The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, frequently described as the Oscars of the comic book world, are handed out annually at San Diego Comic Con as part of prestigious ceremony honoring the previous year’s best of the best in comics and graphic novels.
The Eisner Awards – named for the industry innovator, cartoonist, and creator of The Spirit and A Contract with God – were first bestowed on comic book writers, illustrators, pencillers, inker and other creatives in 1988. This past July, the newly honored class of Eisner Award-winners was announced with the Saga series capturing four awards.
At this year’s Fort Collins Comic Con, attendees will have the opportunity to meet two-time Eisner Award winner and local creator Mike Baron (Nexus: The Origin) and multiple Eisner Award-nominee Peter Krause (Irredeemable) among other influential and award-winning presenters.
The entire list of featured presenters and comic book creators is available online at www.fococomiccon.com. You can also find the full two-day schedule for the Con, a list of participating vendors, cosplay contest rules, and other important information.
Fort Collins Comic Con, August 26-27
Northside Aztlan Community Center
As you prepare for Comic Con, why not check out a few of the 2017 Eisner Award winners available at the libraries (in print or via download) including:
| Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8) | Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton |
| Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12) |
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier |
| Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17) |
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Ryan North and Erica Henderson |
| Best Anthology | Love Is Love edited by Sarah Gaydos and Jamie S. Rich (A comic anthology to benefit the survivors of the Orlando Pulse shooting; available as an eBook via hoopla) |
| Best Graphic Album—New | Wonder Woman: The True Amazon by Jill Thompson |
| Best Reality-Based Work | March (Book 3) by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell |
| Best Continuing Series | Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Saga Vol. 7 available instantly as an eBook on hoopla) |
| Best Short Story | “Good Boy” by Tom King and David Finch, in Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham (instantly available on hoopla) |
| Best Humor Publication | Jughead by Chip Zdarsky, Ryan North, Erica Henderson, and Derek Charm |
| Best Writer | Brian K. Vaughan, Paper Girls, Saga |
| Best Webcomic | Bird Boy by Anne Szabla |
Fort Collins Comic Con returns for the third year August 26-27 at the Northside Aztlan Community Center with more than 3,500 comic book aficionados, cosplayers, illustrators, artisans, and general pop-culture enthusiasts expected to pass through the doors.
Anyone interested in joining the fandom fun can purchase a badge online – good for the entire two-day event – at FoCoComicCon.com while supplies last. The cost is $20 for attendees age 13 and older; $10 for young fans ages 5-12; and free for geeks under 5.
Scheduled guests at this year’s Con include Greg Guler (Disney animator, Gargoyles), Victor Cook (Disney writer, Darkwing Duck), Peter Krause (comic artist, Irredeemable, The Power of Shazam), Kevin Hopps (Disney writer, Darkwing Duck, Star Wars Rebels, Young Rebels), and Zach Howard (comic artist, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spider-Man, the Hulk, Wild Blue Yonder), and others.
To kick off the Comic Con weekend, Poudre River Libraries will again host a free Teen Nerd Prom for attendees ages 12-18. The evening event takes place Friday, August 25 at Old Town Library. Anyone planning to attend must register for a free admission ticket on the Fort Collins Comic Con website. Space is limited.
