Comic Book News

Mark Waid to Keynote 2010 Harvey Awards!

harvey_awards_2009_thumbThe Harvey Awards dinner and presentation ceremony, featuring emcee Scott Kurtz and Keynote speaker Mark Waid, will be held on Saturday, August 28th at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore.

Harvey Awards tickets are on sale now.  Tickets to the event, which includes full cocktail hour (cash bar), full service dinner, awards ceremony, and gift bag are now available for $100.  Tickets are available by calling Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland at (410) 526-7410.  Major Credit Cards will be accepted for payment.  Dinner tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, August 25th and will not be available at the door.

harvey_awardsThe Harveys, named after the legendary MAD Magazine founding editor and master storyteller Harvey Kurtzman, recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories.  They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.

Guests for dinner and the awards ceremony will enjoy a full banquet dinner and a lively show hosted once again by Scott Kurtz as our Master of Ceremonies.  All 22 Harvey Awards will be announced, as well the Keynote Presentation by Mark Waid.

Over the past 25 years, Mark Waid has been involved in every aspect of comics publishing, from writing to editing to production to retail--everything short of inserting the staples in the actual comic books.  He has written some of the best-selling American graphic novels of all time, including KINGDOM COME with artist and co-plotter Alex Ross, and currently serves as the Chief Creative Officer for BOOM! Studios Comics in Los Angeles.

"I'm humbled and intimidated to be asked to give this year's keynote address at the Harveys," said Waid. "I may have been chosen because, given my long history and my current position, I have a unique perspective on the accomplishments this medium has made and the challenges it still faces.  Either that, or the organizers have laid bets on whether or not I'm capable of talking about anything but myself for more than two minutes at a stretch. We'll see."

Scott Kurtz, returning Master of Ceremonies, quipped:  "Last year, I gambled that the comics industry was willing to laugh at itself and MCed the Harveys like they were a roast. The experience lead to my working with Neal Adams by year's end. My hope this year is that I can angle a Kurtz/Waid/Sale team up. So it's gloves off for sure."

Continuing the guest-pleasing promotion from years past, a gift bag will be available to all dinner guests.  The first 250 attendees will receive a gift bag containing a variety of gifts from event sponsors, which will named soon!  Without these sponsors, the event would not be possible and the Baltimore Comic-Con Staff expresses their gratitude.  Look to our website for details as they become available.

For those who wish to attend the ceremony only, tickets are available for $15, or free for those with a two-day pass to the convention.  The hall will be opened for those ticket holders at approximately 9:15pm.  Attendees who purchase a ceremony-only ticket are not eligible to receive the gift bag.  The two day convention tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, accessible from http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/index.php/tickets/.  Harvey Ceremony tickets may be purchased via phone at 410-526-7410.

Voting professionals, please remember to submit your ballots by Saturday, August 7, 2010!  For ballots and voting instructions, please see our website, http://www.harveyawards.org/.

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 4 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

Press Release for August 4th, 2010

2010 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced!

harvey_awards_2009_thumbThe 2009 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con.  Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented August 28, 2010 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.

harvey_awards_2009Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field.  They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.  Thank you to all that have already participated by submitting a nomination ballot.

Final ballots are due to the Harvey Awards by Friday, August 7, 2010.  Full details for submission of completed ballots can be found on the final ballot.  Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field.  Final ballots are available for download at www.harveyawards.org.  Those without Internet access may request that paper ballots be sent to them via mail or fax by calling the Baltimore Comic-Con (410-526-7410) or e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This will be the fifth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD.  Our Master of Ceremonies this year for the second year in a row will be Scott Kurtz (www.pvponline.com).  Look for more details soon on how you can attend the Harvey Awards dinner.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010.  The ceremony and banquet for the 2009 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28.

Without further delay, the 2009 Harvey Award Nominees:       


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

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

BEST CARTOONIST

Darwyn Cooke, "RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE HUNTER", IDW
Jeff Kinney, "DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW", Amulet Books
Roger Langridge, "THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK", BOOM! Studios
David Mazzucchelli, "ASTERIOS POLYP", Pantheon
Seth, "GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)", Drawn and Quarterly

BEST LETTERER

Chris Eliopoulos, "FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS" stories, Marvel Comics
Brian Fies, "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?", Abrams ComicArts
Thomas Mauer, "RAPTURE", Dark Horse Comics
David Mazzucchelli, "ASTERIOS POLYP", Pantheon
Richard Starkings, "ELEPHANTMEN", Image Comics

