JEFF SMITH, CHRIS WARE, MIKE MIGNOLA, and ALAN MOORE were the big winners at the thirteenth annual HARVEY AWARDS ceremony April 28th, held at the PITTSBURGH COMICON. One of the comic book industrys longest-running and most prestigious awards, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in comics and sequential art. The Harveys are the only industry awards in which both the nominees and the winners are selected by the full body of comics creators.
Jeff Smith, who both writes and draws the comic series "Bone," was honored as the Best Cartoonist for his work in 1999. Mike Mignola was voted Best Artist for "Hellboy: Box Full of Evil," and Alan Moore was recognized as Best Writer for his "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." Chris Ware walked away with six Harveys for "Acme Novelty Library," including Best Cover Artist, Best Series, and Best Single Issue. The full list of winners for the 20 Harvey Award categories, along with all the nominees, can be found on-line at .
This year was the first in which the Harvey Awards ceremony was held at the Pittsburgh Comicon, which experienced record attendance over its three days.
The ceremony featured several innovations, including a special recognition of the many important cartoonists and comics writers who passed away since the last ceremony. Harvey Awards chairman DENIS KITCHEN and Fantagraphics co-publisher KIM THOMPSON eulogized 20 artists, including GIL KANE, EDWARD GOREY, and CHARLES SCHULZ, against a backdrop of images from their life and work.
The awards are named in honor of HARVEY KURTZMAN. Kurtzman was an industry innovator best known for creating "MAD" magazine in 1952; he is also known for his groundbreaking war comics and the long-running Playboy strip "Little Annie Fanny." Kurtzman is remembered as a brilliant editor who discovered and nurtured a wide array of talent, including ROBERT CRUMB, GILBERT SHELTON, TERRY GILLIAM, and GLORIA STEINEM. Late in life he modestly referred to himself as the "father-in-law of underground comix" in recognition of the reverence in which he was held by generations of cartoonists.
Kurtzmans pervasive and lasting influence was the subject of the keynote address, delivered by Jeff Smith. EVAN DORKIN, the acerbic wit behind "Milk & Cheese," "Dork," and the Cartoon Networks "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast," made his debut as the evenings Master of Ceremonies. The awards themselves were presented by fellow cartoonists, comic writers, and previous Harvey Award winners, including DAVID CAMPITI, SARAH DYER, STEVE LIEBER, SHELDON MULDOFF, MARTIN NODELL, GEORGE PEREZ, MARK SCHULTZ, and AL WILLIAMSON.
The Harvey Awards were made possible by the generous support of the PITTSBURGH COMICON, DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS, and DARK HORSE COMICS. Special thanks go to MICHAEL and RENEE GEORGE and the entire staff of the Pittsburgh Comicon for all of their hard work and assistance.
Next years Harvey Awards will return to the Pittsburgh Comicon on APRIL 27, 2001.
Morgan, a life-long comic book fanatic, will center his presentation on the Internet's growing role in the comic industry and how artists can use Toonscape.com to promote their work and advance their careers. "The Internet is reinventing the comic industry and Toonscape is leading the charge," said Morgan. "As an Artist Service Provider, Toonscape serves as a community destination and resource for comic artists and illustrators." Toonscape gives comic book artists, illustrators and animators the ability to post, broadly promote and eventually sell and distribute their work through personalized online galleries within Toonscape's infrastructure, while maintaining creative control of their work. Toonscape also provides online syndication and artist management services for its artists. Fans, too, find a home at Toonscape. They will soon have the ability to purchase artwork and merchandise directly online.
"The Society is made of people who live and breathe comics and cartoons. Digital art is forever changing the landscape of the cartoon world and we need to stay on top of the changes," said Jim Whiting, President of SCCS. "We're eager to learn more about Toonscape and how we can benefit from its services."
Formed in 1986, the Southern California Cartoonists Society has grown to become an influential force in the comics industry and recently became the San Diego Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society. The SCCS is a social group for professionals in the comic arts industry, including cartoonists, writers, and historians, collectors and agents who share the common personal and professional interests of the comic arts. Morgan founded Toonscape in December 1999 after successful careers at Netopolis, Inc., an Internet technology solutions and marketing company; Digibook Technologies, an electronic book publishing company; and Peanut Butter and Jelly Furniture, an award-winning line of children's furniture. In the past, the Southern California Cartoonists Society has featured many of the most well known comic strip, comic book, editorial and advertising cartoonists in the business, as well as top animators and freelancers, collectors and historians.
