ryan Dinnick (Fantagraphics)
A Frog in the Fall (and later on), designed by Linnea Sterte, Olle Forsslöf, and Patrick Crotty (PEOW)
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts 40X40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock-n-Roll, designed by Josh Bernstein and Jason Ullmeyer (Z2)
Mazebook Dark Horse Direct Edition, designed by Tom Muller (Dark Horse)
Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, designed by Sean Phillips (IDW)
Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, designed by Lauryn Ipsum (Z2)

Best Webcomic

Deeply Dave, by Grover, http://www.deeplydave.com/
Delilah Dirk: Practical Defence Against Piracy, by Tony Cliff, https://www.delilahdirk.com/dd4/dd4-p46.html
Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe (WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=5
The Mannamong, by Michael Adam Lengyel, https://mannamong.com/episode-1/
Spores, by Joshua Barkman, https://falseknees.com/22ink1.html

Best Digital Comic

All Princesses Die Before Dawn, by Quentin Zuttion, translation by M. B. Valente (Europe Comics)
Barnstormers, by Scott Snyder and Tula Lotay (Comixology Originals)
Behind the Curtain, by Sara del Giudice, translation by M. B. Valente (Europe Comics)
Ripple Effects, by Jordan Hart, Bruno Chiroleu, Justin Harder, and Shane Kadlecik (Fanbase Press)
Sixty Years in Winter, by Ingrid Chabbert and Aimée de Jongh, translation by Matt Madden (Europe Comics)

You can learn more about the Eisner Awards at the following links:
https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards-current-info
https://www.comic-con.org/awards/faq