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

BEST COLORIST

Brian Fies, "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?", Abrams ComicArts
Steve Hamaker, "BONE: CROWN OF HORNS", Graphix
Laura Martin, "THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES", IDW
David Mazzucchelli, "ASTERIOS POLYP", Pantheon
Dave Stewart, "BPRD: BLACK GODDESS", Dark Horse Comics

BEST COVER ARTIST

Jenny Frison, "THE DREAMER", IDW
Mike Mignola, "HELLBOY: THE BRIDE OF HELL", Dark Horse Comics
Michael Avon Oeming, "MICE TEMPLAR: DESTINY, PART I", Image Comics
Frank Quitely, "BATMAN AND ROBIN", DC Comics
JH Williams III, "DETECTIVE COMICS", DC Comics

BEST NEW TALENT

Kevin Cannon, "FAR ARDEN", Top Shelf
Rob Guillory, "CHEW", Image Comics
Reinhard Kleist,"JOHNNY CASH: I SEE A DARKNESS", Abrams ComicArts
Nathan Schreiber, "ACT-I-VATE: POWER OUT", http://act-i-vate.com
Matthew Weldon, "NEW BRIGHTON ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY", Image Comics

BEST NEW SERIES

"BATMAN AND ROBIN", DC Comics
"CHEW", Image Comics
"IRREDEEMABLE", BOOM! Studios
"SWEET TOOTH", Vertigo/DC Comics
"UNWRITTEN", Vertigo/DC Comics

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

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

BEST ANTHOLOGY

"ACT-I-VATE", http://act-i-vate.com
"FLIGHT # 6", Villard
"POPGUN # 3", Image Comics
"STRANGE TALES", Marvel Comics
"WEDNESDAY COMICS", DC Comics

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC ALBUM

"ASTERIOS POLYP", by David Mazucchelli, Pantheon
"BOOK OF GENESIS", by Robert Crumb, W.W. Norton
"GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)", by Seth, Drawn and Quarterly
"FOOTNOTES IN GAZA", by Joe Sacco, Metropolitan Books
"STITCHES", by David Small, W.W. Norton
"WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?", by Brian Fies, Abrams ComicArts

BEST PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED GRAPHIC ALBUM

"A.D.: NEW ORLEANS AFTER THE DELUGE", by Josh Neufeld, Pantheon
"COLLECTED ESSEX COUNTY", by Jeff Lemire, Top Shelf
"GRAVESLINGER", by Shannon Denton, Jeff Mariotte, John Cboins & Nina Sorat, IDW
"MASTERPIECE COMICS", by R. Sikoryak, Drawn and Quarterly
"MICE TEMPLAR VOLUME 1", by Bryan J.L. Glass and Michael Avon Oeming, Image Comics

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP OR PANEL

"CUL-DE-SAC", by Richard Thompson, Universal Press Syndicate
"FOXTROT", by Bill Amend, Universal Press Syndicate
"GET FUZZY", by Darby Conley, United Feature Syndicate
"MUTTS", by Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate
"PEARLS BEFORE SWINE", by Stephan Pastis, United Feature Syndicate

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT

"THE BEST OF SIMON AND KIRBY", by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; edited by Steve Saffel,
Titan Books
"HUMBUG", conceived and edited by Harvey Kurtzman and created by Harvey Kurtzman, Jack
Davis, Will Elder, Al Jaffee and Arnold Roth; edited by Gary Groth, Fantagraphics Books
"RIP KIRBY", by Alex Raymond;  edited by Dean Mullaney, IDW
"THE ROCKETEER:  THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES", by Dave Stevens; edited by Scott Dunbier,
IDW
"THE TOON TREASURY OF CLASSIC CHILDREN'S COMICS", edited by Art Spiegelman and
Francoise Mouly, Abrams ComicsArt

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL

"THE ART OF OSAMU TEZUKA: GOD OF MANGA", by Helen McCarthy, Abrams ComicArts
"MANGA KAMISHIBAI", by Eric P. Nash, Abrams ComicArts
"THE PHOTOGRAPHER", by Emmanuel Guibert, Didier LeFevre and Frederic Lemercier,
First Second
"PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA", by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki, Viz Media
"20TH CENTURY BOYS", by Naoki Urasawa, Viz Media

BEST ON-LINE COMICS WORK

"HARK! A VAGRANT", by Kate Beaton, http://harkavagrant.com
"HIGH MOON", by Steve Ellis, David Gallaher and Scott O. Brown,
http://www.zudacomics.com/high_moon
"POWER OUT", by  Nathan Schreiber, http://act-i-vate.com
"PVP", by Scott Kurtz, http://www.pvponline.com
"SIN TITULO", by Cameron Stewart, http://www.sintitulocomic.com