Pérez is an industry veteran whose work has delighted fans for more than a quarter of a century. His epic work on "The Avengers," "The Teen Titans," and "Crisis On Infinite Earths" is superhero storytelling at its finest. He s found renewed popularity re-assembling "The Avengers" with writer KURT BUSIEK, and his creator-owned comic "Crimson Plague" will re-launch with Gorilla Comics this summer. In recent years, Pérez has proven himself a consistent and gifted fundraiser for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and other charities.
"Id like to let everyone know just how important the CBLDF is to me," said Pérez, "and to the entire comics industry. If we want to be creative, if we want to have a real variety of work out there, work that not only indulges peoples fantasies but challenges their intellect, than nothing should be so sacred or profane that it cannot be talked about, or written about, or drawn about. The day we let a small faction of society say not we dont like what youre doing, but we wont allow you to do it, thats the day that every single principle of this country starts to fall apart. And I will do my damnedest to be the last man standing on that day if I have to be. But with the CBLDF I wont have to be the last man standing. Ill have an army with me."
True to his words, Pérez has raised well over $15,000 for the CBLDF in the last three years alone. In the process, hes alerted countless fans and industry professionals about the very real censorship issues which affect everyone in the comics community. "My modus operandi at all comic conventions is to choose a charity and donate every cent that I make from doing sketches," said Pérez. "Its a lot more meaningful and beneficial than simply making a donation. And by sketching non-stop for a full three day show, Ive found I can really raise a lot of money."
Pérezs stamina at these marathon sketching sessions is legendary. Hell often sketch for more than eight hours at a time, and hes been known to take sketch orders back to his hotel room to finish after the convention floor closes. "As my wife will attest, when I get home I suffer from a severe case of not being twenty. You may see me as Iron Man, but you dont see me at home when all the bolts start to fall out. Im at full throttle at conventions because I get to watch the fans at their best. When you tell them where the money is going, the good vibes I get just make me want to do more. Its a great feeling to inspire a fan or another professional to help out. Theres a lot of good out there, and I get to see it first-hand. I leave shows feeling incredible."
Fans of Pérezs work arent the only ones to come out for these events. He s often joined by his friends and fellow comics professionals, including Busiek, "Avengers" colorist TOM SMITH, and Crimson Plague models DINA SIMMONS and SHANNON LOWER. With their assistance, Pérez raised $3,000 over three days at Wizard World 1999, and over $2,000 in just one day at Megacon 2000. "The next show I do," he promised, "Ive got some records to break!"
Pérez will be doing more charitable work, and not just for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. His next scheduled appearance is at HEROES CON (June 16-18 in Charlotte, NC) where hell be raising money for the CBLDF and the Burned Childrens Fund. After that, look for him at BIG EASY CON 2001 (Memorial Day weekend in New Orleans), where hell be helping out the CBLDF before boarding MAKING WAVES, the second CBLDF fundraising cruise. Pérez has also raised thousands of dollars for the Make-A Wish-Foundation and to benefit those suffering from muscular dystrophy and diabetes.
"When I read about some of the cases the CBLDF funds," admitted Pérez, "I might be unfamiliar with some of the books involved. But that doesnt matter. I have the choice to read them or not. The fact that I have that choice is what makes the CBLDF so important. I dont want someone else telling me what I can and cant read. Im a 45 year old artist, I should have that right.
"Its both an honor and an inspiration to be recognized with the Defender of Liberty," he continued. "I hope the fact that Im such a mainstream comics artist makes my dedication to the Fund all the more meaningful. There are those out there who will try to stop a comic book because they say it might encourage a child to put on a cape and try to fly out a window! Weve all got to be vigilant. Ill have no one to blame but myself if something were to happen to me and the CBLDF wasnt there because I didnt choose to support it when I didnt need to. None of us can afford to be complacent. If we love this industry, hard times and good times, we have to fight to protect it. No creator or retailer or fan should think themselves so safe that they dont need the CBLDF."
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting First Amendment rights in the comics community. Donations and inquiries should be directed to the CBLDF at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061. For more CBLDF news and information, pick up a copy of "Busted!," the Funds free quarterly newsletter, or visit the CBLDF web-site at .
As was announced in a CrossGen press release dated April 19, 2000, CrossGen originally intended all retailers to receive two copies of this special issue through Diamond the week prior to the release of Chronicles #1. Now the distribution of these issues is uncertain. According to Diamond, all retailers should receive at least one copy with many receiving more than the intended two.
