July is one of the biggest months for comic books and pop culture, mostly due to San Diego International Comic-Con which celebrates hundreds of creators from film, TV, comics, and more. 2019 is extra special as Comic-Con celebrates its 50th year! Originally known as The Golden State Comic Convention, it was created in 1970 by four comic book enthusiasts and comic store owners. Initially drawing 300 people and being held at a San Diego hotel, the event has grown by leaps and bounds and now takes over the San Diego Convention Center, (and most of San Diego). One feature of the Con is The Eisner Awards (debuting in 1988), which are named for the legendary comic and graphic novel author Will Eisner. The Eisners are awarded to comics, graphic novels, and webcomics, rewarding the best publications and creators of the previous year. Think of the Oscars, only for the comic industry!
With 31 categories covering over 170 titles and creators, there is sure to be something on the list to catch your attention! And, If you’re headed to the convention yourself check out our great reading lists on cosplay and geek culture to spark your imagination!
Here are a few of the nominees to check out right now for free with your library card.
Mister Miracle is nominated for Best Limited Series. Scott Free, known as Mister Miracle, is the world’s greatest escape artist but can he escape death itself? Over 12 issues we follow Scott as he deals with the PTSD of his childhood, dealing with the ongoing war on his homeworld, and his abusive step-father Darkseid who has found the Anti-Life Equation which can give him catastrophic powers. Can Scott escape his past to be a good father? Can he really be free of his past when it seems like his step-father is hard at work meddling with the fabric of reality? Tom King’s script is full of twists, often mirroring the real-life struggles of mental illness. Mitch Gerads’ art is responsible for so much of the storytelling, dizzying the reader along with the protagonist. This comic is great for older readers who might resonate with the desire to escape their own mind.
Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell is nominated for Best Publication for Kids. This collection of vignettes introduces the reader to a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary cardboard into fantastical homemade costumes as they explore conflicts with friends, family, and their own identity. There’s Jack, who loses himself in the role of the Sorceress. There’s Seth whose parents are divorcing and he lives in fear of his father’s visits. Sophie wants to be the Banshee Monster to the chagrin of her Grandmother. This is a wonderful book for younger readers that shows how imagination can power your wildest dreams and help you through difficult times.
Femme Magnifique, edited by Shelly Bond, is nominated for Best Anthology and covers 50 women who changed the world. This collection includes contributions from comic visionaries such as Gail Simone, Kelly Sue DeConnick, and Gilbert Hernandez. The book highlights a wide range of women including genre-defining musical wunderkind Kate Bush, manga writer Rumiko Takahashi, YouTube personality and transgender rights activist Kat Blaque, American politician Shirley Chisholm, and more. The stories in this volume, while biographic, are mostly personal as a fair amount of the contributors relate these historic women to their own lives or discuss how they influenced them.
Is This Guy For Real, written and illustrated by Box Brown is a look into the life of performance artist Andy Kaufman. Known for his role on the sitcom Taxi, his stand-up career, and even a brief stint with professional wrestling, his biggest claim to fame was his contemptible personas which baffled and fooled everyone except for his family and closest friends. This biography focuses a lot on Andy’s love of wrestling with special focus on his legendary feud with pro wrestler Jerry Lawler. Though he died young and left the world without answers to his real self, Box Brown still manages to humanize such a mythical comedian. A wonderful read, Box Brown’s art is slightly cartoony and perfectly suited for such a comical man with a larger than life personality.
Nominated for Best Writer is Kelly Thompson whose writing credits include Hawkeye, Jessica Jones, Jem and The Holograms and most recently Nancy Drew. Her Nancy Drew is a thrilling update to the classic mystery stories. When Nancy Drew receives a threatening letter referencing her deceased mother she returns to her hometown. Upon returning home she is enveloped into a mystery involving a dead body, an unsolved case, and a mysterious rave. Reuniting with her friends Bess, George, and the Hardy Boys, it will take everything she has to crack this case. Whether you’re familiar with Carolyn Keene's original novels or not this mystery is sure to keep you guessing. If you can’t get enough of her mystery writing in Nancy Drew then you’ll love her new Jessica Jones comics. For younger readers, her Jem and the Holograms series is a brilliant update of the classic 80’s cartoon. With a diverse catalog, skill for dialogue, and the ability to infuse characters with depth, it's no wonder Kelly Thompson is nominated.