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS

Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson, "BEASTS OF BURDEN", Dark Horse Books
Jeff Kinney, "DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #3: THE LAST STRAW", Amulet Books
Roger Landridge, "THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK", BOOM! Studios
Bryan Lee O'Malley, "SCOTT PILGRIM #5", Oni Press
Andrew Pepoy, "THE ADVENTURES OF SIMONE & AJAX: A CHRISTMAS CAPER", ComicMix

SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION

"ART OF HARVEY KURTZMAN: THE MAD GENIUS OF COMICS", by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle,
Abrams ComicArts
"THE BRINKLEY GIRLS: THE BEST OF NELL BRINKLEY'S CARTOONS FROM 1913-1940", edited
by Trina Robbins, Fantagraphics Books
"GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)", by Seth, Drawn and Quarterly
"THE ROCKETEER: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES", by Dave Stevens, edited by Scott Dunbier, IDW
"SECRET IDENTITY: THE FETISH ART OF SUPERMAN'S CO-CREATOR JOE SHUSTER", edited by
Craig Yoe, Abrams ComicArts
"WEDNESDAY COMICS", edited by Mark Chiarello, DC Comics

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION

"ALTER-EGO", edited by Roy Thomas, TwoMorrows
"ART OF HARVEY KURTZMAN: THE MAD GENIUS OF COMICS", by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle,
Abrams ComicArts
"THE BEST OF SIMON AND KIRBY", by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; edited by Steve Saffel,
Titan Books
"THE COMICS JOURNAL", edited by Gary Groth, Michael Dean and Kristy Valenti,
Fantagraphics Books
"UNDERGROUND CLASSICS", by James Danky and Denis Kitchen, Abrams ComicArts

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY

"ALEC: THE YEARS HAVE PANTS", by Eddie Campbell, Top Shelf
"ASTERIOS POLYP", by David Mazucchelli, Pantheon
"GANGES #3", by Kevin Huizenga, Fantagraphics Books
"GEORGE SPROTT (1894-1975)", by Seth, Drawn and Quarterly
"JONAH HEX #50", written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, artwork by Darwyn Cooke,
DC Comics
"RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE HUNTER", by Darwyn Cooke, IDW
"WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORLD OF TOMORROW?", by Brian Fies, Abrams ComicArts

Congratulations to all of the nominees!  If you know a nominee, please pass on the good news!


The Harvey committee and the Baltimore Comic-Con will make every effort to contact all nominees.  If you are a nominee and do not hear from us by July 23, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We would love to discuss your involvement in the ceremony and the Baltimore Comic-Con.

For additional information about Harvey Kurtzman and the Harvey Awards, visit www.harveyawards.org.

For additional information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

For additional information about the Harvey Awards Master of Ceremonies Scott Kurtz, visit
www.pvponline.com.

Press Release for July 11th, 2010

IDW Launches Star Trek Movie Adaptation Comic

IDW_Star_trek_comic_thumbWith a record-breaking run at the box office and huge sales of the tie-in comic books, fans proved they can’t get enough of the blockbuster film Star Trek. Now, director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have teamed up with IDW Publishing to present Star Trek: The Official Movie Adaptation. This six-issue miniseries details every pivotal moment from the film, including scenes from the original screenplay that were not in the final movie. The same creative team that brought fans the New York Times bestselling Star Trek: Countdown will again make Trek magic.

IDW_Star_trek_comicStar Trek With issue #1 available in stores this week, the Star Trek: The Official Movie Adaptation offers yet another layer to this already complex and engaging new reality. “Everything about this movie was great, and when you have so much amazing material, not all of it can make the final cut,” said IDW Star Trek Editor Scott Dunbier.

Working closely with screenwriters Orci and Kurtzman, and with the consultation of Abrams, Countdown writers Mike Johnson and Tim Jones again join forces with renowned artist David Messina on the movie adaptation.

"We are excited to bring fans a unique way to experience the movie again," said Johnson and Jones, "especially with the amazing David Messina on board. The band is back together."

Star Trek: The Official Movie Adaptation #1 (of 6; $3.99, 32 page color; a licensed product of CBS Consumer Products) is now available in stores. Diamond order code #DEC09 0908.