Diamond was given approximately 8600 copies of this Customer Review Copy to distribute two per retail account. It appears that a Diamond clerical mistake resulted in a data set-up error that somehow interpreted them to be not just the Review Copies, but the actual Chronicles #1 order as well, even though it was a week early. Being that the amount of copies was significantly lower than the actual ordered amount, retailer's orders were filled based on a significant allocation. Retailers received an invoice telling them that their orders for Chronicles had been allocated due to a short print and that they were being charged for a portion of the copies. In actuality, the first issue of CrossGen Chronicles will not be allocated, but has been overprinted by better than 50 percent to meet CrossGen's commitment to its retailers to be able to fill immediate reorder demand. Retailers who received this invoice will receive a credit on their following week's statement. "This situation was in no way caused by CrossGen," stated a Diamond representative. "Diamond regrets the error and extends its apologies to both its customers and to CrossGen."
Diamond has assured CrossGen that all retailers will receive their full orders for CrossGen Chronicles #1, plus any advance reorders they place by Friday, May 19, on the intended ship date of May 24. No allocations will occur. Diamond has also assured CrossGen that this error will not affect the shipments of Customer Review Copies for Mystic #1 on May 31, Sigil #1 on June 7, Scion #1 on June 14, or Meridian #1 on June 21. Retailers with questions or concerns are asked to call their Diamond rep for more information or to contact CrossGen directly at 813/891-1702 or by email at retailers@crossgen.com. In addition, any fans with a concern on this matter should contact their retailer for information.
"These are the types of things that happen when you try to be innovative," said CrossGen Director of Sales and Marketing, James Breitbeil. "Recognizing the importance of this Review Copy to CrossGen's launch, a Diamond response team, lead by Mark Herr, worked diligently over the past several days to minimize the damage caused by this inadvertent clerical error."
CrossGeneration Comics is based just outside of Tampa, Florida. Their unique and innovative approach to comic book publishing is sure to make them a company to watch out for well into the next millennium.
With the faith-healing priest Jesus onboard, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope head face-first into adversity as they seek-out their ultimate foe, demonic overlord and shady businessman Killnor. Nipping at their heels are Twizted and The Stress Team - both with deadly, unfinished business! And, as if that were not enough to get a clown down, our heroes must deal with a whole city of thugs, thieves and liars. Pulse-rushing, rib-crushing, blood-gushing spectacle, PLUS: the coming of The Carnival Of Carnage!
"Writing Insane Clown stories is a lot like creating an untamed fever dream," says McCann. "To prepare for each deranged issue, I will often run through a big field of long grass, completely naked and soaking wet after drinking a few rum toddies. My hope is to catch a cold, or get bitten by something nasty. True story."
Also, included with The Pendulum #5 is the fifth in a series of twelve exclusive CD singles from ICP that are only available with the comic. Once The Pendulum has swung its course, ICP fans will have collected twelve brand new CD singles with exclusive songs on them - taken together, these twelve songs will make up ICP's latest album, The Pendulum!
ICP: The Pendulum is rocking the comic book world, bringing in new customers with each passing month - retailers, don't let this opportunity pass you by!
And don't forget ICP fanatics - Chaos! Comics will proudly play host to the ICP at both San Diego's ComiCon International (July 20-23) and WizardWorld Chicago (August 4-6)! For more information, check or !
Insane Clown Posse: The Pendulum #5 is a 32-page, full color comic shipping in September that retails for $5.95.
Chaos! Comics and the Insane Clown Posse support The Pendulum with trade ads, news coverage and publicity spots on the ICP tour. For more information on Insane Clown Posse comics, please call Gregg Pisani at 1-480-991-9080 extension 515.
Web entrepreneurs by day, Matt and Robin command the globe-spanning Counter-Strike espionage agency by night! Taking revenge on multinational corporations led by the evilest of men, Counter-Strike is out to show the big boys that you can¹t screw with the little guy.
As the series concludes, Robin and Matt are stripped of the vast Counter-Strike resources, separated from their allies, and must now face their greatest nemesis, Gabriel Blackwell. And it's do or die time! If they win, they will have struck a solid blow against Blackwell's plans. If they lose - there will be two gravestones marked 'Hunter' on a lonely hilltop.
Written by Len Kaminski, with art by Ivan Reis and Joe Pimentel and colored by Jason Jensen, Counter-Strike #4 is the epic conclusion to the first Infinity miniseries, a thrilling ride from start to finish!
"Counter-Strike isn't like anything I've done before," writer Len Kaminski says. "It's like a movie on a comic page, written with an eye for cinematic sensibilities in story and art."
Counter-Strike #4 is a 32-page full color comic book shipping in July from Infinity Comics that retails for $2.50.
For more information on Counter-Strike and other Infinity Comics products please contact Infinity Comics' Director of Marketing, Adam Goldfine at 1-888-CHAOS13 extension 546.
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