With no local comic book shop in the immediate area (I have to drive at least three hours to find one that is half way decent), I’m always pleased to see that there are stores out there that are doing everything they can and more to bring customers in. The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award nominees have been announced, and it looks like a great list.
From the press release:
SAN DIEGO, Comic-Con International (Comic-Con), the largest comic book and popular arts event in the United States, has announced its list of nominees for the prestigious Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award (The Eisner Spirit Award). This year organizers are happy to note that Baby Tattoo, publishers of books for kids and adults, is the official sponsor of the Award.
Since 1993, The Eisner Spirit Award as been presented to an individual retailer who has performed an outstanding job of supporting the comics art medium both in the community and within the industry at large. Any retailer established in business for at least two years is eligible for nomination, and retailers, professionals, or fans may place a name in nomination. A panel of industry judges select a group of finalists to be subjected to an in-depth examination based on award criteria. These criteria include:
- Support of a wide variety of innovative material: Providing opportunities for creators’ material to reach buyers; stocking a diverse inventory.
- Knowledge: Working to stay informed on retailing as well as on the comics field.
- Community activity: Promoting comics to the community; maintaining relationships with schools and libraries; keeping active in social, business, and arts community organizations.
- Quality of store image: Innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.
- Adherence to standard ethical business practices.
This years nominees are:
Acme Comics, Greensboro, NC;
Big B Comics, Ontario, Canada;
Comic Book Ink, Tacoma, WA;
Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV;
Comics & Vegetables, Tel Aviv, Israel;
Comicopia, Boston, MA;
Cosmic Monkey Comics, Portland, OR;
Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy, Austin, TX;
Drawn To Comics, Glendale, AZ;
Happy Harbor Comics, Edmonton, AB, Canada;
Krypton Comics, Omaha, NE;
Legends Comics, Victoria, BC Canada;
OK Comics, Leeds England;
Phantom of the Attic, Pittsburgh, PA;
Tate’s Comics, Fort Lauderdale, FL;
The Comic Vault, Chicago, IL;
Up, Up & Away, Cincinnati, OH.
Past winners are not eligible for nomination.
The Eisner Spirit Awards are part of, and underwritten by, Comic-Con International: San Diego, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.
5 Comments
I wonder why Brave New Worlds in Philly/Willow Grove isn’t on the list. They hit big in the Philadelphia market for years with TV and Radio appearances, public events, art exhibits, partnering with Zenescope comics (a local company), and all the fine things in both of their stores. (not to mention their killer parties).
How does one go about nominating a store for this award i wonder?
If the store has won before, they can’t be nominated again.
The Brave New Worlds that won last year is located in CA. Are they one fo the same?
Phantom of the Attic is indeed a good store. It looks fantastic and they even managed to get an article in the local paper to attract customers. I’ll be pulling for them! (If only because I don’t live near any of the others)
No. The Brave New Worlds I’m talking about only has 2 locations … and they’re both in the Philadelphia PA area.