Press Release for February 26, 2010

Garters & Ghouls Now A Digital-Only iPhone Comic

BartersandGhouls_thumbIDW Publishing continues to forge ahead in the world of digital comics and today expand the company’s offerings with a brand new, digital-only comic. Garters & Ghouls is based on the hot action game by Namco Networks, named one of the thirty must-haves for the iPhone and iPod touch, in which players command the not-too-dead Marie Dupois as she does battle against the evil Thrum and its legion of monstrous creatures.

“We’re very excited to release the first digital comic in our partnership with Namco and Garters & Ghouls is a perfect concept to bring from games to comics,” stated Jeff Webber, Director of ePublishing at IDW. “The Namco team put so much into the game’s back-story that we have all sorts of interesting ideas to explore. And focusing specifically on an original digital comic allows us to design a storytelling format that works best on the small screen.”

GartersandGhoulsGarters & Ghouls IDW’s Garters & Ghouls comic chronicles The Thrum, a dark force churning under the twisted streets and elaborate architecture of Washington DC. The only thing that stands in its way is a group of outlandish geniuses known as The Society and their all-female squad of undead warriors, The Dead-Butantes. As the forces of darkness threaten to engulf the nation’s capital, one of The Society’s most prominent members, Frederic Farley Farnhan, is far more focused on his daughter’s society debut than the growing danger all around him. Will the whole affair become a coming out party from hell? Unearth the strange and macabre world of Garters & Ghouls with the talented creative team of writer Harold Sipe (Screamland) and artist Kevin Mellon (Hack/Slash, Thirteen Steps).

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with IDW Publishing on our original video game property, Garters & Ghouls. IDW’s history of marrying the most talented artists and writers in the business to outstanding IP provides a great opportunity for fans to explore the fun, frightening world of Garters & Ghouls in all its spooky glory,” said Chris Lucero, Manager of Business Development and Licensing for Namco Networks.

In the Garters & Ghouls action shooter game, players control Marie as she is summoned to battle the Thrum’s minions and horrors beyond description! Garters & Ghouls features a twisted, gothic world with 25 action-packed levels, providing hours of unique game play. Players help Marie on her quest by unearthing devastating weapons and massive power-ups! With downloadable content the fun never dies!

Garters & Ghouls ($0.99) is now available through the Apple App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to sign up for updates and learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

Press Release for March 25th, 2010

IDW Cobra Commander Revealed in G.I. Joe: Cobra II

GIJoe_Cobra2_thumbIDW takes the COBRA story to the next level in the new G.I. JOE: COBRA II series, debuting in stores on January 27th. Under license by Hasbro, G.I. JOE: COBRA II continues the danger and suspense of the acclaimed G.I. JOE: COBRA series, as the G.I. JOE team penetrates the evil COBRA organization and eventually comes face to face with COBRA COMMANDER himself.

Following what IGN.com called "an instant classic," G.I. JOE: COBRA II offers the next step in the G.I. JOE team's infiltration of COBRA, as they try to rescue CHUCKLES, one of their own sent in undercover.GIJoe_Cobra2GI Joe Cobra II

"We've been building the COBRA organization up over the first year and a half of G.I. JOE stories and the COBRA book was a huge part of that," said Andy Schmidt, IDW Publishing's G.I. JOE editor. "We're looking forward to revealing COBRA COMMANDER here first. But how and when he appears will surprise readers. His updated look may not be the only difference..."

With COBRA COMMANDER appearing later in the series, G.I. JOE: COBRA II is poised to dig deep into the COBRA mythos and reveal not just [COBRA COMMANDER image]COBRA COMMANDER, but several other as-of-yet-unseen villians. The G.I. JOE team may have been kicked around by COBRA already, but they haven't seen anything yet!

Writers Mike Costa and Christos N. Gage craft this exciting new series, skillfully building the suspense as the G.I. JOE team gets closer to COBRA COMMANDER. The masterful art of Antonio Fuso gives new layers to the subtle yet undeniable divide that fans have witnessed within COBRA, highlighted in the celebrated G.I. JOE: COBRA Special #1. Covers will be provided by both Fuso and the great Howard Chaykin.

Furthering the series that was named the third best graphic novel of the year by iFanboy.com and the best single issue of the year by MTV Splash Page, G.I. JOE: COBRA II continues to blend succinct storytelling with innovative visuals. Raves io9.com, "If you're looking for the latest smart, inventive reboot, the place to look . . . is G.I. JOE: COBRA."

G.I JOE: COBRA II #1 ($3.99, 32 pages) debuts on January 27, 2010. Diamond order code: NOV09 0809.

Press Release for January 21, 2010

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